A shadow teacher for nursery and kindergarten.

Vetted shadow teachers for playschool, nursery, LKG and UKG: settling in, circle time, play, snack and toileting, with the school's agreement and your plan.

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At a glance

Vetting: Qualifications, identity, references
Supervision: 1 week · 30 days · 90 days
Languages: English, Hindi, regional

In short

Special Minds introduces vetted shadow teachers for children of about three to six in playschool, nursery, LKG and UKG, in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune and Ahmedabad. Preschool support looks different from later years: settling in at the gate, joining circle time, taking turns in play, snack time, toileting and moving between activities. The shadow teacher works at the school's invitation, to the plan from your child's therapists, and aims to step back as the child settles. Every candidate is verified, referenced and interviewed twice, and placements are reviewed on a schedule.

Families whose child has a speech delay, developmental delay, autism or sensory differences and has a preschool place, or is applying for one, at a playschool or in the pre-primary section of a CBSE, ICSE or IB school. Often the preschool has asked for a support person in class, or a therapist has suggested one for the first months.

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Included

What you get.

A shadow teacher with documented early-years experience
Coordination with the preschool before the first day
Help with settling, play, snack and toileting routines
Therapy targets carried into circle time and free play
Reviews at one week, thirty and ninety days, and a replacement guarantee

How a placement works

Questions

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Can a shadow teacher work in a playschool or nursery?+

Yes, where the school agrees. Some preschools welcome a support person; others have firm rules about extra adults in the room. We speak to the school before any placement and agree the classroom expectations with the head or coordinator.

Does my child need a diagnosis for a shadow teacher in nursery?+

Not necessarily. Indian paediatric guidance says support should start as soon as a delay is noticed, without waiting for a formal diagnosis. The preschool may still want a note from your developmental paediatrician or therapist, so ask what it needs.

Will the shadow teacher stay with my child into class 1?+

Only if your child still needs one. In the early years the aim is usually to step back as the child settles, agreed with the school and your therapists and reviewed along the way. Some children start class 1 with support, others without.

Will the shadow teacher help with toileting?+

Where the school and the family agree, yes, following the school's own rules on personal care and safeguarding. It is set out in writing before the placement starts, so everyone knows who does what.