Maple Bear South Asia: Bringing Canadian Bilingual Education to a Global Generation
In an increasingly interconnected world, education is evolving beyond the traditional boundaries of classrooms, textbooks and examinations. Children today are growing up in a world where cultural awareness, communication, adaptability, creativity and lifelong learning are becoming as important as academic knowledge. Recognising this changing landscape, Maple Bear South Asia is bringing the best of Canadian bilingual education and early childhood pedagogy to learners across the region.
With a philosophy centred on student-focused learning, safety, inclusion and holistic development, Maple Bear has established itself as an international education network committed to preparing children for success in school and beyond. Today, the Maple Bear network has a presence across 40+ countries, with more than 650 early childhood, elementary, middle and high schools, serving approximately 60,000 students with over 10,000 teachers globally.
In South Asia, Maple Bear operates across four countries, reaching more than 10,000 students with a community of over 300 teachers. The network’s approach combines Canadian educational philosophy and best practices with local educational requirements, creating a learning environment that is globally informed while remaining sensitive to the needs of each community.
A Student-Centred Educational Philosophy
At the heart of Maple Bear’s approach is the belief that education should nurture the whole child. Rather than viewing learning purely through the lens of academic performance, its programmes focus on children’s cognitive, social, emotional, physical and creative development.
The Maple Bear mission is to provide a student-focused learning system in a safe, secure and stimulating environment, preparing learners for success at the post-secondary level while developing a genuine passion for lifelong learning.
Its vision is rooted in providing high-quality preschool, elementary and high-school education based on Canadian philosophy and internationally recognised best practices, while operating in conformity with local education regulations and responding to the expectations of parents across cultures and countries.
This philosophy becomes particularly important during the early years, when children develop foundational skills, attitudes and habits that influence their future learning journeys.
Canadian-Inspired Bilingual Learning
One of Maple Bear’s distinguishing strengths is its Canadian-inspired bilingual educational approach. The curriculum is developed with the expertise of Canadian education specialists and is continuously reviewed and enhanced in response to research and developments in early childhood education.
The approach aims to strengthen children’s linguistic abilities while simultaneously developing critical thinking, creativity, communication and problem-solving skills. Rather than treating language learning as an isolated academic subject, Maple Bear integrates language development into everyday learning experiences.
This creates an environment where children can develop confidence in communication while engaging with concepts, activities and experiences appropriate to their developmental stage.
A Continuum of Learning from Early Years to Middle School
Maple Bear’s academic offerings extend across multiple stages of childhood, creating a pathway that supports children’s development as they progress through their educational journey.
Preschool Programmes
Maple Bear’s preschool programmes cater to children from approximately 18 months to 6 years, focusing on creating a strong foundation for future learning.
The programmes address the cognitive, social, emotional, physical and creative development through age-appropriate learning experiences.
The objective is not simply to prepare children academically for the next grade, but to help them become confident, curious and engaged learners.
Elementary Education
The elementary programme extends from Grade 1 to Grade 5, enabling students to build on the skills and knowledge developed during their early years. The learning experience focuses on strengthening foundational academic competencies while continuing to encourage inquiry, creativity, and independent thinking.
Middle School Education
Maple Bear also offers education for Grades 6 to 8, supporting students as they transition towards greater academic independence. The programme covers core areas including mathematics, science, language arts and social studies, while encouraging students to develop deeper understanding, analytical abilities and confidence in their learning.
This continuum allows Maple Bear to support students across different developmental stages while maintaining consistency in its educational philosophy.
Global Connections: Learning Beyond Borders
In today’s interconnected world, global citizenship is an increasingly important part of education. Maple Bear seeks to develop this awareness by giving students opportunities to connect with peers across countries and cultures.
Through its Global Connections initiatives, Maple Bear students can collaborate digitally with students from other Maple Bear schools around the world on projects connected to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
These projects encourage children to explore themes such as climate, culture, education, living conditions, biodiversity and sustainability. More importantly, students are encouraged to understand that people may experience the world differently and that meaningful learning can emerge from listening to diverse perspectives.
Such experiences help children develop cultural awareness, collaboration skills and a broader understanding of the world around them.
Continuous Research and Curriculum Development
Education cannot remain static. As research in child development and learning evolves, educational approaches must also adapt.
Maple Bear places considerable emphasis on the continuous review and upgrading of its curriculum. New teaching methodologies, educational technologies and age-appropriate learning tools are incorporated to strengthen the learning experience.
This research-led approach enables the organisation to respond to emerging developments in early childhood education while maintaining a strong foundation in established pedagogical practices.
Investing in Teachers
The quality of an educational system ultimately depends on the people who bring it to life. Recognising this, Maple Bear places significant emphasis on teacher development and professional learning.
Teachers, assistants and support staff undergo regular training designed to strengthen their knowledge and skills. Multiple training programmes are conducted each year, while Canadian education experts contribute to the professional development of Maple Bear educators and academic leaders through both in-person and online programmes.
This commitment to continuous professional development helps teachers remain equipped to respond to changing classroom needs and evolving educational practices.
Learning Outcomes that Matter
While holistic development is central to Maple Bear’s philosophy, the organisation also places importance on clearly defined learning outcomes.
Student progress is observed across areas such as literacy, numeracy, communication, social development and broader developmental milestones. This provides educators and parents with meaningful insights into children’s growth while ensuring that learning experiences remain purposeful and developmentally appropriate.
The emphasis is therefore not simply on what a child can memorise, but on how the child is progressing as a learner and as an individual.
Safe, Child-Friendly Learning Environments
A stimulating educational environment must also be a safe one. Maple Bear emphasises child-friendly infrastructure, well-maintained classrooms, play areas and facilities designed to support children’s learning and development.
Health, hygiene, sanitation and emergency preparedness are also important components of the learning environment. These measures are designed to provide children with a secure setting in which they can explore, interact and learn with confidence.
Building Strong Partnerships with Parents
For young children especially, education is most effective when schools and families work together. Maple Bear therefore places emphasis on creating meaningful connections between educators and parents.
Parent communication initiatives and parent connection activity books help families understand and participate in their child’s learning journey. Such engagement encourages parents to become active partners in their children’s development rather than limiting their involvement to academic outcomes or school events.
This partnership reflects Maple Bear’s broader belief that children’s education is a shared responsibility involving educators, families and the wider community.
Preparing Children for a Changing World
With two decades of experience in the education sector, Maple Bear has continued to evolve its approach to meet the changing expectations of children and families. Its international network provides access to global perspectives, while its South Asian presence enables it to respond to local educational contexts.
The combination of Canadian educational philosophy, bilingual learning, continuous curriculum development, teacher training, global connections, child-friendly environments and parent engagement forms the foundation of its approach.
As education continues to evolve, the ability to learn, adapt, communicate and collaborate will become increasingly important. Maple Bear South Asia focuses on developing these capabilities from the earliest years and reflects a broader understanding of what meaningful education should accomplish.
Ultimately, the goal extends beyond preparing children for the next grade or examination. It is about nurturing confident, curious and capable individuals who develop a passion for learning and are equipped to participate meaningfully in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
Curriculum & Methodology
Learning the Canadian Way
At the core of Maple Bear South Asia’s educational philosophy is a curriculum developed by Canadian educational experts.
Bear Care Infant Care & Early Learning
For the youngest learners, Maple Bear offers Bear Care Infant Care & Early Learning, designed for children from 6 weeks to 18 months. The programme provides a warm, welcoming and nurturing environment where infants can feel safe while gradually developing their abilities through age-appropriate exploration and discovery.
The learning environment is designed around the individual needs of infants, recognising that even the earliest stages of life provide important opportunities for development.
Preschool: Building Strong Foundations
Maple Bear’s preschool programme is built around the understanding that the early years play a critical role in shaping a child’s future. Experiences from birth through the early childhood years influence children’s cognitive, emotional, social, physical and language development.
At the preschool level, Maple Bear follows a student-focused English immersion learning system based on Canadian educational pedagogy and best practices. Rather than relying solely on traditional instruction, the approach encourages children to learn through interaction, exploration, communication and meaningful experiences.
The programme is designed to develop school readiness while nurturing confidence, curiosity, creativity and independence. The objective is to ensure that children enter elementary education with strong foundational skills and a positive attitude towards learning.
Elementary: Rigorous, Relevant & Experiential Learning
At the elementary level, Maple Bear offers a bilingual programme that builds upon the foundations established during the preschool years. The programme is designed to provide students with a strong academic foundation while enabling them to continue their education either in their home country or abroad. The elementary curriculum is hands-on, rigorous and relevant, with learning experiences developed across different subject areas. Students engage with subjects including language, mathematics, science, social studies and the arts, while being encouraged to understand concepts through practical and experiential learning.
The programme follows a holistic approach that considers the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of every child.
A Holistic & Student-Centred Approach
Maple Bear’s Canadian-inspired approach places the learner at the centre of the educational experience. Academic development is complemented by opportunities to build communication skills, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and problem-solving abilities.
The curriculum also recognises that children learn differently and therefore benefits from an environment where exploration, questioning and active participation are encouraged.
By combining Canadian educational philosophy with local educational requirements, Maple Bear can provide an internationally informed learning experience while remaining responsive to the context in which each school operates.
The ultimate objective is to develop well-rounded learners who are not only academically prepared but also confident, adaptable and curious about the world around them.
Shalini Jaiswal
Director & COO, Maple Bear South Asia
Shalini Jaiswal is an accomplished education leader with extensive experience in teaching, curriculum development, teacher training and academic management. A graduate of the University of Mumbai, she was awarded the Foundation Principal Galby Gold Medal and Lotus Foundation Prize in 1989. She later completed her post-graduation in Textile Chemistry and a Bachelor of Education from CCS University, Meerut.
She began her career as a teacher at Delhi Public School and subsequently held academic leadership roles at Chinmaya Vidyalaya and Cambridge School, where she contributed to the development and implementation of experiential learning modules. Driven by her vision to bring world-class education to India, she established the first Maple Bear preschool in India. She has also worked as a curriculum and teacher-training consultant with organisations including XSEED and Inspired Education.
Shalini joined Maple Bear South Asia as an Academic Coordinator and became Director of Academics in 2010. Today, as Director & COO, she combines her expertise in pedagogy, curriculum and educational leadership to strengthen Maple Bear’s student-centred and globally inspired approach to education across South Asia.
Key Achievements, Innovations & School Highlights
Over the years, Maple Bear South Asia has received recognition for its contributions to early childhood education, curriculum innovation, pedagogy, teacher development and quality education.
2026: Recognised as Best International Preschool of the Year 2026 – Holistic Development by EDEx Awards.
2025: Recognised as a Leading Quality Education Preschool in India; Best Preschool Chain in India; Best Preschool Chain in South India; and recognised for Best Pedagogy in Early Learning and excellence in preschool education.
2024: Received awards for Preschool Chain of the Year, Curriculum Innovation and Faculty Development, along with recognition as a leading preschool chain in North India.
2023: Recognised for Curriculum Innovation, Innovative Pedagogy, Teacher Development and Experiential Learning, along with multiple recognitions as a preferred preschool chain.
2022: Received IDA Awards for Faculty Development and Early Childhood Education, along with recognition among leading playschools and preschools.
2021: Recognised among India’s Top 10 Most Respected Early Childhood Education Brands by EducationWorld.
2019–2020: Recognised among India’s influential preschool chains and received international recognition through the SG Parents’ Choice Award.
2018: Received multiple recognitions for Innovative Pedagogy, Teaching & Learning Practices, Brand Leadership and Early Childhood Education, including recognition by Forbes India as a Great Indian Preschool.
2017: Recognised for Holistic Development, Bilingual Literacy and Preschool Excellence, with strong rankings across multiple Indian cities.
2015: Ranked No. 1 in India Preschool Rankings by EducationWorld.
2013: Recognised among the Top 100 Franchise Opportunities in India.
These recognitions reflect Maple Bear’s continued focus on quality education, innovative pedagogy, teacher development, bilingual learning and holistic early childhood development.
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EDEx Awards
Empowering Educational Excellence
