Pinkle Chaudhary founded Hakuna Matata Learning Centres (HMLC). The organization works in the preschool education sector. HMLC persists in identifying the challenges concerning education in the foundational years and finding sustainable solutions. Before that she worked with the Foundation for Ecological Security, Gujarat State Watershed Management Agency, Unnati, AKRSP(I), and Kidzee(Zee Learn) as the Academic Manager, Gujarat.
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Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. I joined IIFM purely as a nature enthusiast, hoping to learn about conservation. After IIFM, I joined Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) at Anand. It was the perfect platform to understand the grassroots level, literally and figuratively. Later, I worked with Gujarat State Watershed Management Agency as a Technical Expert for Gujarat, learning more about the government’s role. Then, with Unnati for Social Audit, MGNREGS which gave good insight into the complexities as well as opportunities. At AKRSPI, I organized and conducted training. Lastly, I worked with Zee Learn Ltd as an Academic Manager, Kidzee, Gujarat before venturing into entrepreneurship with Hakuna Matata Learning Centres.
In between, I took a break to enjoy my daughter’s early years and worked as a freelance consultant. While doing research for franchise business, I worked out how to nurture my aspirations for entrepreneurship. Looking back, it’s amazing how things fell into place. It has been an amazing journey in its serendipity.
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. My first job with Foundation for Ecological Security, Anand was the first milestone in many ways. I saw why learning at IIFM mattered and also envisioned a lot that was to be learned. Another important step was when I started working on freelance assignments. It widened my horizons quite a bit, including the franchise business. The next milestone was working with Zee Learn in Education which was an entirely new sector for me. The most memorable milestone was when we launched the first franchisee for Hakuna Matata Learning Centres.
Q. How has your experience been in your current Organization? What areas have you been working here?
A. Currently, I am the Co-founder, Director, and Academic Manager at Hakuna Matata Learning Centres. I mainly work on research and product development in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education. I also conduct training and audits. The experience of working with children, teachers, and parents has been insightful. Working with children is particularly joyful and rewarding. The present scenario of preschool education is rather dynamic with societal norms, policy, and technology in flux. Apart from education, we have to constantly endeavor to address emerging issues related to early childhood care and education such as safety, screen addiction, unhealthy lifestyles, etc. through our services and products. Being my own boss has helped me to grow as an individual.
Q. Tell us more about your venture.
A. Established in 2019, Hakuna Matata Learning Centres (HMLC) works in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). So far we have three franchisee preschools in Gujarat at Bardoli, Vapi and Talod. In addition, we provide curriculum, teaching aids and home learning kits too.
As the name suggests we ensure “No worries” for our franchisee partners, teachers, parents and students. HMLC aims to provide a business opportunity to those investors who require minimum involvement in operations, marketing and implementation of the curriculum.
The quality of early Childhood Care and Education available in India remains questionable due to challenges such as a lack of safety standards and regulations, infrastructure, awareness, trained teachers, monitoring, global standards and a child- centric approach. Though well-designed curricula are provided by the major players in the preschool sector, ease of implementation and efficiency have been consistently neglected. For example, though phonics for reading skills is a part of the curriculum in most of the preschool chains, in practice, it is replaced by memorizing spellings because of a lack of training, resources and monitoring. Thus, very few children learn to read by the age of six. Our business model eliminates all these problems by ensuring an entire ecosystem to address them.
Our schools are a happy space for the holistic development of children from the age of 2 to 6 years. We look beyond giving factual knowledge towards cognitive development that enables understanding and application of knowledge for problem-solving in creative ways. We ensure a joyful learning experience, positive attitude, productive work habits and development of lateral thinking for the later stages of life.
Our target is to develop the child’s tender mind into that of an enthusiastic and natural learner able to realize his or her potential fully.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your career?
A. I put in a lot of effort to identify the problems and design and testing the products. It includes everything from the curriculum to a detailed teaching aid. To finally see one’s creation take a tangible shape and most importantly, see the intended love for learning materialize in a child is the most satisfying part. Every child presents a new challenge and every time we overcome a new challenge, I get a dopamine boost ☺
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. The learnings in ecology, society, technology and project management from classroom and field visits prepared me for the job. Another thing learnt at IIFM was how to use technology, knowledge networks and organization to empower an individual to get almost anything done. I learned to believe in the capabilities of seemingly feeble women, illiterate farmers and demoralized youth. Now, when I talk about the expected outcomes at the start of the teacher training, I get incredulous looks. By the end, they are surprised by what they are capable of. One of the many reasons, this learning was reinforced in my psyche was that every student in my batch had amazing abilities, ranging from flying a plane to giving a beautiful and impromptu literary appreciation of Macbeth.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles?
A. My eclectic parents have ingrained in me that a successful life is one in which you actually do what you want to do and achievement should be a natural outcome. This helped me to take the plunge into entrepreneurship. My husband, Hitesh, has been a source of unfailing support and positivity which has made this journey into an exciting adventure of sorts. Constant motivation comes from our preschool students who walk in each day with fresh energy, curiosity, integrity, hope, and empathy.
Those interested in starting their own business should explore various fields, work in different profiles, ensure financial independence, and create a personal support system. Identify your strengths and weaknesses and figure out how to fill in the gaps. When in doubt, reflect if your work, or more specifically, your job, is your means to an end or an end in itself.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. My favorite memories consist of my solitary midnight walks to spot wild hares,
attending class with my pet squirrel, forest treks, watching a storm gathering over the lake at Sunset Point, exploring the magnificent forests of Himachal Pradesh during the field visit, adventure and nature club activities, SPIC MACAY events and many more.
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution or takeaway from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. The courses offered were one of a kind and the faculty, library journals, discussions with friends, alumni talks and field visits, all came together to make it a rich experience. I have always been inclined towards self-learning and IIFM helped the process by adding structure and perspective.
Q. The best buddies/seniors/faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share.
A. I was a rather solitary soul and kept mostly to myself. In fact, in the first term, I timed my visits to the canteen so as to have it to myself. Sharmila, Salma, Sweta Rajpurohit, Shweta Sharma, Rohit, Nimit, Aparna, Ritesh, Varun, Veena, and Shweta Bhagwat were the few people I interacted with. CVRS Sir was my faculty advisor and made me realize that I needed to come out of my comfort zone. Biswas Sir, Amitabh Pandey Sir, Suprava Ma’am, MMY Sir, Ashutosh Verma Sir and CSR Sir always brought out the best in each of us.
Q. As an alumnus, what’s your advice to freshers or those who are joining IIFM to get the best out of the 2 years there?
A. Make the most of the amazing faculty, workshops, guest lectures, field visits, and extra- curricular activities while you are at IIFM. Explore your interests and move closer to your Ikigai.
Q. What was your typical day at work? And what does it look like while you are on a break?
A. My work day starts early as I check in with the centres before school time. Except for trainings and meetings, I work from home. With so much to do, each day is different. On some days I collaborate with the educators to identify the gaps in the teaching-learning processes and someday I observe the responses of our little learners or work out business strategies with my partner. I am buried in work till late in the night when I don’t want my train of thoughts to break and on other days, I wind up early in the evening. On long breaks, I usually visit forests or wetlands with my family.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family, and anything else you want to add?
A. Sunday mornings often begin with a picnic breakfast. I like to read, sketch, bake for my daughter, travel, and nurture plants. I find that spending time with family’ or ‘with self’, plays a role in furthering one on the path to self-actualization.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. On Education by J. Krishnamurthy is my favorite book. I can read Tolkien over and over again. I hardly watch movies. The Gods Must Be Crazy, introduced during IIFM by Biswas Sir is an all-time favorite.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitment towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, and students? Your engagement with IIFM Placement or OT/SI?
A. I am not sure how I can make a meaningful contribution to IIFM but I am open to it.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there?
A. Everything from the campus to course structure and student profiles has changed.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. I would like to see Dhaval Negandhi, Shweta Bhagwat, and Pranay Lal in IIFMight In Focus.