On a warm morning in 2004, a modest building in Bengaluru opened its doors to a handful of children, each clutching their parents’ hands and a neatly packed lunchbox. There were no banners, no grandiose slogans, no promises of Ivy League futures. Only a quiet conviction shared by two young parents — Mr Vittal Bhandary and Mrs Preeti Bhandary — that early childhood deserved something far better.

This is the story of Little Elly, an inspiring narrative that has ignited the imaginations of young minds and education enthusiasts alike, illustrating how steadfast vision, compassion, and curiosity can transform a simple idea into a thriving educational ecosystem.

The Humble Genesis

The first Little Elly preschool was not conceived as a business venture, but as a labour of love — a parent’s quest to provide the very best early education for their child. Today, nearly two decades on, that modest classroom has blossomed into a vast constellation of institutions: Little Elly Preschools, Elly Childcare Centres, the LETTER Academy for teacher training, and Glentree Academy, a chain of CBSE schools, all unified under the banner: Learning for Life.

Yet, the trajectory of Little Elly was not one of overnight success. It is a story forged through lived experience, attentive listening to both parents and children, and an unwavering belief that joy, trust, and curiosity form the truest foundations of education.

Before Little Elly: A Question in Kuwait

The journey began far from India. In the early 2000s, the Bhandarys resided in Kuwait, raising their young daughter. Like many expatriate families, they encountered a dilemma: finding a preschool that was both nurturing and structured. The options were polarised — elite expatriate-run institutions, financially prohibitive, or local setups offering little beyond basic care.

Mrs Preeti, already trained in Montessori education, often pondered: Why should quality early education be a privilege?

That question blossomed into an experiment. In Salmiya, she inaugurated a small playschool — a simple space, a handful of children, and boundless heart. Here, the Bhandarys first witnessed the transformative power of child-centred learning. Children thrived, parents connected, and Mrs Preeti’s conviction deepened: education could be personal, joyful, and profoundly human.

When the family returned to Bengaluru, that conviction journeyed with them, planting the seeds for something far larger.

A School Without a Business Plan

Back in India, the Bhandarys faced a blank canvas. In those days, preschool education was often considered optional, a luxury rather than a necessity. Yet, they resolved to take a leap of faith.

“I told Mrs Preeti,” Mr Vittal recalls with a smile, “Let’s create something back home that we would have loved for our own daughter.” That promise became their guiding principle.

And so, Little Elly commenced — not as a franchise, not as a business, but as an experiment in meaningful early learning. The first centre in Bellandur opened with a single enrolment: a little girl named Shruthi, whose parents, newly returned from the US, placed their trust in an unknown venture. That lone admission marked the humble beginning of a movement.

“Shruthi’s parents took a chance on us,” says Mrs Preeti. “That trust gave us courage. Every parent who followed became part of our story.”

Word spread not through billboards or marketing campaigns, but through quiet conversations in parks, homes, and communities. Parents began noticing a remarkable difference: children returning from school happy, confident, and eager to share tales of their day. The Bhandarys had found their rhythm — and their purpose.

Mr Vittal Bhandary: Building Foundations for Tomorrow

For Mr Vittal Bhandary, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Little Elly, early education is far more than a vocation — it is a mission. Over two decades, he has redefined the perception of early learning in India, creating spaces that balance structure with soul.

His foray into education was unplanned. Like many parents, he sought a preschool that felt both safe and stimulating. The chasm he observed between academic rigour and emotional nurture catalysed the creation of Little Elly. Drawing upon his prior experience in establishing childcare centres in the Middle East, he laid the groundwork for what would become one of India’s most respected preschool networks.

From the first Bengaluru centre to a thriving presence across India — and later in Dubai and Seattle — Mr Vittal’s guiding principle has remained consistent: keep the child at the centre. Every detail, from classroom design to teacher training, is imbued with this philosophy.

The journey was not without challenges. Competition was fierce, and finding educators who embraced a child-first ethos was arduous. Yet each obstacle strengthened their resolve. “The early days gave us courage,” he recalls. “When children came home with joy and confidence, we knew we were on the right path.”

His vision expanded to include Glentree Academy, ensuring that children who began their journey in Little Elly could continue in an environment that nurtured curiosity and character. “Success,” he reflects, “isn’t in the number of schools you open, but in how many lives you touch. When children are happy, families are happy — and when families are happy, the world becomes a better place.”

Today, with over 1,600 employees across Little Elly and Glentree, more than 130 centres, 8,000 children nurtured, and a faculty exceeding 650 educators, Mr Vittal continues to lead with clarity, compassion, and conviction, expanding into towns, villages, and communities far beyond Bengaluru.

When Parents Asked, ‘What Next?’

Little Elly’s success rested on trust, which naturally led to another question: what happens after Little Elly? Parents sought continuity, a bridge to primary education that retained the joy, curiosity, and care they had witnessed.

Thus, Glentree Academy was born — an institution extending Little Elly’s ethos into formal schooling. Its name symbolises growth and grounding: a tree drawing from deep roots to reach greater heights. Its motto, Learning for Life, embodies the belief that education should prepare children not merely for examinations but for life itself.

Mrs Preeti Bhandary: The Heart of the Vision

At the core of every innovation at Little Elly lies the quiet strength of its co-founder and Curriculum Director, Mrs Preeti Bhandary — Montessori-trained educator, mentor, and mother. For over two decades, she has sculpted the philosophy that defines Little Elly and Glentree.

Her journey began as a kindergarten teacher, witnessing how traditional models stifled curiosity. This experience inspired her lifelong mission: to create environments where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to explore.

Mrs Preeti’s influence spans beyond preschools. She founded LETTER Academy to empower educators, transforming teacher training from mere instruction into inspiration. She also engages with underprivileged communities, consulting for schools and NGOs that share her commitment to inclusive education.

For her, success is measured not in numbers but in emotion — the sparkle in a child’s eye, the confidence of a young learner, the contentment of a passionate teacher. “When children find joy in learning,” she says softly, “you’ve already succeeded.”

Two Names, One Philosophy

Today, Little Elly and Glentree Academy exist as two branches of one tree. Little Elly is the heart — a realm of play, wonder, and discovery. Glentree is the branch — structured yet holistic, nurturing academic and creative growth alike. This seamless progression, from preschool to primary, curiosity to confidence, defines their educational ecosystem.

Nurturing the Future

Walking into Little Elly is stepping into a world of curiosity and joy. Recognising that over 90% of brain development occurs in early childhood, Little Elly provides safe, stimulating spaces where children learn, play, and grow at their own pace. The beloved mascot, Elly, inspires curiosity, kindness, and empathy through interactive journeys in Elly World and Natterjack Forest.

The H.A.P.P.Y curriculum — Health, Acute senses, Practical life skills, Purposeful fun, and Yay approach — combines structured learning with playful engagement, developing cognitive skills, emotional resilience, and life skills simultaneously.

Leading with Purpose

While the Bhandarys laid the philosophical foundation, CEO Amit Tiwari scaled the vision sustainably. Franchising became a vehicle not of profit but of preservation, ensuring the laughter, warmth, and ethos of Little Elly remained intact.

Adapting Through Crisis

The 2020 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges. Little Elly responded with Elly@Home, a virtual preschool programme that prioritised emotional connection above academics. Teachers were retrained, parents became co-educators, and the school community emerged stronger.

Lessons from Two Decades

Reflecting on twenty years, the Bhandarys assert that passion precedes vision, listening trumps ambition, and education is defined not by numbers but by joy and trust.

The Legacy of Little Elly

From a humble preschool in Bengaluru to a sprawling educational ecosystem spanning continents, Little Elly remains what it always was — a promise by two parents to do better for children. As Mrs Preeti often says, “We didn’t build schools; we built spaces where children could be themselves.”

Ultimately, Little Elly’s story reminds us that true education begins with love, trust, and the courage to take small steps — steps that, in time, become giant leaps.

Visit our latest October 2025 magazine to explore the full story of Little Elly Preschool’s journey—where vision meets education and inspiring early learning stories come alive. Subscribe Now! https://educationtoday.co/E-magazines/ViewMagazines?id=30

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