At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Priyanka Pathak for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say it further, Priyanka is an Early Childhood Educator, Life Coach and Founder and COO at La Neeno’s Kindergarten & Day Care. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Priyanka:
What inspired you to step into early childhood education, and what was the defining moment that made you realise this was your life’s purpose?
My journey into early childhood education began with a simple yet powerful belief that the early years shape the foundation of a child’s entire life. As I interacted with young children and parents, I realised that education is not just about academics; it’s about nurturing confidence, emotional security, curiosity, and strong character.
The defining moment came when I watched children who had entered our centre as shy, anxious toddlers transform into confident, expressive, and independent individuals.
Witnessing that remarkable journey made me realise that creating a nurturing environment during a child’s formative years isn’t just my profession; it’s my life’s purpose.
From Kids Kare to La Neeno’s, how has your journey evolved, and what has been your biggest learning as an education entrepreneur?
Kids Kare marked the beginning of a dream to provide quality childcare built on warmth, safety, and trust. As parents’ expectations evolved, so did our vision, leading to the creation of La Neeno’s. We combined global early learning practices with emotional development and innovative technology to prepare children for the future.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that while education continuously evolves, one thing remains constant: the importance of human connection. Parents don’t simply enrol their children in a school; they entrust us with their most precious responsibility. Building that trust through transparency, quality, and genuine care has been the foundation of our journey.
As a parenting coach, what do you believe is the biggest mistake parents make today while raising children?
One of the biggest mistakes I observe today is that parents are often so focused on preparing children for the future that they unintentionally miss being fully present during their childhood.
Many prioritise achievements over emotional well-being. However, children need connection more than correction. They need to feel heard, understood, and accepted before they can truly learn and grow. A child who feels emotionally secure naturally becomes more confident, responsible, and resilient.
In today’s digital and fast-paced world, how can parents raise emotionally strong, confident, and resilient children?
Emotional resilience begins at home. Children don’t develop confidence through motivational speeches; they build it through everyday experiences.
Parents should spend quality, distraction-free time with their children, encourage open conversations, allow them to make age-appropriate decisions, and let them experience small failures instead of solving every problem for them.
Most importantly, children learn by observing adults. When parents model empathy, patience, emotional regulation, and problem-solving, children naturally develop those same qualities.
La Neeno’s is India’s first AI-integrated early learning centre. What inspired this innovation, and how do you balance technology with emotional and social development?
Our vision was never to replace teachers with technology; it was to enhance learning with the right tools.
AI enables us to personalise learning experiences, monitor developmental milestones, and support educators in making more informed decisions. However, no technology can replace human warmth, empathy, creativity, or meaningful social interaction.
At La Neeno’s, technology remains a tool, not the teacher. Our classrooms continue to prioritise play, storytelling, creativity, collaboration, outdoor exploration, and emotional development because these are the skills that truly prepare children for life.
What are the three most important parenting practices every parent should adopt to build a stronger bond with their child?
I believe every parent should focus on three simple yet powerful practices:
> Give your child your undivided attention every day, even if it’s just for fifteen minutes.
> Listen more than you lecture. Children open up when they feel safe from judgement.
> Appreciate effort rather than only outcomes. When children feel valued for who they are, not just what they achieve, they develop confidence, trust, and a lasting emotional connection with their parents.
Many parents struggle with discipline versus friendship. How can they create healthy boundaries while staying emotionally connected to their children?
Parents should strive to be emotionally available rather than trying to become their child’s best friend.
Children actually feel more secure when there are clear, consistent boundaries. Discipline should be about teaching, not punishment. Explain the reasons behind rules, remain consistent, and correct behaviour without damaging the child’s self-esteem.
When children know they are loved unconditionally even when they’re being corrected, they develop respect rather than fear.
As someone empowering women and families, what message would you give to mothers trying to balance parenting, personal growth, and career aspirations?
To every mother, I would say this: you don’t have to choose between being a good parent and pursuing your dreams.
Children don’t need perfect mothers; they need emotionally present and fulfilled mothers. When children see their mother growing, learning, working with purpose, and caring for herself, they naturally learn confidence, resilience, and self-respect.
Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish; it is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family.
What does “future-ready parenting” mean to you, and what skills do children truly need to thrive in the future?
Future-ready parenting isn’t about preparing children for jobs that don’t yet exist; it’s about preparing them for life.
The future belongs to children who can think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, adapt to change, collaborate with others, and regulate their emotions.
Knowledge will always be available at the click of a button. The true advantage will belong to children who possess empathy, creativity, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
Your vision is to create emotionally intelligent and confident individuals. What changes would you like to see in India’s parenting and education ecosystem over the next decade?
I hope we move towards an education system that values emotional well-being as much as academic achievement.
I would like to see stronger partnerships between parents and educators, greater awareness of mental health from early childhood, increased emphasis on play-based and experiential learning, and schools that give equal importance to life skills, character development, and emotional intelligence.
If we nurture emotionally secure children today, we will build a more compassionate, responsible, and confident society tomorrow. That is the vision behind La Neeno’s and the mission I continue to work towards every day.
At BrilliantRead, we don’t just share startup stories; we bring you journeys that challenge perspectives, spark ideas, and fuel ambition. Every story we feature is carefully chosen to add real value, inspire action, and ignite possibility within our growing community of entrepreneurs and dreamers.
If you have a powerful story, one that can inspire, educate, or create impact we want to hear from you.
