Why choose the Cambridge Curriculum over CBSE for Early Years Development?

The early years of a child’s life lay the foundation for all the life skills that they will learn in the future. These are the formative years in the child’s life, and choosing the right curriculum between Cambridge and CBSE is important. It will determine how they learn, how they articulate their thoughts and feelings, and how they view the world around them.

Parents are often faced with the dilemma of choosing between the Cambridge curriculum and CBSE. CBSE provides structure and consistency; however, the Cambridge curriculum is designed to encourage curiosity and creativity while ensuring the child is holistically nurtured.

At Sarvalokaa, we embrace the Cambridge curriculum for young students because the right beginnings shape confidence.

What is the Cambridge Curriculum?

The Cambridge curriculum is a global educational framework developed and maintained by Cambridge Assessment International Education. It ensures that students understand the concepts they are learning, ask questions and have the desire to learn more.

The Cambridge curriculum’s overall flexibility allows schools to tailor the learning according to the student’s pace.

Cambridge Curriculum vs CBSE

The Cambridge curriculum and CBSE both have their own pros and cons; here is a quick comparison between them.

Aspect	Cambridge Curriculum	CBSE
Approach to Learning	Encourages curiosity, exploration, and inquiry; students ask questions and investigate concepts.	Structured and content-driven, with less emphasis on inquiry-based learning.
Assessment Style	Continuous assessment through projects, portfolios, classwork, and periodic exams, with less focus on one test.	Primarily summative exams; performance in board exams is the key focus.
Subject Flexibility	Offers more choice, integration of arts, inquiry, and expression, even in early years.	Prescriptive curriculum with limited flexibility in subjects and sequence.
Skill Development	Emphasises transferable skills like critical thinking, communication, and collaboration from early stages.	Strong in content knowledge, but less emphasis on life skills in the early grades.

Why the Cambridge Curriculum Works Well for Early Years

1) Child-centred Learning

Children tend to learn best with practical learning. Cambridge curricula focus on several aspects of a growing child alongside academics. They teach through play-based learning, excursions, hands-on activities, storytelling and experiential learning that mirrors how children learn outside of educational settings.

2) Building Strong Foundations for Growth

The Cambridge curriculum centres on the idea that children develop in six vital areas: language, literacy, and communication; creative expression; maths; physical development; and social and emotional growth. Children learn important skills through play, storytelling, art, and many other interactive activities. These activities help them express themselves with confidence and think logically.

Young children learn literacy and math skills early on by balancing these areas, and they also learn how to be empathetic, collaborate with others and be independent. This well-rounded approach makes sure that every child's early years are joyful and interesting, and lay a solid foundation for future learning.

3) Encourages Natural Curiosity and Expression

The Cambridge curriculum deeply values the child’s natural sense of wonder and curiosity. Especially during the early years, learning happens through exploring the world around you, conversation with people from diverse backgrounds, and the student's own creativity over memorisation. The curriculum encourages students to question the ‘why’s and the ‘how’s of how things work, inevitably creating confident communicators and independent thinkers who genuinely fall in love with learning.

4) Balanced Development

The Cambridge curriculum in Chennai is widely known for its balanced approach to education. Besides the academic skills that students will learn through practical classes,  they also develop emotional awareness, social skills and creativity through hands-on activities. The Cambridge curriculum also has classes like ‘How the World Works’ that allow students to learn about the world around them with empathy while ensuring that they intellectually and emotionally interact with the program, making them well-rounded individuals for the future.

Why Chettinad Sarvalokaa is a Good Fit For Your Child?

Choosing the right school is about more than just academics. At Sarvalokaa, the Cambridge Pathway Curriculum enriches students through their eclectic and green campus, encouraged by nature-based experiences and value-led learning.

Sarvalokaa stands apart from other Cambridge Pathway schools in Chennai as it is dedicated to helping students grow both their intellectual capacity and their interpersonal skills. They learn to find their own voice, be resilient, and care about the world around them. Sarvalokaa offers a learning journey that is truly unique and enriching for parents who want their young ones to have a well-rounded and proactive education.

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FAQ

1. How is the Cambridge Curriculum different from CBSE?

When comparing the Cambridge Curriculum and CBSE, Cambridge has a more hands-on, holistic approach to education as opposed to CBSE’s rigorous, exam-based curriculum. Cambridge pathway schools encourage overall growth of the student over pressurised rote-learning.

2. Why do parents prefer Cambridge Curriculum schools in Chennai?

Cambridge curriculum schools uphold global standards and allow learning to take place through different channels, not just limited to textbooks. The program allows students to develop life skills right from their early years. Chennai, known for its educational opportunities, offers one of the best learning environments for young learners.

3. How does the Cambridge Curriculum help in early years development?

The learning style encourages young students to express their curiosity, explore their independence and cultivates confidence through experiential learning, making it a strong foundation for holistic growth in young learners.

4. What age is ideal for international preschool?

Children typically start between 2.5 to 4 years. At Chettinad Sarvalokaa, the Cambridge Early Years Programme supports this age group with play-based, experiential learning tailored to each child’s developmental stage.

5. Are international schools accepted by Indian universities?

Yes, IGCSE and A Levels are widely recognised across Indian and global institutions.