Early Intervention centres are places that offer special learning & therapeutic services for infants and toddlers who are at risk for developmental delays. In comparison to the total number of children with special needs, there are not sufficient Early Intervention Centres in the country, resulting in many children with special needs between the age group of 2-10, loosing out on opportunities to develop.Dr. Ankita Sanghavi, Founder & Director, Innocent Times Childcare pledged her services towards such childrenby starting an Early Intervention Center for children with special needs.

Innocent Times ventured into Special Educationin 2016 and has been successfully running education and therapeutic programs for children with special needs& has been offering inclusive education. A homeopathic doctor by qualification, her diligent efforts have pushed the organization to new heights. In an exclusive Interview with Women Entrepreneur, Ankita shares her prior experience and qualifications, the various responsibilities she takes care of at the firm, and much more:

Take Us Through Your Early Educational And The Prior Industry Experience That You Bring To The Table. What Motivated You To Shift From The Corporate World To Foray Into The Field Of Education As An Entrepreneur?

I am a homeopathic doctor by qualification. After completing my Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery, I did my Bachelor in Education as well as Diploma in Special Education. Later on, I worked in the corporate field for more than 8 yrs. With my experience of more than 15 years in education, I have set up seven childcare centers and one K12 school. My management knowledge gained during my corporate days at Mercedes Benz coupled with my strong medical knowledge has helped me become an all-rounded edupreneur.

After eight years in the corporate field, I thought of doing something on my own. Since my childhood, I have always wanted to be a leader. Starting my brand of school excited me and I started working on it. My company, Innocent Times Childcare, is a bootstrapped company founded and funded by me.

What Are The Various Roles & Responsibilities That You Currently Shoulder At Innocent Times Childcare? What Are Some Of The Major Challenges You Face As The Founder And How Do You Overcome Them?

Being the Managing Director of the company, I look into all aspect of the business. Transforming the organization & aligning the entire team towards the organisational goals &vision are my key priorities. Even though it’s very difficult to let go of the responsibilities in your own company, I have learned from my course at IIM to let go of micromanagement and focus on being an entrepreneur rather than a manager in my own company. Having a strong core team helped me free of the operational burden and focus on the expansions and future prospects of the company while the team takes care of the business operation.

What Are Some Of The Major Milestones That You Have Achieved So Far In Your Professional Journey? What Has Been The Driving Force Behind Your Success As A Business Leader?

My academic & professional qualifications, setting the seven centres along with a K12 school in a village, and starting an Early Intervention centre for children with Special needs are some of the major milestones achieved in this fulfilling journey. Being in the field of education, the trust that parents put in me as an educator as well as my commitment to what I promise and deliver are the driving force behind my success. I keep myself abreast of the latest trends by continuously upgrading myself with professional development courses, learning about the latest trends from my education network, attending world forums in education, and so on. I attended the World Forum Foundation conference in New Zealand in the year 2017 which exposed me to the international early years educators and the methodology that they follow globally.

How Has Innocent Times Childcare’s Growth Been Over The Years? How Has Your Corresponding Entrepreneurial Journey Been So Far? Any Advice For The Young Women And Girls Who Also Aspire To Become Business Leaders And Entrepreneurs In The Future?

Starting with just 20 children and one center in 2008, Innocent Times has grown into 500 children and seven centers over the past 14 years. In 2016, Innocent times ventured into Special Education by starting an Early Intervention Center for Children with Special needs. We have been successfully running education and therapeutic programs for children with special needs & have been offering inclusive education. Along with the company, I have grown & gained substantially in terms of my leadership qualities, resilience, and people skills.

"Along with a natural empathetic side, women have a fierce go-getter attitude which every woman should leverage to be a successful entrepreneur"

My business sense has improved and matured and I have developed a strong growth mindset over the years. The advice I would like to share with the budding entrepreneurs is to take the risk and go for it, in case you have a business idea. Along with a natural empathetic side,women have a fierce go-getter attitudewhich every woman should leverage to be a successful entrepreneur. So do not underestimate the power of a solid business plan& personal passion. As a business owner, know your finances and have them in good order. Lastly, build your strong business & professional network.

Dr Ankita Sanghavi, Founder & Managing Director, Innocent Times Childcare

A multi-talented and multifaceted leader, Ankita has done her Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery as well as her Bachelor in Education and Diploma in Special Education. After her 8 years stint in the corporate sector, she used her corporate as well as medical experience to start her childcare firm Innocent Times Childcare and has been leading the organization successfully since then.