The Territory of Happiness
Creating the perfect space for children's development and happiness is no easy task, requiring tremendous love, care, and professionalism. Ketti Perekrest, founder of the international network Happy elephant nursery & preschool, has managed to turn this dream into reality. A unique bilingual programme, an inspiring atmosphere, and genuine care for each child are the key ingredients of Happy Elephant's success in Moscow and Dubai.
I was born and raised in the very heart of Moscow, on Stary Arbat (Old Arbat), attended nursery school in the alleys of Arbat, graduated from MGIMO University with a degree in International Relations, and began a diplomatic career — working at the embassy in Paris, then at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Moscow. It seemed like my life path was predetermined.
But everything changed with the birth of my son. Motherhood didn't just turn my world upside down; it completely transformed my life priorities and aspirations. I suddenly realised how important it was for me to provide my child with the ideal environment for development and growth — the way I envisioned it myself. I left diplomacy and returned to my hometown nursery school in Sivtsev Vrazhek as the head of the preschool division of an educational holding company. Together with my son, we created a new bilingual space where we implemented modern programmes and invited native-speaking foreign teachers. It was an amazing time of creativity, searching, and discovery. I was happy to have transformed this preschool institution into the dream nursery for my son and other children.
The success of our nursery inspired me to take the next step — creating my own Happy Elephant network. My son and I came up with the name and logo together, investing our shared dream and vision into them. The philosophy of Happy Elephant revolves around creating a special atmosphere for children, centred around our friendly elephant Elie. The children simply adore him and proudly say, "I'm in the Elephant!" For them, Elie is not just a symbol, but a real friend and idol.
We even have a special weekend tradition. Every Friday, we solemnly present a plush Ellie along with a diary to the child who has particularly distinguished themselves that week. The little one spends the entire weekend with their parents and the elephant, taking photos and recording impressions in the diary. On Monday, during the morning Circle Time, the absolutely delighted child shares with the whole group what a wonderful time they had with Ellie.
Our mission is simple yet incredibly important: happy and educated children equal happy parents. This is our formula for success. We strive to provide our pupils not only with safety but also with conditions for careful, harmonious development and the unlocking of their potential. When we see genuine joy in the children's eyes and tranquillity on their parents' faces, we know we are doing everything right.
It was fundamentally important for me to create a place where a child feels at home — loved, surrounded by care, happy teachers, and a comfortable space. At the same time, education and development have always remained our key priorities. We aim to keep up with the times, combining the best traditions of Russian and international pedagogy, adapting and improving programmes to meet the needs of modern children and parents' demands.
We have special groups for babies from 6 months to a year, which we affectionately call "infant rooms". Here, children are cared for not only by experienced educators but also by professional nurses, providing an individual approach and attention to each child. Such groups exist both in our Moscow nurseries and in our Dubai branch. We are proud that many babies who began their journey at Happy Elephant at 6-7 months stay with us right up until school. And when their younger siblings from large families also come to us, we realise that we have earned the genuine trust and love of parents. This is perhaps one of the most valuable indicators of our success and an unquestionable motivation.
The ideal nursery school is built on three pillars: safety, love and care, and, of course, quality education. These aspects must harmoniously combine and complement each other. Our task is to provide children not only with comfortable conditions but also with opportunities for comprehensive development through modern, effective educational programmes.
We understand that the world does not stand still, so we constantly modify and adapt our methods, relying on a time-tested foundation and introducing fresh ideas and proprietary developments. One of the key components of our programme is bilingualism. We combine the best of the Russian educational tradition with advanced international practices, such as the British YFS programme, mastery of which is necessary for successful admission to international schools.
The results speak for themselves — our graduates successfully pass entrance tests and exams to the best schools. We regularly receive rave reviews from parents and teachers, noting the high level of preparation and development of our children. For us, this is the main indicator of the effectiveness of our work and the correctness of the chosen path.
No less exciting and inspiring was the story of opening our nursery in Dubai. This decision was born as a response to the needs of our Moscow parents moving to the UAE. We wanted to ensure a smooth transition for the children, preserve their familiar linguistic and cultural environment, and give them the opportunity to grow and develop in accordance with our proven and beloved programme. We have a bilingual nursery school — half of the programme is conducted in Russian, half in English. The bilingualism of our methodology fits perfectly into the multicultural context of Dubai, allowing children to adapt to any further educational trajectory — whether it be returning to a Russian school or entering an international one.
The opening of our brand's branch in Dubai was the result of an amazing confluence of circumstances. At the time, I was studying for an Executive MBA at Skolkovo, and as part of the programme, we had a field module in Dubai. One of the assignments was to develop our own project, which interested classmates could join.
I decided to combine business with pleasure and presented the project "Happy Elephant Nursery School in Dubai". To my surprise and delight, the idea attracted the attention of truly talented and caring people. Together, we created a concept that not only took into account the specifics of the local market but also preserved the unique philosophy and atmosphere of Happy Elephant.
As my favourite saying goes, everything that happens is for the best. Our project was recognised as one of the best in the module, and immediately after defending it, we began to implement it. Each team member made an invaluable contribution, bringing their knowledge, experience, and energy. I am endlessly grateful to them for this.
Thus, thanks to a happy combination of circumstances, the support of like-minded people, and, of course, our shared faith in the idea, Happy Elephant began its journey to a new land. And today, seeing how children happily hurry to our nursery, how parents entrust us with the most precious thing they have, I understand that everything happened exactly as it should have. At the right time, in the right place, with the right people. This means that many more amazing discoveries and victories await us.
Creating a truly comfortable and developmental environment for children in a multinational team is no easy task. Differences in cultural traditions, linguistic features, and approaches to upbringing can be a serious challenge. However, at Happy Elephant, these differences have become a real strength. Thanks to the well-coordinated work of teachers from different countries, the nursery school has managed to create an environment in which every child feels loved, protected, and motivated for success. Here, little representatives of different cultures learn not only languages and sciences but also the art of communication, mutual understanding, and friendship.
Of course, starting a business in a new country is always a challenge. Especially in such a specific and strictly regulated area as education. The licensing process in Dubai turned out to be much longer and more meticulous than in Moscow. But I am grateful to this system for its thoroughness and exactingness. Having gone through such a "sieve", we can be sure of our complete readiness and compliance with the highest standards. And most importantly, it gives parents a sense of peace, security, and confidence in the quality of education their children receive.
My credo in life and business is to never give up and to see things through. To transform difficulties into opportunities for growth. To find the right people and build a team with them capable of turning dreams into reality. For me, entrepreneurship is, first and foremost, the ability to improve the world around you. And I believe that investing in children's education is the most reliable investment in the future that we can make.
When I look back over the past decade, at the path that has been travelled, I see not only my personal story. I see a whole galaxy of amazing people who have been there for me, supporting and inspiring me. My parents, especially my mother, a teacher with half a century of experience, whose wisdom and expertise are invaluable. My story in the field of preschool education is largely connected with my family, especially with my mother. She has devoted more than 50 years to pedagogy, 30 of which she worked as a school headmistress. She is the recipient of numerous state awards, medals, and orders for her contribution to Russian education, awarded the Order of Friendship by the President of the Russian Federation, as well as the holder of the Order of Honour and the Order of St. Nina the Enlightener for the erection of the chapel of the Iberian Mother of God on Stary Arbat. Her boundless love for her work could not but influence my professional path. Now I understand that everything in my life has unfolded naturally — from my very childhood within the walls of my hometown nursery on Stary Arbat to the creation of my own Happy Elephant network.
I have always had a supportive environment. My son became not only the reason but also a partner in this educational adventure. Classmates and colleagues from Skolkovo, with their knowledge, energy, and faith, helped bring the project in Dubai to life. A close-knit and effective international team of teachers managed to find a common language and rallied around a common goal — to give our children the best preschool education and care.
I often recall a book that made an indelible impression on me many years ago — "The Happiness Formula" by Marci Shimoff. The main idea it planted in me is the power of gratitude. Gratitude for each day lived, for each experience, for each person on your path. Since then, I try to start each morning with this feeling of appreciation, even in the most difficult moments. And I believe that everything that happens is for the best. This is the secret of harmony — in acceptance and gratitude. And also in continuous forward movement, in the struggle — first and foremost, with oneself, with one's fears and limitations. After all, as the great commander said, victory over oneself is the greatest of all victories. And I am moving towards this victory every day together with my team and pupils.
