The Safari Kid Story: Nurturing Young Minds Since 2005 

It All Began with Our Founding Vision 

Shahdokht "Shy" Mudakavi, a passionate educator with a unique background, founded Safari Kid in 2005 with a clear mission: to provide high-quality early childhood education that nurtures each child's potential. Drawing from her experiences as a student and tutor, Shy recognized the profound impact a supportive learning environment can have on a child's development and future success. Learn more about Shy and Safari Kid in her own words here. 

Explore the timeline below to learn how Safari Kid was founded and has expanded into a trusted global education franchise: 

The Safari Kid Timeline 

2005 – A Small Start with Big Dreams 

Safari Kid opens its first preschool in Newark, California, starting with just five children in an 850 sq. ft. room. Shy's genuine joy in nurturing and imparting knowledge shines through, quickly attracting more families from San Francisco and nearby. Soon, parents approached her with the idea of transforming her small daycare into a full-scale preschool. 

2009 – Expanding Our Horizons 

Due to the unwavering insistence of parents and teachers who have experienced Safari Kid’s quality and value firsthand, the first after-school program was launched in Northern California. With its commitment to excellence through both its carefully designed holistic curriculum and highly trained educators, the demand for expansion spreads. 

2014 – Going Global 

Driven by demand from existing Safari Kid teachers and families who witnessed Shy's pure passion and vision materializing, many wanted not only to support it but also to be a part of it. This enthusiasm fueled Safari Kid's rapid expansion, ultimately leading to its growth across Canada and India. 

2020 – Growing with Our Students 

Families who continue to believe in the genuine quality of the Safari Kid curriculum are relentless in their request for an expansion of Safari Kid's programs. This led to the launch of the Safari Kid Private School Kindergarten program, followed shortly by the introduction of Safari Kid Private first- and second-grade programs. 

Present Day – A Thriving Community 

Safari Kid continues to expand but remains committed to maintaining excellent quality. Currently, 45 preschools across three countries have positively impacted more than 35,000 young lives. This incredible growth is a testament to the enthusiasm and trust our parents and families have had in Shy's vision decades ago. Her vision, born out of a passion for whole-child education, aimed to fill educators' hearts with pride and instill in young students an enduring appetite for learning.