Finding a preschool that satisfies your child’s curiosity, provides a caring and stimulating environment and on top of that there is a ton of fun is enough to send any mummy into a bit of a spin!
With so many options available for families, we have wrote this guide for you with our comprehensive guide to the best preschools in Malaysia.
Questions to ask yourself when choosing a preschool Finding the preschool that feels ‘right’ for your child is a huge decision. When deciding which preschool works for you and your little one, it’s important to consider the following:
Location – how accessible is the preschool? Unless you drive or are happy for little ones to catch the school bus, it’s probably not the best idea to send the kids to a school on the other side of the island.
Curriculum – what type of programme does the preschool offer? While some preschools follow a particular educational system (ie. Montessori, Reggio Emilia or a Primary Years Programme) others prefer to take a more flexible approach to learning and playing. Some schools blend a number of educational philosophies into their curriculums so it’s about choosing what works best for your child.
Language Programme – what language does the preschool teach? You could choose a full Mandarin-immersion programme, a bilingual programme or an English-instruction school that teaches Mandarin as part of the programme. It’s always helpful to ask how much second language tuition is included in the day.
School hours – how long is the school day? Some preschools work off a strict half or full day timetable (9am-12pm or 9am-3pm) while others take more of a day care approach and offer longer days (7am-7pm). If you’re a working parent, you may want to consider how easy picking up and dropping off will be.
Facilities – what facilities does the preschool offer? While some preschools will have snazzy classrooms, others offer more in the way of outdoor play spaces.
Child to Teacher Ratio – how many kids per class? The student to teacher ratio varies amongst different preschools, so it’s good to consider if you prefer bigger or smaller class sizes.
Cost – how much do the fees cost per term? For many, cost is a major consideration! Again prices vary wildly amongst preschools. Always ask if holiday programmes are included in the termly fees.