Assalamualaikum,
This is the first post in the #PreschoolList series where I share information regarding preschools (mainly on the fees) with other parents. I’m on the look for a preschool offering a full-time program for my soon-to-be 3-year-old daughter. Hope this information helps!
CHILTERN HOUSE PRESCHOOL
- Monthly fees ≈ RM2,733 [Fees are payable per term; 3 months in a term]
- Located at Jalan Bukit Pantai, Bangsar
- Approach: EduDrama
- Social and emotional awareness, critical thinking, physical expression, language, voice and speech, organisation skills, imagination and concentration.
- A combination of drama, an extension of play and the supportive components of positive early childhood education
- Program: Pre-Nursery (18m-2y), Nursery 1 (3y), Nursery 2 (4y), Kindergarten 1 (5y), Kindergarten 2 (6y)
- Premise: Big corner lot unit with playground
- Payment upon enrolment: RM18,392
- The Nursery 1 class for 2023 is already full
- There is a pre-admission interview
- Reading program - Oxford Reading Tree
- Mandarin classes to prepare for the transition to Standard 1. Oral classes for Nursery level and written activities starting from Kindergarten 1
- Primary languages in class - English and Mandarin. Each class will have 2 teachers; an English and a Mandarin teacher. The teachers will take turns conducting the classes in the selected language
- Starting in 2022, Bahasa Malaysia classes are included for Nursery classes and above
- Located in a quiet neighbourhood
- Dedicated security personnel manning the traffic for parents' drop off
- Google Rating: 4.5 (10 reviews)
KITAKIDS (formerly Kool Kidz)
- Monthly fees: RM2,490
- Located at Jalan Maarof, Bangsar
- Approach: Reggio Emilia, Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), National Curriculum, High Scope, Accelerated Learning
- Program: Witty Wombats (2-12m), Eager Elephants (1-2y), Groovy Girrafes (2-3y), Leaping Lions (3-4), Cool Crocodiles (4-5y), Terrific Tigers (5-6y)
- Premise: Big corner lot unit with a vast playground, trampoline and sand pit
- Payment upon enrolment: RM10,480 [A term fee is payable during enrolment]
- Full-day program 8am to 6pm
- Weekly reflections, monthly observations, bi-monthly learning goals checklists, photographs and portfolios will be uploaded on the Little Lives app for parents' viewing.
- Reading program - Jolly Phonics
- Daily outdoor play
- All year-round enrolment
- Dedicated security personnel, CCTV cameras and a biometric fingerprint scanner for security measures
- Located in a busy neighbourhood
- Meals - Breakfast (9am), Lunch (11.30am), Snack (2.30pm), Snack (4.30pm)
- Other branches - KLCC, Hartamas, KL Sentral
BEACONHOUSE NEWLANDS EARLY YEARS
- Monthly fees ≈ RM2,120 [Fees are payable quarterly]
- Located at Lorong Bukit Pantai 7, Jalan Bukit Pantai, Bangsar
- Approach: UK Early Years Framework, STEM, Learning through Play, Outdoor Learning
- Program: Little Tots (1.5y), Nursery 1 (2y), Nursery 2 (3y), Reception (4y), Primary 1 (5y)
- Premise: Big 2-storey corner lot unit with playground, sand pit and pool.
- Payment upon enrolment: RM11,920
- Full-day program 8.30am to 6pm
- Daily activities are updated on the Little Lives app
- Reading program - Jolly Phonics
- Prepares children for the Cambridge International Programme with emphasis on Language, Maths & Science.
- Free trial class available
- Tri language focus: English, Bahasa Malaysia & Mandarin
- 3-day trial class
- In-house staff nurse
- Current class size for 2 and 3 years old - 9 students each
- Located in a quiet neighbourhood however, there have been several complaints from neighbours since parents tend to park on both sides of the narrow road
- Dedicated security personnel, CCTV and high gates as security measures
- Other branches - Ampang, SS2
- FB Rating: 3.9 (8 reviews)
A KID'S COVE KINDERGARTEN
- Monthly fees: RM1,980
- Located at Jalan Keruing, Bangsar
- Contact: +6012-645 8893 (Whatsapp) Ms Ravitha, The Principal
- Approach: Montessori, Thematic
- Program: Cruisers 1 (2m-1y), Cruisers 2 (2y), Explorers (3y), Transformers (4y), Pathfinders 1 (5y), Pathfinders 2 (6y)
- Premise: Terrace house with a playground and sand pit
- Full-day program – 8am to 6.30pm
- Payment upon enrolment: RM9,350
- Located in a quiet neighbourhood
- In-house certified nurse aide
- 24hrs security guard
- Live CCTV access to parents via the web
- Child placement is based on developmental age
- Qualified teachers whose backgrounds are shared on the website
- Overtime charges: RM15 per 15 minutes
- FB Rating: 4.9 (30 reviews) | Google Rating: 4.9 (42 reviews)
- We were so lucky to find Kids Cove. Two of our kids went here and learned well, made great friends and built very strong bonds with their teachers. The kindy is not a large chain. It is a smaller school run by a caring family and a group of teachers and educators who genuinely care about the kids and each family. They are flexible with their administration and run a school which the kids love attending. Cannot speak highly enough about the school and all the people here, great experience for our kids. [Luke Hurford]
- The principal and teachers take good care of my child like their own. When my child has no appetite, the teachers feed my child patiently and make sure he is well fed. My child always comes home and to tell me the things he learnt. Very interesting activities like learning about the meaning of merdeka, yoga moves, dancing, etc. Great place for my toddler! [Ho Shaw Yi]
- Great place for my toddler. The staff are really caring, the food they serve is yummy and healthy and there is ample space for my active toddler to run around. With regular updates throughout the day via whatsapp and access cctv, I feel confident that my precious one is in good hands. [Nazurah Aziz]
WONDER MINDS (formerly Baby Kingdom)
- Monthly fees: RM1,850
- Located at Jalan Tempinis, Bangsar
- Contact: +6011-1445 3056 (Whatsapp)
- Approach: Montessori, Thematic, National Curriculum
- Program: Infant care (2-17m), Toddler (18-36m), Preschool (3-6y), after-school care
- Premise: Single-story terrace with limited yard
- Full-day program – 8am to 6.30pm
- Payment upon enrolment: RM4,270
- Located in a quiet neighbourhood
- Live CCTV access to parents via the web
- Other branches – Bandar Utama, Mont Kiara
- FB Rating: 5 (20 reviews) | Google Rating: 3.4 (5 reviews)
- The best pre school for my daughter. She's been there for 2 years and she did enjoy herself. All teachers have been kind & loving. [Yuslaili Yusoff]
- My SIL introduced us Wonder Minds Preschool when we were scouting for a daycare centre for our 2-year-old daughter early this year. On our first visit I already knew that I'm definitely going to send my little one here. True enough my daughter loves this place so much. The school is always clean and tidy. I love the fact that it is single storey and does not have a lot of stairs unlike other centres in Bangsar and Damansara Heights area. Not to mention that their teaching approach is by montessori method. All their teachers are enthusiastic, nurturing and attentive. They helped my daughter to get adjusted swiftly. My daughter had a lot of fun at school and always came home with a big smile on her face. She is always looking forward to go to school again! Good job Wonder Minds, keep it up! [Ng Kah Ting]
- My son went there for nearly a year- between the ages of 2 and 3- before we shifted to Adelaide, Australia. He loved his teachers and the principal whom he got very attached to and adored. He is quite an introverted kid but through all the activities and classroom work, he made good friends that he remembers till now. He now shows initiative to make friends and loves playing with other kids. He also learnt his alphabets, phonics and numbers (1-10) within less than a year ; this isn’t a small feat as he absolutely dislikes study time- and avoids it at all cost at home. I found the hygiene levels very good as well. Me n my husband actually felt that we struck gold in finding this daycare/preschool. Highly recommend it to anyone. [Vinosshini Tharmathurai]
WHITE LODGE INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL AND CHILDCARE
- Monthly fees: RM1,740
- Located at Nexus, Bangsar South, Bangsar
- Approach: High Scope, Reggio Emilia, Harvard Project Zero, Speech & Drama
- Program: Playgroup (18m-2.5y), Pre-Nursery (2.5-3.5y), Nursery (3.5-4.5y)
- Premise: Shop lot in Bangsar South with sand pit
- Full-day program – 8am to 6.30pm
- Payment upon enrolment: RM7,350
- Reading Program: Jolly Phonics
- Child placement is based on developmental age
- A virtual tour is available
- Overtime charges RM15 + RM10 per 15 minutes
- Other branches - Desa Parkcity
- Mixed review on the internet
- FB Rating: 3.7 (6 reviews) | Google Rating: 3.9 (8 reviews)
- Not worth for the price you pay. Most of teachers are not trained well. However, learning environment is good and interactive. [Rasani Rupatunge]
- It was a very bad experience for my daughter less than 2 years old. unfortunately, despite the good learning environment, but most of the teachers are not good at dealing with children in this age. [Nadin Ibrahim]
- Poor SOP with poor infection control leading to continuous covid outbreak since end of July. After that, we still getting non stop reported covid cases from the school every week. Thus, I plan to withdraw my kid in view of having a newborn at home and requested a refund of the school deposit. However not getting reply from the management. After few attempts, they give a lot of excuses not to refund the deposit. Bad experiences overall with the management. [Jin Tatt]
TASKA SRI BANGSAR
- Monthly fees: RM1,700
- Located at Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar
- Contact: +6016-283 5793 (Whatsapp) Ms Rose
- Premise: Huge corner lot unit with playground and trampoline
- Payment upon enrolment: RM9,451.20
- Full-day program – 8.30am to 6pm
- Located in a quiet neighbourhood
- Program: Letterland Phonics, Folen Maths
- Overtime charges (before 8am and after 6.15pm): RM1 per minute
- Meals –breakfast (9am), lunch (11.30am) and tea break (3.00pm)
- Includes Mandarin and Bahasa Melayu classes
- A diverse group of teachers
NEW SUN MOON
- Monthly fees: RM1,650
- Located at Bangsar South, Bangsar
- Contact: +6019-931 0134 (Whatsapp)
- Approach: Thematic, Cambridge English (for Little Adventurer and Little Inventor), STEM, Good Behavior Campaign
- Program: Mighty Baby (3m-1y), Whoopee Toddler (2y), Little Climber (3y), Little Explorer (4y), Little Adventurer (5y), Little Inventor (6y)
- Premise: Shop lot on the ground floor
- Payment upon enrolment: RM6,780
- Full-day program – 8am to 6pm
- Include Mandarin subject
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, Fruit
- Other branches – Ampang, Cheras, Taman Desa
- Academic based - Assessment, tests, homework, written evaluation
- FB Rating: 5 (50 reviews) | Google Rating: 3.5 (2 reviews)
- Excellent preschool 🤩, Hardworking and Caring Staffs and Teachers ♥️... NSM Bangsar is the best preschool ever... [Tulasi Rajendra]
- NSM Bangsar is awesome. You can feel a sense of warmth, love, passion and security from the moment you set foot into the center. We are truly glad that our cutie pie has great childhood at this center. Dedicated teachers, loved the atmosphere of the school! ❤️ [Eva Tan]
- I had surveyed several establishments before stepping into NSM Bangsar South, and decided upon NSM on the spot. These other places were “sold” to me, focusing on the materials and facilities to develop a child’s IQ, it was all about the business hype. However, at NSM, Principal Aidelle’s main focus is and always on the child’s EQ development – nurturing happiness and kindness in every child. Furthermore, as a working parent, I very much appreciate Aidelle’s efforts in sharing daily glimpse of the kids in their environment via photos and videos. Priceless sharing that I look forward to every day. “Happiness is the laughter of a child” – thank you NSM for ensuring the child we send and pick up is cheerful and happy. [Mala Anandan]
MELODY KINDYLAND
- Monthly fees: RM1,550
- Located at South Link, Bangsar South, Bangsar
- Contact: +6017-216 6525 (Whatsapp)
- Approach: Guided Discovery Learning
- Program: Toddler (18m-3y), Pre-Nursery (3y), Nursery (4y), Pre-Kindy (5y), Kindy (6y)
- Premise: Shop lot on the ground floor
- The grand opening was in June 2022
- Full-day program – 8am to 6.30pm
- Close to 40 branches in Malaysia; mainly in Penang, and 2 in Klang Valley (Bangsar & Puchong)
- Tri-language focused
- Meals – Morning snacks, lunch and afternoon snacks
- Lack of diversity among the teachers/staff
- Difficult to obtain information from the contact person; information will only be shared during the school visit
MY MONTESSORI SCHOOL
- Monthly fees: RM1,400
- Located at Jalan Terasek, Bangsar (relocated from Jalan Telawi in November 2022)
- Contact: +6019-335 9428 (Whatsapp)
- Approach: Montessori, Thematic, National Curriculum
- Payment upon enrolment: RM4,950
- Full-day program – 9am to 5pm
- Located in a busy neighbourhood
- Late pickup charges: after 5.30pm RM30 per 30 minutes
- Meals – breakfast, snack, lunch and afternoon tea
- Program: MusikGarten, Baby Sign Language
- In-house cook
- Tri-language focused
- Mixed review – most of the reviews before 2019 were negative (complaints about the food, rude principal etc.), but recent feedback seems okay. Not sure if there was a change in management
- FB Rating: 4.1 (10 reviews) | Google Rating: 4.3 (12 reviews)
- We could not have chosen a better school to send our kids to. We started sending our firstborn after she turned 1 and our second child just as she turned 4 months. We have only heard good things from our kids about the teachers - they are nice, dedicated and take good care of the kids. We feel comfortable and confident leaving our kids here with the teachers, knowing that they are in safe hands. In a way, this school does not only support the kids, but also (working) parents. Our kids come home every day with stories about the new things that they learnt and the fun activities that they did in school. On top of academics, the kids are also taught practical life skills such as cleaning up (toys). We had been able to see positive changes in our kids after enrolling them in this school especially in terms of responsibility and independence. It is also assuring to note that this school has adapted well in times of pandemic, including requiring kids above 2 are to wear masks in school. Plus points: this school is a corner lot terrace house which comes with a big outdoor playground that allows the kids to play in the fresh air, and is equipped with an in-house cook to prepare meals for the kids. Thank you My Montessori School, you are definitely a home away from home! [Diana Ramlan]
- DEFINITELY WONT RECOMMEND this school!! Will not recommend this school to others as the way they treated kids is very inhuman, the foods they provide is like pigs food. The principal is very rude towards children and dealing them with her inpatient personality. They are kids only, please don't simply punish or scold them like a dog. Very disappointed with their service, they just don't care about children, all they want is only money. [Jennifer Chong]
- I was sending my daughter here since she was 3mths old. Teachers here are good experiences and skillful to take care of my daughter and other children. I felt my daughter safe and happy here in terms of school environment and food provided. Simple activities and Craft program are given daily. My daughter been taught in correct manner and behaviors. This is definitely a correct place for her throughout her childhood life.. [Lee Chooi Yee]
SMART STEPS KINDERGARTEN
- Monthly fees: RM1,300
- Located at Jalan Telawi, Bangsar
- Contact: +6012-224 5063 (Whatsapp)
- Approach: Pingu’s English International Syllabus
- Influenced by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Singapore Nurture Learners and Forest School theories of learning.
- Developed with the Kingston University London
- Premise: Corner lot unit with playground
- Located in a busy neighbourhood
- Other branches – Kulai (Johor) & Sandakan (Sabah)
- Meals – Breakfast, lunch & tea
- Preschool (3-6y)
- Provide a 2-day free trial class
- Limited information is available on the website
- FB Rating: 5 (16 reviews) | Google Rating: 4.9 (11 reviews)
- Two of my kids attending Smart Steps. It such a great Kindergarten for them, before my kids less interaction with each other since we send them there a lots of changes we see towards them. They start communicating with each other well less argument, they play together and start to know a lot of things that even me i never thought they know. We really2 recommended the school. The teachers very helpful and loving. School is very neat and less crcrowded for the children'snvironment and focus. Thank you smart steps ❤❤❤❤ [Nurshahidah Abdullah]
- All staff at this school are really helpful and I feel that my child is receiving everything he needs at this school and his teachers have been great at keeping us updated with his school life.' [Aparna Gosavi]
TASKA TULIP
- Monthly fees: RM1,230
- Located at Jalan Tualang, Bangsar
- Contact: +6012-657 3965 (Whatsapp) Ms Geraldine - Principal
- Approach: Montessori
- Program: Cruisers 1 (2m-1y), Cruisers 2 (2y), Explorers (3y), Transformers (4y), Pathfinders 1 (5y), Pathfinders 2 (6y)
- Premise: 2-storey terrace house with a playground
- Payment upon enrolment: RM6,120
- Full-day program – 8.30am to 6.30pm
- Located in a quiet neighbourhood
- The school visit is only during weekdays at 8am (before the students come in)
- Optional afternoon activities for children >3yo: baking, music, arts, aerobics & reading
- Prompt communication with the principal
- Google Rating: 5 (18 reviews)
- When I was looking for a preschool for my not so verbal son, I was very selective as he really needed a place who will accept him as he is and will encourage his participation in school to increase his speech. Geraldine was very kind and thoughtful in her communication and very importantly encouraging and accepting. She admitted my son despite knowing he will need extra attention and care. The teachers at Taska Tulip are very caring and dedicated. I have seen them working hard adapting to new ways of working and embracing technology to ensure the children get their learning. My son enjoyed going to school everyday and I always see smiles at every kid during drop off. I wish Geraldine and her team the very best and I would really recommend Taska Tulip to parents out there.[Kiran Kaur]
- I had both my kids at Taska Tulip where they started from an age as early as 15 months. The initial meeting with the principal, Geraldine made a deep connect to assure me of the care that my kids would benefit from. Together with her team of caring teachers, Tulip became my kids' second home. My kids established their first batch of friends there. Open communication and care, ongoing feedback on the progress of my kids, fun learning and last but not the least, happy kids - major aspects that a parent would prioritize on and wouldn't want to compromise on. Currently, my kids are in International schools for which Tulip took the first responsibility to gradually prepare my kids for their entrance exams. Despite my kids moving on, they still fondly recall their times at Tulip to-date. Thank you Geraldine and Tulip team...greatly recommended for parents out there![Riddhi Doshi]
CIC WHERE LEADERS ARE BORN
- Monthly fees: RM1,070
- Located at Jalan Ara, Bangsar
- Contact: +6010 7652061 (Whatsapp) Teacher Aini
- Approach: Thematic, Al-Quran & Sunnah
- Premise: Terrace house with a small playground
- Payment upon enrolment: RM4,775
- Full-day program – 8.30am to 6pm (Zamrud program)
- Reading program - Oxford Reading Tree, Sunshine, Password English
- Located in a quiet neighbourhood
- Trial class available
- The 3-year-old class will be mixed with 4-year-olds
- Early bird discount available: RM860 monthly and RM3,885 upon enrolment
- The payment differs for each branch. CIC Bangsar is in the Elite category
- CIC stands for Cheerful Innovative Classroom
- Malay medium school
- For playschoolers and preschoolers, individual progress is evaluated and documented via Progress Report, not exam.
- Response can be a bit slow. I've sent a follow-up Whatsapp asking about the trial class and it has been 8 days with no reply, no blue tick.
LOVE & LAUGH INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC CHILDCARE
- Monthly fees: RM1,000
- Located at Jalan Maarof, Bangsar
- Contact: +6012-657 3965 (Whatsapp)
- Program: Infant care (2-15m), Playhouse (15-24m), Playkids (2-3y), Playschool (3-4y)
- Approach: Love & Laugh Children Development Framework, Thematic
- Premise: 1-storey terrace house
- Payment upon enrolment: RM4,789
- Full-day program – 7.30am to 5.30pm
- Payment upon enrolment for one month program: RM1,191 (excluding uniform, merchandise & events)
- Children's developmental screening twice a year
- Very comprehensive information shared on website
- Meals – Breakfast (9am), Snack (10.30am), Lunch (12.30pm), Tea Break (4.00pm)
- The founders had experience in managing preschools (Currently managing 15 Little Caliph branches under Khalifah Didik Sdn Bhd)
- Other branches – Rawang, Ampang, Bandar Sri Permaisuri, Seksyen 7 Shah Alam, Bangsar, Setia Alam, Denai Alam, Eco Majestic Semenyih
- Overtime charges: Drop off before 7.30am (RM10), Pick up between 6pm-6.30pm (RM15), Between 6.31pm-7.30pm (RM30), 7.31pm onwards (RM50)
SCHOOL VISIT EXPERIENCE
- I came in at 2.30pm on a weekday.
- The school hall was quite spacious; I saw 6 or 7 kids roaming around. The 4 (very young) Malay teachers were eating in the hall, at the children’s table, chatting, and some were on their phones. I was told it was supposed to be nap time for the kids, and the teachers were having their lunch.
- Went into the small office to be briefed on the same brochure they shared on their website. After a while, my daughter became restless and started crawling on the floor. That's when I saw several dust balls. *gasp*
- Discussed the playschool schedule and was told that in a day, very minimal time was spent with the teachers for activities such as doodling, messy play and sensory play. Later, I was brought around the school. It was quite small, to be honest.
- So, the reason why I’m not considering the place no more;
- Personally, my number one priority is for my daughter to learn about manners. And I think it’s rude for the teachers to not even acknowledge my presence there, not even a smile or a nod. That’s a big red flag for me. Plus, the branding is about instilling Islamic values from childhood, yet the teachers were not emulating them.
- My second issue; hygiene. The dust balls. In the office.
- Thirdly, safety. As the teachers were chatting in a circle in the hall, who was monitoring the children?
- Next, the activities. Only 45 minutes are spent meaningfully with the teachers, the rest are for naps, baths, eating and free activities (while being monitored by the teachers).
- Plus, they also don’t have an outdoor playground which means all activities will be indoors.
- I am also not fond of the fact that most of the afternoon tea snacks are fried; doughnuts, anchovy fritters, corn fritters, vegetable fritters and potato wedges
- Finally, the issue of integrity. Of course, I take into account internet reviews when making decisions. The Bangsar branch had a 5-star rating from 10 reviews. Then I saw a review by the founder, “Very nice childcare”. Hmm, talk about boosting the rating.
- I don’t know if I’m expecting too much for the price I paid or being petty. Plus, being a first-time mom and this is my first visit to a playschool. But definitely, this school is a no for me.
- Monthly fees: RM780
- Located at Jalan Maarof, Bangsar
- Approach: Brainy SPICE, North American Montessori Centre (NAMC) Curriculum
- Program: Playschool (1.5-3y), Preschool (4-6y)
- Premise: Terrace house, looks a bit run down
- Payment upon enrolment: RM3,070
- Full-day program – 8am to 6.30pm
- Mixed-aged class as per Montessori methodology
- English medium of instruction
- I learned that the founder texted all parents inviting them to join Quantum Metal (gold investment), which in my opinion is very unethical.
Just sharing the brochures on the gold investment below;
Below is the summary for preschools in Bangsar (full-day program for a 3-year-old);
And other preschools not listed above;
I will continuously update this post as I visit more schools. So, keep an eye on any updates!
Thanks for reading!
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