by on 13/05/2024 12231
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An ideal preschool is a safe and welcoming space where children can have fun and learn through hands-on experiences. It should also be a place where they can foster positive relationships, develop communication skills, and become happy, healthy, and well-rounded individuals.
Beaconhouse Newlands Early Years, Bangsar, ticks all the boxes. Nestled within a tranquil neighbourhood, this international preschool for children aged 18 months to six years old has much to offer, from impressive facilities to an outstanding curriculum and loving, dedicated teachers.
The first thing that visitors will notice is the conducive environment in which students come to learn and play each day. The school sits on a spacious two-storey corner lot along a cul-de-sac road. While there are tight security measures–including high gates around its compound and an on-site guard–it never feels stifling, thanks to the verdant greenery surrounding the school.
Stepping into the premises, you’ll find a colourful outdoor playground and a shaded pool, where the children have their weekly swimming classes.
Classrooms are bright and cheerful, filled with engaging displays and well-resourced learning corners. In keeping up with the times, technology is integrated into learning through interactive boards and smart TVs.
There is also a well-equipped S.T.E.M. room, where children can explore topics related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Cleanliness takes precedence at the school. Each morning begins with mandatory temperature checks for all children to monitor health conditions proactively. Additionally, the school has a dedicated sick bay that is sterilised daily to ensure an environment that minimises the spread of germs. Meals are also sent from a central kitchen, to ensure hygiene and freshness.
BNEY Bangsar’s main draw is its high-quality Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum from the UK, which emphasises play-based learning through a balance of teacher-led activities and child-centred exploration.
The curriculum covers seven areas of learning, namely:
Personal, social, and emotional development
Physical development
Communication and language
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the world
Expressive arts and design
Classrooms are set up with dedicated corners to support these learning areas. At the same time, teachers conduct regular observations to assess each student’s progress, which informs activity planning around the child’s individual learning needs.
The goal is to help them achieve developmental milestones and prepare them for the next stage of learning, says the BNEY Bangsar Principal, Ms. Sarah Hockley.
A dedicated educator with over three decades of experience in the field, Ms. Sarah played a pivotal role in introducing and implementing the EYFS curriculum at BNEY’s three schools in Malaysia.
“We have educational statements for each learning area. For younger children, their personal, social, and emotional development milestones would involve activities like dressing themselves and going to the toilet independently. In the literacy area, they would be learning how to grasp pencils, which prepares them for writing as they get older,” she explains.
Each child also has their own learning ‘journal’, complete with observation notes from their teachers and samples of the children’s work. Everything is well-organised and documented, making it easier for teachers to identify the child’s strengths and areas of improvement. Parents will also have access to this journal, in addition to regular updates on their child’s progress via the LittleLives app.
“Some children may learn visually, while others may learn better through reading and writing. EYFS is effective as it caters to different learning styles. It also encourages children to make their own observations, investigate, and problem-solve, which are essential skills they will need in life,” Ms. Sarah adds.
At age six, the curriculum seamlessly transitions into Cambridge Primary, offering a more structured approach to preparing children for primary school. It covers subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Art, Global Perspective, and Physical Development.
Beyond academics, the timetable integrates activities like swimming, gym, music and movement, and Mandarin. Complementing this is a variety of enrichment programmes, such as Taekwondo and robotics. The school offers half-day, extended, and full-day programmes.
Additionally, children gain exposure to their community and the world around them through field trips and school events. For example, a ‘People Who Help Us’ event saw policemen visiting the school and putting on a demonstration around the theme of 'Stranger Danger'.
At BNEY Bangsar, teachers form the backbone of the institution. While qualifications are important, Ms. Sarah stresses the importance of hiring teachers who have excellent communication skills and are passionate in what they do.
The teachers have excellent ideas and are creative in lesson planning to deliver effective learning for the students. They are also given in-house training in various areas.
Ms. Sarah believes in open communication and encouraging her staff. “We’re like a family, supporting each other when needed. I think the more you empower people, the more it makes them creative and willing to go the extra mile, because their efforts are appreciated. It also makes the environment conducive for learning since they feel happy and elated, which translates to an amazing environment for the children,” she says.
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