by on 16/05/2024 3371
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Few preschools in the Klang Valley have seen as much history as Beaconhouse Preschool Klang. Founded 60 years ago (when it was known as Tadika Bunga Raya), the school is an iconic institution in town, and has played a pivotal role in educating generations of Klang-ites.
Today, Beaconhouse continues to add new chapters to the school’s story, which it has done for the past two decades.
Head of School Ms. Melody Wan (pictured above), who has spearheaded the establishment for the last three years, is keen on preserving its rich traditions, while introducing new and improved pedagogical approaches that are up to date with the times.
Like many buildings in mature neighbourhoods, Beaconhouse Preschool Klang features extremely large spaces, ensuring children have a conducive environment to learn and grow.
Stepping inside, one is hit by a dose of nostalgia – from the spiral staircase in the central foyer, to the marble flooring and grille windows that sport geometric motifs, a common architectural feature from the 1960’s to 1980’s.
Classrooms are more modern, with wooden flooring, colourful, child-appropriate furniture, and walls decked out in informative displays and project showcases.
The field at the back is used for outdoor activities, with several swings and a mini garden filled with crops. There is also a mud kitchen for messy play, and even a small enclosure for two pet turtles!
While the school may exude nostalgic charm, its curriculum and pedagogy are far from old-fashioned. There is balance and variety between the old and new, so pupils can receive the best of both worlds in their education.
While the framework is built around the National Preschool Standard Curriculum (KSPK) for core subjects such as Bahasa Malaysia and Mathematics, elements from an international syllabus are also integrated, using Beaconhouse’s own materials, Jolly Phonics and Cambridge English from the UK, and Busy Ant Math, Colllin’s award-winning maths series.
Younger children benefit from a mix of Montessori learning, and the school also adopts elements from the Reggio Emilia method as well. This diversity ensures that children are well prepared for different pathways in the future, whether they choose to go to a national primary school, a vernacular school, private school, or an international school.
Classrooms also come with “Busy Boards” and learning corners, where children can keep themselves occupied with purposeful play and learning once they’ve finished their assigned tasks.
Additionally, there are subjects related to various areas of development, such as structured play, music, computer (ICT), and physical education. All activities and lessons are centred around the Beaconhouse philosophy of “Play to Learn, Learn to Play”.
One of Beaconhouse Preschool Klang’s key highlights is its English reading programme, conducted by a veteran educator who has served the school for over 42 years.
Available for children aged four to six as part of their learning hours, pupils receive individual coaching from the dedicated reading teacher, where they get to spend about five to seven minutes, two to three times a week, practising their reading skills. This is on top of the usual reading that they do with their class teachers.
“Cultivating good reading skills is all about practice, but with parents’ busy lifestyles, it may be difficult to find time to do so with their children. Through this programme, we aim to give our pupils strong foundations,” Ms. Melody explains.
Meanwhile, the school’s in-house Mandarin teacher conducts the Mandarin reading programme as and when free slots are available.
Enrichment activities provide an opportunity for children to further develop their academic, social, and emotional skills. The school has many to choose from, such as baking, public speaking, speech and drama, modern dance, robotics, Taekwondo, arts and crafts, and football. Participating in these activities frees up their schedules on the weekend, allowing parents to spend more quality time with their kids.
Project-based learning is a key component at Beaconhouse Preschool Klang, with each project usually stretching over two to three months. This student-driven learning method encourages collaboration and experimentation to develop the child’s problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Parental involvement is also crucial. Pupils bring their projects home, where they can work on them together (one project involved building a model from recycled materials and videoing the process).
Parents are invited to a showcase at the end of the project, providing further opportunities for them to be involved in their children’s learning journey. Another way that parents can build precious bonds with their children is through cultural and festive celebrations organised by the school, such as during the Chinese New Year.
Safety and hygiene are taken very seriously at Beaconhouse Preschool Klang, with screenings and temperature checks conducted daily. Ms. Melody adds that there are three general workers at the school, who are assigned specific tasks, such as helping in the kitchen or assisting children when they go to the toilets.
Bedding is taken out to sun daily (subject to weather conditions) and fogging and sanitising are also conducted regularly.
For security, there are CCTVs in common areas and an on-site guard. Teachers are not only qualified in Early Childhood Education but have at least two to three years of experience prior to joining the team. They are also given training on child protection and safeguarding policies.
“It’s not easy for parents to put their children in the hands of others, but we do our part to gain their trust,” says Ms. Melody.
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