Butterfly Education HQ, Kulai
by on 21/11/2025 ...
Highlights
- Inclusive, bilingual learning in a multicultural environment
- Award-winning excellence, recognised as Best Playschool in Kulai
- Transparent communication through cutting-edge app systems
- Healthy, KKM-approved meals that reassure parents
- Passionate, well-trained teachers who put children first
- Strong parent-school partnerships that make families feel part of the journey
When parents in Kulai, Johor, think of a nurturing, forward-thinking playschool for their little ones, Butterfly Education Centre is a name that comes up time and again. With a proud legacy of 20 years since its establishment in 2005, Butterfly has grown into one of the most trusted early education providers in the region. This reputation was recently crowned with a prestigious accolade: Best Playschool (Kulai) at the Malaysia Education Star Awards (MESA).
For Principal and CEO Mashytah Md Razif, however, awards are only the by-product of a greater mission: to provide children with a safe, inclusive, and joyful environment where learning feels natural and exciting.
A Unique and Inclusive Learning Approach
Butterfly Education Centre is not just another preschool—it’s a community where inclusivity and balance take centre stage. While most of the students are Malay, lessons are conducted in Bahasa Malaysia, with English introduced as a second language, giving children a strong bilingual foundation from an early age.
Unlike many centres in the area that position themselves as “Islamic preschools,” Butterfly has chosen a different path. “If I put Islamic, later I cannot hire Chinese and Indian teachers,” Mashytah explained. Diversity is one of Butterfly’s greatest strengths. The centre proudly employs teachers from Malay, Chinese, and Indian backgrounds and welcomes students of different races and faiths. Plans are also underway to introduce Mandarin lessons in the near future, reflecting Butterfly’s forward-thinking vision to nurture children who can thrive in a multicultural Malaysia.
The centre caters to two main groups:
- Playschool (2 – 4 years old) – A structured yet playful programme that goes beyond simple childcare.
- Kindergarten (5 – 6 years old) – A preparatory stage for literacy, numeracy, independence, and creativity
Interestingly, the playschool segment has become the most popular, with about 170 children enrolled, compared to 140 in the kindergarten programme. This reflects a growing mindset among parents: education begins early, and Butterfly is leading the way in providing meaningful experiences for even the youngest learners.
What Sets Butterfly Apart
Parents have countless choices when it comes to preschools, but Butterfly Education Centre shines with distinctive features and innovations that make it truly special.
1. Transparent Communication Through Apps
Butterfly is among the few centres in Kulai to embrace technology for parent communication. Using LittleLives, the team updates parents up to seven times daily—from check-in and circle time to lessons, meals, naps, and check-out. Plans are in motion to launch their own customised app, ensuring even smoother engagement.
This transparency builds trust and peace of mind. Parents can see their child’s activities and progress in real time, reducing worries and misunderstandings. In Mashytah’s words: “Back in the days, parents would straight away scold if they had concerns. Now, with the app, they can see updates and communicate with us calmly and effectively.”
2. KKM-Approved Nutritious Meals
Butterfly sets the benchmark in healthy eating. Every year, its menu is submitted to and approved by KKM (Ministry of Health), ensuring balanced meals for all children. Teachers record how much each child eats—whether they finish everything, eat half, or only 70%—so parents know exactly how well their little ones are eating.
Meals are thoughtfully managed: breakfast is catered, while lunch and dinner are freshly cooked in-house. Even picky eaters surprise their parents by happily finishing their meals at school, thanks to the centre’s nurturing environment.
3. Teacher Training & Professional Development
Butterfly believes that passionate teachers make all the difference. With a team of 50 educators, ongoing training is prioritised:
- Weekly Zoom sessions with the principal.
- Monthly in-house training to address real classroom challenges.
- Expert-led workshops three times a year to bring in new perspectives.
In addition, Butterfly recently launched the ADI (Akademi Dalam Industri) programme, where selected teachers undergo 18 months of professional training to achieve Level 3 certification. This ensures children are always guided by knowledgeable and skilled educators who understand early childhood development deeply.
4. Active Parent Involvement
Butterfly is not just a school—it’s a family hub. Parents play a key role through engaging events such as:
- Little Butterfly Conference (LBC): A bi-annual showcase where children demonstrate their skills live in front of parents.
- Family Fun Day: A spectacular gathering of nearly 800 people, uniting families in shared activities.
- Splash Water Day & Picnic Day: Fun-filled outdoor experiences where parents and children bond with teachers.
- Butterfly Berselawat: A community religious programme where parents and children recite Quranic verses together.
These events allow parents to witness their child’s progress, strengthen bonds, and celebrate milestones as a community.
5. Creativity & Innovation in Learning
Instead of relying solely on costly Montessori materials, Butterfly incorporates creative self-made and recycled resources into learning activities. This approach makes education both affordable and engaging while encouraging children to think outside the box.
Overcoming Challenges with Heart
Like many preschools, Butterfly faces challenges in staffing. Recruiting and retaining passionate teachers is never easy. Yet, Principal Mashytah tackles this head-on with bold decisions—releasing underperforming staff, hiring enthusiastic new ones, and investing heavily in professional growth. With some teachers staying over a decade, it’s clear that Butterfly is more than just a workplace; it’s a family.
Why Parents Choose Butterfly Education Centre
At Butterfly, education begins with care, inclusivity, and innovation. Parents trust the school not only because of its award-winning reputation, but because of its transparent communication, healthy practices, and genuine parent-school partnerships. In Kulai, where families increasingly value early education, Butterfly Education Centre shines as a model of how preschools can balance tradition, inclusivity, and modern innovation.
Butterfly Education HQ, Kulai
No. 248A, Jalan Kiambang 10, Indahpura,
Kulai, Johor 81000
Malaysia
