by on 09/03/2018 8740
Hush, hush, the toddlers are napping. Tiptoeing like a ballerina, we walked into an orderly arrangement of toddlers sleeping peacefully on their cots. Lights are off, the centre is dimly lit with the natural rays of the sun peeking through the windows. A soft, soothing lullaby gently plays in the background to muffle any unexpected sounds that would otherwise shatter their naptime routine. Teachers at Choo Choo Train Baby & Child Care Centre values the need for a restorative rest as toddlers wake up happier and more prepared to learn.
Positioned on the second floor in Pacific Place, Ara Damansara, Choo Choo Train Baby & Child Care Centre is conveniently located between Subang Jaya and Kelana Jaya. Learning and social areas incorporate open spaces to facilitate flexible learning and interaction. The learning appointments are segregated into two main areas: one lined with rows of meshed cribs to safely accommodate infants; and another beautifully organized with child-sized furniture and practical storage solutions that provides toddlers easy access to learning materials.
Choo Choo Train Baby & Child Care Centre offers education from 2 months to 4 years. Infants observe a flexible schedule and are comforted according to their needs during the day. They are treated to the beneficial touch of a delicate massage in the mornings. This contact contributes to their emotional and intellectual development in the future.
As they grow, children are welcomed by an adequately designed programme making for a valuable educational experience. The centre offers holistic programmes that taps into the strengths of the Montessori Method of education. The focus is set on nurturing the inquisitive minds of children to build strong foundations during the most formative years of their lives. Pedagogical methods strive to build a positive sense of self in each child, building a basic core of positive mental health and motivation for learning. Activities and lessons are structured according to a thematic curriculum. As children move through the program, they cover subjects such as language, math, science, art, music, living skills, pretend play and cooking. These allow children to consolidate various areas of learning including literacy, sensory, music movement, artistic development, motor and cognitive skills, creative and imagination development, and social and emotional skills. The offering of day care services allows for busy parents to manage the school day around their needs as well as the developmental needs of their children.
Close attention is given to the acquisition of skills as well as the development of the whole child. Progress and wellbeing of the children are closely monitored and observations are periodically updated to the parents. To achieve this, certified nurses and fully trained teachers provide guidance according to the children’s pace of learning. Teacher’s skills and quality of education are kept up to par through biannual training programmes. In the teaching world, it would not come as a surprise the hear the old teaching adage “Don’t Smile Until Christmas” spilling out of an experienced teacher’s mouth. That will never happen in Choo Choo Train Baby & Child Care Centre. Here, teaching starts and ends with a smile. Faculty morale is just as important as the children’s. Yearly team building activities are organized to improve teacher’s collaboration and foster working relationships.
The whole child approach in education also includes laying the foundations for a healthy life through the right amounts of nutritious foods. Children are fed no other than a healthy, balanced diet packed full of nutrients. Just like good old home cooking, meals at the centre are only made with organic whole foods and are always freshly dished out of the kitchen. Every meal or snack is sensibly prepared according to the principles of healthy eating for toddlers meaning limited added sugar and sodium, and no MSG. Beyond nutrition, as every mother would feed their child, meals are plated with much love. The right mind stems from a body fuelled with the right nutrition.
Caretakers make it a priority to sanitize surfaces and equipment at the centre daily to prevent germs from running rampant throughout. This greatly reduces the risk of children falling ill. Additionally, operators of the centre have taken necessary precautions by installing CCTV surveillance systems to ensure that the children are safe and secure at all times.
Choo Choo Train Baby & Child Care Centre's approach to learning makes all the difference. Through the support of quality care and education, children with varying needs and abilities have the opportunity to develop and learn. Children get to experience a sense of belonging and will, in no doubt, grow up to be full members of the society.
