PeiKen Mandarin-English Preschool, Sri Petaling

Parents looking for a holistic education for their children need to look no further than PeiKen Mandarin-English Preschool, Sri Petaling, a purpose-built preschool and kindergarten by Beaconhouse brand that caters to children aged between 2.5 years to six years old. 

Part of the esteemed Beaconhouse Malaysia network, the school is the brand’s largest preschool, and spans some 30,000 square feet of space within a leafy neighbourhood in Sri Petaling.  

Its strategic location, close to major areas such as Bukit Jalil, Taman OUG, Sri Kembangan, Sungai Besi, Happy Garden, and Kuchai Lama, makes it a top choice among parents in the area. 

Child-centric facilities

PeiKen Mandarin-English Preschool, Sri Petaling’s outstanding facilities are on par with those of an exclusive private school. Stepping into its spacious grounds, you’ll find everything that a child needs to grow and learn well—from outdoor playgrounds, a sandpit, and rubber turf play areas, to a computer lab, gym, music room, library, and cafeteria. 

The indoor pool, where pupils have swimming sessions fortnightly as part of the curriculum, provides the children with an excellent, low impact form of exercise, while teaching them the importance of rule-following. 

There is also a music room filled with instruments, including a piano, as well as a large library stocked with over 800 physical books. 

Learning beyond the four walls of a classroom is something that Head of School, Helene Teo, thinks is essential to a child’s development. She stresses the importance of a holistic approach to pedagogy, to create supportive and stimulating environments for the children. 

“We have outdoor learning opportunities to encourage them to explore. Aside from a sand play and water play area, there is also a garden where they can go for nature walks, hunt for insects, or gather leaves for arts and crafts,” says Helene, a veteran of the education field with over 38 years of experience. 

Well-rounded curriculum

Complementing the school’s facilities is a balanced academic curriculum that stays true to PeiKen's philosophy of Play to Learn, Learn to Play. 

“Here at PeiKen, we understand that educational play is a powerful vehicle of learning. Our activities are designed to be hands-on and engaging, and teachers use tools such as word cards and picture cards to involve children in purposeful learning,” Helene explains. 

To build strong foundations in English, a significant amount of time each week is dedicated to learning the language: 2.5 hours for the junior group, and four hours for the senior group. The school utilises the UK's famous Jolly Phonics programme for its younger students, and Year 1 Jolly Grammar for their six-year-old classes. 

Other than English, core subjects include Mathematics, Bahasa Malaysia, and Mandarin. There are also subjects such as Knowledge and Understanding of the World, which are thematic-based subjects for younger children. Older children enjoy project-based learning to help enhance their higher-order thinking skills. 

Music classes help to cultivate rhythm and creativity, and there are ICT programmes where children get to enjoy interactive, educational games on desktop computers. Meanwhile, after-school enrichment classes span areas such as robotics, speech and drama, art class, public speaking, swimming, and additional Mandarin learning in Maths and Science, run by in-house teachers. 

These enriching experiences ensure that Beaconhouse’s pupils are well prepared when they move on to primary school, whether it be national, vernacular, or international school. 

A supportive environment for children - physically, socially, and emotionally 

One thing that sets this preschool apart is its parental involvement programmes.  

There are about 20 to 25 parental involvement activities held each year, whereby parents can join their child’s class and do activities together. During Kiddy123’s visit, one of the classes had just finished a traditional ice-cream-making session together with some parents and the children. This is on top of cultural celebrations and events such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, or Parent’s Appreciation Day. 

“We are always pleasantly surprised when parents take time off from work to attend these sessions, even on weekdays, and involve themselves in the journey of the child’s growth. Most importantly, the children feel loved and motivated as they know their parents are involved in what they are learning,” Helene (pictured above) says. 

Communication with parents is vital, which is done through channels such as the LittleLives app, WhatsApp, email, courtesy calls, and in-person. The school organises social events such as coffee mornings where parents get to meet and mingle with teachers. Parent-teacher meetings allow an avenue for them to raise any concerns about their child. 

Teachers, too, play an important role in creating this warm and inviting environment, where children can build positive relationships with their peers, as well as adults in the community. As such, the school’s teachers are dedicated and trained professionally not just in academics but also in areas such as basic first aid and safeguarding training. 

In conclusion, PeiKen Mandarin-English Preschool, Sri Petaling stands out as a nurturing educational institution that prioritises holistic development, parental involvement, and a supportive environment for children. With its exceptional facilities, well-rounded curriculum, and dedicated teachers, the school provides a solid foundation for young learners, preparing them for success in primary school and beyond.