Selected Preschools in Bandar Puteri, Puchong (2023)

Ms Heng, principal of H'Apples Kindergarten(Junior), is very proud of her holistic programme, and rightly so. While we were waiting for her inside the kindergarten, a number of her 4-year old students walked up to us to offer a smile and called us “Auntie” – demonstrating clearly that they were confident young people with social skills! programme focuses on three important concepts: Myself (self-image/EQ), Others (empathy/social skills) and the World (general knowledge), while their cross-curriculum and interactive lessons allow children to absorb information through various pathways, resulting in learning that is faster and more integrated than traditional learning methods.

While H'Apples Kindergarten is still young and new, it reflects over 20 years of experience in education from the founding principal, Ms. Heng. The school operates out of a dedicated building at a supportive and clean environment, purposely built to house the H'Apples’ preschool programmes for children aged 3 to 6 years. H'Apples’ takes modern educational concepts to heart: age-appropriate programming, activity-based approach, learn to learn, attention to build on children’s passions and interests, student-centred instruction and fun learning. The core curriculum comprises a blend of best practices drawn from the Montessori education, learning corners, an integrated curriculum, experiential learning and project-based learning. This makes an effective way to promote personalized and collaborative learning, creativity, problem solving and critical thinking. Extracurricular activities, enrichment programmes, field trips, presentation opportunities, a balance of indoor and outdoor learning, and holiday programmes all work in unison to formulate an engaged, all-rounded learner.

There is never a dull moment at InspiraSeed Preschool. It is all about driving curiosity, stimulating interests and having fun, all in the name of learning. Lessons are not just confined within indoor classrooms. They can happen anywhere, anytime. Children learn to observe, ask questions and make their own discoveries. They use all their senses to understand more about the things around them. They bond over experiences such as checking out the habitats of local insects and bugs, and learning about vegetation out in the invigorating fresh air. Thanks to these more variable learning environments, children thrive in their sense of creativity, independence and confidence. InspiraSeed Preschool teachers are constantly brainstorming to provide children with the best educational experiences that help them grow into competent individuals who are equipped with the skills to succeed anywhere life brings them.

Kinder Koala Preschool, Bandar Puteri Puchong represents the evolving nature of education. Established in 2010 as Kids Academy, Kinder Koala is now part of an education group that offers comprehensive educational experiences in preschool, online lessons and swimming courses. Its founders, a passionate duo inspired by the best practices in early childhood education around the world, set out to do the same for children in the local community by nurturing those young minds with such innovative programs.

Kinder Koala holds the belief that early education is the foundation of lifelong success. The extensive list of programs offered at Kinder Koala has been carefully selected to intentionally teach the whole child. Program highlights include trilingual immersion (Little Learners Love Literacy program from Australia), Singapore Maths, FasTracKids program, Reggio Emilia approach, S.T.E.M. learning with German Hape educational toys, Robotics, Forest School and Social-Emotional Learning.

Melody Kindyland, The Cube @ Bandar Puteri Puchong offers early education and childcare services to children aged 3 to 6 years. It is housed in a 3-storey building and features a well-designed environment that supports children’s progressive needs as they grow.

One of the most prominent components in the programmes offered in this preschool is 21st century learning. It incorporates STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Math) content, project-based learning, guided discovery teaching and the development of multiple intelligences to help children acquire not just the knowledge but also the skills needed to thrive in the future.

Teachers use a blend of the best early childhood education approaches to nurture children holistically – intellectually, cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically. Over the years, the curriculum has evolved to become a future-focused one, priming children with a solid foundation they can build on as they move through this rapidly changing world.

PeiKen Mandarin-English Preschool, Bandar Puteri Puchong, envisions a world where its students are intrinsically motivated and innovative young people who are globally competent to make a positive impact in the world. To this end, the preschool sees this as its mission to create a supportive learning environment where students can build a strong foundation in both Mandarin and English, as well as knowledge and skills to make valuable contributions no matter what pathway they create in the future. Catering to children ages 18 months to 6 years, PeiKen Mandarin-English Preschool follows the Beaconhouse Early Years curriculum which is designed to encourage students to develop deep understanding of the world around them through an active inquiry-based learning approach.

For Ms Michelle, the principal of Pink Tower Childcare Centre, two things are in her Very Important list: every child must receive proper care and attention, and her staff must not be overburdened so that they can provide quality care to the children. As such, she is very particular about her teacher to student ratios, which are indeed very low. “Our costs of course go up, but I feel this is one thing that cannot be compromised if we sincerely want to provide an educational environment that is developmentally appropriate for each child,” said Ms Michelle.

The quality of her staff is also important to her. At present, 98% of her teachers have a diploma in early childhood care and education, which is way above the norm in this country. She herself has a degree in ECCE plus an International Dip. in Montessori Pedagogy. Her stand is that her teaching staff must have enough knowledge and experience to support their students' learning at every stage.

Ms Esther, the principal of Q Garden, is soft-spoken and looks as if nothing can disturb her calm and patient demeanour. However, she is definitely a determined early childhood educator, no mistakes about it. She works hard and keeps her classes small to make sure all her students know their lessons well. There are also extra classes for subjects like English and Chinese where students are given individual attention to improve their reading and knowledge of the language. For parents who want their children to have that something extra, Q Garden has enrichment classes such as Mental Arithmetic, piano, art & craft and Taekwondo.

Ms Esther focuses on the thematic approach in teaching. This means that areas of the curriculum are connected together and integrated within a theme, for example, animal theme or transportation theme. Using this method, learning becomes more natural as creating connections is believed to be the best way for a child to learn. Testimonies from the students’ parents about their children’s progress confirm that Ms Esther’s teaching methods have been working well.

With a 14-year history in Bandar Puteri, Tadika Vista Cemerlang is one of the most well-established preschools in the township. The spacious kindergarten, with its signature “alphabet wall” and beautiful artificial grass, sits majestically on a hill that overlooks a breathtaking panoramic view of Puchong and beyond.

The principal, Ms Tham, has been involved in early childhood education for more than three decades, and exudes the confidence of an experienced educator. She had developed her own curriculum over the years and, based on feedback from her students’ parents, her programmes have helped to nurture the children into individuals who are responsible, disciplined, and willing to work hard to achieve academic excellence. Even today, she is continuously exploring new approaches and ways to enhance her programmes.