On a quiet street in Taman Puncak Kinrara, a long dormant dream is stirring. What was once a lofty ideal has now become reality in the form of Tender Tots Preschool. “I have been involved in Early Childhood Education and Care for more than twenty years,” says Madam Samantha Too, the principal of Tadika Dunia Ria Kanak-Kanak. Principal Sam, as she is fondly referred to by her students and teachers alike, is soft spoken and humble. A person who, when you meet for the first time, will immediately put you at ease with her ready smile and easygoing demeanor.
“Did you notice how quiet and peaceful this vicinity is?” asks Principal Sam. Immediately the weight of her words hit me, what an odd place to have a kindergarten, almost in the middle of nowhere! Seeing the perplexed look on my face, Principal Sam explains, “Children are just what they are, children. Childhood and growing up is one of the most precious and important times in a person’s life. They need to be free to learn, to explore, to make mistakes and to grow.”
The realisation dawns on me and I can’t think of any better place for a kindergarten than amidst Mother Nature and her paradise of wonderful creations and it is so quiet and peaceful here at Tender Tots that it is almost serene.
A typical day at Tender Tots starts at 8:00 a.m in the morning and ends at 1:00 p.m for the half day students and 6:30 p.m. for full day students. All students wash their hands before and after school and their temperatures are also taken and recorded daily. Healthy and nutritious meals for breakfast and lunch is prepared fresh daily according to a carefully planned and prepared menu.
Tender Tots provides a holistic preschool education that is well structured but at the same time enjoyable and fun. Core subjects include English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Science and Mathematics. For language, the teachers combine phonics with sensory learning to facilitate the learning of reading and writing. There is also a Science Discovery class that encourages parents and child integration with a multitude of hands-on projects. In addition, Grolier books are used to make learning English fun through engaging stories, and a Musikgarten programme is incorporated to instil a love of music into children. Enrichment classes such as Budding Beans (an English conversational programme), Taekwando, Music and Movement and Arts and Crafts are also incorporated into the curriculum.
The entire breadth of the curriculum includes multi-sensory instructions. Children are exposed to sensory stimulation in a structured, repetitive way by participating in sensory integration activities. Exposing young children to actively use their senses as they explore through these activities are vital to developing their brains. Over time, children are able to carry out more complex tasks, as well as strengthen their cognitive skills, fine and gross motor skills, communication skills, social skills and problem-solving skills. Not to mention, this is all in the name of fun.
The fun never stops in this sanctuary of knowledge. There are excursions to educational places like The National Zoo, Bank Negara or having a picnic at Bukit Jalil. All these activities have been planned well in advance and there are lessons and themes to be learned before, during and after the trips. Children also get to participate in sports days, graduation concerts, festival celebrations and many more other fun experiences.
On top of that, Tender Tots also offers primary tuition and daycare services. Teachers will ensure that children are assisted in their school homework, showered and being fed healthy meals. Transportation is available for students attending SJK(C) Shin Cheng (Harcroft).
At Tender Tots, Principal Sam hopes to put the joy and the laughter back into every student’s precious childhood years. A lofty ideal indeed. But without dreams there can be no hope of a reality. So, please dream on, Principal Sam.
Click here to view the latest Sin Chew Daily report about the precautionary measures taken by the school to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
