by on 17/04/2024 1076
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Beaconhouse Preschool Sarah’s Klang is a name familiar to residents of Klang, thanks to its rich history spanning three decades.
Located in Taman Palm Grove, the licensed kindergarten and daycare was started by a passionate educator and was renowned for its academic rigour, a legacy Beaconhouse continued when the brand took over.
Today, the school accepts pupils aged 18 months to six years old, with a focus on building strong foundations in languages such as English and Mandarin–ensuring children are well prepared for primary school education, whether it be national, private, or international school.
Beaconhouse Preschool Sarah’s Klang prides itself in providing a safe and fun learning environment, and this is evident from the moment one steps into their premises.
The spacious front compound has been designed to resemble a drive-through, allowing parents to pick up and drop off their children in a convenient and organised fashion. A guard is also stationed on-site to maintain safety and order.
Classes are held in three single-storey buildings, one of which is purpose-built for their toddler group and filled with colourful displays and sensory materials.
There is plenty of space for outdoor play–from a sheltered area nestled between the buildings, where children can participate in physical activities, to a playground, sandpit, and a partially covered swimming pool, complete with outdoor showers.
Inside, well-lit and air-conditioned classrooms ensure a conducive learning environment for children. Artwork and projects are proudly displayed on the walls, with neatly stacked shelves containing each pupil’s portfolio.
True to their “Play to Learn, Learn to Play” philosophy, Beaconhouse Preschool Sarah’s Klang adopts a blended approach that integrates fun, play-based learning with structured activities.
The curriculum, anchored by the National Preschool Standard Curriculum (KSPK) framework, emphasises not just academic excellence but also the holistic development of each child.
Core subjects like English, Bahasa Malaysia, and Mandarin are supplemented by programmes that include UK’s Jolly Phonics and Cambridge English, with additional enrichment activities such as swimming, music and movement, practical life skills, and Taekwondo.
While the focus on younger children is for them to grasp basic concepts and hone their gross and fine motor skills, older children benefit from project-based learning to develop their higher order thinking skills whilst boosting their creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.
Technology brings lessons to life. Teachers utilise Chromebooks to prepare and create lessons, and connect presentations to Smart TVs, making lessons more interactive and engaging.
Head of School Priscillia Hiew believes that true learning goes beyond the confines of a textbook. That is why emphasis is given to innovative teaching methods, hands-on learning experiences, and individualised instruction.
“Every child is a unique individual, and some may need a more personal touch to feel comfortable in their learning environment. Some children, for example, may not be fully independent even when they are six years old. Teachers play an important role in observing and catering to the needs of each child, which may be different from day to day,” she explains.
This way, students are prepared to succeed not just in the classroom but are also instilled with a lifelong love for learning, she adds.
To empower her team of educators, Priscillia holds weekly knowledge-sharing sessions. Beaconhouse also provides strong support as they have their own curriculum and training teams to enrich teachers on the best and latest pedagogical approaches and methodologies.
Beaconhouse Preschool Sarah’s Klang enjoys a solid reputation, with parents sending their children from other neighbourhoods such as Bukit Raja, Bukit Tinggi, and Bandar Botanik, despite these areas being far away from the school.
Priscillia believes this is due to their excellent testimonials. “I believe the school quality speaks for itself, otherwise we will not be getting this group of parents coming here, even though they have many other choices for preschools that are closer to where they live,” she says.
Their strong programmes, especially in English and Mandarin, is also another factor—as are their extracurricular activities. Pupils are enriched and build a connection to the outside world through events such as field trips and important cultural celebrations like Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali, where parents also get to be involved in their child’s learning journey.
Balancing academics with social and emotional development is no mean feat, but Beaconhouse Preschool Sarah’s Klang delivers on all aspects, ensuring the education that its pupils receive is truly a holistic one.