Casa Bambini Early Childcare Centre, Seksyen 6 (Newtown), Petaling Jaya

Casa Bambini – Italian for ‘children’s house’ – fittingly describes the charm of this newly opened infant and childcare centre in PJ Newtown.

Nestled within the cosy confines of a residential neighbourhood, it is more than just a daycare, but a second home for children from two months to four years old, where they are nurtured in a loving and tranquil environment.

Opened in 2024, Casa Bambini’s PJ Newtown branch marks its third foray into providing top-notch childcare, following successful centres in Kota Damansara and PJ Midtown.

What makes this new branch unique is its location within a housing area, allowing children to enjoy the benefits of both an intimate, home-like setting as well as a larger, more expansive outdoor space.

A second home for children

Stepping into the centre’s premises, one is immediately enveloped in a sense of calm and tranquillity. The interiors are designed in soothing pastel tones, and every corner is thoughtfully curated with educational, play-based materials.

The open-concept layout encourages a sense of freedom and independence – a departure from the traditional four walls of a classroom. Children of different age groups can mingle, learn, and play together, which helps them to develop better social skills.

Founder Ms. Natalie, inspired by her experiences in Australia, envisioned a childcare centre that is different from the rigid environments she encountered when she first moved back to Malaysia several years ago.

“I wanted to create a place where children can relax, have fun, and develop their confidence through play. This is why we have a lot of play-based activities and sensorial materials here. Our programme is also designed to encourage interactions between the children and their peers, as well as with their teachers,” she explains.

Other highlights of the PJ Newtown centre include a spacious outdoor area, a cycling circuit, a shaded front porch, as well as dedicated sections for messy play and water play.

Another unique feature is the baby deck, a wooden patio just behind the building complete with handrails for gripping. The idea is to create a space where infants can learn to walk surrounded by fresh air and sunshine, whilst still being in a safe and secure environment.

There’s also the rabbit hutch, where children can play and feed with the centre’s pet rabbits, which is a great way to instil a love for animals and nurture empathy from a young age.

An enriching programme

Casa Bambini’s programme is centred around play-based learning, with plenty of hands-on activities for children. At the same time, they are prepared for more structured academic learning through lessons in English, Bahasa Melayu, and Mandarin, laying the groundwork for preschool.

Aside from learning basic concepts such as the alphabet, toddlers also engage in activities to build their confidence and social skills, such as pretend play and drama play, with revolving themes each month.

Children are grouped not strictly by age, but by their developmental milestones. For example, a younger child who has achieved their developmental milestones sooner may be grouped with older children.

This flexibility ensures the right level of challenge and support, allowing children to progress at their own pace. With low student to teacher ratios, teachers are also able to provide undivided attention and care to each child.

A place of love and trust

As a parent herself, Ms. Natalie understands how difficult it can be to entrust our precious little ones into the care of others, which is why she ensures that Casa Bambini provides the best environment possible for children.

This goes beyond just physical facilities, but also encompasses forging strong bonds between caregivers, children, as well as their parents.

“When we nurture our staff and empower them with the support they need, this creates a loving and supportive environment for the children as well. We also communicate in an open and transparent manner with parents, so they are always updated on their child’s progress and milestones,” says Ms. Natalie.

All of Casa Bambini’s caregivers are certified in childcare, with additional backgrounds in either early childhood education or nursing.

Safety is, of course, paramount. Aside from security features such as CCTVs, child-friendly furniture, high plug points and doorknobs, and secure, fenced areas, the premises are sanitised regularly to ensure hygiene. As for nutrition, meals are prepared in-house with less sugar and salt, and using organic vegetables.