Choo Choo Train Arts-Enhanced Kindergarten, Setia Avenue (Setia Alam)

The Choo Choo Train brand is a trusted name in early childhood care and education, known for its exceptionally high standards of childcare. 

Now, with the Choo Choo Train Arts-Enhanced Kindergarten, the brand expands its offerings to cater to children aged 3 to 6 years old – providing parents with a one-stop centre where they can be sure that their child receives only the best care, all the way from infancy up to preschool. 

Tip top facilities, stringent safety and hygiene standards 

Located within the same premises as the Choo Choo Train Baby & Child Care Centre in Setia Avenue, the kindergarten is spacious and features bright and colourful classrooms filled with age-appropriate learning materials and child-safe furniture. 

Everything is designed to help children achieve their developmental milestones – whether it’s enhancing their motor skills or supporting their cognitive development. 

There are dedicated areas for physical activity, such as an indoor gym, complete with a rock-climbing wall, in addition to an indoor eco-garden where children can take part in gardening and planting activities. When it’s time for quiet activity, children can cosy up to a nook in the library with their favourite book and a soft plushie. 

Children between the ages of 3 to 6 are growing at a rapid pace – so a lot of thought has gone into ensuring all their nutritional needs are met. Food menus are designed by a nutritionist and the kindergarten only uses fresh ingredients from grocery stores to prepare the children’s daily meals. 

To ensure everything follows the highest standards of safety and hygiene, CCTVs are equipped in every corner of the premises. Each day, assigned teachers are responsible for checking the safety of the classrooms and maintaining cleanliness, while spot checks are conducted daily to ensure these standards are met. 

An excellent kindergarten programme 

Choo Choo Train’s programme builds upon the foundations laid during their earlier years, especially for children from their Child Care Centre programme. The curriculum is based on the National Preschool Standard Curriculum (KSPK) and is divided into several stages:

• Choo Choo Quest (Age 3): Designed as a pre-kindergarten programme, this stage lays the foundation for later stages while ensuring children stay happy and engaged with their learning.
• Choo Choo Adventurer (Age 4):  Children learn to read, recognise words, and explore basic math and science. At this stage, the focus is on supporting their speech development, storytelling, as well as social, creative, and independent growth. 
• Choo Choo Achiever (Age 5): As children are readied for primary school, the programme nurtures their creativity and innovation by helping them grasp multiple languages and understand concepts through fun ventures such as art and science projects. At the same time, these activities enhance the child’s mental, emotional, and social development. 
• Choo Choo Champ (Age 6): Celebrates children’s achievements with expanded vocabulary, advanced reading and writing, and understanding of mathematics and science. Prepares children for school with a focus on confidence and independence.

The arts-enhanced method is a unique approach that Choo Choo Train uses to teach academic subjects, incorporating storytelling, drawing, projects, and hands-on activities into the learning process rather than having children learn by memorisation and rote. 

For example, children might learn vocabulary through storytelling or explore scientific concepts through interactive projects, so that they are motivated and most importantly, having fun while mastering important skills. 

From meal times, where they learn to queue up and serve themselves, to discussions following movie sessions, children are given opportunities to express their thoughts, share their feelings, and take responsibility for their actions.  It also helps to build confidence and prepares children for the next stage, whether they transition to a local or international primary school. 

Professionally trained teachers 

For parents who send their children to Choo Choo Train’s kindergarten, they can be rest assured that the educators here are not only passionate and caring, but also trained to handle and educate children. 

This is because Choo Choo Train has its own dedicated training institute called NICCE (National Institute of Child Care and Education), which is recognised by the Malaysian government. Furthermore, the kindergarten’s teachers regularly attend courses and training even after they have taken up their post, to make sure that they are always updated on the latest pedagogies and teaching approaches. 

Building strong bonds for the benefit of each child

Choo Choo Train values strong relationships with parents and encourages open communication, with each family having their own WhatsApp chat group to ask questions and receive updates from the kindergarten. 

Special care is taken to keep parents informed about their child’s transitions, new programmes, and teacher changes. Prior to a child joining the centre, they also undergo an assessment period, so that the school may better address the needs of the child.  Every three months, parents receive a detailed developmental progress report, and a daily report book is used to track the children’s activities and behaviours. 

Choo Choo Train Arts-Enhanced Kindergarten’s holistic and well-rounded kindergarten programme builds children up for success. Thanks to its approach, which combines academic readiness with creative exploration, the school equips children with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive in their next phase of education.