Cubs Early Years (CEY) may be a relatively new name in the early education field in Malaysia, yet it is fast becoming one of the top names in preschools and is sought after by families with children who need to enter preschool. Kiddy123 had the opportunity to speak to Puan Suzlinda, the Academic Manager of CEY Elmina, Shah Alam, to uncover some of the preschool’s secrets of success.
The competition is rather stiff out there in terms of preschool choices, but CEY Elmina has managed to thrive regardless, and Puan Suzlinda credited this success to the unique teaching approach used.
Far from the standard approach of teaching used in most kindergartens, our unique approach is based on the education concepts of Urie Bronfenbrenner, where we utilize the children’s environment as the main element of their learning. There is a relationship between the environment and a child’s development, but unfortunately, children today have become so disconnected to their environment and are losing out on a lot. We have gotten back to basics to ensure that children connect back and interact with their family, teachers, society and the world in order to learn and be wholly educated.
In terms of delivering high quality early education, there is more to this interconnectivity than meets the eye, as explained by Puan Suzlinda, as she clarified how children below the preschool age would normally only be closely connected to their direct family members, such as parents and siblings. She went on to explain how as they grow older and enter nursery, kindergarten and preschool, they begin to connect to others outside their previously tight circle, and they begin to realise the differences in relationships between them and their parents, peers, teachers, etc. They will eventually understand their emotional and social standing, which, apart from their academic acquisitions, will form a whole and complete early education for them. “It will always be our responsibility as educators to provide these young children a positive environment from which they can soak in all their daily lessons through engagements with teachers, staff, other students, etc. It’s worth to note here too, that parents also play an integral role in their children’s lives in this aspect,” she patiently explained.
Using this approach, the environment at CEY Elmina is kept delightfully conducive and child-centred to ensure that children get the best out of their learning space, as well as the interactions that take place within this space. Children are also encouraged to share all that they have learned with their family, hence that too is a part of their overall complete education which takes place inside as well as outside of their classroom.
A perfectly balanced curriculum
Speaking of “outside the classroom”, as part of the balanced curriculum, CEY Elmina offers what is called the D Jungle Juniors programme for development of all their students. As said by Puan Suzlinda, “an outdoor experience inside the school”. The preschool, a three-storey building, is able to accommodate this facility at their ground floor complete with a tree house and a large play area. This programme has a variety of activities that are created specially to tantalise and scintillate the children including bringing in live animals for the children to interact with.
“These are some of the ways we encourage learning in Cubs as we constantly engage with the children using fun activities and approaches that encourage environmental connection and ownership,” she stated. “Children will use what is learned inside the classroom to real life outside the classroom.”
Striking that balance
In terms of academics, apart from Mathematics, Science and other expected subjects, the little ones at CEY Elmina are guided in language proficiency for English, Bahasa Melayu and Mandarin. Parents can rest assured that Cubs claims are not unfounded as they make the effort via materials and activities to create opportunities for the children to use the languages learnt with equal regularity thus building their confidence in language usage. “We take pride in our programme and preschools and our educators are carefully selected with the responsibility of moulding and nurturing the child – this is our primary focus,” shared Puan Suzlinda.
Apart from all this, Puan Suzlinda also shared that careful focus was put into creating conducive, creative and self-contained “bubblerooms” where students can move around freely, while ensuring that minimal exposure to other children and staff is maintained to ensure safety in this troubling times. The pastel shades of white and green was the colours of choice as it is proven to evoke the feelings of calmness and tranquillity as well as green promotes nature, another programme that Cubs Early Years encourages. Overall, as many details as possible were looked into to ensure that students learning in Cubs Early Years gets the best experience possible.
Kiddy 123 was also informed that Puan Suzlinda is also, interestingly, a trained nutritionist. Hence, the highly nutritious and delicious meals and snacks served at the CEY Elmina and other branches have all been planned out and created by her to provide growing bodies and minds with the important nutrients they need to thrive.
Families in Shah Alam need not look any further than CEY Elmina for an enriching, unique preschool programme that will help prepare their kids well for the challenges ahead of them. It is indeed a well-rounded foundation that can help set the stage for a more successful schooling journey and beyond!
