by on 11/07/2018 5407
Hi-5 House of Learning is a unique addition to the local early childhood educational landscape. It offers a vibrant, diverse, globally-minded atmosphere within a setting constructed to prepare children to succeed academically and in the world beyond. Within it, the administration seeks to provide a model of instruction that hews to a close reading of the British International Preschool Curriculum, the educational theories outlined in the Australian children’s television series Hi-5 and the intentions of Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. The attention to play-based learning opportunities is prime among them.
Location is smack dab in the centre of town, with a residential neighbourhood offering a welcome buffer. The school operates out of secure, guarded facility complete with CCTV surveillance systems. Spaces within are purposefully appointed to provide a setting conducive to learning for infants and children. The wealth of resources and facilities are an apt expression of the goals of the school. Key features include interactive smart boards, library corner, central exploratory learning space, soft play gymnasium, soundproofed music room, cookery room, salt chlorinated heated pool, rock climbing wall and outdoor adventure course. As such, children are engaged in an active, hands-on, interactive and cooperative environment.
Parents who choose Hi-5 House of Learning are interested in the foundational elements of a positive learning experience: a consistent approach to values-based instructions, an ongoing dedication to curricular development, the agility to address children’s interests, strong social support and a sense of community. In contrast to rote learning, the school nurtures development through Hi-5’s time-tested underlying educational structure – believing that children connect best to the learning style of choice showcased by the presenter, acknowledging that each child learns in a different way and learning alongside each other rather than dictating. Educational theories are presented through Hi-5 songs, making learning fun and entertaining. The school aims to make the most of children’s inquisitiveness and allows them to follow their curiosity, while growing comfortably into themselves under kind, caring support. Children are welcomed each day by passionate facilitators who strive to brighten each child’s mind, heart and spirit, including Jup Jup, a cheeky five-legged creature from the Hi-5 TV series, who is ever-ready to cheer up a cranky child on any given day. Infants from 6 months can participate in semiweekly, adult accompanied sessions at the Happy House programme; children aged 2 to 6 years can attend the preschool programmes that run on a full day and half day basis from Monday to Friday.
While children are here they have the opportunity to learn, explore, communicate, socialize, problem-solve, interact with one another, and ultimately to just have fun and be kids. They love coming here; everything about the school was developed with their needs in mind. The intention is to address the whole child, consolidating connections between literacy, numeracy, sensory, music and movement, artistic development, motor and cognitive skills, creative and imaginative development, social emotional and communication skills, core character values, cultural elements and beliefs, and world knowledge. Pedagogical methods emphasize on student-centred, hands-on, topic-related, play-based and inquiry-based learning. The approach is based on providing a diversity of activity and physical movement, both within the classroom and outside. Every day will be one of wonder and enjoyment as children engage in songs, music, stories, imaginative play, dance, design, art and technology. Music and movement experiences integrate Hi-5 songs, clips and stories, and remain the central focus across its programmes. The language piece, too, is a specific draw for the children that attend, training them to be truly trilingual in English, Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia. Whether children arrive speaking only their own unique mother tongue or families stemming from a monolingual non-English speaking family, competent facilitators can employ a multilingual approach to bridge the gap and improve the learning experience.
The school is small enough to maintain a close connected feel throughout, while large enough to allow for a full spectrum of curricular and extracurricular programming. The breadth of enrichment classes includes Hi-5 performance skills, music lessons, cooking, art and craft, Mandarin, STEM, Choi Kwang Do and EPS sports; swimming classes are included as part of the core curricular programming as well as an optional weekend enrichment class. Additionally, excursions, holiday programmes and performances all find place within the delivery of the curriculum.
A team of highly-qualified, well-trained facilitators, spearheaded by an International Director of Learning, embody the quintessence of quality, service and professionalism. Instructional support is personal and individualized. Facilitators plan learning as closely as possible to each child’s unique needs whilst providing scope for them to stretch and grow. Small class sizes are a plus, allowing for a close, friendly interface between children and facilitators, as well as clear, open lines of communication between parents and the school. Parental engagement is welcomed in a wide range of school life to promote shared responsibility for children’s early learning and development, while also providing a foundation for meaningful bonding. The programming is also developed with the needs of urban parents foremost in mind. With that, includes the provision of meals. The menu is built around locally sourced, non-GMO ingredients that is well-balanced, nutritious and prepared by a Master Chef at PLOY@Clearwater.
At the heart of Hi-5 House of Learning is a robust programme that gradually works towards a seamless transition into the primary grades. Service is central to the ethos of the school, as underscored by a team dedicated to developing opportunities within the local community and beyond. The school is overtly grounded on preparing children to reach their optimum potential and grow into an international, empathetic understanding of the world and their place within it.
