Hidden Risks of Running a Preschool: How Teachers & Owners Can Protect Themselves

A Dream Job or a Minefield?

Ask anyone why they became a preschool teacher or a childcare business owner, and the answer is often the same:

“I love children.”

There is no profession more noble and rewarding than guiding young minds at their first step into the world of learning. The hugs, laughter, and joy of seeing a child master a new skill is a special feeling.

But behind the smiles and the structured activities, a different reality exists—one that few truly understand; preschool teachers and owners carry an immense burden of responsibility to keep the children safe from harm and teachers safe from the law.

The Risks of Running a Preschool: A Reality Check

On the surface, we see preschools as places of fun and learning, but for the teachers and owners who run them, they are also high-risk environments.

The Playground Safety Association of Malaysia reports that playground surfacing materials are the most frequently cited cause of playground injuries, with up to 3,000 children between the ages of 5 and 9 suffering injuries at the playground every three months. That equates to about 33 kids being admitted to the hospital each day. Although it’s hardly a startling statistic, no parent likes to hear that their child was injured at school. Therefore, it’s critical to be mindful of the potential hazards as teachers and business owners.

At the same time, parents trust educators to safeguard their children, but that trust can be really fragile; A single accident can lead to costly lawsuits, reputational damage, and financial loss—often through no ill-intention of the teachers. Let’s dwell deeper into it.

1. No Matter How Careful, Accidents Happen Unexpectedly

Children run, climb, and explore; that’s how they learn. But their boundless energy also makes them vulnerable to injuries.

Winnie Tan, founder of My ELink and creator of Kindershield, has seen countless cases where teachers did everything right, yet accidents still occurred. Some accidents are so unexpected that even seasoned educators are left in shock. Here are some examples of incidents that occur in nurseries and preschools:

• ✅ A child runs too fast on the playground, falls and broke an arm.
• ✅ A student shares a snack from home, not realising it contains an allergen which another child has a severe reaction.
• ✅ Two children are playing rough with each other, and gets the other one injured.

In such moments, parents often don’t see it as an accident, they see it as negligence. And that’s when the real nightmare begins.

2. When Parents Take Schools and Teachers to Court

In today’s world, parents are more aware of their rights, and they are more likely to sue schools when an incident occurs. Winnie Tan shared an example of a legal case that shocked many in the industry:

“A child’s bite may seem minor, but there is one case ended with a lawsuit demanding RM50,000 in compensation. The parents believed the school was responsible for failing to prevent the injury.” Winnie added that the school settled out of court by paying an agreed compensation. Still, the financial loss can be crippling. Misfortune struck twice, when the same school faced another legal case just a year later for a similar incident.

For teachers, the risks are even higher. Many earn modest salaries, making it nearly impossible for them to afford legal representation if they are sued personally.

“We had a case where a teacher was sued for negligence after a student fell in the classroom. She was earning a minimum wage and couldn’t afford a lawyer. Within 24 hours, she resigned because she had no other option.” Said Winnie. Without proper protection, educators are left financially and emotionally devastated by these legal battles.

3. Teachers Can Get Injured on the Job too

Besides students, teachers are also at risk. A moment of trying to break up a fight between children or slipping on a wet floor can lead to injuries. Recognising this risk, Kindershield provides medical coverage for teachers injured during duty.

“We also protect the people taking care of children. If a teacher gets hurt while performing their duty, Kindershield will pay the medical costs. That’s why our policy covers them as well.”

This ensures that teachers receive proper medical treatment without additional financial burden, allowing them to focus on their role with peace of mind.

4. Preschool Owners Carry the Heaviest Burden

By the end of it all, business owners bear the ultimate responsibility if something goes wrong. Even well-respected preschool owners can suddenly find themselves in legal trouble.

Winnie Tan recalled a shocking case:

“One school owner was accused of pushing a child against a wall. The CCTV footage, from a certain angle, made it look that way—even though it wasn’t true. The case escalated quickly, and they had to fight to prove their innocence.”

Without strong protection, one misunderstanding can lead to ruined reputations, financial loss, or even school closure. Here comes Kindershield, to protect those who run these vital institutions.

Kindershield: A Lifeline for Educators and Preschool Owners

Kindershield was designed specifically for the early childhood education industry, offering protection where it is needed most:

1. Legal and Financial Protection for Schools and Teachers

When legal action arises, Kindershield PGTO (ProfessionGuard) covers legal defense costs, ensuring that teachers and preschool owners are not left struggling to fend for themselves.

“Legal fees are costly. If a teacher is sued, it’s hard for them to afford legal representation. So, we cover their legal fees to ensure they receive fair representation and defense,” exclaimed Winnie.

2. Comprehensive Accident Coverage

With Kindershield’s PA coverage, all children in the kindergarten are protected 24 hours for a full year.

• ✅ Covers medical fees for injuries in and out of schooling hours
• ✅ Medical expenses for food poisoning, insect bites, etc
• ✅ Study interruption benefits if a parent passes away
• ✅ Medical fees for teachers injured during duty

Kindershield even covers injuries caused by a child biting another student, acknowledging the reality of preschool environments.

3. A Hassle-Free Claims Process for Schools

Teachers and business owners do not have time to deal with complicated insurance claims. Kindershield simplifies the process so that schools can focus on education—not tedious paperwork. All they need to do is notify Kindershield’s support team, and the claims process will be handled swiftly. Claims are typically processed within 2-3 weeks, ensuring that schools receive their payments without unnecessary delays.

“Teachers are not professionals in the insurance industry. They shouldn’t have to spend time on claims. Just contact my team, and we will guide them step by step,” said Winnie Tan.

4. Strengthening the Future of Early Childhood Education

With over 300 schools using Kindershield, it is quickly becoming the gold standard for preschool protection in Malaysia. It is a valuable perk that preschools used to advertise in their own marketing materials or leaflets to attract parents to enrol their children here.

As teachers are not insurance savvy, schools will provide a QR code to parents for them to scan and access every information about Kindershield. This ensures that teachers can focus on their roles without being burdened by administrative tasks, and business owners can run their preschools with confidence.

Kindershield is Essential for Every Preschool

Running a preschool is both a dream and a responsibility. Every day, teachers and school owners shape young lives—but they also face risks that can turn their world upside down.

With these coverage, preschools and teachers can operate with peace of mind, knowing they are protected from life’s uncertainties:

• Kindershield PA: Cover medical expenses for injuries sustained by students and teachers, also including incidents like food poisoning and insect bites.
• Kindershield Takaful PA – A Shariah-compliant version of the protection plan, ensuring broader accessibility.
• Kindershield BIZ – Protects business owners from financial risks, covering theft, property damage, closure by Ministry of Health in the presence of infectious diseases.
• Kindershield PGTO (ProfessionGuard) – Cover legal fees if educators or institutions face negligence claims.

Calling out to all preschool owners, let’s take the first step toward security and protection for those who shaped the future. Contact Kindershield today!

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