by on 14/08/2024 287
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Located about a minute's walk from the Hang Tuah LRT station, Human StarChild Care Centre offers a unique daycare experience rooted in the holistic Japanese approach to early childhood development. Open to children aged one to four, the centre brings the best of Japanese childcare practices to KL– promising a nurturing and enriching environment for the little ones.
Human StarChild has a rich history in Japan, where it has been established for over 20 years and has 38 licensed childcare centres across Tokyo and Yokohama. The Malaysian branch is its second international outpost after Jakarta, Indonesia.
“Parents in Japan who subscribe to daycare services usually work long hours, and they may not have support from extended family members to help out with childcare. This is a trend we also see in Malaysia, which is why we believe our services are a good fit for the community here,” says Ms. Yuriko Delvita Bambang, director of Human StarChild Malaysia.
Central to the centre's offerings is the WALLET curriculum, an innovative program based on the "5 fields of childcare in Japan." This 48-week daily curriculum focuses on improving:
The curriculum is designed around weekly themes, which children explore through activities that promote “WALLET” – Watching/ Writing, Activating behaviours and senses, Listening, Expressing, and Thinking.
This well-rounded approach balances academic content with creative and social skill development. The centre utilises 500 flashcards and picture books to make learning more engaging and dynamic, while nurturing their creativity through arts and crafts and other sensory activities. The workbooks used are based on Human StarChild’s Japanese materials but adapted into English to suit the needs of the overseas market.
More than just teaching children the basics of literacy and numeracy, what sets Human StarChild apart is the way in which good attitudes are instilled into children from a young age. Japanese culture strongly emphasises values such as manners and discipline, and these aspects are integrated into the child’s daily routines.
For example, children learn to queue up to wash their hands, and wait for everyone to be seated at the table before they have a meal. Even during playtime, children learn to take turns and share toys. These practical and social skills are indispensable to them as they grow up.
The Japanese approach to food can clearly be seen in the meals that are served to the children. Not only are the dishes served varied and nutritious, they’re also beautifully presented. As Ms. Yuriko puts it, mealtime should be fun and something that the children look forward to.
“Children may be cautious about trying a new kind of food for the first time. We make sure our dishes are flavoured gently, and that there are colourful and attractively shaped ingredients on the plate to entertain the children visually,” she explains. Lunch is handmade daily within the centre’s premises using Muslim-friendly ingredients.
Human StarChild takes great pride in its safety and cleanliness. Parents and children alike will feel at ease as soon as they step into the premises, as the space is brightly lit and boasts an open concept, giving it a comfortable and airy atmosphere.
Safety measures are taken very seriously here: for example, the adult’s restroom is equipped with a high latch that can be locked from the outside, so that children will not accidentally wander in and hurt themselves. Additionally, the centre features child-safe furniture with rounded corners, padded areas, locked storage compartments and CCTV monitoring. The premises are also cleaned daily, while materials and toys are sanitised on a regular basis.
To ensure excellence in quality, Human StarChild Malaysia has a Japanese principal, Hitomi-sensei, who oversees the centre’s day-to-day operations. Apart from having a Japanese nursery teacher’s license, Hitomi-sensei has extensive experience in the nursery and preschool environment in Japan and is adept at training and providing feedback to local staff.
Teachers at Human StarChild Care Centre in Malaysia have the Kursus Asuhan Permata (KAP) certificate, but the centre also provides opportunities for new staff members to learn and obtain the certificate, should they join without one. The most important thing, says Ms. Yuriko, is to have the passion for childcare and the willingness to learn and adapt.
Since the children spend most of their time at the centre, Human StarChild makes sure to share updates and precious moments with parents, so that they can be a part of their child’s progress and development.
Daily reports include details such as nap and mealtimes, potty and bathroom info, as well as the child’s daily activities and what they have learned.
“Even though parents trust us to provide the best care for their child, they also want to know how their child spent their day, so we try to provide them with as much information as possible. It is also helpful as parents can keep tabs on their health,” says Ms. Yuriko.
Human StarChild Care Centre, Bukit Bintang currently operates from 9am to 5pm with options for full-day and half-day programmes. The centre also caters to parents who wish to drop off their children for extended hours from 8am to 6pm, at an additional fee.
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