by on 10/02/2025 70
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Tucked away in the serene, leafy neighbourhood of Taman Desa, KaydeGarden is a cosy, welcoming preschool designed for little ones aged 2 to 6. Whether you’re looking for a place where your child can get a head start on academics, explore their creativity, or simply feel at home, this neighbourhood gem has it all.
The school is founded by Kay (hence the name KaydeGarden), who is a professional in early childhood education and leads a strong team of caring, experienced educators. The vision is to create a place where children can be nurtured, guided, and prepared for their next big step in life – and judging from the school’s facilities, environment, and programmes, it looks like they have succeeded.
At KaydeGarden, the team understands that starting primary school—especially SJKC—can feel like a big leap. That’s why they’ve designed their curriculum to gently ease children into academic routines while keeping things fun, engaging, and age-appropriate.
For the younger kids (2 to 4 years old), the focus is on developing fine motor skills, building routines, and learning through play. Inspired by Montessori methods, children are taught how to use materials independently and gain confidence as they explore and grow.
For the older kids (5 to 6 years old), the approach shifts slightly to include more structure and projects. A great example is their green bean project, where kids grow their own plants, observe the changes, and record their findings—making science come alive in a hands-on way. This project-based learning ties into Malaysia’s National Preschool Standard curriculum while encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.
Of course, it’s not all about books and projects. Activities like Little Gardener, arts and crafts, water play, and cooking sessions (Little Chef) ensure every child has the chance to express themselves, learn new skills, and, most importantly, have fun.
If you’re wondering what a typical day looks like here, rest assured it’s thoughtfully planned to balance learning, play, and rest. The preschool offers both half-day and full-day programmes, running from 8.30AM onwards. For half-day sessions, the dismissal time is 12:00PM for 3-year-olds and 12:30PM for 4-6 year-olds, while full-day sessions extend until 6:30PM. Mornings are dedicated to lessons in English, Mandarin, Bahasa Malaysia, Science, and Math, all of which are taught in creative, playful ways to keep kids engaged.
For full-day kids, the afternoons are just as enriching. After lunch, they have time to relax and recharge with a nap or quiet activities like puzzles. Later in the day, they’ll enjoy snacks followed by fun activities like story time, arts and crafts, or speech and drama.
The team also includes music and movement into the weekly routine, led by specialist teachers, and offers Taekwondo classes every Thursday. One of their more unique offerings is Hua Wen Ying Yue Hui Ben, a Chinese storytelling and music programme that builds language skills and creative thinking—a great way to help kids with essay writing later in primary school.
KaydeGarden knows that primary school, especially SJKC, can be academically demanding. To make the transition smoother, they gradually introduce older children to routines like spelling, ejaan, and ting xie (Chinese dictation). For five-year-olds, they also start doing small amounts of homework in the second half of the year.
But it’s not just about academics. The teachers also focus on developing kids’ attitudes toward learning, their ability to interact with peers, and how they behave in a classroom setting—all crucial skills for excelling in primary school and beyond.
One of the things parents love most about KaydeGarden is its homely vibe. Forget the rigid, institutional feel some preschools have—here, children are greeted with warm, welcoming spaces that feel like an extension of home.
There’s plenty of room for exploration, too. The preschool features four cosy classrooms, a multimedia hall, a gardening area, a mini-library, and even an aquarium for science observations. Outdoor learning is a big part of the experience, with kids encouraged to explore nature, conduct experiments, and enjoy fresh air.
Safety and hygiene are top priorities, with CCTV in every corner, and regular inspections by the authorities on safety features such as fire exits. Every classroom and space in the school is equipped with air purifiers to ensure clean, healthy air for the children. Besides that, they also provide healthy, in-house meals that are pork-free and include veggies, offering both lunch and dinner for the children.
At KaydeGarden, communication with parents is a big deal. Through WhatsApp and a handy parent-teacher app called Oodlins, you’ll always know what your child is up to. Whether it’s updates on daily activities, event announcements, or progress reports, staying in the loop is easy.
The preschool also organises parent-child bonding events, like Sports Day and concerts, so you can join in on the fun and create special memories with your little one.
KaydeGarden truly lives up to its tagline as “Your Friendly Neighbourhood Kindergarten.” It’s a place where children aren’t just students—they’re part of a close-knit community, where children look forward to going to each day because there’s always something for them to learn.