by on 28/07/2020 2719
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Stepping Stones Preschool & Childcare, Bukit Damansara, is a boutique preschool housed in a large, charming corner lot on Jalan Balau.
Recently opened in July 2020, this self-run preschool has all the core features that urban parents look for.
With the genuine intention of providing love and care for children, this centre provides hands-on, down-to-earth guidance for young learners ages 1 to 6 years.
Co-founder and principal, Ms Thurga, leads the programs at Stepping Stones.
With 10 years of experience in Montessori education, Ms Thurga and 4 other seasoned teachers came together with a goal: to have more autonomy to carry out their educational vision and to give kids the attention they rightly deserve.
“For me, teachers have to be able to bond with and understand the kids. That’s very important,” she shares.
The teachers here see kids as kids, and believe it’s not all about academics. They emphasize the building of character and want to allow kids to grow in the way nature intended them to.
The curriculum at Stepping Stones implement a curriculum based on the Montessori method and Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
At this preschool, learning areas cover daily life exercises, sensory play, language development, mathematical concepts and topics regarding the world around the child (such as transportation, dinosaurs and people across the globe).
Lessons are kept fun, engaging and relevant for children. Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin are taught as part of the curriculum, much to the advantage of these young learners.
Kids at Stepping Stones are encouraged to bond with their peers, learn about routine and appropriate discipline, and develop their communication skills.
“Most importantly, we want our kids to have fun and look forward to coming to school,” says Ms Thurga.
The preschool offers half-day, extended (day care), and full-day programs for kids from 8am to 6pm.
Stepping Stones is aiming to offer varied enrichment classes such as dancing, taekwondo, gym, Mandarin, arts and crafts, and baking.
Twice a year, the preschool also intends to take kids out on excursions based on relevant themes like ‘occupations’ or ‘animals’.
The lot that the preschool is housed in was carefully selected for its large interior and outdoor space. There is ample natural light, a lot of room for kids to move and play, and dedicated areas for kids’ activities.
In the outdoor space, you will find two playgrounds dedicated to different age groups, as a safety measure. Their playgrounds comply with international safety standards and are imported from Europe.
Outside there is a big messy play area for kids and a sandbox for sensory play.
There is also an edible garden, where kids can grow their own vegetables and herbs, harvest their produce and have it cooked to eat.
Besides this, children at Stepping Stones are given a space to have al fresco dining, which means they can sit outside and eat—while enjoying the fresh air and outdoor environment.
On the first floor is a dedicated room for music and movement, equipped with full-length mirrors.
Kids will surely love this role-play corner, where they can change into different costumes and act out characters like a policeman, pilot, princess or construction worker.
Stepping Stones clearly prioritizes safety. The house is elevated and multi-tiered, watched over by a security guard, fully equipped with CCTV and is surrounded by double parameter anti-climb fencing.
The preschool itself is not in a secluded or remote area, as it sits right in the middle of the bustling suburb of Bukit Damansara.
Furthermore, there’s a standalone dry and wet kitchen that isn’t directly next to a classroom, making it safe and hygienic. The kids’ meals at Stepping Stones have been specially designed to be healthy and nutritious.
As for the toilets and sinks, they are child-sized, making it safe and easy for students to use.
On top of all this, sanitization is regularly done in the centre—in the morning, after the kids handle materials, and after kids leave.
“The moment the child is happy, there’ll be a positive relationship with the parents. We can feel it,” says Ms Thurga.
Coffee sessions and bonding meetings with moms and dads are regularly organized, to discuss their child’s progress.
Stepping Stones aims to provide timely notifications and establish open communications with parents, as they understand that trust is earned.
