Int'l preschools offer world-class curriculum

Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta

Four-year-old Caca used to be reluctant when it was time to go to school. Her mother always tried hard to wake her up every morning. However, the little girl often went back to sleep even though the school bus had been waiting for several minutes.

"She always complained that school was the most boring place and often refused to mingle with other kids," said Farida, the girl's mother. Nevertheless, the girl's attitude towards school changed after her mother moved her to an international preschool

Farida is grateful that the new school allows her daughter to engage in activities she likes and gives opportunities to develop her curiosity based a sound rationale. After two months in a Montessori preschool in South Jakarta, her daughter turned out to be a high achiever who also has a sense of responsibility and respect for others. "I`m happy that my daughter is no longer a spoiled kid," Farida said.

Many parents today prefer to send their children to international preschools even though the school fees are a bit higher than those of local ones. They believe that such preschools can help to develop their children's potential and abilities to relate well with others.

"I don't mind paying extra money as long as my children receive a non-threatening and non-judgmental learning experience," said Budiono, a father of three.

He said that a good preschool should be able to handle aggressive children who like to bully others and smart children who tend to be introverted and indifferent.

Budiono, however, reminded parents to ensure that a student- oriented learning atmosphere is really present in such preschools. "Teacher-oriented and one-way-learning instruction will impede our children from being free to develop their own initiatives. They will be afraid to make mistakes," he said.

Most international preschools have the same goal, which is to develop children's feelings of trust and positive self-esteem through a curriculum that pays attention to the child's social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs in its educational activities.

The Plan Readiness Education Program (PREP) is an excellent curriculum applied by Tutor Time International Preschool. Aside from learning the standard academic skills of reading, writing and math through Tutor Time's Phonic Express, Handwriting Helper and Math Magic programs, children also learn how to be independent and active learners.

Without parents or nannies in the classroom, the children acquire the skills necessary for kindergarten and elementary school in a nurturing, loving, fun and secure environment.

"The children become excited about learning, and become full of confidence in expressing their thoughts, while mastering all the necessary academic skills that will prepare them for elementary school education," said the school's director, Ingrid Suria.

Ingrid said that teachers, curriculum and environment played important roles in building the children's confidence in making decisions, developing their talents and building up their self- esteem. Children are encouraged to learn from everything they see, hear, touch, taste and smell.

The school provides an outdoor playground and indoor village for socio-dramatic play that children can explore everyday. There are also facilities for art, music and movement, building blocks, science, library, social studies, home/practical life as well as study using computers.

Tutor Time International Preschool is a U.S. franchise that has six centers in Jakarta (Pondok Indah, Kemang, Kelapa Gading, Puri and Pluit) and one center in Bandung. Children from one to six years old are able to attend classes run from two to four hours per day, three to five days per week. Its school fees vary by location, age group and frequency of attendance, and ranging from Rp 900,000 (about US$100) to $580 per month

Kinderland, a franchise from Singapore, offers an eclectic curriculum that is primarily aimed at developing a positive attitude toward work and learning in children.

"Our balanced curriculum gives the child a good start in education," said Meera Joseph, the head of Kiderland in Indonesia.

The core curriculum provided by Kinderland, which has six centers in Jakarta, includes multi-sensory, thematic, integrated language and arts programs, and a math alive program that provides a variety of innovative and stimulating activities that make math fun, challenging and meaningful to the children.

Meanwhile, pre-school children at Gandhi Memorial International School (GMIS) are exposed to an international perspective so that they gradually become aware of and sensitive toward children from different countries and cultures, and religious and ethnic backgrounds.

"Cultural diversity makes our children more understanding and kind towards others. Thus making the world become more peaceful and friendly," said the school's principal, A.P. Singh.

The GMIS, which was founded in 1950, now has preschools in Ancol and Kemayoran in North Jakarta. Currently, around 1,700 students from 51 countries attend the school's programs, from preschool to secondary school.

As an International Baccalaureate school, the GMIS aims to develop each of its students as a `whole child'. Therefore, its educational programs are tailored to meet the social, physical, emotional and cultural needs of every child. "We believe in the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, who once said: "By education I mean drawing out the best from the body, mind and soul of a child.", Singh said.

He added that children learn to express themselves as they are encouraged to talk, discuss and ask questions during school hours. The school also provides many activities, including music. "Music is a very important component of our preschool. We believe what Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish writer, namely, that where words fail, music speaks".

Parents who would like to send their young children to preschool at the GMIS need to pay an admission fee of $3,500 (payable once only) and enrollment fee of $300 (payable once only) while the tuition fee is $1,740 per six-month term. They also need to pay a security deposit of $200 (payable once only) and a "miscellaneous fee" of $200 (payable annually).