King's Kids Early Years (KKEY) in SS2 is the second kindy which I went to check out. KKEY wins hands down as the most preferred kindy of choice for Christian (and some non Christian) parents in Petaling Jaya and beyond! Unfortunately this also means that KKEY has a very long waiting list, where waiting, most of the time, will get your child nowhere..
Also, I have heard that there aren't exactly crystal clear criterias for admission. For eg. there are some factors that may propel your child to the top of the queue, for instance, if the child has a sibling/ relative in the kindy, if the child is from a non-christian family etc. I suppose these criterias are fair enough as the kindy has community service goals..Still, I know some people would have appreciated more certainty with regards to admission!
Some background on KKEY
KKEY is an early years education centre, founded by a church, i.e. SS Gospel Centre. It is operated as a community service and is a non profit making centre. I have heard only GOOD things about KKEY from parents who are fortunate enough to send their kids there - i.e. good, passionate and dedicated teachers, well rounded education, and good place which imparts Christian teaching and good habits. Unfortunately in Malaysia, kindy teachers are not put on the path to (material) prosperity by their jobs and as such, it’s not easy to find good and dedicated teachers because it literally means that those in the profession are those who really love kids (despite the lack of moolah) or cannot find a better job elsewhere.. The only negative thing I have heard so far about KKEY is their endless waiting list and frustration from parents who have tried beg, borrow or steal their way into the kindy but still failed.
My visit to KKEY
I was one of the hopeful parents who tried to enrol MG for the 4 year old class (K2).I visited the centre based in a few shoplots in SS2 during a school day and was taken for a tour by the principal, Ms Phang (whom I understand is now on another (bigger) assignment).
KKEY adopts the Developmental approach, which incorporates Montessori, Thematic training, Senses stimulation, Action learning and Left-Right brain development. Classes had a good teacher to student ratio (1: maximum of 18/19 students), and the centre was clean and well organised. The Principal was very well spoken, very professional, clearly passionate and interested in her role. What I was most impressed with was that during the first part of a class session, the teacher would go through with each individual child a learning which was compatible with the child (i.e. more advanced learners get to work on a more advanced worksheet, average ones get a different one). The Principal also explained that at a younger age, the children would be placed in a open concept classroom, but as they progress towards primary school, the setting would accordingly become more classroom like, i.e. 6 year olds (K4 kids) sit in their individual desks and chairs, to prepare them for the classroom environment. Fees are very reasonable, at RM450 per month, with minimal add-ons, unlike a lot of other kindys which have extra charge for art materials etc. The slight downside is that there is no daycare (not that I needed it) and the sessions start at 9 am to 12 noon – that I thought was pretty unfriendly to working parents who had to be at work by 9am unless they had the benefit of flexi hours. (And KKEY does not encourage parents to drop off their kids too early!)
Summary
I thought that everything at KKEY was very structured in a purposeful manner and came out of the kindy, very impressed. But note, if you have not read my earlier post, my preference is for a non-academic kindy for MG.. And KKEY is one. Don't expect too much drilling and homework.
To make a long story short, MG did not get a place in KKEY. I was disappointed but had somewhat anticipated it! I hope one day that I would be able to break the (admissions) code (which remains a mystery to me) and will be able to enroll my younger kiddo, SE in KKEY when his turn comes.. Only God knows whether that will eventually happen :) Optimists may try to enrol by contacting the below:) King's Kids Early Years Unit 18, SS2/103 47300 PJ Tel: 03-77280509
NOTE (2014): KKEY has expanded!!! Pessimists have some hope now!! KKEY has set up another kindy called "STAR KIDS" or Tadika Bukit Bintang in Section 8 Petaling Jaya wich stated operations this year (2014). It is run by Ms Pang, the former principal of KKEY. Being a KKEY offshoot, I'd expect that it cannot be any worse than KKEY, in fact, in terms of location and facilities, Star Kids could be a lot better, as it has a lot more space. I haven't gone to see this place, and if MG had not already been so settled in Precious Steps, I would definitely have sent MG here. Check it out -
Email: bbkids2014@gmail.com
Tel: 603-74516710
Fax: 603-74516723
Contact Ms Chua (0166280028) (Pre school administrator) or Mrs Phang (016 3841084)
