In Malaysia, kindergarten is a non-formal and flexible programme for young children aged 4 to 5 years old. The programme runs for a duration of one to two years depending on parents' requirement. These centres are mostly privately-run and cater for children from high and middle-income families. The fees charged by these kindergartens vary and are largely determined by overhead costs and market forces.

Kindergarten classes conducted by the MOE (also known as Ministry of Education, Malaysia) and other government agencies enable under-privileged children from lower income families access to kindergarten education for free or at a minimal charge. Priority for admission to these classes is given to those who could not afford to attend privately-run kindergartens.

Kindergarten education aims at providing a firm foundation for formal education. All kindergartens have to abide by the curriculum guidelines set by the MOE, except for the International or Expatriate Schools that follow either the Bristish or US curriculum as well as the syllabus of their country.

The curriculum which is in line with the NPE (also known as National Private Education, Malaysia) enables kindergarten children to acquire basic communication, social and other positive skills in preparation for primary schooling. Specifically, the aim of kindergarten education is to develop children’s skills in the following aspects:

The social skill components focus on children’s interaction with the environment and the people in their surroundings, development of positive self-concept, discipline, social responsibilities, and positive attitudes towards learning.

The intellectual skill components emphasise physical environment, the concepts of space, numbers, alphabets, and prerequisites for writing, reading and language competencies.

The physical skill components focus on the physical activities that involve co-ordination of the various parts of the body such as the head, hand, leg, eye and fingers.

The spiritual skill components emphasise the inculcation of noble values and believe in God.

The aesthetical aspects on the other hand, train the children to express themselves through their hand-made creations, drawings, music and movement.

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