Children’s Discovery House, Kota Damansara

Highlights

Large outdoor nature play areas Authentic Montessori environment  Curriculum designed for individual child Experienced and trained Montessorians  Teaches practical life skills, sensorial, numeracy, language, culture

Technology has improved our lives in many ways, but it has also limited our connection to the natural world. This is a worrying trend, as studies have shown that time spent in nature is intrinsic to a child’s early development and can help shape pro-environmental attitudes in later years. 

At Children’s Discovery House Kota Damansara, they understand the importance of rekindling this connection. Nestled within a quiet, leafy suburb, this new purpose-built school offers a “Montessori in Nature” concept for children aged between 2.5 to 10 years old, weaving together Montessori principles with immersive outdoor experiences. This innovative approach allows children to not only learn within the confines of a classroom but also explore, discover, and engage with their environment firsthand.

A conducive environment through purposeful design 

Entering the school’s 20,000 square feet premises, one can see attentive touches throughout that embody the ‘prepared environment’ – a core part of Montessori, where learning spaces are thoughtfully structured, and everything has a purpose and place. 

From the gate, children make their way up a gentle slope via a wooden pathway lined with grass and lush foliage, where they are greeted by the sound of chirping crickets and even nesting birds. The main building is bright and airy, with features such as a tall ceiling, glass skylights and perforated walls that allow for plenty of sunlight and good ventilation. 

Classrooms on the ground floor have roomy, open layouts. Next to these spaces is a wide, concrete corridor that doubles as a messy play area, so children can take part in water and sand play, or work on arts and crafts projects. The upper floors are similarly spacious, ideal for circle time where children can work and play together in groups. 

Learning areas are divided according to themes so a child may easily find sensorial materials in one area, or language and practical life materials in another section. Materials on the shelves are arranged according to difficulty, making it easier for both teachers and the child to progress experientially. 

Children feel most comfortable in a familiar environment, which is why the school is deliberately designed to feel like a home. Instead of loud, distracting colours, walls are painted in calming, earthy hues, and are complemented by rubberwood furniture and child-safe design features such as wooden railings that double as subtle partitions. 

Outdoor areas are also built to encourage interaction with nature. Wooden steps from the compound lead up to a shaded patio that adjoins the main building, where children can participate in creative activities such as weaving with banana or coconut leaves. The grassy backyard comes complete with a wooden deck and a space for gardening and growing seedlings, as well as a covered outdoor stage for performances. 

Personalised programmes

As the brand’s fifth branch, Children’s Discovery House Kota Damansara carries the same, highly recognised Montessori programme that has made it a household name in Montessori education in the Klang Valley. Parents can expect a carefully curated curriculum that nurtures each child’s developmental needs and lets them explore at their own pace whilst promoting self-discipline.

Emphasis is placed not just on physical, but also emotional and social development. Aside from age-appropriate educational materials, children will be exposed to language enrichment programmes, as well as monthly thematic and cultural learning activities to cultivate born leaders with high self-esteem.

The Half Day programme includes circle time, mindfulness, outdoor play and nature activities, messy play, story time, cultural studies, and creative arts and crafts sessions, in addition to basic hygiene and grooming assistance. 

There is also the Extended programme which covers language enrichment, phonics and Mandarin lessons; as well as the Full Day programme, spanning extracurricular activities that help to cultivate a variety of skills, from dance, speech and drama to five senses art and science and exploration.

“In Montessori, we always say that intelligence is expressed through the hands,” says Children’s Discovery House founder Puan Sri Nonadiah binti Abdullah, a passionate educator who has close to two decades of experience in early childhood education. “Which is why we prepare an environment where children are able to have fun; where they have the freedom to explore spaces and materials within certain boundaries, and they can be independent and learn how to sort things out for themselves,” she explains.