Choosing a kindergarten is an important decision. Parents are not simply selecting a convenient place for their child to spend the day. They are choosing an environment that can influence their child’s confidence, communication, relationships and attitude towards learning.

Parents naturally consider location, facilities, fees and opening hours. However, the length of time a kindergarten has been operating is another valuable factor to consider.

A well-established school has had time to develop its educational approach, strengthen its routines and learn from years of working with children and families. Although age alone does not guarantee quality, a long and consistent history can give parents greater confidence when comparing different schools.

Shining Stars School Kamala has served families in Phuket since 2008. This experience has helped shape the caring, child-centred learning environment we provide today.

An established kindergarten has practical experience

Every child is different. Some children settle into kindergarten quickly, while others need more time, reassurance and individual support. Children also have different personalities, interests, communication styles and stages of development.

An established kindergarten will have supported many children through these different experiences. Its teachers and school leadership can draw on practical knowledge gained from working with children and families over many years.

This experience can help a school understand:

• How young children adjust to a new environment
• How to support children who initially feel uncertain
• How to communicate effectively with parents
• How to balance routines with individual needs
• How to make learning engaging and age-appropriate
• How to recognise progress in its different forms
• How to provide encouragement when a child faces a challenge

Experience should not mean treating every child in the same way. Instead, it should help a school recognise that children develop differently and benefit from individual attention. Ask how long does the school exist and do they have a valid licence?

Time allows an educational approach to develop

A meaningful kindergarten approach is not created simply by writing an attractive statement for a website. It develops through daily experience with children.

Over time, a school can observe which activities genuinely engage children, how classroom routines affect confidence and how different forms of guidance support development.

A well-established kindergarten has had opportunities to review and strengthen how it supports:

• Early literacy and numeracy
• English communication
• Logical thinking and problem-solving
• Social and emotional development
• Creativity and curiosity
• Fine and gross motor development
• Independence and confidence
• Cooperation and positive relationships

At Shining Stars, our curriculum combines structure with learning through play. Children have opportunities to explore, communicate, make choices and practise important skills through positive learning experiences.

Stability can give parents greater confidence

Parents need to feel confident that the school they choose is stable, responsible and committed to the community it serves.

A kindergarten that has operated consistently for many years has a visible history. Parents can review its development, speak with the school and determine whether its values and educational approach have remained clear.

Longevity can indicate that a school has successfully adapted to changing family needs, educational expectations and practical challenges. It also demonstrates a continuing commitment to supporting children and families.

However, parents should still look beyond the number of years. An established date is most meaningful when it is supported by a caring environment, clear communication and an educational approach that remains relevant to young children.

Established routines help children feel secure

Young children generally benefit from predictable routines and clear expectations. Knowing what happens next can help a child feel comfortable, participate more confidently and gradually become independent.

Schools develop effective routines through experience. These may include arrival and collection procedures, transitions between activities, classroom organisation, mealtimes and communication with families.

Well-developed routines should not make a school rigid. Instead, they create a reliable structure within which children can play, explore and learn.

When daily systems work smoothly, teachers can focus more closely on the children and respond to their individual needs.

Experience can strengthen parent-teacher communication

A positive relationship between families and teachers is an important part of early childhood education.

Parents know how their children behave, communicate and respond at home. Teachers observe how children learn, play and interact in a group environment. Sharing these perspectives helps both sides develop a clearer understanding of the child.

An established kindergarten has had years to understand the importance of clear and respectful communication. This includes listening to parents, sharing relevant observations and addressing questions before small concerns become larger ones.

Effective communication should always work in both directions. Parents should feel comfortable sharing important information, asking questions and discussing their child’s development.

Read more about the importance of parent-teacher communication in preschool.

A long history in the local community matters

A kindergarten does not operate separately from its community. Over time, it becomes part of the lives of local and international families, children and educators.

A school with a long local history has experience supporting families from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. It is also more likely to understand the needs of parents living in the surrounding area.

Shining Stars School Kamala has operated in Kamala, Phuket, since 2008. We welcome local, expatriate and international families from Kamala and nearby communities, including Surin, Bang Tao and Patong.

Our history is not simply a number. It represents years of welcoming children, communicating with families and developing positive learning experiences.

Longevity should be considered alongside other factors

A school’s history is valuable, but it should not be the only reason for choosing it. Parents should consider several important factors together.

When choosing a preschool or kindergarten in Phuket, parents may wish to ask:

• Does the environment feel caring and welcoming?
• Are children engaged in meaningful activities?
• Does the learning approach suit young children?
• Are classes small enough to provide individual attention?
• How does the school communicate with parents?
• Does the school support confidence and independence?
• Is the kindergarten properly licensed?
• Can the school explain what children learn and why?
• Does the school have a consistent operating history?

Parents can also learn more about why choosing a licensed kindergarten matters.

A school visit allows parents to look beyond photographs and promotional descriptions. It provides an opportunity to experience the atmosphere, ask questions and decide whether the school feels right for their child.

Choose an established kindergarten in Phuket

A well-established kindergarten brings together practical experience, stability and a history of working with children and families. These qualities can provide valuable reassurance, especially when they are supported by a clear educational approach and a caring environment.

Shining Stars School Kamala has served the local and international community since 2008. We provide English-intensive learning, small classes, individual attention and positive learning experiences for children ages 2–7.

Our school is located in Kamala and welcomes families from Kamala, Surin, Bang Tao, Patong and other areas of Phuket.

Contact Shining Stars School Kamala to ask questions or arrange a school visit.

Learn ★ Play ★ Grow