This is solely my personal view which is based on my own experience. I do not represent other parents in expressing this view. Also, most issues discussed in this review refers to a campus where I sent our child to.
My spouse and I sent our daughter to Brainy Bunch International Islamic Montessori (BBIM) kindergarten since she was four. This year, she graduated from the school.
BBIM indeed is a good school but I think there's still a room for improvement. I was planning to write this review on Facebook but I decided not to since there are only two options in reviewing the page; to recommend it or to not recommend it. I would prefer the earlier version of reviewing which offers choice for us to rate based on stars. So, here it goes, the review.
I think BBIM is good in many ways because;
1) Their teaching module. Other than focusing on writing and reading, they also have life skills exposure. Things like self-management skills for example, pouring water, carrying stuff, rolling mat, etc. These activities help the students in terms of their motor skills. They have activities that help the students to build their confidence, speaking skills, and independence. Besides these, they have Mathematics, Sciences, Iqra too. For full day sessions, I think there are more activities. My spouse and I enrolled our child for the regular programme (8 a.m. - 12 p.m.), so I do not know much about afternoon activities. To get the details of the programme, please refer to their main website.
2) They teach the students to perform solat too. They start their daily routine with performing solat dhuha. By having this as a daily routine, it helps the students to memorise the solat recitations. When our child was five, she already memorised all the recitations in solat. She is not yet competent now, but I believe with more practice and consistency at home, she will be able to recite well next year. The credit goes to BBIM for this. I must admit that my spouse and I wouldn't be able to educate her the solat recitations as good as BBIM did. We wouldn't be diligent and persistent in doing that. Also, she enjoyed doing it with her friends which led her to enjoy the experience of performing solat. The excitement was there and we are very much glad for the experience.
3) Their teachers are good. They address their teachers as aunties and uncles. Our child loves her class aunty very much. She was so helpful and always provided us important feedback for our child's performance. Her class aunty delivered all needed information to us and those helped us to do our part at home. I remember when our child was four, the class aunty told us that our child had difficulties with using pencils. She suggested to us to let our child play with modelling clay or compound like Play-Doh or Plasticine. Playing with those functions as exercises to improve motor skills. After a few months, the class aunty told us that our child was better with using pencils. We are truly blessed to have her as our child's class aunty.
4) The medium for language is English. We have been exposing our child with two languages since she was born. The school helped a lot for in our situation. English language is the medium there. Their students do use Malay language but aunties and uncles use English language with the students. Even for the prayers that they teach at school, the translations are in English language too. The prayers after solat are included. However, if parents want their children to be able to speak the language, I think it is important for the parents to expose and use the language too at home and/or the children must have the interest in learning and using the language. Children can be exposed to a second language (any language) through environment at home; some speak the language, some learn from watching videos. Our child told us that they were a few students in her class who refused to use English language at all with her. According to her, they were able to use very simple English language such as, "how are you", "I'm fine" and, "my name is...".
5) A grandiose graduation ceremony to celebrate six year students. I like how BBIM holds their graduation ceremony. It is definitely a special event to commemorate six year old children as well as their parents. Our child told us that she was so proud of herself and she felt like crying while walking down the aisle for her graduation ceremony. Yes, she is an expressive girl! That definitely was a memorable and among the best events in her life. She liked it very much and we as her parents really appreciate it. We cherish the moment well. I must say that it was the best closure that she could have for her time in BBIM. Also, they have live video of the event through Facebook and I found that as very helpful because I couldn't attend the event. I watched it on Facebook live video instead, connected it on TV and the videos were in a great quality.
So that's all for things I like.
Inspite of these good things, I think BBIM has to improve on several aspects. Again, I would like to reiterate that these are my personal experience and I do not represent other parents.
Things that I was dissatisfied are;
1) Toilet facilities should be improved. There were no extended toilet seats provided or installed for children at the campus where our child went to. When she was four, the toilet seats at the campus were quite big for her. She told me that there was an aunty who asked her to use the toilet floor instead because the toilet seat was too big for her. That was not a good solution at all. For me, it was unhygienic. Besides that, they didn't provide toilet papers. We had to pack her pocket tissues for her toilet use. I think that installation of toilet seats for the children and toilet papers won't cause much. To be more practical and in line with their approach which is educating students with Islamic values, they should provide those two; toilet seats for children and toilet papers. After all, Islam emphasises on the importance of being hygienic.
2) Bad public relations by the campus management. We were disappointed with how some issues were handled by the former campus management. I heard that the campus manager was transferred (maybe promoted) so maybe the situation in the campus is different and/or better now. We had no issues with all class aunties (all class teachers were aunties). Among the issues that my spouse and I found could be handled better were;
a) Once, the campus manager suggested that all regular students to do not bring school bags because the campus didn't have enough space in their storage cabinet. According to the campus manager, the space should be utilised by full day and star students only. Finding that as impractical, I asked how about regular students who brought bags to keep their necessary belongings. Some kept clean clothes and our child kept toiletries, hand sanitizer, and a pocket tissue in her bag. The campus manager then said, we were allowed to bring the bag and could regard that as an option. We were satisfied with response but still, that suggestion was not a good one. Lack of space in their storage cabinet shouldn't be parents' problem. That was definitely the campus' responsibility; to provide ample facilities to the students.
b) There were car robbery and attempted car break-in cases took place nearby the campus. The victims were the parents. The campus management did not inform or warn the parents about the incidents. It was only after the third case, other parents were aware of the incidents. One of the parents who was the victim shared the incidents with another parent and the knowledge of the incidents was then shared through class Whatsapp groups. A few parents stepped up and urged the campus management to share the knowledge of the incidents with other parents. It was only after that, the management took actions. For me, it seemed like the campus management was not keen in sharing the incidents openly with the parents. I found that as improper. The campus management should have shared about it right after the first incident took place and by sharing that, all parents could take precautions by themselves. They were very keen in advertising BBIM products and events in class Whatsapp groups, but they didn't demonstrate the same effort in informing the parents about the alarming incidents.
There were other petty issues that my spouse and I were disappointed on how those were managed. I couldn't list it down here. Most of it was about communication between us and the campus management. Those were small issues but the way those matters were managed could affect BBIM image. I think perhaps BBIM could send their employees who are in charge of campus management to attend communication and public relation courses to avoid such situations to happen again.
3) Over marketing. I think that their marketing was overly done especially during their big events. I know that marketing is important for every product. It is just that, I wish the message could be presented in a subtler way during the events. To do this, BBIM can always hire professionals in the fields of ads and public relations to prepare their speeches. (if they have done it, I wish for the marketing elements were not too explicit). For me, the marketing was excessively presented in their speeches and made me rethink what is exactly the main priority of BBIM; was it business or the value of education? During their big events, as a parent, I really want to focus on the events itself. I attended their events to celebrate my child. I do not want to listen to marketing speeches of BBIM. I do not want to listen to people bragging about how good their product is. I measure the success of any product through their performance. I understand BBIM has a big goal in improving Muslims' economy but it was done too excessive and made me doubt of their true intentions.
4) Donation boxes. It is good that BBIM is doing lots of charity work in helping those in needs. But, I did not like people handing donation boxes during the events. I prefer the boxes to be installed in any corner. Rather than coming to parents with the donation boxes, maybe BBIM can have corners with people guarding the boxes and/or telling and promoting about their charity work instead. I found that people coming to me with donation boxes during the events distracted my focus and I would rather not donate openly while others sitting next to me looking at the amount I donated.
5) We expected more from the top management. My spouse and I were not pleased with how two issues were justified during the last graduation event.
a) In that event, the issue of venue for 2017 graduation event was explained. It was said that the change of venue took place because of 'a parent'. It was inaccurate. It was more than that. I know because I was among the parents who questioned the suggested venue. If the matter should be clarified, all the details pertaining to the issue should have been explained; why a few parents questioned the earlier planned venue, what were the concerns raised, etc. We expected for transparency but clearly BBIM didn't demonstrate that in clarifying this matter.
b) Other than this, the issue of slow progress in reading also was explained during the event. I saw reviews on BBIM Facebook in which two parents wrote that their children were quite slow in reading and they wouldn't send their children to BBIM anymore. I am not sure whether the justification was meant to respond to these reviews or not. My spouse and I were upset with the justification made on this matter. What I understood from the speech (justification), it was suggested that why some BBIM kindergarten students were not competent in reading because their parents failed to play their role. In the speech, it was stated that books used by BBIM might not similar to what parents used at home and thus, this could be a reason of why the children had difficulties in their reading progress. I must agree that parents have to play their own roles too in shaping and guiding their children. But in this situation, it might not be related to the books only/at all. We noticed our child had difficulties in reading and writing when she was five. We sent her occasionally for transits in which she had to stay and joined full day programme. Her class aunty told us that she was getting better with writing and reading because some days during her transit days, her class aunty had extra classes with her. I shared this experience with a friend who was a parent at BBIM since she had the same concern. Her child was improving too with the extra classes. We personally think that some children for regular programme may not catch up well during reading and writing activities because BBIM has a variety of activities and these children may need more time with reading and writing. For us, it had nothing to do with the books used at home. We used different books and our child was getting better with extra classes. But again, I would like to reiterate, parents have to do their part at home too.
6) Last but not least, is a suggestion; initiate anti-bully campaign. Our child was a subject of bully a few times at the campus. Most of the acts were harmless, except for one time in which our child was hurt physically. Before that incident, it was only verbal abuse so we told her to ignore the bully but after our child was hurt physically, I talked to her class aunty. After that, the bully stopped. As mentioned earlier, her class aunty was very good and we were grateful for that. However, there were a few times that our child was being bullied by different students. Their acts were physically harmless but those were not good for the growth of our child's self-esteem. Those acts seemed petty but if happens occasionally to any child, it may affect their self-respect. Among the acts were, threatening our child with 'I don't want to be your friend' so that the bully can get anything they want and the demands were ethically wrong such as cutting queues. We were frustrated with how an aunty (who was not her class aunty) handled one situation. A child cried because our child didn't want to let go of her seat and the aunty who was there on that time asked our child to move without understanding the real situation. I think the aunty should have asked both students before deciding any act. The aunty seemed denying our child's right when she just asked our child to move mainly because the other child was crying; she saw a crying child as a victim without investigating the real story. I think most children do not really understand that some actions are acts of bully. Hence, having campaigns at schools may help in educating children of what is bully. I am not blaming BBIM for this because I think other kindergartens or daycare centres in Malaysia also, do not stress much on anti-bully. It could be because in Malaysia, bully is not as alarming as some countries. But, if ever BBIM initiates and promotes anti-bully campaigns at their campuses, I believe more early childhood centers in Malaysia will follow that.
When people asked me about BBIM, I told them as what written; all the good things my spouse and I love about the school and the things that upset us.
I do not want to write these reviews on Facebook because on the one hand, we really like BBIM but on the other hand, we think actions need to be taken to improve on certain aspects. Again, this is only my personal view. Some parents may think differently.
So here, I am not really recommending neither not recommending BBIM. But, if ever we have another child in the future, BBIM will still be considered as one of our options.
We pray for your best, BBIM!
4) The medium for language is English. We have been exposing our child with two languages since she was born. The school helped a lot for in our situation. English language is the medium there. Their students do use Malay language but aunties and uncles use English language with the students. Even for the prayers that they teach at school, the translations are in English language too. The prayers after solat are included. However, if parents want their children to be able to speak the language, I think it is important for the parents to expose and use the language too at home and/or the children must have the interest in learning and using the language. Children can be exposed to a second language (any language) through environment at home; some speak the language, some learn from watching videos. Our child told us that they were a few students in her class who refused to use English language at all with her. According to her, they were able to use very simple English language such as, "how are you", "I'm fine" and, "my name is...".
5) A grandiose graduation ceremony to celebrate six year students. I like how BBIM holds their graduation ceremony. It is definitely a special event to commemorate six year old children as well as their parents. Our child told us that she was so proud of herself and she felt like crying while walking down the aisle for her graduation ceremony. Yes, she is an expressive girl! That definitely was a memorable and among the best events in her life. She liked it very much and we as her parents really appreciate it. We cherish the moment well. I must say that it was the best closure that she could have for her time in BBIM. Also, they have live video of the event through Facebook and I found that as very helpful because I couldn't attend the event. I watched it on Facebook live video instead, connected it on TV and the videos were in a great quality.
So that's all for things I like.
Inspite of these good things, I think BBIM has to improve on several aspects. Again, I would like to reiterate that these are my personal experience and I do not represent other parents.
Things that I was dissatisfied are;
1) Toilet facilities should be improved. There were no extended toilet seats provided or installed for children at the campus where our child went to. When she was four, the toilet seats at the campus were quite big for her. She told me that there was an aunty who asked her to use the toilet floor instead because the toilet seat was too big for her. That was not a good solution at all. For me, it was unhygienic. Besides that, they didn't provide toilet papers. We had to pack her pocket tissues for her toilet use. I think that installation of toilet seats for the children and toilet papers won't cause much. To be more practical and in line with their approach which is educating students with Islamic values, they should provide those two; toilet seats for children and toilet papers. After all, Islam emphasises on the importance of being hygienic.
2) Bad public relations by the campus management. We were disappointed with how some issues were handled by the former campus management. I heard that the campus manager was transferred (maybe promoted) so maybe the situation in the campus is different and/or better now. We had no issues with all class aunties (all class teachers were aunties). Among the issues that my spouse and I found could be handled better were;
a) Once, the campus manager suggested that all regular students to do not bring school bags because the campus didn't have enough space in their storage cabinet. According to the campus manager, the space should be utilised by full day and star students only. Finding that as impractical, I asked how about regular students who brought bags to keep their necessary belongings. Some kept clean clothes and our child kept toiletries, hand sanitizer, and a pocket tissue in her bag. The campus manager then said, we were allowed to bring the bag and could regard that as an option. We were satisfied with response but still, that suggestion was not a good one. Lack of space in their storage cabinet shouldn't be parents' problem. That was definitely the campus' responsibility; to provide ample facilities to the students.
b) There were car robbery and attempted car break-in cases took place nearby the campus. The victims were the parents. The campus management did not inform or warn the parents about the incidents. It was only after the third case, other parents were aware of the incidents. One of the parents who was the victim shared the incidents with another parent and the knowledge of the incidents was then shared through class Whatsapp groups. A few parents stepped up and urged the campus management to share the knowledge of the incidents with other parents. It was only after that, the management took actions. For me, it seemed like the campus management was not keen in sharing the incidents openly with the parents. I found that as improper. The campus management should have shared about it right after the first incident took place and by sharing that, all parents could take precautions by themselves. They were very keen in advertising BBIM products and events in class Whatsapp groups, but they didn't demonstrate the same effort in informing the parents about the alarming incidents.
There were other petty issues that my spouse and I were disappointed on how those were managed. I couldn't list it down here. Most of it was about communication between us and the campus management. Those were small issues but the way those matters were managed could affect BBIM image. I think perhaps BBIM could send their employees who are in charge of campus management to attend communication and public relation courses to avoid such situations to happen again.
3) Over marketing. I think that their marketing was overly done especially during their big events. I know that marketing is important for every product. It is just that, I wish the message could be presented in a subtler way during the events. To do this, BBIM can always hire professionals in the fields of ads and public relations to prepare their speeches. (if they have done it, I wish for the marketing elements were not too explicit). For me, the marketing was excessively presented in their speeches and made me rethink what is exactly the main priority of BBIM; was it business or the value of education? During their big events, as a parent, I really want to focus on the events itself. I attended their events to celebrate my child. I do not want to listen to marketing speeches of BBIM. I do not want to listen to people bragging about how good their product is. I measure the success of any product through their performance. I understand BBIM has a big goal in improving Muslims' economy but it was done too excessive and made me doubt of their true intentions.
4) Donation boxes. It is good that BBIM is doing lots of charity work in helping those in needs. But, I did not like people handing donation boxes during the events. I prefer the boxes to be installed in any corner. Rather than coming to parents with the donation boxes, maybe BBIM can have corners with people guarding the boxes and/or telling and promoting about their charity work instead. I found that people coming to me with donation boxes during the events distracted my focus and I would rather not donate openly while others sitting next to me looking at the amount I donated.
5) We expected more from the top management. My spouse and I were not pleased with how two issues were justified during the last graduation event.
a) In that event, the issue of venue for 2017 graduation event was explained. It was said that the change of venue took place because of 'a parent'. It was inaccurate. It was more than that. I know because I was among the parents who questioned the suggested venue. If the matter should be clarified, all the details pertaining to the issue should have been explained; why a few parents questioned the earlier planned venue, what were the concerns raised, etc. We expected for transparency but clearly BBIM didn't demonstrate that in clarifying this matter.
b) Other than this, the issue of slow progress in reading also was explained during the event. I saw reviews on BBIM Facebook in which two parents wrote that their children were quite slow in reading and they wouldn't send their children to BBIM anymore. I am not sure whether the justification was meant to respond to these reviews or not. My spouse and I were upset with the justification made on this matter. What I understood from the speech (justification), it was suggested that why some BBIM kindergarten students were not competent in reading because their parents failed to play their role. In the speech, it was stated that books used by BBIM might not similar to what parents used at home and thus, this could be a reason of why the children had difficulties in their reading progress. I must agree that parents have to play their own roles too in shaping and guiding their children. But in this situation, it might not be related to the books only/at all. We noticed our child had difficulties in reading and writing when she was five. We sent her occasionally for transits in which she had to stay and joined full day programme. Her class aunty told us that she was getting better with writing and reading because some days during her transit days, her class aunty had extra classes with her. I shared this experience with a friend who was a parent at BBIM since she had the same concern. Her child was improving too with the extra classes. We personally think that some children for regular programme may not catch up well during reading and writing activities because BBIM has a variety of activities and these children may need more time with reading and writing. For us, it had nothing to do with the books used at home. We used different books and our child was getting better with extra classes. But again, I would like to reiterate, parents have to do their part at home too.
6) Last but not least, is a suggestion; initiate anti-bully campaign. Our child was a subject of bully a few times at the campus. Most of the acts were harmless, except for one time in which our child was hurt physically. Before that incident, it was only verbal abuse so we told her to ignore the bully but after our child was hurt physically, I talked to her class aunty. After that, the bully stopped. As mentioned earlier, her class aunty was very good and we were grateful for that. However, there were a few times that our child was being bullied by different students. Their acts were physically harmless but those were not good for the growth of our child's self-esteem. Those acts seemed petty but if happens occasionally to any child, it may affect their self-respect. Among the acts were, threatening our child with 'I don't want to be your friend' so that the bully can get anything they want and the demands were ethically wrong such as cutting queues. We were frustrated with how an aunty (who was not her class aunty) handled one situation. A child cried because our child didn't want to let go of her seat and the aunty who was there on that time asked our child to move without understanding the real situation. I think the aunty should have asked both students before deciding any act. The aunty seemed denying our child's right when she just asked our child to move mainly because the other child was crying; she saw a crying child as a victim without investigating the real story. I think most children do not really understand that some actions are acts of bully. Hence, having campaigns at schools may help in educating children of what is bully. I am not blaming BBIM for this because I think other kindergartens or daycare centres in Malaysia also, do not stress much on anti-bully. It could be because in Malaysia, bully is not as alarming as some countries. But, if ever BBIM initiates and promotes anti-bully campaigns at their campuses, I believe more early childhood centers in Malaysia will follow that.
When people asked me about BBIM, I told them as what written; all the good things my spouse and I love about the school and the things that upset us.
I do not want to write these reviews on Facebook because on the one hand, we really like BBIM but on the other hand, we think actions need to be taken to improve on certain aspects. Again, this is only my personal view. Some parents may think differently.
So here, I am not really recommending neither not recommending BBIM. But, if ever we have another child in the future, BBIM will still be considered as one of our options.
We pray for your best, BBIM!
