Education is important: teaching young children an organised syllabus in a structured environment provides them with knowledge that will help them make better choices in the future. Independence, growth, security and stability are among the many benefits of a formal education.
As young children soak up knowledge like a sponge, early education is where they learn the basics of good behaviour, values, and literacy.
Essentially, kindergarten teaches children the fundamentals such as reading, writing and counting. More importantly, it is often the first place where your child develops social skills.
There are several terms that encompass early education, including “kindergarten”, “preschool” and “nursery school” – but for this article “kindergarten” is used as a blanket term.
Government-run kindergartens
The government offers different kindergarten programmes under different ministries. These are open to Malaysian citizens.
1. Prasekolah
Prasekolah is managed by the education ministry. This early childhood education programme is run on the same premises as selected government primary schools. It is open to children from ages four to six.
Bear in mind, however, that competition is stiff.
Fees: Free!
2. Tabika Kemas
Tabika Kemas is managed by the ministry of rural development and provides early childhood education. It has two main programmes:
- children’s nursery (taska): 2-4 years old
- children’s kindergarten (tabika): 4-6 years old
Fees:
- registration: RM10 (one-time)
- insurance: RM10 (one-time)
- fees: free to RM100 per month, depending on household income
- uniform: RM30 (optional)
- sports shirt: RM30 (optional)
3. Tabika Perpaduan
Tabika Perpaduan is managed by the national unity ministry and has been running since 1976. It also has two main programmes:
- Taska Genius Perpaduan: below age 4
- Tabika Perpaduan: 4-6 years old
Official information on fees is hard to come by, but informal sources quote the following:
- annual registration: RM200
- half-day fees: RM50 per month
- full-day fees: RM320 per month
It is best to confirm the fee structure with your local Tabika Perpaduan.
4. State or religious options
There are Islamic school options for Muslims, as well as those that are specific to states, such as:
- The Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council tadika, and preschools are under the Selangor Islamic religious department (Jais). Fees range from RM20 to RM30 per month, on top of an annual fee of RM10.
- Tadika Agama Johor is available across the state for children aged 5 and 6. Fees vary between schools.
Private kindergartens
Private kindergartens are said to offer higher-quality education and with less competition. Parents who can afford it often enrol their children for reasons such as a customised approach to learning, special religious instruction, daycare options, or perhaps the convenience of being closer to home.
Private kindergartens are often, though not always, more costly, in the region of RM500 to RM1,000 per month. Costs vary by education programme, location, and other factors.
Tax relief and government assistance
For fees paid to kindergartens or childcare services, the government provides tax relief of up to RM3,000 in total for all your children.
If you are a civil servant, you are entitled to government assistance. If you (and your spouse combined if you are married) earn a monthly income of RM7,000 and below, you are eligible for a government subsidy of RM180 per month for children aged 4 and below.
Additional costs
Aside from tuition fees, there are additional costs you might have to consider. Obvious costs include:
- registration and administrative fees
- deposits
- uniforms
- insurance
- books and stationery
- fees for special events, outings, activities
Less obvious costs could include:
- transportation
- meals, if not provided
- daycare plans, if not provided
- extra classes if desired
- attire, if there are no uniforms
So, how much might it all cost?
Basically, you could be looking at anywhere from RM740 to RM39,140 for four years of kindergarten education.
Annually, tuition fees range from RM0 for those who are enrolled in free government options, to RM9,600 for private kindergartens at an assumed fee of RM800 a month. This equals to RM0 and RM38,400, respectively, for four years of kindergarten education.
Don’t forget to include additional basic costs: a one-time fee of RM10 for registration and RM10 for insurance.
It might also cost RM60 for uniforms and sportswear: assuming your child would require three pairs a year, that’s RM180, or RM740 for four years.
Bear in mind these are just estimates that will vary depending on your location and your choices. Consider the factors and pick the option that best matches your family’s budget and other wants or needs.
This article was written by Su-Wei Ho for MyPF. To simplify and grow your personal finances, follow MyPF on Facebook and Instagram.