News / Halaman York / 2014 / August 2014

Welcome to Nania @ Halaman York!

After a number of false starts, we finally have a ready team and found a suitable location to start a branch.

Guided patiently by Ong Kung Wai [Director of Nania and Organic Agriculture Consultant] and our principal Junko Suzumoto and with help from fellow staff at Nunn Road, we spent long days over to renovate and organise the place to what it is today.  We enjoyed colour dying the cloth, testing different table settings and festival corner positions. Whilst most are in place, there are still minor improvements to be made to the house and garden.

This is our first newsletter and there are lots to share.  We started class on July 16, 2014.  However, weeks before, we were already excited and looking forward to meet the children. We were happy they all walked in bravely without crying on their first day.  With teacher Kerry’s guidance, they hung their towels, placed their water bottles and bags in the allocated places by themselves.

It has been a wonderful few weeks getting to know the children. We presently have two 5 year olds, a boy and a girl and three younger age boys and a girl. They are taking care of each other like brothers and sisters. They are also getting into the daily rhythm, although they still need some help at times to get ready for singing time and story time.

We spend wonderful times outdoors. It is an enjoyable time for the children. They run freely and play happily in the garden. They managed to walk over the balancing bridge at the hut. They water the plants and feed the rabbits and fish every day.  Also the terrapins in the class. They love to play in the sand pit. We can see them smiling and hear them giggling while they play in the garden. We believe getting kids out into nature is important.

The children are getting to be more independent as they are guided to wash themselves, change and fold their clothes neatly. They also set up the lunch table by themselves. Meal times are also their favourite moments. Aunty Anny prepares delicious meals daily using organic vegetables whenever possible.  Children enjoy her food.  They are eating well including the vegetables.

We believe all of them will continue to grow up healthy and well during their days at Halaman York. We are happy to have made the move to open a Nania branch for them and the others to follow.

Teacher Chithra & Teacher Kerry

Dear Parents,

I am pleased to have this first greeting message to you.We are very happy to have your children at Halaman York.  Seeing their smiling faces here affirm the decision we made to open a branch for more children to experience a holistic learning environment in their early childhood years.

Halaman York invokes excitement in me similar to when I started Nania 18 years ago with a small group of children.  It was a fresh start with a big hope to realise an education that can provide a strong foundation for children to meet their life challenges and destiny.

I am also joyful to start an After School Care program for primary school children at Halaman York. With organic food for lunch, a comfortable environment and supportive guidance for home work with artistic activities and movement to balance body, mind and spirit, we want to also provide primary school age children a happy and healthy childhood.

Today, the children I met during Nania’s 1^st year are more than 20 years old.  I am still in touch with some of them. Some visited me at Nania.  They carry memories of their days at Nania. It touches me as an educator.  I am happy to have been part of their life.

Thank you very much for your support to start another Nania with us. As pioneer families, you are very special. Together, let us make Halaman York  home where your children and others learn, grow and are nourished with a strong foundation for life.

Junko Suzumoto - Principal of Nania

The Halaman York Team

Teacher Kerry

Kerry worked in different types of jobs before coming to Nania.  Being a Kindergarten teacher was something she thought about but was not sure if that was meant for her until she came to Nania.  She has been  for 4 years. She is hard working and willing to learn.  She is warm, caring and understands small children very well. Children get comfortable with her quickly and are open to her guidance. She has grown in her interest and attended further trainings. Although she is young, I’m confident she will be a great kindergarten teacher.

“Over the 4 years as assistant class teacher at Nunn Road, I found I can be a good kindergarten teacher. I was encouraged to dedicate time for study and further trainings. Besides the one year Holistic Pre-School Teachers Training in 2012 provided by Nania, I am following a 3 year Waldorf Teachers’ Training in Bangkok which will finish next March. I am ready to be a teacher capable of handling and nurturing a child in a holistic way.”

Teacher Chithra

Chithra has been with Nania for 10 years. Her two children came to Nania when they were 3 and graduated. She took on a lot of responsibilities at Nania. She was part of the training team in the Holistic Pre-School Teachers Training in 2012. She is very creative and able to guide children and teachers well. I am pleased and confident to have her as Branch Manager at Halaman York.

“Being a kindergarten teacher is a wonderful job, probably my best career choice. I love seeing children grow. I have been with Nania for over 10 years. My two children graduated from Nania. They grew up confident and happy in Nania wonderland. They carry lots of wonderful memories and love to visit Nania often. I was inspired by them and the Asian Waldorf Teachers Conference and Training I attended in various parts of Asia including the Holistic Pre-school Teachers Training in 2012 to start a Nania branch and a After School Care program.”