When like-minded people come together to accomplish a common goal, the sky is the limit. For Sudaphan Sastrasinh, Shalini Thaveesittikullarp and Paisit Tuchinda, it was early education -- for 18-month to five-and-a-half-year-olds -- that brought them together to build their international kindergarten dream, which they named The Apple Tree.
Nestled on a green private property on Sukhumvit 26, the first thing one notices about the preschool is its breezy open spaces, spacious classrooms offering in plenty of sunshine and the fact that children are encouraged to use the environment to enhance their overall development and learning.
University friends and hands-on mothers, Sudaphan and Shalini felt it necessary to start a preschool. Both, having had a fair share of experience in finding preschools for their own respective children, felt more could be done to improve early years education. The Apple Tree opened its doors last month.
Shalini, who is Taiwanese by birth and works in the service industry, spoke at length about her own international exposure when it comes to education, and how despite the number of preschools mushrooming in Bangkok, it is still an uphill battle for parents to find one that has just right components to foster a positive, stimulating ambiance that both inspires and supports holistic development.
A banker by profession, Sudaphan said that to set themselves apart from the rest, they worked hard on getting top class teaching staff with the Postgraduate Certificate of Education, which grounds teachers in studying the theory behind teaching and learning. As there was a small percentage of teachers with the qualification in Bangkok, they hired qualified staff from Britain.
Each teacher's background is also thoroughly checked, she said, to weed out anyone who has a criminal background.
"Education is our passion. It is our goal to make The Apple Tree the best preschool in Bangkok," remarked Sudaphan. "We are located on a private road, which is a plus when it comes to safety concerns.
"As we are the new kid on the block, we have to offer the best when it comes to teachers and facilities. We just have to stand out in all we offer.
"Even though we are not a huge school we manage it like one, so everything has to be spot on. Students that graduate from our preschool are equipped with all they require to make it in life as well-rounded individuals."
Sudaphan is especially proud about their library, enabling the child to develop pre-reading literacy skills needed to be ready for school but also to create an interest for reading. Aside from maintaining the quality of education, Shalini said they have also brought in experts to teach them how to manage emergencies.
Everyone in the school went through the drills, she said, from administration staff and teachers to the maids. Implementing an emergency preparedness plan is a top priority for a school that takes great pride in offering children an environment where they can foster positive relationships and learn at their own pace.
The Apple Tree is managed according to what each founder finds pivotal to have in a school.
"Quality of education is big priority for us," Sudaphan said "This is why we ask a lot of questions when we scout for schools for our children.
"To know what to ask we read a lot about child development. To begin with our focus is on how well teachers are equipped with the knowledge of the age group they are teaching.
"Another area we pay attention to are school facilities. Not only should they develop various skills in the child, equipment should be child friendly.
"Being close to nature is yet another must-have for us. That is why The Apple Tree has plenty of greenery."
