KUCHING: As one of the state’s English preschool providers, Smart Reader Kids have been around for over 30 years in the early childhood education industry.
There are currently 20 Smart Reader Kids centres located in Sarawak that are operating as a franchise.
Aims Smart Academic Sdn Bhd’s operations and business development manager (Sabah & Sarawak), Norma John said there are many advantages in venturing into this franchise business. The company is a subsidiary of Smart Reader® Worldwide Sdn Bhd.
“There are a total of 300 centres throughout Malaysia with 27 centres located in East Malaysia. As a franchise business, it provides opportunities and guidance for those who are interested in establishing early childhood education centre.
“Smart Reader Kids is a brand that has been in the world of early childhood education for a long time. We have track records for our success and excellence,” she told New Sarawak Tribune in an exclusive interview.
New Sarawak Tribune: What makes Smart Reader Kids different and special from others?
Norma: We have over 30 years of experience in the early childhood education industry and 20 years in the franchise industry. Smart Reader Kids has excelled in producing thousands of talented and excellent preschool students.
The management of Smart Reader Kids actively conducts research to improve its syllabus in order to ensure the programmes offered are of international standards. The Smart Reader Kids programme is also available in countries like Australia and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Furthermore, Smart Reader® Worldwide has been awarded numerous awards and international recognitions like Community Leadership Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence Award 2018 through the One Child One Hope scholarship initiative, Business Excellence Award 2017 for Outstanding Leader in Early Childhood Education as well as Franchise of the Year Hall of Fame 2017 which was awarded by Malaysia Franchise Association.
It is a known fact that our students are often well versed in the English language. This is because our syllabus is English based, which is in line with the state government’s focus on proficiency of the English language. However, our students are also exposed to the Malay and Mandarin languages. We also have programmes based on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (Steam) and Islamic studies.
Besides that, we focus on providing the students with a comprehensive education. We want them to be good in academics as well as other things and to be able to fit in the community. This is why we organise competitions like public speaking and storytelling. We want our students to be able to give brilliant ideas and have good manners. For us, it is beyond making sure that the students know how to read by the end of their early childhood education.
Why is it important for parents to choose the best early childhood education for their children?
Early education is the foundation for our children and we need to give them a good head start. This is because it will pave the way for their future. Parents must ensure their children are given good education regardless of the situation.
When it comes to the children, every second wasted can never be rewind. Whatever the future may hold, we must follow the changes that are taking place in the world whether we are ready or not. We advise parents that it is best to send their children early. With Smart Reader Kids, the children can be enrolled from as young as four years old.
Can you elaborate more on the Smart Reader Creative Teaching Methodology?
The Smart Reader Creative Teaching Methodology was designed by our co-founders, Datuk Seri Dr Richard Ong and Honorary Professor Datin Seri Datuk Dr K H Wang. The innovative methodology focuses on nurturing the students to be optimistic, imaginative, independent and successful.
The methodology encourages creativity among students as well as teachers. Teachings are conducted using alternative methods that allow knowledge to be gained in a fun and stress-free manner instead of performing a traditional method. It ensures that the teachers are well-versed to provide a positive and stimulating environment for the students.
As we know, young children’s attention span is rather short so this methodology helps to sustain their attention while encouraging them to continue with the lessons. This in turn will help them better understand and remember what they are learning.
In a nutshell, the methodology teaches the students to develop and enhance their creativity as well as thinking skills. It also emphasises on developing higher emotional quotients (EQ) by making learning fun whereby the students’ positive thinking minds will be stimulated. Another key component is that it develops psychomotor skills to synchronise physical and mind coordination for the students.
How are the teachers selected to be part of Smart Reader Kids?
We prioritise candidates that have a degree in Early Childhood Education but of course others will be taken into consideration as well. Smart Reader Worldwide® provides training that the candidates must undergo in order to qualify to become a teacher. The training and assessment are conducted intensively in order to ensure that they are qualified and have the ability to fulfil the requirements outlined by the management.
Did the Covid-19 pandemic affect the teaching and learning process for Smart Readers Kid?
We went for online classes with all materials provided and used Google Classroom. Our students are actually exposed to technology through the Smart Kinder-Tech Programme. It is a fun and interactive e-learning tool that incorporates technology in lessons to create a more conducive classroom. The programme allows the students to enjoy stimulating and engaging classes. So in a way, we started with online learning roughly about one year prior to the pandemic. This means the students were not too shocked by the shift to online learning.
When the government permitted the operation of preschools, we took all of the necessary measures to ensure that the students continue to receive education. In fact, before the official standard operating procedures (SOPs) were issued by the government, we spent day and night discussing with the centres’ operators on what they have to do and prepare for. All parties including the operators, parents and students were given guidelines.
Besides that, the premises are sanitised three times a day and the teachers know what they are supposed to do. The students are also very complying with the SOPs and listen to their teachers. They are given face shields to wear in their classroom as extra protection. Therefore, the parents know that their children are in a safe environment.
What are the advantages of venturing into this franchise business for those who are interested?
We welcome new investors who are interested to open up a Smart Reader Kids centre. It is a guided business that has a proven track record. Our system is very effective so anyone can be successful if they follow the system. While the Covid-19 pandemic has affected many industries, the early education industry is faring well compared to others.
Smart Reader® Worldwide and Aim Smart Academics have produced many education entrepreneurs or better known as edupreneur. The edupreneurs are guided from the beginning and continuously by the franchisor. This form of business can be passed down to the next generation too.
Besides that, Smart Reader Kids is basically an international programme at our doorstep. The syllabus is of international standard which is accepted by other countries. When there was a need to ensure that certain subjects were following the Cambridge syllabus, we were not worried. There was no need for us to get the syllabus from outside because we are the one who are exporting our syllabus to other countries.
What are the future plans for Smart Reader Kids in Sarawak?
We will have a new centre in the Green Heights area, Kuching and it will be officially launched next month. So far we have 14 centres in Kuching with a population of approximately 1,000 students while there is one centre in Sibu, two in Miri and Bintulu respectively.
We are targeting to establish Smart Reader Kids throughout Sarawak especially in major towns. We also want to explore towns that have yet to have a centre such as in Sri Aman, Kapit and so on.
