About Us
This is how our story begins.
The Founder
As a young mother, Teacher Lam dreamed of providing her daughter with a unique kindergarten experience—one that would ignite her imagination and nurture her love for nature and play. In her quest, Teacher Lam found that the kindergartens in Baling—Pengkalan Hulu communities, while practical, lacked the awe-inspiring elements she sought. She firmly believed that growth begins with play and exploration rather than simply memorising the alphabet.
For Teacher Lam, learning was more than just acquiring knowledge; it was about letting young minds flourish in the great outdoors, where children could freely experiment, observe, and collaborate with their peers. During her quest, she came across an interview with 李雅卿 (Lee Ya-ching), a mother whose young son, a boy genius, struggled to fit into traditional schools. Inspired by Lee Ya-ching's journey in establishing an experimental school in Taiwan, Teacher Lam discovered the philosophy of the renowned Summerhill School in England. At Summerhill, children are given the freedom to learn without coercion, and subjects are not merely studied but truly experienced. This idea of learning through freedom and experience resonated deeply with her vision.
Her exploration did not stop there. She then came upon the Waldorf education philosophy, which emphasizes sensory experiences through natural exploration. Waldorf education encourages children to engage with their environment through tactile, hands-on activities that stimulate all senses, fostering a deep connection with nature. This approach aligned perfectly with Teacher Lam’s belief that young children thrive when their learning is rooted in the natural world. Inspired by both the Summerhill and Waldorf philosophies, she became determined to create an educational environment where children could learn holistically, immersed in nature and free from rigid structures.
With unwavering passion in her heart, Tadika Matahari Ceria (TMC) was born in 2005 in Baling Kedah. Fast forward to 2021, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, TMC relocated to Pengkalan Hulu, Perak, and continued to uphold its commitment to providing a learning environment that challenges the mind, engages the heart, and allows the body to move freely.
Our Vision
To establish a learning environment that integrates nature, honours grassroots traditions, and encourages sustainable education, empowering future generations to thrive in an interconnected and environmentally responsible global community.