Nestled within a thousand acres of lush parkland and beachfront that make up Laguna Phuket, a hotel, residential and leisure complex set along the shores of Bang Tao Bay, is Step-Up International Laguna Kindergarten (SILK).

 

It offers one of the best early learning programmes in Thailand, nurturing the children of employees and local families through a holistic, child-centred curriculum, and serves as an example of how tourism companies can give back to the wider community.

Early beginnings

SILK began as a heartfelt initiative in 1992, when Claire Chiang, the co-founder and senior VP of Banyan Tree Group, observed a pressing need. The children of construction staff lacked a safe space to play during work hours. Driven by a sincere desire to enhance their wellbeing, she established a free childcare centre for company employees, which gradually evolved into a fully-fledged kindergarten, opening its doors to local children from underprivileged backgrounds.

An inspiring curriculum

Fast forward to 2023, SILK has grown into an education hub, nurturing around 140 young minds aged between three and six. Rooted in a commitment to sustainability and fostering equality, it offers an impactful, immersive learning experience that embraces inclusivity, with a diverse student body made up of children from a mix of different cultures and religions.

 

Beyond the foundations of maths and literacy, children can explore their creative side through art, music, storytelling and sport, learn practical skills such as cooking and gardening, and relax and unwind through specially tailored yoga and mindfulness sessions. These well-rounded teachings have garnered recognition and awards for teaching, art provision and operational excellence, while graduates’ success stories span wide – from roles at Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce to pursuing advanced degrees.

Nature-based learning

Central to the kindergarten’s experiential ethos lies a deep reverence for the natural world. Children learn in a light-filled campus surrounded by greenery, and they don’t spend all their time cooped up inside four concrete walls. Instead, they head outdoors to discover a vibrant, living classroom, made up of Laguna’s forests, lakes and coastline. Here, learning flourishes amid nature as students take part in sea turtle conservation projects, assist in cleaning up local beaches, or collect seawater samples for science class.

 

In 2023, for example, children took part in a programme designed to reintroduce native wild species to Laguna Phuket by planting miniature forests, a method pioneered by Japanese plant ecologist Professor Akira Miyawaki. In a partnership with biodiversity platform SUGi Forest Makers, the programme’s first phase saw 7,500 saplings planted around Laguna Phuket’s grounds. Through these meaningful endeavours, SILK aspires to inspire these young minds to someday be stewards of the earth — today and for generations to come.

Getting involved

Discover the heartwarming tales woven within the walls of SILK Kindergarten, and become a cherished part of its narrative. Guests staying at Laguna Phuket can take part in Happy Friday – Stay for Good, an initiative that promotes good citizenship and volunteerism. They are welcome to spend time with the children, reading with them at the mobile library, or venture into the classroom to share stories and practise simple English.

 

For those drawn to more hands-on volunteering, Laguna's Feeding Communities Together initiative extends the chance to serve lunch to the pre-schoolers at their cafeteria.

 

See first-hand how SILK makes a difference when you stay at Laguna Phuket.