Early Stage Development

Helping teachers of early learners become better, providing them with training and resources that are critical to effective early stage learning.

Early Stage Education in Bali

In Bali, many kindergartens face significant challenges that prevent them from offering quality early childhood education. A lack of funding often results in poorly maintained buildings, inadequate supplies, and classrooms that lack the necessary materials to create engaging learning environments. Our School Renovations program has addressed some of these issues, but there is a deeper, more systemic problem:

Teachers often struggle to deliver effective and inspiring classes to their students.

While many teachers are passionate about their work, they have not been able to professionally develop. Around 25% of teachers have had no formal teacher training at all. Added onto this, dealing with behavioural issues has become a key issue for teachers.

Our new program aims to address these challenges by providing much-needed support to kindergartens in Bali. The goal is to improve early childhood education by offering capacity-building training to teachers and creating a support system to help them thrive. Through this initiative, we empower teachers, enhance classroom environments, and ensure that every child has access to the high-quality education they deserve.

Program Structure

In collaboration with teachers, schools, and local education boards, the Bali Children’s Project is working to raise the standard of education among kindergarten teachers. By integrating new training into the existing system, we are equipping teachers with the skills needed to better educate their students.

Our approach is based on the successful model we’ve used in our Sex Education and Child Protection programs. We offer free Teacher Development Workshops, where teachers undergo two five-hour training sessions. The first day focuses on creative learning techniques, the principles of play-based learning, lesson planning, and child psychology/behavior. Two weeks later, the second session provides teachers with a forum to discuss challenges and share their experiences with implementing new strategies in their classrooms.

A key focus of the program is Play-Based Learning, a method that encourages children’s development through interactive and imaginative play.

Teacher Training Need

At Bali Children’s Project, we believe in empowering communities to create lasting change.

Teacher education levels in Bali’s kindergartens vary greatly. Some schools have only one trained teacher, while others have none. Regardless of their current training level, all teachers can benefit from ongoing professional development.

Our Early Development Training Program is designed to support teachers at every stage of their professional journey, helping them to enhance their skills and provide a better learning experience for their students. By introducing innovative teaching methods and encouraging continuous improvement, we help teachers deliver higher-quality education.

In the first year of this program, we partnered with the Klungkung Education Board to train 224 teachers across 122 schools.

The Importance of Early Stage Learning

The kindergarten years are a critical period for a child’s brain development. During this time, children experience rapid cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Early learning helps shape key areas of development, including:

  • Cognitive Development
  • Social and Emotional Development
  • Physical Development
  • Creative and Artistic Development
  • Language and Communication Skills
  • Moral and Ethical Development
  • Cultural and Community Awareness

At this stage, children’s brains are highly responsive to learning experiences, making it essential to nurture their growth through quality education.

Program Needs

None of our programs can succeed without the support of generous donors. To run this initiative, Bali Children’s Project employs two full-time staff members, with additional costs covering fuel, food, materials for workshops, and training guides for teachers.

Looking ahead, we plan to develop bespoke training videos that showcase real-life examples of effective teaching strategies, along with a central website where teachers can access ongoing resources for professional development.

In 2025, this program is generously supported by Tommy, Travis, Leila, Logan, Isaac, and Synergy Retreats.

The future of this program relies entirely on the continued support of kind-hearted donors like you. Together, we can transform early childhood education in Bali and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.

We are seeking funding to help maintain and support this program.
If you can help, please get in touch.

As a new program, we’re reliant on your support to help continue offering training to teachers in kindergartens. See our donate page to support this program