2025 Complete Guide: How to Open a Kindergarten in Malaysia

Tadika License · Safety Approval · Startup Cost · KSPK Curriculum

Opening a kindergarten (tadika) in Malaysia is a rewarding journey for principals and education entrepreneurs. To operate legally and gain parents’ trust, you must comply with the Ministry of Education (MOE/KPM), local councils such as DBKL, the BOMBA Fire & Rescue Department, and the Ministry of Health. This step-by-step guide explains the tadika license application, requirements, curriculum, and budget planning.

1. Market Research & Business Plan

Before starting the kindergarten application, conduct market research. Understand the demand in your area, study competitors, and prepare a kindergarten business plan.

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2. Legal Registration & Licensing

Kindergartens are regulated under the Education Act 1996 (Act 550). Registration with MOE is compulsory.

• Tadika (ages 4–6): Register with MOE/KPM.
• Taska (nursery, ages 0–4): Register with JKM (Social Welfare Department).
• Register your company with SSM (Enterprise or Sdn Bhd) before applying.

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3. Premise & Location

Your chosen location must be approved by local councils (e.g., DBKL in Kuala Lumpur). Requirements include:

• Commercial shoplots are easiest for approval; residential premises require change-of-use approval.
• Minimum recommended space: 3.5 m² per child.
• Apply for premise license, business license, and signboard license.

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4. Fire & Health Requirements

Compliance with BOMBA and the Ministry of Health is compulsory:

• Install fire extinguishers, alarms, emergency exit lighting.
• Ensure proper sanitation, ventilation, clean water supply, and child-friendly toilets.

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5. Staff & Qualification

Teacher qualification is critical to approval and parent trust:

• Principal: Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE).
• Teachers: ECE diploma or SKM Level 3.
• Ratio: 1 teacher : 15 children.

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6. Curriculum & Hours

MOE requires the Kurikulum Standard Prasekolah Kebangsaan (KSPK) with at least 1,000 teaching hours per year. To differentiate, you may integrate Montessori, Reggio Emilia, STEM, Islamic or trilingual programmes.

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7. Registration Process

1. Register company with SSM.
2. Secure tenancy or property ownership documents.
3. Submit Borang A to the District Education Office (PPD).
4. Attach fire certificate, health approval, council license, teacher qualifications, and curriculum plan.
5. MOE inspection → obtain Kindergarten Registration Certificate.

8. Startup Cost & Budget

• Rental & renovation: RM80,000 – RM150,000
• Fire & health setup: RM10,000 – RM20,000
• Teacher salaries: RM2,000 – RM3,500/month
• Furniture & learning materials: RM20,000 – RM50,000
• Licenses, insurance, marketing: RM5,000 – RM10,000

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Why List Your Kindergarten on HiParents?

After opening, the challenge is enrolment. Parents search online for “kindergarten near me” or “tadika KL”. HiParents helps you:

• Appear in Google search results and parent recommendation lists
• Show a complete kindergarten profile (curriculum, facilities, photos, contact info)
• Offer one-click WhatsApp inquiry
• Reach over 80,000 parents monthly