In a quiet corner of Kuching, a unique preschool is redefining early childhood education by reconnecting children with nature. Founded by a mother on a mission, Little Cottage blends academic learning with outdoor exploration – nurturing young minds through soil, sunlight and soul.
Learning in Leaf and Light
GROWING up, I spent just as much time outdoors as indoors. So, during a recent visit to a child education centre in Kuching, I was surprised to find that many children today have little connection with nature.
Expecting a typical preschool, I instead stepped into a place that felt like a memory – an oasis of greenery tucked in a quiet neighbourhood of single-storey bungalows.
Right in the heart of the city, Little Cottage offers children an education beyond the classroom. Here, outdoor educators guide little ones through hands-on learning experiences rooted in the natural world.
Amalina Arip, tanned and glowing as if she had just returned from Bali, welcomed me with warmth. In fact, she is the founder of Little Cottage and my guide for the afternoon.
As the sun dipped low, we walked through the front yard, where bamboo troughs were filled with seedlings. Some had already sprouted vibrant leafy greens like bayam merah, purple cauliflower, and fragrant thyme and basil – ripe for the picking.
Children here learn to identify vegetables, plant them, and care for them – gaining real-world skills and a deeper connection to the earth.
The school grounds also feature a traditional Bidayuh hut, an outdoor kitchen and bathroom, and various activity corners, making this preschool – believed to be the first of its kind in Sarawak – truly special.
A Mother’s Mission
When I asked how the idea for a nature-based school came about, Amalina shared that Little Cottage did not start as a business plan, but as a mother’s mission.
“My son had developmental delays, and like many parents, I went into detective mode. I spoke to speech therapists, literacy experts, and child development professionals.
“Across disciplines, one truth kept surfacing: children thrive in environments that support sensory integration and regulate the nervous system,” Amalina explained.
Nature, she realised, offers exactly that – gentle, grounding stimulation, balanced with curiosity and freedom. She and her team wanted to pair those benefits with strong academics, adopting the British curriculum while integrating elements of Montessori and Steiner education.
The result? A learning environment that nurtures the whole child – mind, body and heart.
Throughout her journey, Amalina often brainstormed with her aunt, Amy Chong, a seasoned educator with decades of experience in international schools. What started as “what if” conversations eventually became a shared vision.
Today, Amy serves as principal of both Little Cottage and its sister school, Little Nest, developing curriculum with care and deep insight.
At the same time, Amalina’s children were being taught by Amber Chin, an educator and founder of Little Humans Community.
“What started as a half-joke – ‘Why don’t we open our own school?’ – became real. Thankfully, she said yes,” Amalina said.
Amalina Arip and Amy Chong.
Future-Proofing Childhood
Today’s children spend more time indoors, in front of screens and under artificial light. The effects are showing – rising anxiety, sensory challenges, and even vitamin D deficiencies.
“Nature is not a luxury; it’s a biological need,” Amalina said.
Research in developmental psychology and neuroscience shows that time in green spaces helps restore focus, reduce mental fatigue, and build emotional resilience. Being exposed to fresh air, soil, and natural microbes also strengthens the immune system.
“It’s messy,” she laughed, “but it’s medicine.”
In a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, Amalina believes nature-based learning grounds children in what makes us human – empathy, resilience, emotional intelligence.
“That is why outdoor time is not just part of the curriculum at Little Cottage. It is how we future-proof childhood,” she stressed.
“I had to admit that if I had young children, I would sign them up in a heartbeat.”
Built with Intention
The building of Little Cottage was just as intentional as its philosophy.
“Every step felt sacred,” said Amalina, “from planting trees with a prayer to laying the grass.”
The design process began long before construction, with years of thoughtful reflection and planning. They spent time developing an educational approach that blends academic structure with soul.
“We wanted a space where learning is sensory, embodied, and meaningful,” she added.
Over five months, a small team sourced materials locally – bamboo, rattan, and nibong – all carried by hand from rural villages. The school’s Baruk-style classroom pays tribute to indigenous architecture and was built by Rihap Gaguk, whose craftsmanship and heart brought the vision to life.
Whenever the work felt overwhelming, the community showed up – from supplying endemic trees like the tapang tree to lending tools. Friends, neighbours, and family offered time, materials, and encouragement.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Leonard Linggi Jugah and Dr Timothy Hatch from Malesiana Tropicals Sdn Bhd, who generously donated trees and plants, and shared their botanical expertise with us,” said Amalina.
That collective spirit remains at the heart of Little Cottage.
More than a school, Amalina and her team see it as a hub for community. In an era of brain drain, they believe in turning inward – to the artisans, elders, farmers and musicians whose lived wisdom still has a place in modern education.
“Some things,” she said, “can’t be Googled.”
For more information, please contact: littlecottage.kc@gmail.com
