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Gecko Garden School

Cambodia, Phnom Penh

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees KHR 4,716,000 - 20,752,000
Ages 1½ - 7 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2001
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Waldorf Steiner Curriculum
Taught languages English, Khmer
Strengths Outdoor Education, Service and Sustainability, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Community and Service, Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Preschool, Kindergarten
Introduction

Gecko Garden School is a Waldorf/Steiner–inspired international preschool and kindergarten established in 2001. The school runs two nearby day campuses in Tonle Bassac (a preschool campus and a kindergarten campus across the street), each based in adapted homes with gardens used for play and learning. The school teaches in English and offers a Parent & Child programme (pregnancy–3 years), preschool mixed-age classes (from about 18 months), kindergarten mixed-age classes, and an optional Twilight (extended day) programme. The site notes the school was recognised in 2019 for environmental priorities and that Healthy Kids Kitchen provides the school's lunches; fees for 2025–2026 are published in the school's calendar/fees document. All details above are taken from Gecko Garden School's website.

3 Abdul Carime St. (21), Phnom Penh 12301, Cambodia

The Essentials

Gecko Garden School has instruction in English.

Location
Gecko Garden School is at No. 3, Street 21 in the Tonle Bassac area of central Phnom Penh (Chamkar Mon district). Tonle Bassac is a riverside, mixed residential–commercial neighbourhood popular with expatriates and new developments, close to Diamond Island and several major boulevards; Street-level parking and motorbike/taxi access are typical ways families reach the school.

Stages
The school focuses on early years: a mixed-age Preschool for roughly 18 months to 4 years, and a mixed-age Kindergarten for about 4+ to 6+ years. The website also lists a Parent–Child class, an extended-day “Twilight Garden” and a summer programme.

Type
Gecko Garden describes itself as an international, English‑language, Waldorf/Steiner‑inspired early‑years school; the programme and materials target preschool and kindergarten-age children. The website does not mention any boarding facilities.

Additional learning support
The admissions information states the school aims to be inclusive and will accept children with a variety of needs when it judges it can safely support them within existing staffing and class composition. The website does not describe a dedicated special‑educational‑needs (SEN) team or specialist on-site programmes, so families with specific ALN/SEN requirements are advised to discuss individual needs with Admissions before applying.

Country affiliation
The school is based in Cambodia and describes itself as an international school taught in English; it does not state an affiliation to another country's national curriculum or system.

Religious affiliation
The school describes its approach as Waldorf/Steiner‑inspired (a pedagogical approach) and does not indicate a religious affiliation on its website.

School day structure
Typical hours shown are 8:00 AM–12:00 PM for a half day and 8:00 AM–3:00 PM for a full day, with an early‑bird arrival option from 7:30 AM at no extra cost; optional extended day care runs 3:00–5:00 PM. The Twilight Garden extended‑day programme operates roughly 2:30 PM until latest pick‑up at 5:00 PM; morning visits/tours typically begin at 8:00 AM.

Bus service
The school website does not list a school bus or transport/shuttle service; there is no dedicated ‘transport' or ‘bus' page and contact details are provided for direct enquiries. If a bus or private transport arrangement is important for your move, contact the school's Admissions or Contact email/phone to confirm current local options and recommended providers.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Snack is provided in the morning and in the afternoon. Children are encouraged to bring a fruit to share in class or a vegetable during soup-making days. Lunch is provided by Healthy Kids Kitchen, the catering partner since 2019; parents register directly with Healthy Kids Kitchen as part of the registration with the school. Snack fees are billed monthly in advance. No artificial sweeteners or strong spices are used when preparing the children's food.

Governance and Ownership
The school is not-for-profit and parent-run.
Fees

Annual tuition at Gecko Garden School ranges from KHR 4,716,000 to KHR 20,752,000 for 2026/27.

Application / registration fees
- One-time registration / enrollment fee: USD 555 (paid once to secure a child's place).

Tuition fees (per term and annual) — 2025–2026 academic year
- Half‑day Preschool / Kindergarten (1.5 to 6+ years; 08:00–12:00): Term fee USD 899; Annual fee USD 3,452.
- Full‑day Preschool / Kindergarten (1.5 to 6+ years; 08:00–15:00): Term fee USD 1,351; Annual fee USD 5,188.
- Twilight (extended afternoon 15:00–17:00): Term fee USD 307; Annual fee USD 1,179.
- Parent & Child group (pregnancy to ~3 years; Mondays & Fridays, 09:00–10:30): USD 90 for a 10‑session booklet, or USD 10 per session (includes snack).

Other compulsory fees
- Annual capital fee: USD 500 per year (paid annually per child; required to secure a place and for existing students to secure place for the following year; prorated if joining mid‑year).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- School year divided into four terms (August–July). Full quarterly (term) tuition must be paid before the start of each term; new students joining after a term starts are billed pro rata by week. There is a late payment charge of USD 30 per week for overdue tuition/capital fees. If fees remain unpaid by the end of the fourth week of the term, the child may be excluded and the place reallocated. A 5% sibling discount applies to the second and subsequent children. All school fees are non‑refundable.

Boarding
- Boarding is not provided by this school (program listings indicate preschool, kindergarten and parent/child groups only).

Other costs and incidental charges
- Lunch and snack fees are excluded from the tuition figures; Healthy Kids Kitchen is the school's catering partner and separate registration with them is required for meals. Late pick‑up fee: USD 5 per 30 minutes (invoiced at end of term). Summer school runs as a separate program with separate fees.

Refunds and special requests
- All tuition and fees paid to the school are non‑refundable. Any special requests regarding fees must be submitted in writing to the Administrative Director with supporting documents.

Fee payment options
- The school's published fee documents and calendar/list of fees do not specify the available payment methods (e.g., bank transfer, credit card) in the public fee PDF; families are advised to contact the school's administration for accepted payment methods and banking details.
Academics

Gecko Garden School teaches Waldorf Steiner Curriculum for students aged 1.5 to 7.

Curriculum
Gecko Garden follows a Waldorf/Steiner‑inspired, English‑language international early‑years approach (established 2001). The school offers mixed‑age Preschool (18 months–4 years) and Kindergarten (about 4–6+ years), with half‑day and full‑day schedules and optional extended care. The curriculum emphasizes storytelling and language development, imaginative and collaborative play, celebration of world festivals, practical self‑sufficiency (making toys and food), close observation of the natural world, and physical and creative development. Complementary offerings include a weekly Parent‑Child class (in English and Khmer), Twilight Garden extended afternoons, and a summer programme; instruction is primarily in English. The website describes these early‑years programmes and preparation for transition to Grade 1 but does not list external formal qualifications (e.g., IB, IGCSE or national exams) for higher grades."}
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Gecko Garden describes a Waldorf/Steiner–inspired early years programme that uses storytelling, imaginative and collaborative play, and mixed-age groupings to develop children's social skills and self-sufficiency. The school says teachers provide a consistent daily rhythm and predictable routines to help children feel secure and reduce transitional difficulties. Its Behaviour and Discipline Policy states staff use positive role‑modelling, redirection, and guided restorative actions (for example, “right the wrong”) as core classroom strategies. For persistent challenges the school works with parents to create Behaviour Support Plans and may arrange follow‑up (including home visits) to support the child. These practices are described on the school's Preschool and Behaviour & Discipline pages.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Admissions page states that Gecko Garden “strives to be as inclusive as possible” and will accept children with a variety of needs provided the school judges it can safely support them within existing staffing and class composition. For ongoing behavioural or developmental challenges the Behaviour & Discipline Policy explains the school may put in place Behaviour Support Plans and recommend external professionals (for example, play or occupational therapists). The website does not present Gecko Garden as a specialist SEN institution and does not list an on‑site specialist learning‑support department. Decisions about acceptance and support are made case‑by‑case by the College of Teachers and school leadership.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The Admissions information notes that understanding of English is not required for placement in preschool and that learning English is supported within the classroom; it also says some English is required for Kindergarten placement. The Preschool and Kindergarten pages list English as the language of instruction while describing classroom‑based language development through storytelling and play. The school's website does not describe a separate, dedicated EAL programme or named specialist EAL staff. Admissions assessments and classroom placement are used to determine appropriate support for individual children.

Mental Wellbeing
Gecko Garden's Child Protection Policy and Behaviour & Discipline Policy emphasise creating a positive, supportive environment where children are treated with dignity, encouraged to express concerns, and supported through predictable daily rhythms. The Child Protection Policy says the school will consult external child‑counselling resources when assessing serious concerns and provides training for staff to recognise signs of abuse or distress. The Behaviour & Discipline Policy describes partnering with parents, home visits, and behaviour support planning as parts of responding to ongoing difficulties. The school also hosts community supports such as a parent community and a volunteer Breastfeeding Support Group that the website describes as peer‑support resources for families.

Safeguarding
Gecko Garden publishes a Child Protection Policy (dated August 2025) that sets out specific safeguarding measures: the school will designate a Chief Child Protection Officer and Child Protection Officers, provide child protection training for all contracted staff, and require mandatory reporting of concerns to the School Principal. The policy requires background and reference checks in recruitment, visitor sign‑in and accompaniment while on site, secure record‑keeping, and suspension of staff pending investigation where appropriate. It also describes procedures for assessing and responding to suspected abuse, including involving external child‑counselling support or local authorities as needed, and states the policy is reviewed annually. These details are in the school's published Child Protection Policy.
Parent Experience

History
Gecko Garden's origins date to 2001, when two playgroups—“Little Gecko” and “Garden”—united to form a not-for-profit, parent-run preschool in Phnom Penh. In 2014 the current Gecko Garden School was established from that original daycare concept, transitioning to a more formal school structure. The school introduced many facets of Waldorf/Steiner education in 2018, and in 2023 opened a new campus with three classrooms, a productive garden, and a custom-built playground to extend provision up to age seven. Over time the organizational structure has evolved from a purely parent-run model to a leadership-and-faculty model while keeping family involvement as a core element.

Community
Parent participation has been described as a hallmark of the school for more than twenty years, with families invited to contribute skills and time across school activities. The campus hosts a volunteer-run Breastfeeding Support Group that offers peer support and free participation for nursing parents. Seasonal and cultural festivals are built into the school year to celebrate the community's cultural diversity, and the school accepts donations and volunteers to support scholarships and campus projects.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Gecko Garden organizes parent involvement through a formal Parent Community framework in which families indicate their preferred level of engagement at enrolment; participation is voluntary. The school uses Class Parents as the primary parent-representation role: Class Parents act as liaisons between teachers, leadership, and other parents and may coordinate field trip logistics, support new families, assist with end-of-year celebrations or graduations, and help organise campus work days. Class Parents meet regularly with each other and are encouraged to attend quarterly in-person meetings with school leadership; the school provides a modest budget for refreshments and meeting space when available. Expectations for Class Parents include maintaining constructive, respectful communication, supporting the school's mission, and mentoring other class parents. In addition to Class Parents, parents can join volunteer groups (for example the breastfeeding group) or contribute to fundraising and scholarship/donation efforts to keep tuition accessible.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Gecko Garden School operates on two Phnom Penh campuses: a Preschool Campus with four mixed-age classes and a Kindergarten Campus with two mixed-age classes, both housed in adapted homes. The Preschool Campus features a garden and a playground designed to nurture the physical and sensory development of the young children. The Kindergarten Campus is located across the street from the preschool and continues the garden-based environment with outdoor play. A 2023 expansion created a new campus with three large and airy classrooms, a productive garden, and a custom-built playground. The school follows a Waldorf/Steiner education approach and maintains a home-like atmosphere with strong family involvement.

Sports Facilities
Outdoor play spaces include a garden and a playground at the Preschool Campus, with the playground designed to support physical development. The Kindergarten Campus provides additional garden-based outdoor play space. The new campus features a custom-built playground. Outdoor spaces and gardens are central to daily life and activities at Gecko Garden School.

Academic Facilities
The Preschool Campus is an adapted home housing four mixed-age classes. The Kindergarten Campus is located across the street from the preschool and hosts two mixed-age kindergarten classes. The language of instruction is English. Gecko Garden School is Waldorf/Steiner-inspired and emphasizes play-based learning within a home-like, family-involved environment. The school was established in 2001 and expanded with a new campus in 2023.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Twilight Garden is an extended-day program offered at the Preschool Campus from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, featuring nature-based projects, crafts, games, and free play. The Parent-Child Class provides a home-like Waldorf-inspired environment for caregivers and young children with outdoor play in the garden, held Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM. The Summer Program runs for four weeks with Preschool Camp for ages 18 months to 4 years and Kindergarten Camp for ages 4.5 to 6.5 years, offering half-day, full-day, and full-day plus twilight options (early arrival at 7:30 AM). Snack and lunch fees are not included, and snack is provided by Healthy Kids Kitchen.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school follows a Waldorf/Steiner-inspired approach with an international orientation and English-language instruction. Mixed-age preschool classrooms emphasize language development through storytelling, social skills through imaginative and collaborative play, and awareness of the world through festivals and cultural experiences. The program centers on observing and engaging with the natural world to foster curiosity and creative thinking. A blend of international and empowered Khmer teachers supports a family-involved, home-like learning atmosphere.

Arts & Creative
Twilight Garden offers an extended day with crafts, games, and free play in a garden setting. The Summer Program emphasizes music, movement, and exploration of the natural world. Throughout the early years, imaginative and collaborative play and storytelling support creative expression within daily activities. Creative engagement is integrated with language development and daily learning experiences.

Cultural & Language
The school is international in makeup with English as the language of instruction and a staff blend of international and empowered Khmer teachers. It was established in 2001 and maintains a family-involved, home-like atmosphere. Cultural awareness is supported through celebrations such as world festivals within the preschool program. The English-language instruction and international culture are central to daily activities.

Social & Hobbies
Social development is fostered through mixed-age interaction, imaginative play, and shared activities that build cooperation and leadership among peers. The Twilight Garden and Summer Program provide regular opportunities for crafts, games, music, movement, and outdoor play. The Parent-Child Class offers caregiver–child socialization in a Waldorf-inspired setting, reinforcing community and friendships within the school environment.

Community & Service
The school emphasizes a community-focused, family-involved approach, including family-oriented programs and ongoing community activities. The Community section includes a Breastfeeding Support Group and related family resources within school life. Snack and lunch arrangements, as well as relocation support and policies, reflect a broader sense of community care and support for families.

Leadership & Professional
Kindergarten continues the preschool program with increased emphasis on self-sufficiency and leading younger children responsibly, preparing students for Grade 1. Mixed-age classrooms provide models of leadership and mentoring by older students. The school maintains an international staff with Khmer teachers, supporting leadership development through classroom responsibilities and peer interactions.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Twilight Garden provides an afternoon extension in the garden, focusing on quiet time, crafts, games, and free play, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The Summer Program emphasizes a connection to the natural world through music, movement, and exploration, offering half-day, full-day, and extended options. The overall environment prioritizes outdoor time, nature-based activities, and a home-like, family-involved atmosphere to support physical and mental wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches in English. The school is Waldorf/Steiner-inspired and has an international staff including Khmer teachers.
Reputation

Accreditations
No formal accreditations are listed on Gecko Garden School's public website. I found no mention there of national or international accreditation from bodies such as a national Ministry of Education, CIS, WASC, or similar.

The website does list the following affiliations/recognitions (these are described on the school site as affiliations or pedagogical alignments, not as formal accreditations):
- Waldorf/Steiner–inspired — The school states it adopted many facets of Waldorf/Steiner education (pedagogical alignment indicating the school follows Waldorf principles, not a statement of formal Waldorf institutional accreditation).
- Friends of Waldorf/Steiner Cambodia (founding member) — The school is listed as a founding member of this local group that promotes Waldorf/Steiner education in Cambodia (a community/advocacy affiliation).
- Supporter of the Alliance for Childhood — The school lists itself as a supporter of this international network that advocates for healthy childhood practices (an endorsement/affiliation rather than an accreditation).
Admissions

Admissions
1. Make an inquiry: Start by completing the GGS Inquiry Form on the school website; a school representative will contact you by email to arrange the next step. Parents should use the same email address that will be used for official correspondence and check spam folders, because tour times and follow-up are scheduled by email. The Inquiry Form is the required first contact to initiate the admissions sequence.

2. Schedule and attend a school visit: A school visit (or an initial video call for families not yet in Cambodia) is required to begin the formal admissions process; in-person visits are offered from 8:00 AM and last about 45 minutes. At least one primary guardian and the child must take part in the visit before the family may be placed on the wait list, and parents should plan to see the garden and classrooms during morning arrival time. If you cannot be physically present, the school accepts a video call as an initial visit for long-distance enrolment—tell the school this in your Inquiry Form.

3. Child evaluation / observation: During the visit teachers carry out an informal assessment by observing the child as they play and move around the garden and classrooms; this helps determine age‑appropriate placement and the child's social and physical readiness. Parents should be prepared that this is observational (not a formal test) and that reduced or no screen time beforehand is recommended by the school to help the child demonstrate typical developmental behaviours. Note that understanding English is not required for preschool placements, but some English is expected for Kindergarten placement.

4. Placement decisions and priorities: The College of Teachers (mainly Head Teachers) reviews candidates and offers spaces as they become available, typically on a first‑come, first‑served basis while taking class composition and staffing into account. The school gives priority to siblings of current students, alumni, members of the Parent & Child Group, and families transferring from Waldorf/Steiner schools, and limits students from any single nationality to 30% of a class (nationality by passport) to preserve international diversity. If teachers believe a trial period would help, a trial can be arranged and fees will be billed from the child's first day of that trial; if no space is available families will be invited to join the wait list.

5. Offer, fees and securing a place: Offers are sent by email to the address on your Inquiry Form; a child's place is considered secure only when the Capital Fee has been paid and all required registration steps completed. The school's published 2025–2026 fee schedule shows example tuition levels and mandatory fees: for example, half‑day term tuition $899 (annual $3,452), full‑day term tuition $1,351 (annual $5,188), twilight term tuition $307 (annual $1,179), a one‑time registration fee (listed as $555), and an annual capital fee (listed as $500) — fees exclude lunch and snacks and are non‑refundable. Families should read the School Fee Policy carefully (it specifies payment timing, late fees, the 5% sibling discount, and that all fees are non‑refundable) and contact administration with any special fee requests in writing.

6. Start and transition: Once fees are paid and a start date is agreed with the Head Teacher, the child may begin; for preschool classes the school and family will discuss a transition plan to support the child's entry. Expect the Head Teacher to coordinate the first days (or trial days) and to confirm start logistics such as arrival time, drop‑off/pick‑up, and any early drop‑off options. If you need records or further paperwork (immunisations, passport copy, emergency contacts), have those ready to speed enrollment.

Scholarships
The school website does not publish a formal scholarship programme. Gecko Garden does invite financial gifts to support the school and asks donors to consider helping the school's mission, but there is no posted, structured scholarship or means‑tested bursary scheme on the website. The School Fee Policy does note that “any special requests in terms of fees must be submitted in writing to the Administrative Director with supporting documents,” which indicates fee concessions or case‑by‑case arrangements may be possible if you contact the administration directly. If you are seeking fee assistance, the recommended next steps are to (1) email administration@geckogardenschool.org or call the school to ask about discretionary support, and (2) prepare written documentation explaining the request so it can be considered by the Administration.

Waitlist
Gecko Garden operates a wait list. If no space is available after assessment and review, families are asked whether they wish to join the wait list; registering early and joining the wait list improves your position because offers are made as spaces become available. Offers are issued by the College of Teachers when a spot opens; placement remains subject to class composition, staffing and the school's priorities (siblings, alumni, Parent & Child members, Waldorf transfers) and to the school's 30% nationality cap per class. When the school offers a place it will be communicated by email, and the child's spot is secured when the Capital Fee is paid; families should be aware that fees are non‑refundable and that the School Fee Policy specifies payment deadlines and late‑payment penalties (e.g., a weekly late fee and possible loss of place after unpaid fees). For long waits, maintain contact with the office (via the Inquiry Form or administration@geckogardenschool.org) so the school has up‑to‑date information and can notify you promptly of offers.
School Events
The school has not added events
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