Gecko Garden School

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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."}

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.