From Preschool to College: A Foundation for Learning That Still Endures
Two decades may have passed since a young child first stepped into the preschool classrooms of the Yayasan Balita Sehat (YBS) Indonesia in Cilandak back in 2008. Today, that child has grown into an eighth-semester student at the Jakarta State Polytechnic. His name is Sahnur (21), one of the alumni of the YBS Indonesia Preschool.
For his mother, Titik (48), this journey is more than just an ordinary school story. It is about a foundation built early on, the impact of which is still felt today.
A Learning Foundation from the Start
Titik shared her experience of enrolling both of her sons at the YBS Cilandak Preschool—her eldest in 2008 and her youngest in 2022.
“Alhamdulillah, when my child entered elementary school, he was quick to understand the lessons because he had already learned so much in preschool. He could already read,” she recalled.
According to her, academic readiness was one of the most noticeable changes after her children graduated from the preschool.
Beyond academics, YBS Indonesia also integrated routine health programs into the school day. Children were weighed and checked; at the time, there was even a doctor available at the school.
“There used to be a doctor. If a child was sick, they could be examined right at school for free. Alhamdulillah, it was very helpful,” she reminisced.
The eldest son also benefited from a scholarship program. When he moved on to elementary school, YBS Indonesia provided a monthly allowance of approximately Rp100,000 to help buy books and stationery. For their family, this support was a significant contribution to his education amidst economic limitations.
Not Only the Children Grow
The experience at the preschool impacted the parents as much as the children. When her second son attended YBS Cilandak, Titik participated in skill-building workshops, such as sewing and making finger puppets, organized by the Foundation in 2022. She was even able to sell the products without needing any personal capital.
Photo: Titik (third from left) and her second son, Tian (fourth from left),
with preschool teachers at the Womenpreneur business group exhibition in 2022.
“We were paid for our labor. Everything [materials] was provided by the foundation,” she said.
This approach demonstrates that education at this preschool doesn’t end at the classroom door; it embraces the entire family.
Memories That Stay and Grow
For Sahnur, while his preschool days are long gone, several memories remain vivid.
“It was a very long time ago. But I remember learning English with the ‘Mister’ (guest teacher),” he said with a smile.
He also remembers the abundance of books at school, ranging from storybooks to history books read aloud by the teachers. One teacher he remembers most fondly is Pak Woto.
Photo:
Left: Sahnur (second from right, top row) during a preschool outing to the Police Museum in Jakarta, 2009.
Right: Sahnur at age 5 at the YBS Cilandak Preschool in 2009.
However, one thing has left the most lasting impression on his life: healthy eating habits.
“What really stuck with me is the habit of eating ‘real food.’ It has stayed with me until now. Thank you to my preschool teachers from back then,” Sahnur said.
Photo: Sahnur as a university student in 2026.
The story of Mrs. Titik and Sahnur is a testament to the fact that a good education does not simply disappear. It grows with time—through the learning process, through healthy habits, and through a sense of gratitude.
A quarter-century may have passed for the foundation, but for the alumni and parents, the foundation planted during those early years remains alive in their journeys today.
