A child’s early years are a crucial time for psycho-social growth, and at the MJF Charitable Foundation’s preschool, every morning is filled with purpose and the power of unity and inclusivity. Operating in three locations, Moratuwa in the west, Kalkudah in the east and Weligama in the south, our preschools have collectively benefited over 232 children from economically challenged backgrounds, including children with learning disabilities. Far from being a traditional classroom, this is a vibrant ecosystem where differences are embraced, and every child is empowered.
Inside the Preschool
The preschool operates from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. structuring the morning around activities designed for holistic physical, cognitive and social development.
The day begins with a warm welcome from the preschool teachers and the staff at the Foundation as the children arrive. This immediately transitions into a period of free play, where little ones are encouraged to explore the classroom, fostering socialisation and curiosity. This crucial time allows children to ease into the routine at their own pace. The session then moves on into ‘Circle Time’, a cornerstone of the day where children gather to sing, share, and engage in structured group activities, building communication skills and friendship bonds.
Snack Time
A necessary pause in the morning’s activities, snack time is not just about nutrition but also about practising essential life skills and good behaviours like sharing, waiting for their turn while serving and most importantly, table etiquette.
Activity Time
The focus shifts to literacy with engaging book activities. These sessions encourage a lifelong love for reading, boost language development and enhance concentration skills.
Creative & Physical Engagement
The last session is dedicated to expressive movement and creativity. Children dive into dynamic outdoor or indoor activities, including lively arts and crafts and exhilarating music and dancing sessions.
Special Days, Practical Skills: The Integrated Curriculum
The curriculum ensures a well-rounded education by integrating practical and foundational concepts throughout the week. For example, Mondays are dedicated to the Math-Lab for developing logic and numeracy. Tuesdays involve gardening, teaching children about nature and responsibility. Thursdays introduce science and engineering & technology through hands-on basics of electronics, plumbing, and carpentry, demystifying practical skills from a young age. Finally, Fridays are reserved for messy, creative fun in the Mud Kitchen, which enhances sensory play and imaginative role-play. These purposeful activities build a comprehensive foundation for life skills and learning.
The Heart of the Programme: Inclusion and Dignified Empowerment
What makes the MJF Preschool truly unique is its unwavering commitment to inclusion. Classrooms intentionally integrate children of all abilities. The goal is simple yet profound: to ensure that all children progress similarly in their development, learning to respect and help each other along the way. This early integration fosters a spirit of empathy, mutual respect, and a shared understanding that differences are not deficits, but simply part of life.
This ethos perfectly embodies the vision of Merrill J. Fernando, Founder of Dilmah and the MJF Charitable Foundation. His philosophy that ‘business is a matter of human service’ has become a living testimony in actions like this preschool programme. By investing the success of his business back into the community, providing education, inclusion and opportunity to the most deserving people, his vision is translated into daily acts of kindness, learning, and dignified empowerment across Sri Lanka.
