What makes the best preschool? Our 2026–27 class photos, and what to look for

Every September, parents in Phnom Penh type the same two things into Google: "best preschool" and "top preschool". They are easy words to search and hard ones to judge from a website. So this week, at the start of the 2026–27 school year, our three classes sat for their class photos in the school hall — and here they are, with the plain facts about each class beside them.

What "best preschool" should mean

Not a ranking. The best preschool is the one where your child is settled, safe and learning — and you can only see that in a room, not on a screen. Three things are worth checking before you believe any school, including us:

The facts are published: Ages, class hours, the curriculum and the full cost of a year, including every fee. Ours are on this site, in full.
The method is named: Orange Crest teaches Montessori together with the IEYC, in English and Khmer, from 15 months to six years. Giraffe Class is led by a teacher with an IMC Montessori diploma; the school itself is an IMC member.
You can walk in: Tours run during school hours and take about half an hour. Everything below is easier to judge in person.

Bunny Class — 15 months to 2 years

Bunny Class seated on small chairs on the hall stage with their teachers beside them, red curtain behind — Bunny Class, our youngest children, with their teachers on the hall stage.

Bunny is play-based, and the day is built around settling in — first steps away from home, gently. Half day runs 08:00–11:30 and full day 08:00–15:30.

Panda Class — 2 to 3 years

Panda Class in a row of small chairs on the hall stage, a teacher seated at each end — Panda Class on the hall stage.

Panda is Montessori-inspired and play-based: a full nursery day built on routine, with English and Khmer woven through it. Half day 08:00–11:30, full day 08:00–15:30.

Giraffe Class — 3 to 6 years

Giraffe Class, the largest group, seated in two rows on the hall stage with teachers at either end — Giraffe Class, the kindergarten ages, on the hall stage.

Giraffe is full Montessori, covering the kindergarten ages, with a two-hour uninterrupted work cycle to open every day. Full day only, 08:00–15:30. The class is led by a teacher with an IMC Montessori diploma; the school itself is an IMC member.

A top preschool is one you can see for yourself

A class photo shows you faces. A visit shows you the morning: the work cycle, the garden, the way a teacher speaks to a child who is not sure yet. Tours run during school hours, Monday to Friday 07:30–17:00 and Saturday 08:00–12:00. If you would rather try before deciding, a trial month is $500, fully offset against the fees when you enrol.