Childcare & Preschools in Sabah: TASKA, KEMAS & Fees
What childcare and preschool options are there in Sabah?
Sabah parents can choose licensed TASKA daycare (ages 2–4, RM300–500/month), heavily subsidised government KEMAS tabika preschool (ages 4–6, ~RM20/month), or private and Montessori preschools (RM600–1,500/month). Always pick a JKM-licensed centre.
Childcare and preschool options at a glance
Before primary school begins at age 7, Sabah parents have three broad routes: licensed TASKA daycare for the youngest children, government KEMAS preschool for ages 4–6, and a growing choice of private and Montessori kindergartens. The right fit usually comes down to your child’s age, your budget, and how close a good centre is to home or work.
The one rule that matters most: choose a centre that is licensed by JKM (the Social Welfare Department). Licensing covers safety, staffing ratios and basic standards — and it is also what makes you eligible for the government childcare subsidy covered in our family support guide.
Licensed childcare — TASKA (ages 2–4)
A TASKA (Taman Asuhan Kanak-Kanak) is a daycare centre for younger children that must be registered with JKM. These are the centres most working parents rely on for full-day care.
Examples of licensed TASKAs operating in Kota Kinabalu include Big Apple EduWorld (Likas), Taska Bright Beginnings and Taska Bumble Bee (Austral Park), Jack & Jill TASKA (Iramanis), Taska Angel (Kepayan) and Kiddie Arks (Kolombong). Fees for a registered TASKA are typically RM300–500 a month, rising to RM800–2,500 at premium urban centres.
Find and verify licensed centres on the official JKM register at jkm.gov.my/main/taska (or directory sites like daycare.my). An unlicensed centre is not covered by JKM standards and won’t qualify you for the childcare subsidy.
Government preschool — KEMAS (ages 4–6)
Tabika KEMAS is the government’s heavily subsidised preschool programme for children aged 4–6, built around a “Learning Through Play” approach. At roughly RM20 a month, it is by far the most affordable structured early-education option in Sabah.
There are tabika centres across Kota Kinabalu and the districts — including Kg. Petagas and Karamunsing. Register directly at your nearest centre or through the KEMAS portal at kemas.gov.my. Places are popular, so enquire early.
Private preschools & Montessori
Private kindergartens give more choice of curriculum, language and facilities. In KK these range from mall-based playgroups to dedicated Montessori centres such as Montessori Tadika Taman Lastari and Brainy Bunch International Montessori, which combines an Islamic curriculum with the Montessori method.
Fees generally run RM300–1,500 a month, with Montessori programmes usually at the upper end (RM800–1,500). When comparing, look beyond price at the teacher-to-child ratio, the daily routine, meals, and whether the centre is licensed.
What it costs
A quick monthly cost comparison for early childcare and preschool in Sabah:
| Type | Typical age | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Government KEMAS tabika | 4–6 | ~RM20 |
| Registered private TASKA | 2–4 | RM300–500 |
| Urban private childcare | 2–4 | RM800–2,500 |
| Private Montessori tadika | 4–6 | RM600–1,500 |
Lower-income families (household income under RM1,500/month) may qualify for the Bantuan Prasekolah childcare subsidy of RM100/month for a JKM-registered centre — see the family financial support guide. Figures here are guides; confirm current fees directly with each centre.