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Gecko Garden School

Cambodia, Phnom Penh

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· Reviewed by · B2C Marketing Manager

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees KHR 4,716,000 - 20,752,000
Ages 1½ - 7 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2001
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum Waldorf Steiner Curriculum
Taught languages English, Khmer
Strengths Outdoor Education, Service and Sustainability, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Community and Service, Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Preschool, Kindergarten
Introduction

Gecko Garden School is a Waldorf/Steiner–inspired international preschool and kindergarten established in 2001. The school runs two nearby day campuses in Tonle Bassac (a preschool campus and a kindergarten campus across the street), each based in adapted homes with gardens used for play and learning. The school teaches in English and offers a Parent & Child programme (pregnancy–3 years), preschool mixed-age classes (from about 18 months), kindergarten mixed-age classes, and an optional Twilight (extended day) programme. The site notes the school was recognised in 2019 for environmental priorities and that Healthy Kids Kitchen provides the school's lunches; fees for 2025–2026 are published in the school's calendar/fees document. All details above are taken from Gecko Garden School's website.

3 Abdul Carime St. (21), Phnom Penh 12301, Cambodia

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

Gecko Garden School has instruction in English.

Location
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.

Stages
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.

Type
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.

Additional learning support
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.

Country affiliation
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.

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

School day structure
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.

Bus service
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.
Diving Deeper
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Fees

Annual tuition at Gecko Garden School ranges from KHR 4,716,000 to KHR 20,752,000 for 2026/27.

Application / registration fees
- One-time registration / enrollment fee: USD 555 (paid once to secure a child's place).

Tuition fees (per term and annual) — 2025–2026 academic year
- Half‑day Preschool / Kindergarten (1.5 to 6+ years; 08:00–12:00): Term fee USD 899; Annual fee USD 3,452.
- Full‑day Preschool / Kindergarten (1.5 to 6+ years; 08:00–15:00): Term fee USD 1,351; Annual fee USD 5,188.
- Twilight (extended afternoon 15:00–17:00): Term fee USD 307; Annual fee USD 1,179.
- Parent & Child group (pregnancy to ~3 years; Mondays & Fridays, 09:00–10:30): USD 90 for a 10‑session booklet, or USD 10 per session (includes snack).

Other compulsory fees
- Annual capital fee: USD 500 per year (paid annually per child; required to secure a place and for existing students to secure place for the following year; prorated if joining mid‑year).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- School year divided into four terms (August–July). Full quarterly (term) tuition must be paid before the start of each term; new students joining after a term starts are billed pro rata by week. There is a late payment charge of USD 30 per week for overdue tuition/capital fees. If fees remain unpaid by the end of the fourth week of the term, the child may be excluded and the place reallocated. A 5% sibling discount applies to the second and subsequent children. All school fees are non‑refundable.

Boarding
- Boarding is not provided by this school (program listings indicate preschool, kindergarten and parent/child groups only).

Other costs and incidental charges
- Lunch and snack fees are excluded from the tuition figures; Healthy Kids Kitchen is the school's catering partner and separate registration with them is required for meals. Late pick‑up fee: USD 5 per 30 minutes (invoiced at end of term). Summer school runs as a separate program with separate fees.

Refunds and special requests
- All tuition and fees paid to the school are non‑refundable. Any special requests regarding fees must be submitted in writing to the Administrative Director with supporting documents.

Fee payment options
- The school's published fee documents and calendar/list of fees do not specify the available payment methods (e.g., bank transfer, credit card) in the public fee PDF; families are advised to contact the school's administration for accepted payment methods and banking details.
Academics

Gecko Garden School teaches Waldorf Steiner Curriculum for students aged 1.5 to 7.

Curriculum
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."}
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions

Admissions
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.

Scholarships
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.

Waitlist
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.
School Events
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