Hazlina Binti AbdullahRahimah Binti SaiminRosni Bin SamahMohd Muzhafar Idrus2024-05-302024-05-3020212021-12-22Abdullah, H., Saimin, R., Samah, R., & Idrus, M. M. (2021). Challenges in Providing Optimal Development for Young Children: Cabaran dalam Penyediaan Perkembangan Optimum Kanak-kanak. Sains Insani, 6(3). https://doi.org/10.33102/sainsinsani.vol6no3.2190127-7871760-4310.33102/sainsinsani.vol6no3.219https://oarep.usim.edu.my/handle/123456789/15293Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) in Malaysia, like in many other developing countries, has currently gained more interest and awareness. This is due to the numerous research studies which strengthen the notion that children’s early years involve a vital stage for the growth, development and advancement of their actions and behaviour, character and personality, and also their mind and intelligence. Studies have also focused on the idea that early childhood teaching and learning can be enhanced, albeit occurring within culturally, socially, and economically sensitive contexts. This paper presents part of a bigger study on ECCE from the perspectives of the owners and managers of selected private kindergartens in Malaysia. Detailed and thorough information of the owners’ and managers’ personal practice in handling their centres, their methods and techniques of dealing with both students and parents, and their ideas on the issues of ECCE in Malaysia were gained through focus group interviews with 6 participants. Based on the results of the interviews, ‘magical expectations from parents’ is the most demanding predicament to deal with. The owners and managers also deemed that other dilemmas such as ‘competent and qualified teacher hunts’, ‘managerial and organisational responsibilities’ and ‘staying relevant in the industry are also the problems they encounter. Regardless of these challenges, they are facing, the owners and managers of the ECCE centres continue to be optimistic and positive in the journey they have embarked upon.enECCE, private kindergarten, challenges, owners, managers, MalaysiaArticle10711463