When the sky turns grey, parents worry first about what their children are breathing. At Kingsbee Kuchai Lama, our preschool in Kuchai Lama, Kuala Lumpur, Principal Keem treats clean indoor air as part of everyday care, not just something to sort out during haze season. In his words, children can only learn and play well when they're healthy and comfortable.
Haze in KL — October 2026
On 8 October 2026 at 2pm, Utusan Malaysia reported readings of 308 at Jalan Ampang Hilir, 259 at Jalan Pinggir and 242 in Bangsar. These are US AQI figures from IQAir, not the official DOE API. Utusan Malaysia report
On the official DOE scale, Cheras recorded an API of 172 on 15 October 2026, according to the New Straits Times.
Readings change from day to day, so here is what we do at our preschool whenever the air turns hazy.
What a hazy day looks like at our preschool
Each morning, our teachers check the API reading (Air Pollutant Index), which tells us how clean the air is. When the haze is bad, we keep the doors and windows closed and carry out all activities indoors, including movement and play, so the children's routine carries on as normal. We also remind them to drink water often and keep an eye on anyone who is coughing or has itchy eyes.
Quietly working in the background
A Japan Air Filter V-Guard 600 cleans the air across our whole floor. It's a commercial-grade HEPA purifier with an H13 filter nearly 30 cm deep, rated to capture 99.99% of fine particles. Each classroom also has its own air purifier, and a Medklinn Asens+ air and surface steriliser helps keep germs down. The children hardly notice them, and that's how it should be.
Tips for home
- Check the API reading before going outdoors.
- Keep windows closed on hazy days, and run a purifier in the room your child sleeps in if you have one.
- Explain it simply: "The sky is grey from smoke far away, so today we play inside."
- See a doctor if your child's cough or wheeze doesn't settle.
Is your child about to start preschool? You may also find our tips helpful for when your child cries at preschool drop-off.