A tiny school made almost entirely of bamboo is nestled inconspicuously in the Kampung Utan neighborhood in South Jakarta.

What's more, it has only three teachers.

Despite its size and off-the-beaten-track location, TK Humanisti is making a big difference in the lives of the 20 children who enrolled at the start of the new school year, which began late last month.

The school was established by a foundation, Yayasan Humanisti, and is in its second year of operation. The foundation's mission is to provide education for children whose parents cannot afford to send their children to school.

Before any child is admitted, members of Humanisti visit and interview parents of prospective pupils to ensure the school continues to help out the neediest of families.

On the first day, the school organized fun and games to give the newly enrolled pupils a chance to get to know their new school and find their way around.

The bamboo building is situated in green and quiet surroundings free from traffic noise and fumes and adjacent to a newly refurbished fishpond.

The afternoon began for the children with songs and circle games led by part-time head teacher Pak Irwan.

Irwan, who works at the school three days a week, has more than 12 years' experience running kindergartens in Jakarta. He is also instrumental in designing the curriculum along with Humanisti members,

His classroom skill was immediately evident as the pupils responded positively to his instruction. Although separated from their parents for the first time, the children happily sang the songs, some in English.

The mothers spent the afternoon in an adjacent building becoming familiar with school regulations.

"We give the children a chance to feel comfortable in a new environment," Irwan said. "They sing. They hold hands. They learn each other's names. And they learn to feel positive about themselves and what they can achieve.

"All good learning involves movement at this age. Movement both relaxes the child and stimulates learning. It also helps develop a sense of community as children adapt to a shared space."

For every one of the pupils, it was the first time they had stood in front of 19 other children and said their names.

Ibu Hikmah, age 26, and Ibu Ayu, 20, are now starting their second year as kindergarten teachers, having trained together at Darun Najah, Ulujami, South Jakarta.

"This is always a great day. If we make the children feel welcome today, they'll begin the year positively, and make the most of this opportunity, said Ayu, the school's only full-time teacher.

The founder of Yayasan Humanisti, Anna Hasiana, showed up for the first-day activities along with other benefactors closely involved in running the school.

"Fundamental to a child's development is education and health," she said. "Humanisti provides both, at this site and at a clinic in Lebak Bulus. A doctor also visits the school monthly and we have recently introduced a library."

The afternoon ended with the pupils being issued new shoes and uniforms, as well as a chocolate ice cream.

Both the land and the bamboo schoolroom are shared with Ibnu Sina school, established by Yayasan Maleo, which provides schooling every morning for 30 disadvantaged teenagers with the help of a network of volunteer teachers.