Christian/Best Kindergarten around Sengkang/Punggol/Hougang

[greatmeme]

I’ve heard quite a lot about Totsville Montessori recently. Seems like a pretty good school if you’re staying near kovan/hougang.

[Callamummy]

Same like you, As my child is born in the year 2011, we are hoping to settle down her school for her when she reach K1-2 in another 2 years.

but in this area.

You have to know that church kindergarten is not very academic driven, Sing songs, reading bibles etc and teaching children to be more caring, loving etc.
Most church kindergartens are not very academic driven
I went St Anne, Nativity church and even further marymount and I am not very convinced,
So you have to be clear if you want a church environment is because you want your child to grow familar with the bible, then is ok,
Otherwise, you can alway send your children to sunday class instead if you are a christian or catholic family

As for Montessori playroom at hougang- is a husband and wife team which meant no one to complaint if you are not happy. Sad to say this…
The price is not price as the place is small. the older kids are taught at a small corner for chinese (the area where the school children placed their shoes there)

If you are not particular just like me, then you can consider this.But note this is a montessori concept. Not all children can adapt to montessori disclipine environment too:)

As for Dayspring- you might love it because there are lot of PRC indians who children are there. but if you really ask me, because my neighbours are PRC indians and they told me the school fees keep increasing… the academic is not driven focus. So you have to be very sure where your children stand at this point.


Currently, I placed my child into a montessori school at kovan- New and the teachers are from montessori well establised school. Is a small setup along the shophouses and is called Totsville. But environment is clean. Academic for K1-k2 is strong in Maths.
Chinese teacher is ex primary school teacher. Old school teacher actually are more stern and strict to deliver results.

Maths montessori are strong. At age 3- because my girl used to be home sch by me, now back to school, she learn faster though is a recap / revision which i feel is okay as I want her to have school skills.

So her peers is learning odd and even, Opposites. writing alphabets. number counting:)
I hope this info is more than enough?

Hope can help you
Cheerios

Hi, mind sharing how much are the fees for totsville? And if there’s any sch bus svc? Thks.

[mom2boys]

Hi Parents,


Does anyone has idea if there's any kinder in this area provide 4hr daily programme? Realised mostly are only 3hrs.

Thanks in advance

[babyjan]

Hi Mummies,


Anyone with kids in Cathlolic Kindergarten or have enrolled in 2015?

I have registered a place for my boy for pre-nursery in 2015 but just received a letter from the school informing of the temporarry closure of the school compound at Flower Rd for reno and the kindergarten will be relocated to Maris Stella @ Bartely in 2015.

As I am staying in Punggol, the shift to Bartely will be further away and not as accessible as kovan. Wondering should I pull out now? Any advice pls?

[maturi.01860hani]

Sorry for delay in response.


But very useful information. Thanks a million. :goodpost: :thankyou:

Littlekoh:

Recommendations:

Pat School Hse Hougang, or maybe Mindchamps or Brain Buttons at YCK Road. My friend's 4 yo is at Pat School and have heard nothing but good reviews about them. Price is a bit steeper though.

Brian Buttons is good if you want more focus on academia.

Mindchamps seems to be good overall.

Avoid:

Chatsworth - Many good staff have left, overall management quality deteriorated with new principal whom my girlfriends told me they heard many horror stories of. When parents feedback to school on the downward spiral of standard, management was constantly defensive and dishonest.

Safety lapse was also big issue I heard, you have kids left out of school bus, new teachers hired who were inexperienced with kids, accidents go unreported and distorted accounts of incidents etc etc.

For non-Chinese speaking families, it will be a challenge too. So for Malays or Indians, or foreigners I am not sure how you are going to do this.

Here below is an excerpt of new principal's reply to Chinese parent who can't speak Mandarin:

\"it is parents' responsibility to speak more Mandarin to their children and ensure they understand. While some parents prefer to leave it in the hands of the experts; others who are keen to learn Mandarin alongside with their children will take the leap to read hanyupinyin even though they knew they risk having it wrong (which they will eventually correct themselves when they converse with Chinese friends or check with the Mandarin teachers). I applaud the fact that at least they dare to try because honestly, it's can be quite embarassing for adults to speak in a foreign language... (for instance, you and I will probably feel shy to speak in Tamil initially!)”

Excerpt of new principal's reply to Indian parent:

“Wow, I am really impressed that you plan to take your girl's Chinese learning up another notch. It is never a piece of cake for children whose family background is not Mandarin speaking to learn Chinese. …….We have been posting youtube videos (Chinese songs) on the class blog once fortnightly. These are songs that have been taught in class. You can play those videos when your girl is at home. ... Additionally, the school does not encourage parents who are non Chinese speaking to use Han yu pin yin as a method to teach their children as there will be a high chance of mispronunciation]……………………………

So there you go, on one hand parents are encourage to use hanyu pinyin and on the other hand their are also told that using hanyu pinyin is not encouraged. Seems the answer is dependent on which is the more convenient answer.

[maturi.01860hani]

Sorry for the delay in response.


It's really helpful. Thanks a million. :thankyou: :goodpost:

Strong Mummy:

Same like you, As my child is born in the year 2011, we are hoping to settle down her school for her when she reach K1-2 in another 2 years.
but in this area.

You have to know that church kindergarten is not very academic driven, Sing songs, reading bibles etc and teaching children to be more caring, loving etc.
Most church kindergartens are not very academic driven
I went St Anne, Nativity church and even further marymount and I am not very convinced,
So you have to be clear if you want a church environment is because you want your child to grow familar with the bible, then is ok,
Otherwise, you can alway send your children to sunday class instead if you are a christian or catholic family

As for Montessori playroom at hougang- is a husband and wife team which meant no one to complaint if you are not happy. Sad to say this..
The price is not price as the place is small. the older kids are taught at a small corner for chinese (the area where the school children placed their shoes there)

If you are not particular just like me, then you can consider this.But note this is a montessori concept. Not all children can adapt to montessori disclipine environment too:)

As for Dayspring- you might love it because there are lot of PRC indians who children are there. but if you really ask me, because my neighbours are PRC indians and they told me the school fees keep increasing.... the academic is not driven focus. So you have to be very sure where your children stand at this point.


Currently, I placed my child into a montessori school at kovan- New and the teachers are from montessori well establised school. Is a small setup along the shophouses and is called Totsville. But environment is clean. Academic for K1-k2 is strong in Maths.
Chinese teacher is ex primary school teacher. Old school teacher actually are more stern and strict to deliver results.

Maths montessori are strong. At age 3- because my girl used to be home sch by me, now back to school, she learn faster though is a recap / revision which i feel is okay as I want her to have school skills.

So her peers is learning odd and even, Opposites. writing alphabets. number counting:)
I hope this info is more than enough?

Hope can help you
Cheerios

[Jomel]

Hi parents, just like to share my thoughts...

i once insisted of sending my kids to \"branded school\" but after much consideration and research.. i decided to put them in PCF punggol south (which is located in hougang blk 537)

1. I have a helper and parents to look after, hence childcare was not necessary. few hours of lesson each days works perfectly well.

2. Pcf punggol south takes kids frm 30mths onwards. The nursery school may be small but they have all the different learning corners. Excurison started at age of 4! I was worried but was also glad that my girls had the opportunity to learn something out of school. We are very fortunate to meet Cheng Lao Shi and Teacher Angela.

3. Kindergarten classes are just across the street. Due to space constrain, they couldnt put both kindergarten and nursery under the same block. We had orientation (nursery as well as kindergarten). The principal Mdm Nor is a wonderful soft spoken lady. We met the best teacher in K1, Teacher Mechelle. She is very young but we could feel that she genuinely cares for the children. Excursion is one after another (think there is at least 8 outings in an academic year!). It may be expensive but its very educational and I am glad they brought my girls to these places sometimes working parents wouldnt have time to bring.

4. School fees are really afforable and we could pay with CDA. School hours work well for us. 1030am to 1230pm for N2 and 800am to 1200pm daily for K1. They offer after school enrichment classes at afforable rates too.

\"branded schools\" may have better facilities but it comes with a price too. If you are looking for a few hour school with really afforable price, do consider PCF. I personally think that its ok to put kids in a normal pre school but for pri sch.. you may want to spend more effort looking for one that is good (aka \"branded\"). Foundation studies are very important. Unfortunately, in singapore, the better primary schools are the \"branded\" ones

I do not believe that \"Every School is Good School\" but I believe \"Every School has a Good Teacher\"

Regards,
Very Kiasu and Kiasi Mum

[A-Mom 0]

Hihi, I need some advise. My son is in a childcare now and I was thinking to switch him to half day kindergarten. Any advise if here’s any difference in learning (in terms of hrs spent in school will be reduced by half) and if anyone has reviews on 414 Hougang PCF?

[blumarine149]

Any other recommendation for montessori at hougang? i tried church kindergarten, PCF and chilld care… all i can say is depends on the child’s interest and strength, if the child is v academic, then go for private kindergarten otherwise church or PCF, some Church are very strong in academic too… so it’s really depends on the child…