[Bukit Panjang/Bukit Timah/Hillview] Preschools

[evelynseet]

Hi, wonder anyone of you have kids in \"Pre-school By-The-Park @ Dunearn\"??

Is this childcare good??
:?

[metz]

umama:

The only drawback for me is .. utilisation of PUBLIC PLAYGROUND. I du n quite like that idea... but DH claimed I'm being too fussy.

Hi Umama,

There's nothing about being fussy. After all, your kid will be there for quite some time. So, it's best that you can find a CC that meets all your criteria and you are comfortable with.

[allseasons]

Hi all parents..


Anyone has experience sending their children to Arise Kindergarten? Any info about it? It is located at Upp Bukit Timah. I am still looking for a kindie around this area.. :?

TIA :roll:

[NurSarahHo]

I am also considering enroling my daughter (3yr) in Arise Kindergarten.

Spoken to their principle and she is a very nice lady.
Gave me quite a good impression.

Yeah, anyone hv good/bad experience with tis bukit timah church based school? Care to share? Thanks!

[metz]

Hi,


My son is now in Arise Kindy. After some scouting around, I'm intending to put my girl there too. For us, we are happy with the school. My son has no complaints about the teachers or work taught, (though he has some grouses on his classmates). The teachers we have come across are pretty nice and caring. Ms Fong, the school adminstrator is very friendly and helpful too. For the academics, the kindy follows the MOE guidelines. Rigby Rocket readers are used to reinforce reading and word recognising skills. There's a set of English and Chinese Readers to be completed for K1 and K2 respectively. If parents require more intensive learning for their children, the school has also engaged external parties for enrichment purposes - English and Chinese Reading classes (btw, Arise doesn't teach phonics), English and Chinese speech and drama, Fastrackids, John Langrehr Thinking Programme, Creative Artist by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts etc.

Now and then, the school will organise some events that encourage parents' participation. Last year, they had some talks on parenting confident children etc. And this year, the school celebrated Valentine's Day by organising a candlelight dinner for the parents at the school premise. Overall, my son enjoys the school and teachers.

There's no official channel for communicating with the teachers, ie. no commication books. The only teacher-parent meet is conducted in May. Usually, I would just call the teachers if I have any queries. They are very patient and prompt in responding me. However, the only grouse I have is the heavy morning traffic :stupid: (if you are driving). It's a horrendous experience if I were to drive my son there on time. Usually, I'll avoid the traffic and ERP gantry by arriving a little later.

[mickeyminnie]

belmum:

Dear Kiasu parents..


Appreciate any recommendation on childcare centres in Bt Panjang/ Upp Bt Timah/ Hillview/ Toh Yi (Jln Jurong Kechil) area.

In addition, will also appreciate any comments about Learning Ladder (woodlands) opposite Ten Mile Junction.

Thank you in advance!

I would recomend NEWLIFE CHILDCARE @ Jelapang Road. It was under Church care and the teachers all really good in handling kids, the place also very big for kids, so when the HFMD spread.. they won't affected wo much.
My 2 kids grown up from there since 18 mths (playgroup class). Too bad, now I shifted to Woodlands and have trouble with the student care...

[creativethinkers]

I’m surprised nobody recommended Creative Thinkers Learning Centre. It’s tucked right along Jln Jurong Kechil. My kids are there and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a small setup but with terrifc teachers, especially the principal who is also the teacher herself!

[VRossi]

Hi Any Comments on Preschool by the park (Shelford) and Carpe Diem Kids Academy (Watten Park)?

[luvmum]

chamonix:

Hi,


My son is now in Arise Kindy. After some scouting around, I'm intending to put my girl there too. For us, we are happy with the school. My son has no complaints about the teachers or work taught, (though he has some grouses on his classmates). The teachers we have come across are pretty nice and caring. Ms Fong, the school adminstrator is very friendly and helpful too.

Hi chamonix,

I went there few days ago but the place is more like an open concept. Wouldn't tat be noisy when lessons are conducted together? But I like it that they hv gym hse every fri and cooking lesson incorporated. I went to the website and realised they actually hold V day nite for parents. Something very different and innovative. I'm contemplating whether to enrol my child as most of the kindy I went have all the morn timing taken up and tat is for next yr. Can't believed it...I'm late :stupid: Arise still has a few, so I must act fast. Did you go to other kindy when scouting ard?

[metz]

Hi Luvmum,


I was also held back by the open concept (not to mention the classrooms are in the basement) initially. But I'm glad I went ahead with placing my son there. Mrs Hong, the principal, did assure me that the different classes are scheduled in such a way that all the kids wouldn't be in the classrooms together most of the time. So far, my son has yet to complain of noise from other classes.

Yeah, I was surprised by the V night too. Not only we had a good dinner and games, the kids also put up something for us on stage within that 2 short hours. Amazing effort by the teachers They have gym on fridays and music & mvmt on the other days. As for cooking, don't think it's a regular programme. But my son did have much fun with pizza making a few weeks ago. Now the teacher are getting them to work on a class project about dogs. The kids are encouraged to research about dogs and share their findings in class. Work done in class are distributed back to students end of each term. And the parents are updated on the school activities via the newsletters.

I did go around checking other kindergartens - Cherie Hearts, Agape Little Uni, CS Montessori, Just Kids at Bt Batok and one of the Montessori preschool mentioned in this thread. Others such at St Joseph Kindy, Little Wonders, Learning Ladder, I relied on feedback from frens. I would say I am happy with Arise. But if you don't mind a childcare setting, you might want to check on Agape Little Uni.

[quote]I'm contemplating whether to enrol my child as most of the kindy I went have all the morn timing taken up and tat is for next yr. Can't believed it...I'm late [/quote]

Fret not. It all depends on luck and timing that you called in. One week after I enrolled my son in Chiltern House for afternoon session, he was offered the morning session. And for St James Kindy, morning sessions for K1 and K2 were available when I called on 2 different occasions. Can't believe it, huh? :roll: The vacancies for next year are definitely not confirmed yet. But the kindergartens assume their current students will continue with the school next year. Hence, the \"no vacancy\" response as the current batch of students are given priority.

There are a few alternatives worth considering 1. Put on wait list 2. Enrolled for PM session but request to put on waitlist for AM session. (higher chances) 3. Call up the school towards end of term or end of the year. There might be some vacancies due to transfers etc.


Good luck!