Bukit Panjang Methodist Church Kindergarten

[huaywenandkenneth]

So sorry to hear about your disappointment. I understand what you meant, as the Session 1 slots are always very popular and vacancies are usually very few, if not none at all.


When I asked for a Session 1 slot for my boy who is currently in Session 2, I was told there is a waiting list (so the waitlist does exist, but you need to tell them explicitly to be put on it, and keep reminding them, as they may miss you out since you already got a place). That was why in the end I had to change my girl’s session to Session 2 (she is currently in Session 1), and to swop them back to Session 1 in 2014 due to other commitments. Just that my poor girl had to change class twice.

If you still decide to stay on with BPMCK, vacancies may "appear" especially at the start of Terms 1 and 3 when people change sessions or withdraw due to moving house etc. They give priority to requests from current students and siblings, and that could be one of the reasons why the vacancy was given to another child instead of yours (unless your name is not even on the waitlist, and this is a separate administrative issue altogether). Hope it helps.

[Payal]

This kindergarten is horrible.I have just noticed the last thread has died, so am starting this new one.I am strongly advising all those parents who are planning to put their childern this time to this kindergarten, Please do not.They never take any least care of the child.My 3yrs old repeatedly fall sick after joining this school, and the most horrible part is even if you write in the communication book, they never bother to care about your opinions.Inspite of so many times doctors advice, I repeatedly asked them to give some water to drink to my child, but every day she is coming back home with a full bottle. The class teacher and the principal- both are just useless to talk and the principal supports the class teacher for all the wrong doings.My child’s health suffered so badly because of these people.Last time as I heard the old principal was too good and thats why I had put my child in this school, but unfortunately this time I have noticed the New Principal will only teach you what do at home and she doesnt care to you.She will give million excuses why she cannot take proper care of children.On the contary she supports the class teacher,who is another masterpiece in negligence.Most of the times either your child shots is wet, they never change and even they dont bother to inform you how was the child’s health in school.My kid one day came and informed me she vomited in school and after that when I asked they said yes she vomited.Isnt it’s their part to inform the parents?


Being a victim and have suffered so much for my baby,I will request all other parents please think twice before you put your kid there because our kids are too young to handle these negligence.The new Principal is real bad.

[galaxgal]

Hi payal, I am sorry to hear what has happened in your experience with the kindergarten. I am not able to make any comments as there are always the other side of the story that we need to understand. I hope the matter has been cleared and verified to the best interest of your child.


My child is also a current student with the kindergarten and I too would like to give my fair share of views and experiences about the principal and the teachers.

New principal (Mrs Cynthia Leong)

My experience and encounter with the new principal has been thus far positive and satisfying. She is a very caring, committed and experienced educator. Whenever I have concerns about my child's learning progress in school and the curriculum or even the recent upgrading of the school so that better facilities can be provided and established for the students, she would sit down patiently and address the concerns so that I can be assured. Phone calls were made and there would be follow up calls if the principal is not around. What impressed me about Mrs Leong was her sensitivity towards children and also her positive disposition and encouragement given to the children. Eg. One day, my child came back to tell me that Mrs Leong went up to her to ask how was her day and prayed for her when she replied that she is not well and also was feeling down. The next day, Mrs Leong would check on her to see if she is better. At times, my child told me when other kids are rowdy or misbehaved, she would go down to their eye level and tell them in assuring tone what is right and wrong and give them hugs. It is heartwarming to hear that as a parent.

Communication book

I am not sure how other teachers communicate with the parents. My child's teacher is a responsible and helpful teacher. As my child is not an easy child either, she is also often sick with bad respiratory prob. Each time, I would write down my concerns, request help from her teacher to help me take note of my child's behaviour and also to get back to me if she is not feeling well and even updates me on her learning progress..That very day, I would receive replies back from the teacher. Even if my child is sick or misbehaved or other misc. matters for me to take note, communication through the com book is updated. Sometimes, my child would miss a few days of lessons and I fear that she might not be able to catch up, the teacher would go thru with my child during any available free time when she is back in school.. The only improvement I wish to see could be for the school to give a summary printout of what the kids are learning (eg. alphabets, maths..songs they learnt etc)for the whole term so that we as parents can have a better feel of the school curriculum and learning progress and outcome.

Attention to details like cleaning the child up or drinking water

I am very surprised to hear from kiasunewbie that the teachers does not care about cleaning up the child and getting them to drink water..My child is often cleaned up and changed in new attire and even given a change of slippers if shoes are dirtied as well because of the vomit. Unless the child vomits during the dismissal time and has to rush to take a school bus, then perhaps there wasn't enough time to change..other than this, in my child's case, she is changed and clean up before she is back home.

I have checked with my child if the teachers does get them to drink water and yes she replied..there is a fixed time or certain part of the day when they will be given about 5 min to drink water. I even have some photos taken by the assistant teacher showing the children happily drinking water. However, my daughter did tell me some of her friends refused to drink water and the teachers will try to encourage ...so children themselves must also take responsibilities for themselves and we parents and teachers do need to educate the children on the importance of water.

Curriculum

Personally, I find that the school does lack creativity in certain areas like art and craft . However the curriculum still follows the MOE syllabus..Though I am an educator myself, I find that the school can make improvement to venture more creative ways of teaching and improvise the worksheets to be more activity based to get students to think and explore....

So far my child likes the school, teachers and friends, the strong point about this Kindy compared to other is their strong emphasis in teaching the children morals values and educating them lifelong learning skills. Though the school may not be strong academically compared to other Kindy but I rather my child be morally strong and grow up to be balanced both in academic and character.
My only concern is the upgrading and shifting in the temporary building in July..hopefully the transition to be smooth. As my child would be in k2 next year, I am also worried about her academic part but heard for one parent whose daughter is in k2 this year that her k2 tr is a very good creative n patient tr and has prepared her daughter well for p1..I am glad to find out it is the same tr who is going to teach my daughter next yr so I am assured.

Every kindy has their strengths and weaknesses..though I am not 100% impressed with bpmck but at least for the past 3 years, my daughter has shown great learning (except ART and Craft part), have wonderful trs though change a couple of trs end of previous year but as long as my daughter is happy and learning well, I would leave her alone and not change her since it is her graduating year next year..

Cheers!

[Payal]

Hi!

Yes,I truly appreciate about your views but I hope and pray sincerely that you never be caught in the situation like me.I think its being understood by everyone that a 3 year old kid is not able to take care of himself/herself.A kid of 5/6 yeras is little grown up as in your case and I dont think he/she requires the same care as a 2/3 years old kid.
I faced total non cooperation from the school and I am not glad to repeat that my experience was truly bitter.As a parent, I do not think that it was possible for me to monitor the teacher’s action every second.
Maybe, it was my fate that the class teacher my kid faced was not good enough.
Even the doctors letters to the school did not help.I truly faced the health crisis of my kid for 1 long year and there was no other alternatives except to change the school.Every other issues, regarding studies and others can be sorted out, but when it comes to the child’s health and that too
- most of it because of the negligence of a school or some particular teacher- then I think a call should be taken.
Anyways, bygones are bygones.
Thank you.

[huaywenandkenneth]

Hi Payal


Glad to hear that you have made a decision to change your child to a new environment. As parents, things we do will always be the best interest of our child(ren).

Both my younger children went through the process of pre-nursery with the kindy with different teachers and teacher assistants, and both had their different needs (one was non-communicative, though he talks non-stop now; and one was small pint and slow in everything as she was a year end baby, and now she darts around and \"pulls her own weight\"). What had truly made the difference for them was the dedicated teacher assistants, who took it under their charge to keep a special and loving eye on them. When they do not eat during snack, they would be fed (though it will be to a certain stage only, then they will only be encouraged). Whenever they dirty themselves, they will be changed, cleaned and my mum would be informed (she fetches them from school).

There was indeed one incident when I went to pick my boy early for a medical appointment when I saw my girl crying loudly, trailing far behind her class who came down from snack. The teachers were calm and smiled when they saw me (which meant they had nothing to \"hide\", and they were certainly not expecting to see me). It turned out that my girl discovered she had left her water bottle in the snack area, and couldn't stop crying when she went back to retrieve it till she rejoined the class (when the asst teacher assured her that it was ok). Before she went through the class door, she was better and I saw the teachers talking to her briefly. If I had not known the reason and have good knowledge of my child in instances like this, I may have immediately jumped to conclusion that she was left alone crying or there was a bad accident and she hurt herself.

There is another point which I want to share about the kindy, which is giving opportunity, time and space for the child to grow. Last year at the 2012 year end concert, my boy was given the role of the emcee to introduce the class dance item with his classmate, and both of them could only watch the audience and smile when it was time to say their lines. Though disappointed, I nonetheless wrote a note to thank the principal and teachers for giving my boy such an opportunity (he has some communicative and speech problems), and that he had really enjoyed himself dancing on stage (he couldn't even follow his classmate's dance movements 1-2 years ago). This year, I was pleasantly surprised (and worried) when my boy \"told\" me the day before the concert, that he is going to be emcee again (this time at the concert beginning, to introduce the concert theme) when he was practicing the lines. Fearing that history may repeat itself, I only had time to practice with him twice (and slowed his reading). It turned out well this time.
To me, the kindy had given him a rare second opportunity to grow (in one of his weakest areas too!) and for that I am thankful and appreciative. This is something that may not have happened if he is in a older school setting such as primary or secondary, where mistakes are usually frowned upon.

Yes, the kindy is indeed not perfect but my children are happy and blossoming in other ways.

[huaywenandkenneth]

And perhaps just to add on to my much earlier 2012 post, my boy managed to get a session 1 slot before term started (a boy moved house and there was a vacancy), so my girl didn’t have to change class twice (thank God!) and everything turned out well logistically for us.

[huaywenandkenneth]

Just received a letter to inform that the principal Mrs Cynthia Leong has left due to family commitment (though it does seem rather sudden). The new principal is Mrs Loo Suat Hoon, chairperson of the Kindergarten Management Committee Board.


Anyone knows about the new principal and how she is like?

[Irisse]

Hi, any updated changes to the school with the new principal? I m considering if to enrol my son for nursery next year. Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks

[huaywenandkenneth]

Just had a K2 Day at the kindy with my boy. K2 parents were invited to spend half a day engaging in singing and craft making with their children. This was run by their church volunteers and I can see that they are active and sincere. We came home with a mini garden with 2 cacti. I am looking forward to the next K2 Day with my girl next year.


Overall, the new developments are that there has been a move towards being more academic, and also including home activities that are from Bible stories / character-based, including simple messages which parents can do/reinforce with their children, which I like and enjoy doing. I only know the K1 and K2 levels, but I believe they should have something similar with the younger ones. I also feel they do more hymn singing now, as the K2 children sing and pitch well (sorry, occupational hazard, as I am a music person, and I was pleasantly surprised when I heard them last week). I have yet to interact with Mrs Loo, besides nodding and saying hi to her during the K2 Day.

This year, the classes are smaller, perhaps due to some movements and also preparing for the move to the new premises. You may want to note that in 2015, the kindy will be moving to new premises next door (as the current building will be undergoing renovation), and the session will be longer (3.5h instead of the current 3h).

Best to visit the kindy to get a better sense.

[Irisse]

Will visit the school when it reopens. Thanks