All About Montessori

[skydreamer]

Hello, I am a newbie to this forum. This forum is really helpful for me to know more about Montessori in Singapore. I am sourcing for Montessori pre-school in the west area for my boy. My boy is 2 years old. I have contacted some schools so far. :roll:


Any comments on the Ar[Moderator's note: Entry removed on request of service provider] at Telok Blangah?? though it is not at the west area I like the environment there and the kids there are from different countries so kids can expose to different culture and nationality. Kids learn violin also. But I am a little concerned about the school is pretty new and it is not mcys-approved. Is mcys-approved an really important issue???

And any comments on the Little Wonders Montessori at Hillview Way? Is the school fully montessori?? how about the teachers there? are the teachers patient, kind, helpful, experienced, and enthusiasm for montessori??? (maybe to many expectation??? )

I myself prefer half day programme. But my parents-in-law prefer full day because perhaps my boy will be more independent and learn more thing. But I see my boy is still so young (2 yo only) and to me a little bit pity for him to spend whole day outside leh.... :roll:

[mumtotots]

Hi skydreamer.


Sorry I don’t know enough about the 2 schools you mention to share my thoughts. BUt I can answer some of your concerns.

Childcare centres MUST be MCYS registered. Kindergartens MUST be MOE registered. There are also many schools who are actually enrichment centres that provide pre-school education and being registered with MOE is optional. If you enrol your child in a childcare, you enjoy some govt subsidies but none for kindys and enrichment centres.

For childcare centres, although the timing is half day (7am-1pm) or full day (7am-7pm), it doesn’t mean that they have more wok time. Curriculum time is usually 3-4 hrs a day max and the rest of the time is usually childcare services (like nap, play, tv time etc). So pre-schools and kindys work just as well ; )

The choice of school (CC or Kindy) therefore have to be what suits you best. if you are a working parent and need more CC services then a childcare would be you only option. If you have parents that can give you a hand, kindy’s are your other options.

Hope the info can help : )

[buds]

happyfeet11:

after reading thru all i seem to have a rough idea but seems like all the montessoris are under different group like franchise & stuff & kinda difficult to find some webby or maybe not all have webby?


got a few recommendations from buds so will probably check those out first...all i can say is i've got loads of homework & research to do...

Agree with toddles.. webbies are least helpful especially when they
are not regularly updated. Nothing beats meeting up the people for
yourself and also recce the environment for yourself. Once you hv
shortlisted a few, bring your child for the following visit. Children's
response to a new environment might help in your decision. Then,
if any of the centres offer trial lessons, do go for it. You can sit in
and see how the teachers work with children and gauge the person
who is to care for your child in future.

[buds]

happyfeet11:

oh gosh!! amazing star is so popular that it is fully booked

Amazing Star offers relatively good childcare service inclusive of the
Montessori curriculum. There's one in Jelapang also.. i went there for
a visit 3 times but eventually decided against it due to the distance...

happyfeet11:

fortunately tulip still has vacanies so will go down for a visit...

Yes, do go down! She runs a beautiful and clean place. She did her
Montessori studies in London. Yes, she is LMC trained. ie. London
Montessori Centre.

Err... remember though.. i did caution you about the fees. :evil:

[skydreamer]

mumtotots:

Childcare centres MUST be MCYS registered. Kindergartens MUST be MOE registered. There are also many schools who are actually enrichment centres that provide pre-school education and being registered with MOE is optional. If you enrol your child in a childcare, you enjoy some govt subsidies but none for kindys and enrichment centres.

Hi mumtotots, thanks! By the way, is there any difference for these: moe/mycs-approved, moe/mycs-accredited, and moe/mycs-registered??

[mumtotots]

I’m not sure of the different terms you mentioned here as they sound more like for the private (adult) school. For mcys or moe registered schools, you should just see their approval being displayed in a prominent place when you view the school.

[skydreamer]

Thanks mumtotots for quick response. What is your opinion to send kids to those schools that do not register with moe or mcys? and is the pre-school education given by enrichment centres that do not register with moe/mcys well-recognised and well prepare students for primary school?? I am kinda confused because I am not very familiar with singapore system…

[mumtotots]

Hi skydreamer,


To operate childcares, it is mandatory to be registered with MCYS, as with kindergartens (with MOE). When you are registered, I think it gives a sense that there is a proper channel to go to if you have concerns or complaints : ) Being registered also being they have guidlines to adhere to which may also translate to a sense of quality control. I would not be quick to say that the non registered ones to prepare them the childen well. There could be good ones. My personal choice is that you must like the school environment, they curriculum and for me it’s also important the values the pre-school upholds as well as the quality of teachers. I have a personal belief that even if you have a good core currriculum, the teachers will be the human link and they make a direct impact on our children. There should also not be a high turnover of teachers in schools, else your child is just having to get use to diff teachers and their styles. This unsettles them . Where are you from? : )

[skydreamer]

Thanks mumtotots, I had my kindergarden to high school education in malaysia so i am not familiar with the education system here in singapore. Now start to be anxious of getting familiar with the local system for my boys. :oops:


When I look at the schedule for playgroup (for kids < 2.5yo) from different montessori pre-school, i noticed that the montessori work time allocated is quite limited, says only 15-45 minutes in the AM session. If I send my boy to half-day programme, then he will be only have this little amount of time spent on montessori work. The rest of the time just snack, arts & crafts, outdoor play, lunch etc. The rest of the activities seems no much special compared with other non-montessori pre-schools. But the $$ spent is high. So i am considering will i be spending this relatively high amount but just get something which is not much different from the other non-montessori pre-schools?? :roll:

[mumtotots]

Hi,


I can fully understand your concerns, but generally if you enrol in a good MOntessori school even if it’s a 3 hr prog, your child would and should be able to grasp concepts and skills. Sometimes, it’s not the qty of time but even in 45 mins can the school provided constructive play and engaging work. Even if your child is in a fullday childcare, it does not mean that they are ‘studying’ the whole day. Your child is only 2 so if you decide to enrol him now, you’re already giving him an early start so don’t worry about the no of hours of work. Lastly, my personal preference are MOntessori schools, cos their philosophies and learning styles are closest to the way my child learns and I see the difference : )