Berries - Discussion

[i3mum]

I see, how do you find Berries for primary level? Is it good? I know its good for pre schools, not sure about primary level. Any feedback?

jedamum:

no. mine is with Bukit Batok.
N2 and P2.

[jedamum]

eliteyap:

Hi

Just would like to check, is Bukit Batok branch a good place to send or Orchard?

I am planning to send my son there. He is now P1.

Any suggestion?

not sure about Orchard's standard, but i go for proximity.
you can always send your boy for trial first.

[Busymom]

For Orchard branch, if your lesson falls on PH, there is no make up for it. They will only give you the materials and worksheet 1 week in advance and the teacher will apparently go through the key points at that time. However, duration of the class remains unchanged, which means that they try to teach more things during the class?


I am very kiasu and I have enrolled ds in both Tien Hsia and Berries. While I agree that Berries have better-looking class materials, I am still unsure how effective they are. No doubt TH teaches fewer number of words at my ds’ level currently, but he could recognise all the words without any revision on my part. I don’t find that in the case of Berries. I wonder if the big class size has anything to do with that.

In terms of make up lessons, if you are the particular type, then Berries at certain locations may not be suitable. Perhaps not all branches are the same. Once, ds was not well and my helper didn’t realise that. The centre asked them to go home instead. In the end, they didn’t even give him the complete set of materials for that day’s lesson. Needless to say, there was also no offer for any make up. When I finally remembered to ask about make up, all classes were full. For TH, I don’t even have to ask for it, they automatically ask you when you would like to go for make up. When lessons fall on PH, they will call you to ask if you can come on another day for make up. If you are not free to go for make up, they will get the teacher to spend about 15 min on solo basis to go through the lesson.

Just my 2 cents.

[prata_queen]

hi


my first post as a ksp member

my dd is 2.5yo and i intend to enrol her in Jan 2011 when she turns 3yo.

3yo is the min age that Berries will accept.

Is 3yo too young, or should i wait till she is 4yo before joining Berries? DD is at a cc where she has daily chinese lessons (45min per day).

thanks.

[i3mum]

Hi prata_queen,


I think 3yo is acceptable. My twins also attended berries when they just turned 3. In fact I find that i should have started them earlier, but as they were year end babies, so when N1 class started, they just turned 2 yo. So I waited until N2, when they just turned 3 yo to start the class.

prata_queen:

hi

my first post as a ksp member

my dd is 2.5yo and i intend to enrol her in Jan 2011 when she turns 3yo.

3yo is the min age that Berries will accept.

Is 3yo too young, or should i wait till she is 4yo before joining Berries? DD is at a cc where she has daily chinese lessons (45min per day).

thanks.

[mum05]

Busymom:

For Orchard branch, if your lesson falls on PH, there is no make up for it. They will only give you the materials and worksheet 1 week in advance and the teacher will apparently go through the key points at that time. However, duration of the class remains unchanged, which means that they try to teach more things during the class?


I am very kiasu and I have enrolled ds in both Tien Hsia and Berries. While I agree that Berries have better-looking class materials, I am still unsure how effective they are. No doubt TH teaches fewer number of words at my ds' level currently, but he could recognise all the words without any revision on my part. I don't find that in the case of Berries. I wonder if the big class size has anything to do with that.

In terms of make up lessons, if you are the particular type, then Berries at certain locations may not be suitable. Perhaps not all branches are the same. Once, ds was not well and my helper didn't realise that. The centre asked them to go home instead. In the end, they didn't even give him the complete set of materials for that day's lesson. Needless to say, there was also no offer for any make up. When I finally remembered to ask about make up, all classes were full. For TH, I don't even have to ask for it, they automatically ask you when you would like to go for make up. When lessons fall on PH, they will call you to ask if you can come on another day for make up. If you are not free to go for make up, they will get the teacher to spend about 15 min on solo basis to go through the lesson.

Just my 2 cents.

which branch of TH and Berries does yr son goes to?
Cld u tell me the difference betwn TH and Berries' teachings? I was told that TH is more for older kids as their teachings are 'drier' and less fun. Is it true? What level is your son at now?
Cld u pm me? Thanks.

[autumnbronze]

prata_queen:

hi


my first post as a ksp member

my dd is 2.5yo and i intend to enrol her in Jan 2011 when she turns 3yo.

3yo is the min age that Berries will accept.

Is 3yo too young, or should i wait till she is 4yo before joining Berries? DD is at a cc where she has daily chinese lessons (45min per day).

thanks.

My DS was slightly below 2 and a half when he joined Berries. They took him in based on the year that he was born

[Busymom]

mum05, have PMed you already.

[jedamum]

i3mum:

Hi prata_queen,


I think 3yo is acceptable. My twins also attended berries when they just turned 3. In fact I find that i should have started them earlier, but as they were year end babies, so when N1 class started, they just turned 2 yo. So I waited until N2, when they just turned 3 yo to start the class.

i3mum,
mine also year end 2006.
half a year makes a lot of difference in terms of maturity of the child. when my boy went for trial in N1, he was not learning, cannot sit still or absorb. at N2, it makes my money more worthwhile.

[autumnbronze]

jedamum:

i3mum:

Hi prata_queen,


I think 3yo is acceptable. My twins also attended berries when they just turned 3. In fact I find that i should have started them earlier, but as they were year end babies, so when N1 class started, they just turned 2 yo. So I waited until N2, when they just turned 3 yo to start the class.

i3mum,
mine also year end 2006.
half a year makes a lot of difference in terms of maturity of the child. when my boy went for trial in N1, he was not learning, cannot sit still or absorb. at N2, it makes my money more worthwhile.

Yes I agree.

I would like to share my experience with Berries.

I would like to highlight that it depends on the individual child as well ie whether the child's has the attention span to absorb the lesson and . Some kids can do that relatively well. The only issue my DS had was separation anxiety and only after switching to yet another centre for the 3rd time was when I finally found one that had caring and committed staff who would automatically take over whenever I sent my DS for lessons. Previously, he would insist that I sit in with him. I persisted with Berries because I like their method of teaching and my DS, despite his fussiness about me being in the class with him, enjoyed and benefitted from the lessons very much.

I do not sit in with him anymore. He goes in independently and happily.

Another thing that I looked out for when sending him to Berries at a young age was the timing (not peak timings) and no of kids (up to about 5 to 8 kids) so that he would not be so overwhelmed as at that point he was not attending pre-sch yet.

PS: the only grouse I have is that parking fees are a 'killer'