[Hougang/Punggol/Sengkang] Preschools

[mrswongtuition]

Advocator:

I cite another example using my sister's kids. Both of them have been through play-based learning and when they reached primary school, my sister admitted that it was challenging for them to adapt to the school curriculum and had to spend the next one year trying to bring both kids' competencies on par with the 'norm' at school. This is sad but a true fact.
There is really no right or wrong in whichever system we choose for our children. It is a MATTER OF PREFERENCE of the parents for our kids and our OWN INTERNAL BELIEFS to which system works best for them. No one knows our children better except us, as parents.

I watch the struggles of primary & secondary school kids on daily basis. I have to agree. It's a sad fact. Our system is such and it will take time to change, not during our kid's generation.

From my observations, kids used to a 'play based' environment will have adaptation problems.

I do wish that my boy can learn through play (which is what we do at home), but a sad fact remains that it will take very long for primary & secondary school education to be similar to play-based approach, allowing the child to discover and learn through experience.

Being the ultra KS parent, I enrolled him in a very academic pre-school with worksheets from 2nd week of school onwards & reading tests every week for both language (he is 3yo this yr, N1).
However, he gets all the play-based learning at home and through enrichment classes which he loves. He can distinguish between SCHOOL (for strict learning) and PLAY (for fun and entertainment).

I don't believe in depriving a child from playtime and self-discovery, but I feel that it's better done at home, with parents to encourage family bonding. Play dates can be easily organized with cousins or neighbours/friends. Even simple trips to the supermarket are 'hidden lessons' for my boy! Counting, names of items, counting money, etc!

Yet, I feel compelled as a parent, to ensure that he will not have the 'adaptation lag' when he enters formal schooling, thus the decision for an academic pre-school. To prevent a 'culture shock' when he starts getting homework and assessments in primary school.

Every child is different and different kids will also have different preference and learning styles. I think parents should decide what they want for their child. While we can give views and suggestions, we cannot force all parents to think the same way and want the same for their kids

[Advocator]

Insider wrote:
[quote]I can proudly say 100% of the kids (with no special needs ones) in my centres,[/quote]I finally see that you are an operator of a centre. That explains the details.

[Fuzz]

I think it’s important for kids to learn thru play. We don’t want to kill their interest for learning. i always find it such a joy to see my boy’s face light up when he makes some new discovery. we encourage him to do little experiments n to just enjoy hands-on learning.


but of course, there must be some balance with academic, so that they don’t have problems adjusting to primary sch. and i also feel it’s important for the childcare/kindy to enforce some level of discipline n structure.

my nephew attended a ctr that gave the kids alot of free play n there was minimal structure. he had alot problem adapting to pr sch. he was such a bright kid. so much potential. but now he’s still struggling in sch. and he’s already in pr 6. part of it is also becos of insufficient parental support. but i believe that his yrs of unstructured education (from age 2 to 6+) had a big part to play as well.

so for me, what’s important is balance. with a bit more emphasis on play. i’m no expert in this field but that’s just my two cents worth as a parent.

[Fuzz]

i’m also quite concerned abt the quality of childcare in some ctrs. when i was searching for childcare for my son, i visited quite a few places and some were quite dim and messy and the staff seemed disorganised. which made me worry abt whether they would do a gd job caring for the kids!


problem with punggol is too much demand n not enough supply, so maybe some ctrs just get away with poor standards cos parents have no choice… After being put on a few waiting lists n seeing some poor quality ctrs in punggol, i’m now sending my boy to little skool house in cbd as it’s near hubby’s office. and we are quite happy with it so far!

[blur1]

Hi,


am looking for childcare for my boy in Punggol and has short listed Kids' Kingdom @ Centre Christian Church and Intellect Monte Pal Skoolhouse @ Twenty- Fourth Avenue. May i know if any one here send your kids there and would appreciate some feedback. Do your kid enjoy there?

Understand that Intellect Monte is montessori base, how's the teaching? Do you face mosqitoes problem since it's right at the end of Punggol?

thanks :?

[shers]

hi all,


i’m new here… i’m searching for 2-3hrs playgroup for my current 15mth old todder. intend to put her there when she turns 18mths… any recommended places near Kovan Station (need walking distance). thanks!

[blur1]

blur1:

Hi,


am looking for childcare for my boy in Punggol and has short listed Kids' Kingdom @ Centre Christian Church and Intellect Monte Pal Skoolhouse @ Twenty- Fourth Avenue. May i know if any one here send your kids there and would appreciate some feedback. Do your kid enjoy there?

Understand that Intellect Monte is montessori base, how's the teaching? Do you face mosqitoes problem since it's right at the end of Punggol?

thanks :?

anyone?? really need some feedback / comments. thanks

[miffy_ang]

Hi, I’m looking for a preschool for my daughter in punggol. I’ve shortlisted a few, anyone with feedback on them? I’m looking for one that teaches both English and Chinese, any idea if the montessori school teaches chinese?


1)Dayspring Kindergarten
2)Wunderkind - heard its for 18 mths to 4 yrs old, is it true there’s no K1 & K2 classes?
3)Shekinah Montessori
4)Bridges Montessori
5)Tumbletots Canopy

[mrswongtuition]

Tumbletots canopy has moved out of punggol plaza.

Nearest is tampines.

[mum2jj]

mrswongtuition:

From my observations, kids used to a 'play based' environment will have adaptation problems.

I don't believe in depriving a child from playtime and self-discovery, but I feel that it's better done at home, with parents to encourage family bonding. Play dates can be easily organized with cousins or neighbours/friends. Even simple trips to the supermarket are 'hidden lessons' for my boy! Counting, names of items, counting money, etc!

Sorry, I couldnt help but add my 2cents worth becoz I think some of you have missed the point here, play dates with cousins and neighbours are not the same as learning through play. We have just returned from China which is more academically focused than us and the dire consequences have only just begun to surface. A/W, the main thing I want to share is my boy attended 3yrs of CC in China operated by a taiwanese franchise adopting U.S., Japanese, Chinese and taiwanese curriculum and the way they taught Chinese is through lotsa flashcards, but no ting-xie! But parents are asked to reinforce what their child learnt every week thru' certain parent & child activities at home and I am very impressed with the results. My boy's ability to recognise Han-zi is superb and now that he is attending Singapore K2, he breezes thru' ting-xie everyweek even though he has never done any ting-xie before.