[Alexandra/Bukit Merah/Queenstown/Tiong Bahru] Preschools

[jellybnzw]

Hi there,

I read all the posting about Arts Kidz and I found another one close to Arts Kidz. Its called [Moderator's note: Entry removed on request of service provider] and they utilise the Montessori method. And they teach violin and the students do not need to purchase a violin at all.

Well personally for me its only a 10min walk away from my gran's house and the location is convenient. Its located in Radin Mas CC and its on the second floor.

The class rooms are big and spacious with study desks and cubbies. They are also using the CCs music room and there is quite a large outdoor play area.

They advocate teaching children to be independent and be able to do things themselves.

Their sports for the older kids include Aikido. How cool is that.

I personally like the school as the Administrator was quite honest to tell me that her son is in the same school and in the 18 - 2yrs class.

Food wise, they are a organic school, so they try to go organic as much as possible. Healthy way!

I mean give a look at it.

I will be enrolling my girl in this school end of the month to start next year!

[jellybnzw]

I only went to [Moderator's note: Entry removed on request of service provider] and I found that it was quite good.


But I also visited quite a few others as well.

1)Nurture stars
2)cherie Hearts @ CMPB
3)Arts Kidz
4)Carpe Diem @ Russels Rd
5)Superland Montessori
6)Apple Land @ Depot Rd
7)Little Skoolhouse @ the Park
8 )[Moderator's note: Entry removed on request of service provider]

So I think when I put into comparsion, nothing beats how my daughter likes the environment and the curriculum.

I think if you only shorlisted these 5, just bring your child down and visit the school to find out more. My daughter went to visit all 8 schools and she was most comfortable with 2, 3, 7, 8. She was worst with 6, she was crying the minute we went in.

So the deciding factor for me was curriculum, price and her likes.

Lucky for me my favourite happened to be hers as well.

All the best!

[curioxete]

Hi


Thanks a lot for sharing! I am interested in [Moderator's note: Entry removed on request of service provider] as well, but a little concerned that they aren't approved by MOE, nor under MCYS..there was very little discussion in the forum on it too. not sure whether they adhere to Montessori principles such as mixed-age grouping as well..

I've been to a few others too...but thanks, will take your advice and bring my son down to visit.

Just curious, which one did you end up with in the end?

[Darius]

Hi, am looking for pre-nursery where everyday few hours kind of class and not so expensive kind next year when son turns 2. Any recommendation.

[lonerunner]

Hi jellybnzw:

I’m looking for a cc around the area too. Superland Montessori and Little Skoolhouse @ the Park are 2 of my shortlisted cc. How do you find them, in term of syllabus/environment/teachers? Did you visit on a weekday or weekend? Many thanks!

[vicki]

If it helps, have 3 boys -


Oldest K2 is in MMI Surbana (Bukit Merah); 2nd and 3rd is in Cherie Hearts @ Harbourfront (PG1 and PG 2).

So far no problem with these 2 schools. K2 boy was there from 18mths. Both younger bros were there since infant.

In case you are wondering why they are in different schools - Needed to find infant care for ds no. 2 which ds no. 1's school dont have - so ended up at CH @ Hbft. Didnt switch ds no. 1 over to this school cos he was settled into his school liao (so hence didnt see a need to change). When ds no. 3 came along - left at at CH @ Hbft also (becos of the infant care svcs). Continued putting ds no. 2 and 3 there when they are 18mths cos they are used to the environment (so again - didnt see a need to change).

But morning drop off wise - its abit troublesome for us cos we would have to drop at 2 schools!

[vicki]

curioxete:

Hi everybody


I live at Telok Blangah Hts and am currently considering Montessori schools in the area for my soon-to-be 2 year old son. I prefer full-day programs, or at least until 3pm.

I have currently shortlisted the following schools, and would be grateful if anybody could give me any feedback or comments on them before i shortlist them for a visit -

1) Bambini Montessori at Kim Tian

2) [Moderator's note: Entry removed on request of service provider]

3) MMI at Telok Blangah St 32

4) Seedlings Montessori at Dawson

Many thanks in advance

I stay near Kim Tian (and i didnt even know there's a school here!!)

[curioxete]

vicki:

I stay near Kim Tian (and i didnt even know there's a school here!!)

Haha..erm, i think it's at blk 131, at the junction of kim tian rd and jln bt merah.

Sigh, but it seems very obscure and there are few comments on this sch..maybe cos it's new.

[jellybnzw]

curioxete:

Hi


Thanks a lot for sharing! I am interested in [Moderator's note: Entry removed on request of service provider] as well, but a little concerned that they aren't approved by MOE, nor under MCYS..there was very little discussion in the forum on it too. not sure whether they adhere to Montessori principles such as mixed-age grouping as well..

I've been to a few others too...but thanks, will take your advice and bring my son down to visit.

Just curious, which one did you end up with in the end?

I ended up with [Moderator's note: Entry removed on request of service provider].More open and more creativity to their curriculum.

Cheers and all the best to your visits!

[jellybnzw]

lonerunner:

Hi jellybnzw:

I'm looking for a cc around the area too. Superland Montessori and Little Skoolhouse @ the Park are 2 of my shortlisted cc. How do you find them, in term of syllabus/environment/teachers? Did you visit on a weekday or weekend? Many thanks!

Hi lone runner,
I went to both on weekdays. I didn't like Superland cos I found the place quite chaotic. I find the classrooms too small and the food was well, too basic. The outdoor play area was an entire basketball court and they couldn't tell me a simple SOP for accidents and injuries. Neither could they tell me where their nearest clinic in event for minor accidents. If your child is on a half day, then they miss out the chinese programme and in place of the 30mins shower the chinese programme will be held but the regular chinese programme is 1hour! For the Montessori programme they are using, I am not sure which portion is it but I really didn't like the fact that they had kids who were running amok during shower time. I guess too many kids and too few teachers.

If I have to compare the 2 I would say Little Skoolhouse would be my preferred school, as they have a structured programme but what I didn't like was the 100 - 150 extra per month for the enrichment programmes. Which happens during the evening period. It might be value but I have seen the other schools that I visit include it into the curriculum so I was not very keen on the extra.

But they have a very nice outdoor play area and the entire environment was very neat. Only thing was it was too 'academic'. Perhaps I am not too worried about how they will cope in Primary 1. more how she develops as a person.

I hope this helps, if you need more idea perhaps you can pm me or just bring your child down for a visit.

Cheers,