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

[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,

[vicki]

curioxete:

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.

It must be a very new one! My dad lives in Blk 130 (and i actually lived there for 20+ yrs before moving out to just the opp road) and i never ever saw a CC there!

At 131, there's a dental clinic, ma-ma shop, doctor clinic and some other small shops. Where is this CC? :?

Maybe i will walk past there tomorrow to chk it out.

Hmm.... there's a CC within walking distance BUT i actually sent my kids to harboufront n BM central cos never even know this place existed!!

[curioxete]

vicki:

curioxete:

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.

It must be a very new one! My dad lives in Blk 130 (and i actually lived there for 20+ yrs before moving out to just the opp road) and i never ever saw a CC there!

At 131, there's a dental clinic, ma-ma shop, doctor clinic and some other small shops. Where is this CC? :?

Maybe i will walk past there tomorrow to chk it out.

Hmm.... there's a CC within walking distance BUT i actually sent my kids to harboufront n BM central cos never even know this place existed!!

http://www.bambinimontessori-childcare.com/index.php?action=page&page=20
here's the webpage.
i read somewhere else that it just opened in jul 2009, and it takes up two floors. do let me know what you think if you do go check it out!

[lonerunner]

Hi jellybnzw:

Many many thanks for the feedback! Actually we shared the same thoughts on superland. The younger toddlers dun get a chance to go outdoor playarea often, maybe one or twice a week. Reason provided - scared they hurt themselves. scratch head I dun really agree with this idea. I tot the teachers are supposed to watch the kids if they scare they will fall down.

I dun really like the idea of forking out extra for additional activities at Little Skool Hse either, although I like the environment there. but walking distance to/from mrt is also a consideration as it is abt a 10min walk away.

Am looking at Cambridge Dev Centre @ Tanglin currently. If worst case no good CC in the area, I’ll just put her to bright kids @ leng kee cc juz for convenience. haiz. tough tough choices.

[jellybnzw]

lonerunner:

Hi jellybnzw:

Many many thanks for the feedback! Actually we shared the same thoughts on superland. The younger toddlers dun get a chance to go outdoor playarea often, maybe one or twice a week. Reason provided - scared they hurt themselves. *scratch head* I dun really agree with this idea. I tot the teachers are supposed to watch the kids if they scare they will fall down.

I dun really like the idea of forking out extra for additional activities at Little Skool Hse either, although I like the environment there. but walking distance to/from mrt is also a consideration as it is abt a 10min walk away.

Am looking at Cambridge Dev Centre @ Tanglin currently. If worst case no good CC in the area, I'll just put her to bright kids @ leng kee cc juz for convenience. haiz. tough tough choices.

I heard that there is one at Queenstown the PCF is not too bad as well as Dawson seedlings. Cos I heard the Cambridge Dev Centre is quite ex.

All the best!

[lonerunner]

Many many thanks jellybnzw! Will take a look at the centres that you'd mentioned! School fees for Cambridge is currently at $1.1k before subsidy for full day cc, so end up should be around $800, but is still a good $300 more than Bright Kids. haiz.