[Ang Mo Kio/Bishan/Thomson/Toa Payoh] Preschools

[anxiousmummy]

I think it’s important for us to assess what is or what is not important to us in a childcare centre. My children attend cc in bishan which was full of complaints (mainly due to management) but it did improve and i can now see that things are changing for the better. Also, my children absolutely look forward to going to cc every morning.

[ANANYA]

Mummy_Tang:

[Moderator's Note: Topics merged.]


Hi,

I would like to seek comments/recommendations for a good CCC for my 4.5yr old boy. Currently he attends a 3hrly Nursery class at a Church Kindy via schoool bus and travelling time per day is abt1hr 30mins. I am a working mother so weekends are spent on enrichments and activities, would say very little time for family bonding as I have another15mths old at home.

I would like to find a good CCC with enrichment incorporated so that our weekends are free up for other familiy activitives and myself to do housework(gave up the idea of maid).

I am staying in Toa Payoh Lor8 and as most of the times hubby and myself need to work late and my mum cannot help to fetch as health condition no good and with 2 kids outside cannot handle, so would preferably if the CCC has transport services. Does anyone has a good recommendation?

I know of the following around TPY

1) KInderland @ Safra (no schoolbus) / Music enrichment incorporated
2) NTUC (no schoolbus)
3) The little SchoolHouse (no schoolbus) / Enrichment lessons are on Sat and additional costs.


Does anyone has a good CCC recommendation or any comments on the schools above? Appreciate yr help in advance!

hi dear,

i think i'm very late in replying... there is a CCC in Block 141 Toa Payoh Lor 2... i think it's called Jessin... u might want to try it out....

cheers

[triplejoy]

Hi gcmah123


Thanks for your feedback.

Regards,
Triplejoy

[triplejoy]

Hi gcmah123


I heard the curriculum there is quite academic. Do your kids feel stressed when they were there? How are the teachers there? Are they able to help the weaker ones catch up? How was your kids’ transition from a small class size in kindergarten to a big class in primary school? How do you prepare them?

Regards,
Triplejoy

[georgewong22]

Hi, I am looking to enrol my daughter into a good kindergarten near Bishan St. 11. I wish to enrol her into morning session classes. She is in K1. We know about Zion and PCF but didn’t like them. Chinese mother tongue subject a must.


Any assistance much appreciated.

I have gone through the listing but many are unrated.

Thank you so much.

[buds]

Heyya George,


There has been mention about Sunny Bunny and United Montessori House.
Here are the links for you to check them out. Happy pre-school shopping!

http://www.sunny-bunny.sg/

http://www.unitedmontessorischoolhouse.com/

If you want kindergarten hours like 3-4 hrs, you may inquire if they
have just the academic programme (without the care part of child care
set-up), some centres have that option. Good to find out.

[georgewong22]

Hi Buds,


Where's my coffee?!

Called both centres, they do not accept 3 - 4hours kinder students. They are strictly child care centres.

I am trying to find a good kinder nearest to my house at Bishan St. 11 so even if my daughter needs to commute on the bus, the journey would not be stressing.

Appreciate your help ... as always.

[TassieDevil]

hi george, i’m staying in bishan too. can i know what u dun like abt zion kindergarten? i intended to send my son to zion but was full hence my son is now in pcf nursery. have registered him for k1 in pcf next year. however i just heard from a neighbour that pcf may not prepare the kids well for p1 as compared to zion’s kindergarten. heard that the kids at zion learn more. now wondering if i shd switch next year. i guess there’s not many schools around this area huh?

[georgewong22]

Hi Tassie, this is my experience with the school … quality of education low - my girl learned more when she was in Pre-K. Teachers I spoke to (3 so far), were rude and not courteous. Go visit the school during the children’s assembly time, either before or after school, look and listen, I am sure you will notice the teachers lack passion and enthusiasm. Teachers like to shout. The teacher ignored my daughter’s request to teach her how to write her chinese name. There goes Chinese education. My daughter was crying in class. It took her a week to learn from her brother how to write her name. I raised issue with Mrs. Jasmine Tan, the principal, she was surprised but helpless. My daughter wanted to pray for her health because she was down with the flu and the teacher told her not to. The teachers do not like interacting with the parents, no updates, no news … no nothing. It is however very punctual … start 8:30am and finish on time, not a minute more. Extremely disappointed since Zion isn’t cheap. Lost money as I paid for the term.


Unfortunately besides PCF and Zion, there isn’t any other 3 or 4 hour kinder program around the area. I have heard many good things about PCF but I conclude it depends on the dedication of the teachers of the centre. Block 197 seems like a popular choice. The teachers are more friendly and open. PCF I understand, has a better chinese curriculum.

I cannot do PCF at Block 197 because it’s in the afternoons. I like to do mornings so that my son can be home with his sister. They help each other staying safe. Maids cannot be trusted to be alone with one child.

I just enrolled my daughter into Marymount Kinder at Thomson Road. Very nice schools. Teachers polite and well mannered. Has a small pool and 2 playgrounds. However it’s a class of 30 pupils. They offer IT classes too. So far so good, Monday is going to my daughter’s 1st. day, wish me luck. The school bus will cost me $75 per month and I have to pay even for the holidays & breaks.

Good luck.

[TassieDevil]

oh dear. i went to zion before last year but unfortunately the children were out on an excursion. my hubby went on another occassion but he ultimately decided on pcf becos of this teacher (my son's current form teacher who is really good). for next year, i don't know if my son will get back this teacher. now that i heard from a neighbour abt her experience with the education & teachers in k1 & k2, i'm just not too sure if i shd switch. & yes, heard that in the past the teacher's turnover rate was quite high too. but now with a new principal, i'm not sure if it's good & i shd let my son continue... :?