All About Montessori

[buds]

Joeyz18:

Buds, u live in the west too? Can give recommendation on the Montessori Sch in Bt panjang, Cck area?

Nope Joeyz, not anymore. I've just recently shifted up North.

I've only seen these few within CCK and BP.

> Amazing Star Montessori CC (Jelapang @ Greenridge Shpg Ctr)
> Went there when they were newly opened. Clean. Lively environment.
> No food smells from kitchen. Laminated floors. Good safetly features.
> Good operator. Good Chinese lao shi who also plays piano during the
> music session. Did not get to see curriculum.

> Ichiban Montessori CC (Palm Gardens)
> Didn't really have good impression of school. A little noisy.
> Didn't feel like asking that much questions either. A little warm as well.

> MMI 10 Mile / Phoenix Walk (BP)
> High fees. Excellent complete curriculum. Not impressed with a few staff
> during visit. Crowded hence a little on the noisy side. Good Chinese
> teachers.

> Tulip Montessori (CCK/Yew Tee)
> Experienced and knowledgable operator, who also runs some of the
> classes. High fees. Very very clean & have strict hygiene expectations.
> Lower child:teacher ratio. High quality Montessori materials. Beautiful
> laminate flooring & ctr set-up. In-ctr toilet (very clean). Open concept
> and very welcoming. Didn't get to see curriculum.

But these are highly my personal opinions at the point of my visit.
You still need to visit the centres yourself to gauge the needs for
your children. Centres may have also changed staff from when i
last visited. Fees may have changed as well. My suggestion for 1st
time recce... without child(ren). After shortlisting the ones you like,
bring your child(ren) and if the option of doing trial lessons are
available, i say go for it. Hope this helps somewhat in giving
you a headstart.

Regards, buds.

[kup1pi]

Hi,any1 wt kid at MMI @Pinnacle?any feedbck?tks

[Joeyz18]

buds,


tks for reply, for the above you mentioned, all i had liaise b4, hehe! i also one kiasu mummy, lol

ichiban - the environ a bit old and i think they are not v strict in terms of health checks when entering sch. (my own opinion)

yet to visit amazing star and sch also full til next yr, and fees is reasonable i think.

MMI- i don’t the environment as well…

[buds]

Yup, i find Amazing Star the most reasonable by far.

Too bad though i didn't have a chance to go through
the curriculum then. I guess being more established
now after more years in the industry, they should've
gao tim that part already.

[isabella.026990zola]

Hi buds,


Wow! Thanks for posting such a comprehensive list of montessori centres, I am wondering if all montessori centre use the same teaching methods? How do you know this centre is a good ‘montessori’ centre?

[buds]

Hi isabella.zola, naah.. i dun think that's a comprehensive listing yet.

There were still a few more centres i've yet to visit back then. But i
didn't cause eventually i did the Montessori teaching for my own
children and saved the bomb on the fees for 2 children at one
go. Best decision ever. :lol: Method wise shouldn't be too
much of a difference i would say, just how the ctrs run their
pgrms & how the directresses manage their classroom
routine. ie. Some run childcare centres others run
only enrichment and a few others.. kindy set up
but using the Montessori Method of teaching.

As for how to tell if it is a good Montessori centre... hmmm... :idea:
Teachers are lively.. children are happy at work.. children are
allowed freedom within limits as much as possible.. a good
curriculum to follow up all the hands-on activities.. and of
course... preferably somewhere not too pricey. :lol:

My Muslim friends like Hanis Montessori. They cover the standard
Montessori teachings on top of Islamic teachings. Fees are also
quite reasonable last i heard. Like $200 per mth for 3hrs daily
lessons. I say that is really a steal for quality Montessori
education.

[superdaddy000]

Hi vlt142


Thanks.

I surf net and check before going down to visit the school, most require us to make appointment.

Visited the following:

GreenField Montessori $500
Environment Good, no aircon
Teacher Student ratio Good
Curriculum Good
Vacancy available for PG

Ichiban Montessori $380
Basement classroom for K1/K2 has a smell, aircon environ., noisy
Teacher Student ratio Ok
Teachers....
Curriculum Ok
Vacancy available for PG

Amazing Star Montessori $450
Environment Good, fully aircon
Teacher Student Ratio Ok
Curriculum Good
No vacancy for PG

vlt142:

Hi superdaddy,

I understand tt the difficulties for working parents to spend time & leave for looking for a suitable cc / preschool. Perhaps u can try goggle map singapore to search suitable cc nearer to ur living place. In the goggle map, it shows the contact details & add of the cc / preschools. This is the way i look for preschool for my daughter. I will check the details fr internet & make a call before a visit to a preschool. It saves me time & travelling journey.

Good luck to ur search.

[MLJ]

buds:

Yup, i find Amazing Star the most reasonable by far.

Too bad though i didn't have a chance to go through
the curriculum then. I guess being more established
now after more years in the industry, they should've
gao tim that part already.

Hi buds,

I noticed that you really know what you are talking about whether it is for
childcare or phonics, are you doing any preschool enrichment yourself?

I would like my DD to read better, I was thinking of I Can Read, do you have
any recommendations? TIA!!

[phankao]

Hi, Buds, regarding your reply to my query about Parent/child montessori workgroups, I sent you a PM. Did you see it?


Thanks!

[buds]

Ops phankao, yes i saw. Will reply you now..

I'm very slow with PM replies. More chatting
over the forum with you guys.