[Bukit Batok/Chua Chu Kang/Yew Tee] Preschools

[keas]

Hi drumstick, you've got mail

[drumstick]

Thanks keas so much for sharing.

[drumstick]

Just called mulberry and this time the admin picked up. Said they will increase clAss size for n1 to 28! Gosh! Thou they will increase teachers but tik still recruiting. Their centre already so small sigh

[keas]

Haha drumstick, small world, I'm Ashley :lol: :celebrate:

[drumstick]

Hihi Ashley !! Haha!

[sunset_dae]

Hi


Does anyone know there is any good infant care in bukit panjang/jelepang area?

[buds]

keas:

Hi Buds,


Thanks so much for your reply.

You are welcome.

keas:

Actually it does not need to be Montessori school. The important things to me are: caring teachers, good environment, enough play (indoor & outdoor) and good curriculum (prepare well for P1 yet not too hectic). Are they too much to ask for?

Nope. I think it is the standard stuff we're asking for here.

keas:

Hehe my son currently is in the so called \"basement\" centre that you mentioned lol. It is Mulberry

Not basement centre lah.. :lol:

I visited when Wharton was there but it wasn't so enticing. The teachers
were cold and the children were.... quiet. Too quiet. Too well behaved. No
one fidgeted. No one moved out of their chairs. It was dark and gloomy
esp since they didn't turn most of the lights on during my visit. Think it
was an energy conservation movement or some sort. The children were
having lunch so only the pantry area was lit. None of the children were
smiling. It was just a queer feeling entering a childcare premise that isn't
lively and cheerful with natural noise from children hungry and full of
excitement to learn... laughing... goofing... or to put it simply... being the
children that they are. None of the children spoke to me though i tried to
make small talk with a few. The teachers were also almost reluctant to
strike conversation. I felt like i was required to whisper while asking the
administrator my questions. :lol:

Ironically though, the facilities and the IT system they offered impressed
me much and i liked what i saw in their detailed curriculum since they
adpoted the multimedia styled learning.

I guess the energy i got from that visit didn't really make an impact on me
as a fun place for children, so i didn't sign up with them. But i have to give
credit that the centre was extremely clean. As in dust free, i can smell clean
air-conditioning, no food smells, everything was in neat order and yes
children were very well behaved. No rowdiness at all!

I personally prefer ctrs with airconditioning as it is more comfortable, as
long as the place is clean and the ctr has good maintenance of ctrs AND
not too many children, the airconditioning shouldn't pose too much of a
health issue.

keas:

My hubby went to MMI Phoenix before, he was ok with that but I read lots of neg feedback here, and one thing has always embedded in my mind was your reply to s.o that you only mentioned those centers that worth mentioning and it did not included Phoenix haha. Personally shouting at kids is a no-no to us too. I myself do not shout at my kid so I can't live with that.

I do not fancy an aggressive and authoritative kinda teacher, especially
NOT in a Montessori school so to speak. It just does not go down well
with me or i suppose the endearing characteristics that a Montessorian
teacher should ideally have.. Oh well.. we cannot always have what we
seek, aye? Win some lose some? :roll:

keas:

Talking about environment, do you think those 2 storey house is still better than HDB based school? I just want to hear more from you, not a disagreement hehe.

Everyone has a special preference, sweetie. No worries.
I prefer a school to be like a school. Not a house. I'm not so concerned
about outdoor play i guess, cos i brought my girls out almost every single
afternoon when they were of pre-school age. One reason was to get out
of my MIL's hair and the other was to let the children let off steam
run around and have some fun. Plus, when i bring them out to play, i
REALLY play with them. Roll around the ground... slide down poles together
play catching... the works! So... i honestly don't mind centres not
allocating time for outdoor play. The most the teachers do, is just either
stand there and keep watch (some don't even bother :roll:)... or some
catch up on office gossip or family talk... I'd rather play with my own girls
so to speak. I play with the children under my care even when i
was working.. i found it helped me to get to know them better as the
children that they are... get to help them build vocabulary and promote
safe play amongst their peers at the same time. I found it fun to be ard
them. So since i cannot expect another person to be crazy over children
like me, i make do without the compulsory necessity to find a ctr that offers
it.

I focus on the stuff that matters.. :rubhands:

keas:

I myself prefer those private house set-up cos kids would have outdoor space. Isn't it true?

Yes, some parents do naturally like wide open spaces. Mebbe if it is a
single storey bungalow... with air-conditioning... nice playground... clean
and well maintained... i may consider. But i still prefer commercial buildings
so that children have a feel of a real school.

keas:

If I don't mind non-Monte, can you reccommend any other centers? I would have liked Pat's if not for the distance. Last week we went to see Mindchamps but didn't realize they are all franchises. At the particular center we visited, my hubby did not like the operator, saying she's cocky lol (his word). I don't feel that strong but think she's got some attitude. Mindchamps TPY is too far and no way can get a place anyway.

Yup, if i'm snubbed by an operator i'd feel the same way as your hubby.
We are after all customers right?

As for other options.... uhmmm... :idea: Orange Pre-school at the site of
the old SingPost... have you visited? They just opened. How about
Learing Ladder? Got ang moh teachers there... :evil: Last visited i saw
indoor sandbox area and water play area for creative play... a music/gym
room... and a 2-way mirror where you can see your child in action without
causing him/her unnecessary anxiety. But it has been years ago lah.. dunno
if it has changed now.

MMI @ Jurong West Recreation Centre? Depending on the staff you get for
your child, it offers holistic curriculum and should not require external
enrichment on your end since they cover Phonics and Maths curriculum
as well. Last i heard they are full though..

[keas]

Hi Buds,


I heard same thing about Wharton but Mulberry is much brighter and lively. My son joined just 2 months after their opening so it was very good. Now it is also good but there are many more students.

We bring our son out every weekend, to parks or beaches, cos on week days when we meet, it's already evening. You have the priviledge of a SAHM

Is MMI at Bukit Batok alright? Do you have any feedback about them?
Maybe we will visit Orange Tree too, it must be strong in language program, but will need to see how the set-up is.

Oh I suppose you don't know that Learning Ladder is closing down end of this year. Actually some preschools around that area will be shut down due to land development I think.

[buds]

keas:

Hi Buds, I heard same thing about Wharton but Mulberry is much brighter and lively. My son joined just 2 months after their opening so it was very good. Now it is also good but there are many more students.

I presume so. The operator runs the Town 4 Kids @ Jurong East and have
heard many great reviews on the centre plus it always being full house.
The operator is a very lively and cheerful person herself.. :love:
Very down to earth and endearing..

Sun_2010:

We bring our son out every weekend, to parks or beaches, cos on week days when we meet, it's already evening. You have the priviledge of a SAHM

I didn't start out thinking so, but eventually yes... i can see the fruits of my
labour and all those years staying home bonding with my girls. It was years
well-spent. We girls are so tight now. :evil: Hehee.. The love is unbreakable.. :please:

Sun_2010:

Is MMI at Bukit Batok alright? Do you have any feedback about them?

Not visited them before and have not heard reviews on this outlet either.
Can't be of help to you here.. if you do recce, update us here hor?

Maybe we will visit Orange Tree too, it must be strong in language program, but will need to see how the set-up is.

Sun_2010:

Oh I suppose you don't know that Learning Ladder is closing down end of this year. Actually some preschools around that area will be shut down due to land development I think.

Ooh cos of the MRT developments issit? Yah, i shifted out oredi, so not so
in tune with my old area animore. Gotta adjust and reset to my current
environment now. Doing recce for myself as well for myself and my girls.

[keas]

Hi Buds,


Surely I’ll let you know after we view Orange Tree, but dunno when we can do it together, maybe my hb will go down to see first.

My architect friend told me they are building condo at the site of Ten Miles Junction.

Maybe we’ll go to see Amazing Star at BP too. The one at CCK my hb did not like the place.