Preschool Curriculum

[Funz]

Starling:

Hi

I was sourcing for a kindergarten recently & was glad to come across this topic. Just to share.I went to a nearby kindergarten to enquire on the following and got the following responses:

I ask for sample of K1/K2 works and was informed that all works were returned to students. Upon enquiring on the curriculum, I was given a very brief/basic guide (all verbal) such as:
N2 - learning alphabets, simple numbers
K1 - phonics, Maths (no subtraction or addition, just simple numbers)
K2 - spelling etc. (Didn't elaborate)

When prompt further on what kind of thematic program it follows, I was informed that the curriculum is written from a established organisation(from the long history, i agree that its establish), but it is not provided to parents. The teachers were given the flexibility of going with the flow of what interest the students at K2 level.

When prompt further on the qualification of teachers, the MOE guidelines come into picture.
There are some niggering thoughts in me after having spoken to the principal. Response is very superficial although the principal seems to be quite nice. I am not really sure of what a curriculum should be (but its unlike Berries where they are able to show you what they have). Any comments on the principal's comments?

I am still contemplating but there is only 1 available vacancy.
Considering that my son will be in K1 next year, my sourcing around seems to be very late and there aren't many kindergarten with available places.

My son is currently in childcare now and I wanted to switch him to a proper kindergarten as well as having the luxury of spending more time at home before he starts Pri 1 in a few years time.

Hi Starling,

Sorry to just butt in here. But I am curious. Do you have any issues with how your son is progressing in his current childcare? If not, why not just switch him to a 1/2 day or flexi programme?

[whyme]

Hi All

need some advise from U all experience parents. I am currently a working mother of 2, (3 1/2 years old and 9mths old). My girl currently in Nursery at PCF, next year when she is in K1 and my younger boy 18mths, I am thinking of enrolling both of them to a full time childcare. Reason is
1) For my girl, 1/2 day learning in the morning, but in the afternoon, she just watch TV and I find she will be very lonely at home alone just with my mum and nobody to play with her,
2) As my mum takes care of her, she tends to be very protective, when I compare her with her peers, I found she is not independent at all. She still needs to be feed, whereas I see my collegues kids who is in full time child care, can already eat by themself at this age

however, if I enroll both of them to child care, my maid will be very free but I can’t get rid of my maid cause my hb usually needs to travel very frequent and I need a helper during the weekend

Any advise?

[cloubhappy.05320live.05320com]

hi whyme


one suggestion:

enrol in a full day kindergarten. That would be about 6 hrs from abt 9am to about 3. By the time, she reach hm. She may most probably takes a nap ard 4 to 5 and u will be home very soon by evening?

[Funz]

consider full day for your older one now and 1/2 day for your younger one when he is about 2yrs old.


That way, your maid has the morning to do her chores b/4 your younger one is due home. Then pick your girl up by about 5pm which is about the time that most activities will end in childcare centres.

[foreverj]

YingYing:

Hi Buds

I've read some of your really informative & insightful views - many thanks!

Can i ask you if you have heard of St Hilda's Kindergarten along East Coast area? Would you by any chance know if the curriculum is any good ? Care to share your view please ?

I will of course of making a trip down the kindy to have a look & also to speak with the Principal (so far i only managed to speak with the Admin - prefer to speak with Principal) but i would also like to solicit views from people in the know... So if u can share a view or 2 on St Hilda's Kindergarten, that\"ll ve greatly appreciated. many Thanks.

my ex-manager's son used to attend this kindy. at k2, their ting xie is quite tough. eg. tu zi xi huan chi luo bo (the rabbit likes to eat carrot). my ex-manager had to tear his hair every tues/wed night when he goes home and tests his son's ting xie. he said it was a heart-wrenching once a week affair. but he did mention his brother's son who also attends the same school really blossom and flourish under the system as he's smarter by nature.

my take is, it's a school that will probably prepare the child well for p1 academically. but of course parent must do your part too. pls also note this is an anglican (christian) kindergarten n hence i believe they impart christian values to the children. so this wil be a plus point for u if u r a christian.

sometimes even speaking to the principal may not b the same as asking for parents whose kids attend the school. the principal may not be very eloquent at selling the school. the teachers may be good so try to also solicit feedback from parents sitting outside the school waiting to pick up their kids for their honest opinion.

do share your views after the visit

[Mrsbongz]

Hmm.. I've been thinking if I should change my son to a different cc or to send him for enrichment class... Reading so many wonderful posts and contributions have given me quite a lot to consider.. My kids are actually very happy at their childcare, and I like the environment as well as their learning- thru- play approach... But my older boy (K1) is not able to catch up with his peers, and the teachers' command of english isn't that good... in a dilemma now.. quite worried that he is not well prepared for P1..

[octbride]

Insider and All are welcome


Would like to check with you which schools are better. Very lost nw
1. Lorna Whiston
2. Pat
3. Maris Stella
4. St James

[Starling]

Hi Buds,


Thanks. In the end, i decided to give that school a miss and personally i think a half-hearted principal with no passion in her job will not be able to motivate the teachers as well…

Hi Funz,
I am still letting him continue with his current childcare because I don’t wish to switch if I can’t find a kindergarten that i am comfortable with. The reason for enrolling my son in a kindergarten is because I wish to let him have the routine of a school environment.

However, as time goes by, I realise that vacancies are slowly being filled up. I think I have to go back to this project & do some research after stopping at the peak of H1N1 outbreak then.

[Starling]

Octbride


Can understand the dilemma because there had been reviews on some of them.

I personally think that its best to go down & see for yourself the environment first, speak to the principal, etc…by the end of it, you will be able to trust your instinct and narrow down your choices…

But of course, if you had already done that, then I think you need a second opinion…bring your kids along and see how the teachers interact with them, if possible.

[sean wife]

Hi insider,


Do you have any knowledge on the cirriculum at Little Skool House? My 2-yrs old tots have just started to attend the school last week. Understand that they use the approach of reading a book and expanding into other activities based on that book. Letter sounds is only introduced at N2. If my kids already have reasonably good knowledge of letters and their sounds, do you think they are better off in a kindergarten which starts with phonics in N1? Overall, what is your impression of LSH?

Thanks for your advice.