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

[Elena]

Hi qqmummy


My daughter is 19 months (play group). She is there from 7am - 1pm.

Elena

[autumn82]

Hi there,


anyone knows how are the PCFs at Bishan?

[pandarous]

Hi,


I am thinking to enrol my son (turning 24 months) to Totsville. Anyone able to feedback any recent experience with this learning centre and the teachers?

Recently, I called a few times and been to the centre once, it seems that the founder/principal Serene Lim is not there all theses time. Wonder if she is engaged with other activities or just away for holidays.

Any feedbacks are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Cheers, Pan

[MyMooMoo]

Hi all,


I intend to send DS to Little Footies @ Mei Hwan Drive. They are franchise of Cambridge. I would be grateful if anyone has any good or bad experience is willing to share with me.

Can also pm me..

TIA

[DesertWind]

pandarous:

Hi, I am thinking to enrol my son (turning 24 months) to Totsville. Anyone able to feedback any recent experience with this learning centre and the teachers? Recently, I called a few times and been to the centre once, it seems that the founder/principal Serene Lim is not there all theses time. Wonder if she is engaged with other activities or just away for holidays.

Any feedbacks are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Cheers, Pan

Hi pandarous,

Please see \"greenbean2011\" very detailed feedback on Totsville Montessori on page 19 of this same thread. Dated 7th Jan 2011.

Here is the link:
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=735&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=180

Best regards,

:celebrate:

[pandarous]

Hi DesertWind,


Thanks for your reply. I have read greenbean2011’s comments in this thread before, that is why I wanted to give Totsville a try.

However, my observation during my visit to this centre for a trial session made me wonder if the quality of the centre has changed…

Cheers, Pan

[mng_kl]

Elena:

Hi qqmummy


My daughter is 19 months (play group). She is there from 7am - 1pm.

Elena

Hi Elena,

How much you pay in Candyland? My DD still on WL in MFS... even my elder DD is in the same sch also hv to wait...

[greenbean2011]

hello pandarous,


Serene from Totsville montessori is currently pregnant and on MC. You may leave your mobile contact number behind with her staff, request them to help you convey message for Serene to return your call back.

[greenbean2011]

btw, Serene is not only experienced in teaching montessori, patient and have a special way of handling kids who all love her, but she is also a Principal of kindness and compassion.


she is a rare Principal, hard to find nowadays - the type that truly wants your child to learn, to benefit out of an montessori education. Not the type of Principal who is $ minded, nor profit oriented. She don’t charge a lot, but make sure at the end of the day, your child learn something from her school.

when you talk to her - you can sense her warm sincereity, her energetic energy and passion in educating young kids. Rare gem!

[pandarous]

Hi greenbean2011,


Thanks for your comments.

During my visit to the centre, the teacher and assistant seems quite busy and the children in the playgroup are left with only one aunty. I drove my mother-in-law home after having a brief talk with the teacher, leaving my helper behind with my son. This was observed when the staff did not realize that I have returned to the centre. They seemed a bit under-staff, and the teacher-in-charged keeps running to the office to answer phone calls.

The good points are

1. The class size is relatively small as some of the children do not come in daily.

2. Plenty (really a lot!) of material for the children to play with.

3. They have their own toilet.

The bad points are

1. They don’t screen the children body temperature and cleanse their hands before entering the classroom.

2. The playgroup teachers seem very young and I am not sure are they experienced in handling children with separation anxiety.

3. There was two sessions for the playgroup and we went for the one from 11am-1pm. The small bowls served food for the earlier class are left on top of the shelf at one corner and are easily accessible by the children. My son actually reached out for one because he thought he wanna share food with me. They seem under-staff. (as mentioned above).

I am kind of trusting words of mouth but not sure how beneficially it can be during Serene’s absence. She properly be away for awhile (4-month maternity leaves or so).

We are moving to the vicinity hopefully by the end of this year, right opposite of the centre. Perhaps I would go back again for enrichment courses.

Notes: They don’t have school bus service. Next month, they are raising the fees $10 from $230 to $240, which I feel is reasonable and not expensive.