[Bedok/Katong/Marine Parade/Siglap] Preschools

[vogue_sg]

furcheng:

just joined KS parents as helping my girl (11 months) to find a school when she is 18mths. haven't seen much feedback on Mindchamps @ Katong. Any parents here have feedback on this place?

My daughter is attending Mindchamps @ Katong since she was 17 months. Teachers have to undergo pretty strict training, and so far, my interactions with them is good. Very professional and knows what they are doing. They have a very structured program even for their Playgroup but i personally thinks its too aggressive and can stress both the child and the teacher out.

As such, my daughter changed 3 teachers in 6 months, and she herself does not seem to like going to school at all. But i think it's more an adjustment issue of hers, rather than the fault of the school.

[vogue_sg]

i have a 20-mth old daughter and planning to enroll her at Zee Junior. Anyone has any experience with them? They seem new… so wanted to check for feedback.


My girl is now with Mindchamps for the last 7 months, and she cries like crazy every time i send her to school. Can’t bear for her to continue like this… so looking for alternative.

[furcheng]

Thanks vougue_sg for the contribution


sounds scary that your girl crys everyday when she goes to school. think i should go to the school on the weekdays to see the operation first

sent my girl for the trial class at GUG she cries most of the lesson. think she’ll need to get used to the crowd and going to school

[vogue_sg]

Yes, you should take a look yourself and observe if the kids are happy and interactive. This should give you a good indication. But do have to highlight that space is a constraint there and very limited outdoor play.

[CelineK]

Hello fellow parents,


I’m new to this forum and am getting a little overwhelmed by the 30+ pages for this! So pardon me for posting a Q that prob have been asked over and over here.

I am residing @ Marine Parade and have 2 boys - A 3 Year old & a 5mths old. My 3 year old have never been to school and wondering what are the better recommendations around Marine Parade / Katong area? Because I working so the school have to be within reasonable range for me cus its either my MIL / helper that will be sending my older boy there.

Is it also advisable to send my 3 year old to enrichment? is that too early?

[2R-Mummy]

Could any parents whose child attend MMi@katong kindly give any feedback. I heard k1 and k2 class size could go up to 24 to 2 teachers. Is it a norm? Would they be well prepare for p1 . I saw them using Chinese workbooks that are sell in Popular ,no readers.

[Mum Needs Advice]

:?: Hi all,


I have just joined the Forum, would like to ask everyone for advice, comments , feedback for the following Preschools in East ( Marine Parade/East Coast area.)

Does anyone know a good school to recommend?

My son is in a K1 Childcare now, he goes to YWCA. as I felt that the school is not preparing him very well for Primary 1, I am looking for a good school that balances fun plus academic preparation.

Can anyone please help to advise.

These are the few schools I am looking at

1) Mindchamps ( East Coast)
2) St Hilda's Kindergarden
3) PCF Marine Crescent
4) Pat's School House (Meyer Road)

Any comments regarding above school or anyone with a school to recommend in East Coast Marine Parade area will be good.

Thanks in advance ! Mum Needs Advice

[phtthp]

:welcome: to Kiasu land.


can consider St. Hilda kindergarten - can help prepare yr child academically well for P1.

arrange to visit P - ask to review K1, K2 worksheets for 3 subjects (english, maths, chinese). Also ask P to show you the detailed breakdown curriculum Term by Term.

a) ask - when does the school introduce tingxie, spelling at K1 ?
is it from K1 Term 1, or K1 Term 2 ?

b) ask - when does the school introduce picture composition writing of 5 to 10 lines ? is it from K1 Term 3 onwards, or K2 Term 1 ?

c) ask - in the event yr child fall sick, can thy print another set of worksheets for your child to practise at home, for the lessons that she had missed ?

purpose: to gauge the extent of the school's willingness to co-operate to help yr child in school work, whether the school is sincere or not.

d) ask - what kind of play-based activities does the school incorporate, to try help yr child re-inforce theory concepts learnt and taught in school ?

purpose: to gauge how academic is the school, or how much, to what extent are there meaningful play activities incorporated ? or kids just play and play only, but learn nothing, remember nothing out of those play activities, at the end of the day ?

for external enrichment:-
=================

e) Chinese at St Hilda not enough. Better to send yr child for external enrichment. Possibly choose - Han chinese language centre, or Beijing language centre, or Berries.

f) for Maths - better to send yr child for Montessori Maths enrichment, once a week. Need to ground yr child well in key, fundamental concepts.

may read Primary 1 Maths scenario :-
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12778&start=320

since you live in the East, a good Montessori Maths enrichment centre is - Twinkle Star Montessori, located near Parkway Parade.

look for Principal William (founder). He very good, very patient ! Many parents provide good feedback about him. Twinkle Star is a Montessori pre-school, but also offer enrichment lessons. You can choose weekday (lesser people) or weekend (more crowded).

http://www.tsmontessori.com/

[kittytan]

Hello phtthp, you mention about that the Montessori Maths enrichment from Twinkle Star Montessori is good. How about their Montessori Phonics & Literacy Enrichment programme ? Is it good too? Thanks.

[phtthp]

Montessori Phonics at Twinkle Star Montessori school is also good.

get William to teach, he's patient.

Literacy enrichment - not sure.

actually for Montessori Phonics - you can also try community club (cc). Cheaper. Try teacher Doris Hui. She's good, experienced. She goes to various cc, teach on different days, different time slots.

her website is below.
click under Phonics. She teaches Montessori Phonics - can see the syllabus inside each Module that she taught, at different cc. If you keen, can also see what day & time, which cc she teach at:-

http://www.oneJDL.com

school fees reasonble. If use PA cc passion card to pay, costs around $130 per Term (can't recall one Term is it for 10 or 12 wks).

example:
======
the one where she teaches at Bishan North cc, there are total around 11 kids inside the classroom, all aged N2 - K2 kindergarten.

you may choose the cc located nearest to you.
she also teach at Marine Parade cc, if you stay in the East, plus those cc listed on her website.