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

[lady_love]

Hi all… my daughter has just turned 18 months and my husband and i thought its time send her to childcare, at least she will get exposed and meet other children instead of being stuck at home, and it will give my MIL a break!!


We were looking at United Montessori schoolhouse… anyone sending their kids there??

I called up they are full at the mo, but i am thinking of making an appoint to go see the place and ask some questions!!

Goldfish you mentioned not all the teachers were trained, that doesn’d sound right to me, as smurf mentioned maybe those who are not trained are assistant teachers being trained, im sure Montessori teachers MUST be trained before joining Montessori schools?

Im thinking of sending my daughter half day prob in the evening!! Im very new to this whole childcare thing… and im still trying to figure it whats the difference between modern montessori and other montessori’s ??

[goldfish1395]

Hi Smurf! Ermm... We are paying $610 after subsidy which includes Kindermusic class. It is not exactly ex as compared to the atas sch but comparing with MFS at $300+, it is almost twice more ex. Actually i am quite ok with the sch until recently, we went for an open house in a montessori sch (not exactly near bishan but off CTE near those bungalow) and upon comparing, i realized that eh, i dun see it in UM and yet the price difference is a mere $50?


That sch has PERSONALIZED tracking of the child progress in montessori programme. I even saw the principal showed me how the teachers keep track whether KID A or B has mastered the alphabet or the montessori toolbox tat is categorized by color. And for Nursery size, it has a class size of less than 10? For UM, there are 30+ students and i ever posed the qn how many Montessori trained teachers they have and they 'prata' the reply by not telling me specifically how many but eleborating they have OTJ training by the Trained montessori teachers. But from my understanding (wich may be wrong), i think probably only 20% are Montessori trained? But the reason why we din switch to that sch is because TOO FAR from home as we do not have a car. I have asked UM whether do they have such tracking on students progress, they told me nope but they are working on it for something similiar (which i am still waiting)

Ladylove, go and make an appt! The sch is very nice in appearance. I love the spacious feel. It is a very lively place which we like it as well. You can either talk to Maggie or Dennis but Dennis will be a more PR oriented which will give you PR answers

But having said all that, it is hard to find a perfect school esp within walking distance from home. Arghh...

[MyMooMoo]

Elena:

Hi mng_kl


We are paying $340 per month for Carmen to attend Candyland CC half day.

Regards
Elena

Hi Elena,

I have send you a pm.. Can you share with me your experience with Candyland?

[Elena]

Hi MyMooMoo,


Please see your PM. Hope this helps.

Elena

[pinkapple]

elchwong:

Hi littlehelper,


1) Reached at about 8am ...

All these are observed when I'm there....what happens if I'm not there???

which school is this, please?

[pinkapple]

goldfish1395:

... until recently, we went for an open house in a montessori sch (not exactly near bishan but off CTE near those bungalow) and upon comparing, i realized that eh, i dun see it in UM and yet the price difference is a mere $50?


That sch has PERSONALIZED tracking of the child progress in montessori programme. I even saw the principal showed me how the teachers keep track whether KID A or B has mastered the alphabet or the montessori toolbox tat is categorized by color. And for Nursery size, it has a class size of less than 10? ..

which school is that, please, Goldfish?

am looking for a childcare for my baby when she turns 18mths next year.

our elder son just joint united monte last year.
we're not exactly pleased with the school.
my hubby said he will NOT recommend the school to others.

our main issue with the school - lack of discipline and supervision.

Kids can run amok or out of the main area and teachers don't even know. a few times, we saw one or two children outside the main area at the reading area or even at the sofa near the door and nobody knows.

A few times my son wet his clothes because he and/or his friends were playing water in the toilet and the teachers didn't even know.

Once, I witness a two boys getting into a fight and by now u should have guessed - no teacher was around until one new young teacher happened to walk by and I motioned her to the boys. She appears clueless as to what to do. Good things the boys stopped.

if you must know what's good about them - they do teach phonics well and I'm happen that my son can read quite a bit now at K1.

Also love the reading area and reading culture there.
wait time = reading time.

my son is now k1 so we're not sure if a change of school will be good.
opinions, any1?

[smurf]

Hi goldfish,


May I know where is the sch that you mentioned? Can PM me if u r uncomfortable.

[goldfish1395]

Hi Smurf and Pinkapple, ermm.. i cannot recall the name leh! I try to google it bt alas.. oso cannot find! I hope they will put mailer in my mailbox next time!! Sorry leh


But Pinkapple, i share the same views on the lacking of supervision which results in mishap in sch tat i dun want to elaborate here. There are too many new teachers (which i have no idea how committed they are) and most of them look quite 'spaced-out'.

Based on the current situation, i am not confident to see through my kids over the K1/K2 stage actually. Have u seen their K2 works so far for a guage?

The only thing i like abt the sch is there is no TV! Kids are encouraged to play with toys or read books while waiting for parents to fetch them.

[smurf]

Ha? Cannot recall name ah? Then what about the address leh? Or maybe tell us specifically nearer to where which buidling?

[goldfish1395]

Hi Smurf


Okok.. because of ur keen-ness, i go map.gov.sg to find the exact location agar agar and i found this link!!!

http://singapore.locanto.sg/ID_113424637/OPEN-HOUSE-ON-12th-MARCH-2011-T-UNITED-WORLD-EDUCATION-GROUP.html

It is called T-United World Education? Strange.. no montessori is mentioned in the sch name! No wonder i google like mad and i cannot find it! But it is not accessible for those wif no car lo...