[Geylang] Preschools

[Carolina]

Hi all,


I’m currently trying to decide between Kyra Preschool and Metro-Y Child Care @ Sims (YMCA) for my boy. Anyone who still have kids there right now and can provide some feedback?

Thanks.

[looney]

Carolina:

Hi all,


I'm currently trying to decide between Kyra Preschool and Metro-Y Child Care @ Sims (YMCA) for my boy. Anyone who still have kids there right now and can provide some feedback?

Thanks.

I also encounter the same problem as you few years back.
I am also trying to decide whether to enrol my child to either of the school which you have mention.
But after viewing these 2 center,I decided to enroll my 2 kids in Kyra. Because the 1st impression given to me and my kids are very good, clean and organize. Even though my elder one no longer in Kyra as he has already move on to P1, but he miss the center very much.
Btw have you visit this 2 center yet?

[Carolina]

looney:

Carolina:

Hi all,


I'm currently trying to decide between Kyra Preschool and Metro-Y Child Care @ Sims (YMCA) for my boy. Anyone who still have kids there right now and can provide some feedback?

Thanks.

I also encounter the same problem as you few years back.
I am also trying to decide whether to enrol my child to either of the school which you have mention.
But after viewing these 2 center,I decided to enroll my 2 kids in Kyra. Because the 1st impression given to me and my kids are very good, clean and organize. Even though my elder one no longer in Kyra as he has already move on to P1, but he miss the center very much.
Btw have you visit this 2 center yet?

Hi looney,

Thanks for your comments. Care to share why you decide to pick Kyra instead of Metro-Y?

Also, which primary school is your elder son in now? Is he able to follow the lessons? Hope you don't mind me asking.

Yes, I have visited both centres.

Kyra:

Spoken with Albert twice, once when I visited the centre, another time on the phone just an hour ago. Find him friendly but not very flexible - everything I asked, he seems to insist that his way is the right way, to the extent that I'm not sure whether he's just being honest or arrogant. Of course, he puts everything in a very nice way, but when I think about the things he says, I get the sense that, despite the friendliness, the underlying message is that he runs his centre his way & you can either take it or leave it. However, having said that, I also get the impression during my visit that a lot of emphasis is put into getting the kids well-prepared for P1, which is one of my top most concern, but at the same time, I'm worried about putting too much pressure on the kids. I actually don't like the idea of spellings/ting xie but I know both centres have them.

Metro-Y:

They seem more accomodating to me, although I have to admit that it may not be completely to the benefit of the child (from some of the stories the teacher who attended to me told me). Centre seems to be bigger with more space for the children as well as seems more brightly-lit & cleaner. More flexibility towards children who might need longer nap-time in the afternoon. Concern is whether the children will be well-prepared for P1, although the teacher assured me that the kids learn to write in full-sentences by K2. However, she did confirm to me that they do not teach the kids Han Yu Pin Yin, as MCYS/MOE do not encourage kids to learn it before P1. Nevertheless, this is of less importance to me as I can teach it to my kids myself (I'm quite good at it :oops: ). Another concern is it's Christian-based and my hubby doesn't like the idea of the religion linkage. (The teacher did advise that there're Christian songs being played during the morning singing/dancing session too, other than the usual children's songs.) He's worried about brain-washing & stuff...

Actually, my top choice is another school, but they do not have available space for my boy, so I'm trying to decide between this 2 now. Still undecided... Haiz...

[looney]

For my child I think most probably was because when Albert’s wife was explaining and answering to my questions with regards to school matter, the teacher ask my 2 kids to join their class for lesson. The kids had fun time doing worksheets, story telling and snacks together with other kids which I think has won over my child…haha

As for my side, I looked through those worksheets which the kids have done and understand that they really prepare the kids well for P1 and also the size of the class which is only 7 kids for the K2 class.

My experience with Kyra was they really prepare my son well for P1 not only in terms of academic but also confidence as they do have show and tell. My son was those type whom got stage fright but we were surprised he is able to stand on stage in front of all parents during the graduation ceremony to have his graduation speech done confidently.
In additional, my son starts doing P1 works when he is in K2 thus when he enter P1 this year, he doesn’t have any problem catching up on his studies and P1 work is fine for him as those that he learnt in Kyra are much more difficult than P1 work. Frankly speaking, the Spelling and Tingxie that was given are quite tough.
I am not sure if hanyu pinyin are not encouraged. But I still think we shl start on Hanyu Pinyin as many of my son’s classmates are having problem with hanyu pinyin since they did not learn the basic in K2…thus they are struggling very hard on that.
After surviving for one semester together with my son, I find that P1 school work is very stressful, they already start doing comprehension and composition, parents are given holiday homework too during the school holiday to help children prepare their show and tell after school re-open.

Btw,my son is currently in Geylang Methodist. Btw, how old is your child now?

[Carolina]

looney:

For my child I think most probably was because when Albert’s wife was explaining and answering to my questions with regards to school matter, the teacher ask my 2 kids to join their class for lesson. The kids had fun time doing worksheets, story telling and snacks together with other kids which I think has won over my child..haha

As for my side, I looked through those worksheets which the kids have done and understand that they really prepare the kids well for P1 and also the size of the class which is only 7 kids for the K2 class.

My experience with Kyra was they really prepare my son well for P1 not only in terms of academic but also confidence as they do have show and tell. My son was those type whom got stage fright but we were surprised he is able to stand on stage in front of all parents during the graduation ceremony to have his graduation speech done confidently.
In additional, my son starts doing P1 works when he is in K2 thus when he enter P1 this year, he doesn’t have any problem catching up on his studies and P1 work is fine for him as those that he learnt in Kyra are much more difficult than P1 work. Frankly speaking, the Spelling and Tingxie that was given are quite tough.
I am not sure if hanyu pinyin are not encouraged. But I still think we shl start on Hanyu Pinyin as many of my son’s classmates are having problem with hanyu pinyin since they did not learn the basic in K2…thus they are struggling very hard on that.
After surviving for one semester together with my son, I find that P1 school work is very stressful, they already start doing comprehension and composition, parents are given holiday homework too during the school holiday to help children prepare their show and tell after school re-open.

Btw,my son is currently in Geylang Methodist. Btw, how old is your child now?

Thanks for the info.

Yes, I do get the sense that P1 is really tough nowadays, that's why I'm being very careful in choosing which childcare to place my kids in. However, I'm still considering whether the curriculum alone is enough of a reason for me to place my boy with Kyra. Personally, I seriously do not like the idea of throwing all rights & responsibilities as a mother out the window just because Albert thinks he knows best. At the end of the day, the kids are still MY kids. If I'm happy to do that, then I might as well continue leaving my kids with my in-laws (They are ex-teachers so more or less knows what is the expectations for P1.) instead of looking for a childcare for my boy now. Sorry to sound mean, but the more I think about it, the more I don't like Albert's attitude.

Anyway, my boy will be turning 2 next week, and my baby girl just turned 7 months this week. Another reason for looking for a good childcare for my boy now is 'cos I'll be putting my girl in the same place when she's 2. My hubby & I have also more or less decided that we'll be sending the kids to Maha Bodhi School, as I'm an old girl (therefore confirm can get place) & it's a good school. However, I hear that the school's standard & expectations are still quite high as of today, therefore the worry of whether my kids will be able to manage with they start P1.

Don't know whether I'm thinking too much. Hubby thinks I'm being a little too KS...

[looney]

Carolina:

looney:

For my child I think most probably was because when Albert’s wife was explaining and answering to my questions with regards to school matter, the teacher ask my 2 kids to join their class for lesson. The kids had fun time doing worksheets, story telling and snacks together with other kids which I think has won over my child..haha

As for my side, I looked through those worksheets which the kids have done and understand that they really prepare the kids well for P1 and also the size of the class which is only 7 kids for the K2 class.

My experience with Kyra was they really prepare my son well for P1 not only in terms of academic but also confidence as they do have show and tell. My son was those type whom got stage fright but we were surprised he is able to stand on stage in front of all parents during the graduation ceremony to have his graduation speech done confidently.
In additional, my son starts doing P1 works when he is in K2 thus when he enter P1 this year, he doesn’t have any problem catching up on his studies and P1 work is fine for him as those that he learnt in Kyra are much more difficult than P1 work. Frankly speaking, the Spelling and Tingxie that was given are quite tough.
I am not sure if hanyu pinyin are not encouraged. But I still think we shl start on Hanyu Pinyin as many of my son’s classmates are having problem with hanyu pinyin since they did not learn the basic in K2…thus they are struggling very hard on that.
After surviving for one semester together with my son, I find that P1 school work is very stressful, they already start doing comprehension and composition, parents are given holiday homework too during the school holiday to help children prepare their show and tell after school re-open.

Btw,my son is currently in Geylang Methodist. Btw, how old is your child now?

Thanks for the info.

Yes, I do get the sense that P1 is really tough nowadays, that's why I'm being very careful in choosing which childcare to place my kids in. However, I'm still considering whether the curriculum alone is enough of a reason for me to place my boy with Kyra. Personally, I seriously do not like the idea of throwing all rights & responsibilities as a mother out the window just because Albert thinks he knows best. At the end of the day, the kids are still MY kids. If I'm happy to do that, then I might as well continue leaving my kids with my in-laws (They are ex-teachers so more or less knows what is the expectations for P1.) instead of looking for a childcare for my boy now. Sorry to sound mean, but the more I think about it, the more I don't like Albert's attitude.

Anyway, my boy will be turning 2 next week, and my baby girl just turned 7 months this week. Another reason for looking for a good childcare for my boy now is 'cos I'll be putting my girl in the same place when she's 2. My hubby & I have also more or less decided that we'll be sending the kids to Maha Bodhi School, as I'm an old girl (therefore confirm can get place) & it's a good school. However, I hear that the school's standard & expectations are still quite high as of today, therefore the worry of whether my kids will be able to manage with they start P1.

Don't know whether I'm thinking too much. Hubby thinks I'm being a little too KS...

No worries..
At times, when those cc which we might find it good but some parents might not have find it good...How about agape at Upper boon keng..heard its also not bad too..

U are old gals from Maha bodhi...envy leh.i was actually aiming Kongkwa and your ex-school last yr..but too bad chances are low thus i switch bk to GM which is my ex-school. :love:

[Carolina]

Upper Boon Keng is actually kinda out of the way for me. I don’t stay in the area, although my mom stays around Mountbatten area, so am trying to find a reasonably priced childcare that’s near her place & more or less on the way to work for me.


Just found another one - Global Kids, in Mountbatten/Crescent. Have you heard about it? Just spoke to the Principal, she sounds very friendly.

[looney]

Sorry with regards to global kids.I hv heard b4.whether is it good anot I don’t know as none of those whom I known enrol their child there.good luck in ur childcare hunting.hope u will find a suitable cc for kids.

[Carolina]

Hey, looney. No worries, you've been real helpful already. Went to visit Global Kids today. Really liked what I see there & I like the Principal too. In fact, I like it better than the original 1st choice childcare that didn't have a place available for my son. Very high likelihood that I'll place my son there as they currently have place available too.

[Buttercup23]

Hi Carolina,


Prior to reading your comments, I thought its just my hb and I not used to the way Albert talks. Now that we had read your view, understand why he make us feel that way. Agree with you that he give the impression that he is "ALWAYS RIGHT"…