Growing Up Gifted

[newkid69]

Fettuccine:

I am not familiar with both schools. Can anyone comment which one is a better choice? Thanks!

This is my first post on a forum in all my years in cyberspace so I hope its a good one!!!

I can only give you a comparison of both centres based on my experiences and the choice will have to lie with you!

My youngest son who just turned 3 in May has been attending GUG since before 1. He has learned a lot of what has been taught and enjoys getting himself involved in all the hands on experimenting in his classes. He has mastered the entire zoo phonics alphabet and is able to do both the sounds and signals confidently. He is always eager to go to school to see his teachers, many of whom he sees regularly from the Babes to the Todds to the Kids classes. They somehow are able have their familiar teachers all round the centre be it in the enrichment or Kindergarten side.

GUG has a well structured and sound curriculum that covers all areas of development and they have always been at United Square. They have another centre at Suntec City and latest news is they will be opening a new centre at Mountbatten Square at end of July (both enrichment and kindergarten) - good news for some of you in the East!

Coz I live in the Central areas, United Square is just rite for me!

And you know what, they actually sanatize the toys after each class!!! Is that believable or not??? They have enuf toys to rotate from class to class.....

It is all managed by the same management to ensure the same curriculum is delivered throughout.

With Mindchamps, although I haven't been there, I know that the curriculum is also developed by a team of experts, but if you're talking about the Preschool, then that's a childcare and a franchise. Not to say that franchises are bad, but they have to ensure that quality is delivered with their own set of teachers etc.

The bottomline is I think GUG is Good with a solid curriculum, but what exactly are you looking in a programme for your child. Admittedly, I've come across many parents who are either happy with GUG or not! Same thing with Mindchamps...from friends etc. To each his own I say and don't let me or anyone else on any forum influence your decision to try out a programme. You just need to go and try it out for yourself.

Last thing! GUG is opening a new centre @ Mountbatten Square for both their enrichment and Kindergarten, so whoever lives closer, you have no excuses now!!!

Just Me!
DaddyLongLegs :dancing:

[dancewithme]

hi, been lurking around the forum finally have a chance to have a say!


my son went for trial at gug but i'm still thinking if i should enrol him in the school. he had fun in the class although he was very shy and i really enjoyed the zoophonics but i was uncomfortable with the admin lady called evelyn. whenever i tried to ask her a question, she would seem like i am interrupting her doing something. i know she's busy but maybe she could have been friendlier? and i also noticed that the teachers kiss the children goodbye. is it really hygienic or am i just being sensitive?

[happyhappygirl]

hi,


i am considering to send my girl to their nursery class then to kindergarten. wondering any mummies has experience with them for nursery or kindergarten to share?

many thanks in advance!

[claricegoh]

My gal is 26 mths.

Thinking of sending her to GUG mountbatten for the weekday class, twice or three times a week before sending her to an actual kindergarten. Anyone can advise if that environment/program is good? :?

[dio11]

Anyone has latest updates on GUG? Care to share?

[BabyLiaw]

My girl has been attending GUG since she was one. She started her 2x Weekday Babes Programme at United Sq. I enjoyed my time with her in class and the programme was interesting. From Zoo-phonics to hands-on projects to Mandarin class to music to themed parties. It was a fun-filled experience. When my girl turned 18mths, she graduated from Babes class and went on to Toddler class. Still parent-accompanied class, the only difference is that it’s 2hrs (instead of 1.5hr Babes class). Longer time for Mandarin class. My girl attended her Toddler Class at Suntec City. I like her class at Suntec City as the teachers were really good (they teach from their heart) and my girl often tells me that she likes her teachers. One plus point for GUG - they take temperature for all their students + accompanied care-givers, sanitized students’ hands and checked hands, mouth n feet for HFM Diease before every class.


Recently, my girl turned two and I just withdraw her from GUG. It was really sad as we really love the class. However, I need to make this change as I find my girl being too dependent. My girl is too used to having me with her in the class and having me to do things with her. Thus, I have transferred her to another school that I can "drop her" twice a week for 2hrs (similar to GUG).

I heard that GUG at Suntec City will be creased their operation at the Suntec City by the end of 2011. So, only left with United Sq and Mountbatten branches.

I went to Mountbatten GUG for my girl’s make-up classes before and I do not quite like the experience. I was the only mummy (care-giver) in the class and the rest were all domestic helpers. These domestic helpers were busy chatting in class and not doing much to aid their employer’s children’s learning. Maybe because I was there on weekdays and parents need to work. I guess weekends would be different.

Hope my feedback helps.

[tamtam]

Hi! @ Claricegoh, fyi Growing Up Gifted has a proper kindergarten. Excellent school and standard is really impressive, that I can vouch for! My elder kid had graduated K2 from there, and younger one now attending. Both at United sq location becos nearer to our home, but I have a colleague and another friend whose kids are attending Mountbatten weekday and weekend programs. As far as I've heard, consensus is they both like the environment and facilities there, curriculum is great (but that's standard across all their centres) and kids love their teachers. Hope my sharing helps

[Shivan]

Hi,


Do you all think 8 months is a bit too young to start the class? They have a class once a week for babes from 8 mths - 18 mths…

My daughter is 7 months now, thinking should i start her at 8 months or wait until maybe 1 year?

[BabyLiaw]

Hi Shivan,


I think it all depend on how ready is your daughter. Is she able to understand simple instructions? Sit up stand on her own? How long is her interest span? For GUG babes class, it's 1.5hr class (accompanied class). When I started my girl when she was one, my girl hasn't started walking (still crawling around) and wanted to be carried all the time! There were occassions when she doesn't want to sit still and I have to carry her throughout the class (standing up and walking around). I had also seen her classmates (some 11months old), who slept half-way through the class and left. I guess it all depend how ready is your girl. You can always go for 1 trial class to see if she's ready to start.

Hope this helps!

[grapevine]

Anyone with kids in GUG mountbattern? How are the weekend classes?

Would it be worthwhile to start a child at 12 months?