[Clementi/Pasir Panjang/Sunset Way/West Coast] Preschools
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We put our kid in Safari House - and love it. I am personally a big fan of non-airconditioned rooms. I used to work with preschoolers overseas and noticed that my classrooms that were non-airconditioned produced a lower number of sick kids over a year.
Our main attraction to the school was the fact that it’s in a black-and-white bungalow. Lots of greenery all around - something very important to us. (Of course flip side is you get more mosquito bites). BUT lots of fresh air and my kid comes home and tells us about the water play, sand play and the garden walks. Definitely beats housing her in another building! (We live in an apartment - so not being holed up in a small tiny place helps!)
The first few weeks of school was tough - some crying and separation anxiety. But I was SUPER impressed with the staff (especially the chief administrator/ manager/ principal). She updated me about my child’s progress, tried to assure me that my child was going ok (No more crying fits after we left) - even sent me photos to assure me. She took the time to call me after work (like even at 8pm or so) to discuss the progress of my child.
- my kid takes the school bus, so I don’t get as much face time interaction with the teachers/ principal.
We were quite worried about sending our kid to preschool at first, but it’s been a pretty good experience so far. I am kind of glad we chose it…and (sometimes) I feel like keeping the school a secret, so that not too many kids enrol and the class becomes too big. Typical Kiasu parent I am! (LOL) -
hi all,
i checked out all the schools ya all mentioned. except west coast mmi, let me share w u my experiences.
genesis, becos they r vvvv full they din bother to entertain me. thus i decided to jus drop by, talk to the ppl there, c e centre and if i really like it i hope they can still put me on waiting list n c hw. went dwn, im quite certain its the person in charge, lazy to put on her shoes n at least come out to the main gate to turn me away, started to shout at me frm the inside of the house and b4 i cld even tell her anything, her first words were "we are full alr!" RUDE… need i say more?
acekidz, i was checking out the n1 class for my dd last year. so happened it was toileting for the n1 class. lift opened, witnessed the form teacher a young slim indian lady being v impatient w kids helping them to use the toilets and changing diapers. i cant really rem, but think my hubby heard her saying some sarcasm to the kids too. later on found out that the same lady is gona be the form teacher for next year n1 class too… no way!
kindercorner at science park 2, the principal is nice… n tts abt it. i went dwn the noon aft nap time, all children in all class were running abt… i saw the timetable by right there shld be some classes gg on. when i asked the principal she told me something which i cant rem(1 year ago), my thoughts were BS. the music room, has at least 2 classes or 3 classes of children running ard toatlly chaotics. teacher "but dont look like teachers" were all sitting at a corner or the room chit chatting openly despite the principal presence and parent visiting the centre. another classroom, n1, only has 1 teacher at the time, was busying decorating the class w the art works leaving children doing whatever they want in the room. some kids even went out of the class n were roaming abt. principal no doubt seems nice but the situation at the centre only shws she lack of management skills and staff probably has no respect for her too. pls do not misinterpret, free time is a must for the child to grow social,etc. but the problem there is, according to the timetable the children shld be attending classes not free time. n its the entire centre tts like tt. not jus 1 or 2 classes! madness!! n biggest drawbacks… pls check out the teachers theres too, yes we shldnt judge a bookjby its cover…BUT if u seen those teachers there… u wont leave yr kid in their careu unless they are the only one left in spore.
btw, i dont call up centre b4 i visit, becos i dont wana see acts. thus from what i experienced i learnt not all the branded schools are what they preached. -
hi all,
i checked out all the schools ya all mentioned. except west coast mmi, let me share w u my experiences.
genesis, becos they r vvvv full they din bother to entertain me. thus i decided to jus drop by, talk to the ppl there, c e centre and if i really like it i hope they can still put me on waiting list n c hw. went dwn, im quite certain its the person in charge, lazy to put on her shoes n at least come out to the main gate to turn me away, started to shout at me frm the inside of the house and b4 i cld even tell her anything, her first words were "we are full alr!" RUDE… need i say more?
acekidz, i was checking out the n1 class for my dd last year. so happened it was toileting for the n1 class. lift opened, witnessed the form teacher a young slim indian lady being v impatient w kids helping them to use the toilets and changing diapers. i cant really rem, but think my hubby heard her saying some sarcasm to the kids too. later on found out that the same lady is gona be the form teacher for next year n1 class too… no way!
kindercorner at science park 2, the principal is nice… n tts abt it. i went dwn the noon aft nap time, all children in all class were running abt… i saw the timetable by right there shld be some classes gg on. when i asked the principal she told me something which i cant rem(1 year ago), my thoughts were BS. the music room, has at least 2 classes or 3 classes of children running ard toatlly chaotics. teacher "but dont look like teachers" were all sitting at a corner or the room chit chatting openly despite the principal presence and parent visiting the centre. another classroom, n1, only has 1 teacher at the time, was busying decorating the class w the art works leaving children doing whatever they want in the room. some kids even went out of the class n were roaming abt. principal no doubt seems nice but the situation at the centre only shws she lack of management skills and staff probably has no respect for her too. pls do not misinterpret, free time is a must for the child to grow social,etc. but the problem there is, according to the timetable the children shld be attending classes not free time. n its the entire centre tts like tt. not jus 1 or 2 classes! madness!! n biggest drawbacks… pls check out the teachers theres too, yes we shldnt judge a bookjby its cover…BUT if u seen those teachers there… u wont leave yr kid in their careu unless they are the only one left in spore.
btw, i dont call up centre b4 i visit, becos i dont wana see acts. thus from what i experienced i learnt not all the branded schools are what they preached. -
hi do any parents have any comments on Brighton Montessori at Sunset Way? This is a new centre, not too sure if it’s as good as the other more established centres such as Fort Road?
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my son is in playgroup at Cherie Hearts @ Science Park I and I have no regrets placing him there. It’s quite a new centre so there’s lots of space for my child to run around. Was initially quite worried cuz he is only 2 years old but the friendly teachers help him to adapt to the environment quite well…his language skills have improved tremendously and he seems happy whenever I pick him after work. Sometimes, he doesn’t want to go home too!
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Hi Mums,
I'm looking for a nursery class for my DS next year and visited some of the schools mentioned and others too, would like to share:
Early Years Montessori at Sunset Way--Pros: non-aircon if you like fresh air, teachers are experienced; Cons: place, material and furniture look a bit dark and shabby, may not be appealing to young children
Buttercups Montessori at Pasir Panjang--Pros: principal is friendly and approachable, place is bright and new, non-aircon, Chinese teachers look friendly, high teacher to kid ratio; Cons: expensive and saw 1 of the English teachers yawning away and looking very bored while she was supposed to be looking after 1 kid.
Character Montessori at Holland--Pros: high teacher to kid ratio; Cons: place some how doesn't give a good feeling, 1 of the English teachers looked like she was exasperated and angry with a boy.
Kinderland at Singapore Poly--Pros:very windy so well ventilated; Cons: a lot of time seems to be spent on eating, drinking milk, bathing, sleeping. doesn't seem to have much time left for core curriculum
Pat's School House at Jubilee Park--Pros: place is bright and clean, large outdoor play structure, very friendly and experienced teachers who speak good English, good core curriculum; Cons:aircon, large number of children so more likely to fall sick?
Pat's School House at Tanglin--Pros: very friendly and sincere principal and teachers, place is new and clean, good core curriculum, nursery classroom has a large window where you can observe your child; Cons: same as above.
The above are my personal views, hope it helps anyone looking for preschools in these areas. -
Hi,
We have a 23 month old who is currently in daycare but am trying to decide on preschool in January, the year he turns 3. Our current top choice is Little House Montessori; we were struck by the calm and disciplined, the diversity of the students, the dedication of the principal, and the non-air conditioned space, and the patient teachers. However, based on the posts in this thread, we visited Early Years Montessori, and we noticed all the same things, except the facility was a bit older and run down. I also think I like how they separate N1 from the other ages intiially for more individual attn to the youngest students. Anyhow, I just can’t get over how "tired" looking the place looks…of course asthetics is not the most important criteria, but I think aesthetics brighten both kids’ and teachers’/adults’ moods…
Can others who have tried to choose between these 2 schools pls weigh in? I’d particularly like to hear more from parents of of students enrolled in Little House, and why they chose it. Many Thanks!
Oh and yes, some feedback on other Sunset way pre-schools in IMHO:
-Playdays is nice, but they only "play" and it’s super expensive.
-Brighton Montessori has NO outdoor space. Enough said. -
HI, Mummies
Any comments on PT safari house at dover road? I am urgently look for a childcare near dover.Pls helps. Thanks. -
Hi Mummies
Any comments on Kinderland at Singapore Poly? -
hi. i stay at clementi central and have a 12 mth old. I hope to start sending him to playschool when he’s 18 mths. I’m flexible with half day or full day. But I would like a school which places emphasis on English and good for active kids.
I have visited Agape@clementi central, learning vision@biopolis and kinderland@SP as they are convenient for me.
Would like to know if there’s any comparisons done on these 3? Or if there’s any more recommendations?
Are there any halfday playgroups / home based playgroups in this area ?
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