Charis montessori

[junicorn]

Hi surfermom,

I was also considering Charis cos it’s near my place but i heard the turnover rate is pretty high here. Was your son’s class affected? Btw, is the montessori element strong? Still can’t decide if a montessori school or a ‘traditional’ school is better. Esp when the fees for a montessori school is much higher than the ‘traditional’ school. Hope to hear from u…thanks!

[surfermom]

Hi Junicorn,


Actually, the teacher-movement is minor. It all started with a permanent teacher having a relapse in her cancer illness, hence her slot is the 'changing' one. One more teacher came in for a few terms but left due to family issues not because of the school. Now, the teachers are quite fixed and moreover, my son had 1 permanent 'China' chinese teacher whom I think is very good. She won't hesitate to nag me ahaha...frank, open and in the interest of the children. I prefer this to simply keeping quiet abt my child's devt/problems etc.

Just to let you know that they are always improving their environment, teaching, etc and I can see it. Communication booklets are provided for, PTA meetings every quarterly and my son is even involved in the year-end concert tho' he's not even 3yrs old. This is usu for graduates. Yes, they are strong on Montessori method without being too extreme (they follow age grp). I don't like those that lump 2yrs old with 6yrs old in same class. If you know what I mean. Class size is small enough, clean etc. My son was never affected by 'teacher movement' as other teachers fr other classes also interact with him. They actually swap teachers across classes to facilitate closer interaction among ALL students/teachers and to encourage the children not to be overly-dependent on any specific teacher and yet not in an overwhelming way. Everyone, incl the Principal, is hands-on and in classes. Charis is one of the few schools I know that incorporate a strong Montessori system into a Christian one. With complete praise & worship before class, Bible stories etc. Bethesda, on the other hand, doesn't have all these at all, only 1 short session every Fri.

I did speak to some parents and it's true that Bethesda is a Christian Kindy-typically big class-size, structured and more serious, big compound, just like P1. It's true that my son has the rest of his life fr P1 onwards to get structured and serious! It's in his nursery/kindy days that he has the most fun. Montessori sch allows his foundation days to get filled in on Creativity, fun, exploration, attention fr teachers etc, far more than a normal christian kindy. My husband worries abt him being in such a 'free' environment and afraid that he will panic at P1. This was my main concern too. However, if a Christian Montessori system will build up his confidence, creativity & personality, he will not have problems fitting into a structured envt later on. I trust & believe that his positive foundation years will prepare him well enough to meet changes & challenges. At Bethesda, the teachers have been with them fr early days. They are very very senior i.e. serious, not-so-young, more fierce as opposed to younger (mid-late 30s, not the really young), fun, interactive teachers in Charis. Can you visualise it?

I'm still struggling with this. However, I'm more likely to let my son continue in Charis...the Christian praise/worship/Bible at least one hr a day is precious...plus Montessori method which will train his creativity, personality etc...Imagine that fr P1, he will be plonked into the serious education system for the next 15yrs...what's there to miss? One parent I know see a big diff between their older kids in kindy vs Charis. I've def seen him BLOSSOM over the past one year. See http://www.charis.sg for info.

[GPTeacher]

May I know what church is Charis Montessori associated with? tks

[surfermom]

From what I understand, Charis is not specifically associated to any church…but as ‘Charis’ means ‘Grace’ in the hebrew, the environment is very loving, unconditional love and total happiness. My son has continued there and actually, doing ‘Full Day’ and I can really see he’s loving it. He seems to have grown so much in these 1 mth. Charis has linked up with My Gym, Growing Paints & Chinese Speech & Drama so the kids hv 3 days of external programmes in the afternoon, if you like. save the hassle of bringing the child there, I cannot emphasise enough that this is perfect arrangement for working parents as you don’t compromise on just ‘Child care’ envt, Charis has quality prog for the children. In addition, they hv allotted naptime, catered lunch, tea break snacks etc, school bus to bring them to My Gym, Growing Paints & walk to next building for Chinese. These 3 are famous. My son totally enjoys ‘My Gym’ and after trying out for 1 month, I’ve decided to let him continue full-day for ‘My Gym’ and ‘Chinese Speech & Drama’ at Kembangan Plaza. Everything is tailor-made for you, if you like…like start at 9:15am instead of 8:15am, choose which afternoon program, or whichever…talk to them what you need, they are very nice and personal.

[phtthp]

stick to ‘Charis’.


though Bethesdal kindy is good, Charis is better. Big size kindergarten not important. Important thing - is the environment conducive for yr child to grow up in, during the key foundation years ?

the word Charis - originates from the word ‘Charisma’, combined with Grace of God. does your child have charisma ? do you want your child to grow up with charisma, where he / she is being highly favored, by both men and God ? That’s how the name Charis originates.

btw, how often are the Chinese lessons, inside the 3.5 hrs kindergarten curriculum ? is it daily ?

[Champion]

phtthp:

btw, how often are the Chinese lessons, inside the 3.5 hrs kindergarten curriculum ? is it daily ?

Hi,
Why don't you check up their website?
http://www.charismontessori.com/

[phtthp]

not stated:-

http://www.charismontessori.com/timetable.html

[surfermom]

Dear all, thanks for advice. My son continued in Charis after all…everything’s great so far as they even had afternoon enrichment which gives me a one-stop-solution.


As for Chinese, they have it daily - one China modern teacher and one local. Both very good and wide variety of activities for every skill set. Definitely happy there so far. Next year onwards, Charis will be MOE-reg, can use Baby Bonus and include Afternoon Session in addition to Morning session.

Teachers are all very caring, decent and Montessori-trained.

[phtthp]

Thank you, surfermom. I pm you.

[phtthp]

A typical day in Charis Montessori kindergarten start by singing praises to the Lord.

Thereafter, your child get to enjoy Circle time, Snack time, Montessori lessons, followed by interesting Chinese activites.

Montessori time include -
Practical life, Sensorial activities, Phonetics, Maths and Cultural activities.

There are outdoor programs as well.
If rain, children are ready for outdoor play in sheltered backyard.
For year end concert, kids get to become brave David or beautiful Esther.

a day never pass without fun filled learning experiences and love from dedicated Charis teachers. Moreover, a low teacher-child ratio give your child a good headstart for Primary 1.

for more info - may visit or call 6749-8928 or email
[email protected]

address :-
8B Jalan Masjid
#01-03 Kingston Terrace
(1 minute walk from Kembangan MRT station)

\"Jesus love me, Yes, i know. For the bible tell me so.\"

\"Let your child grow in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and with men\".

map
https://maps.google.com.sg/maps?hl=en&q=map+8b+jalan+masjid+singapore+418929&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x31da180712a7b339:0x122b9da2c0397a0e,8B+Jalan+Masjid,+418929&gl=sg&ei=pT_EUISmFcmOrgfU24CgBQ&ved=0CCwQ8gEwAA

website
http://charismontessori.com/ourcurriculum.html