Caterpillar's Cove

[babystickyfingers]

Original Title: Caterpillar's Cove at Ngee Ann Polytechnic


Hi

Anyone's child enrolled here? Wanna share experience on the curriculum and school's focus etc etc My DD will be enrolled here soon. It is also opened to the public.

http://www.thecaterpillarscove.com.sg/

Thought I could start a thread here so all parents can share....

[princeton]

My 2nd one just \"graduated\" from the cove this year. I've only GOOD things to say about the school. :rahrah: I am not so bother by the curriculum, but I would say that the teachers are really committed and almost equally good, which, in my opinion, is something quite rare in childcare centres. They provide daily feedback, casual ones, when I fetched my kids. The centre is very very open and transparent, unlike some well known centres, which only allow parents to fetch their kids at the \"reception area\".

Academically, they may not be top, there is NO spelling, NO take home worksheets. BUT, I like their project theme, the K2 class goes around the school and identify \"problems\", then try to solve them as a group. They even have hands on wood work, which I'm impressed.
What's more, we only pay a $12 ticket for my gal's graduation concert. No glam stuff, but they acted in a play with songs, and played musical instruments with the poly students. Head gears are made by the students and teachers, costumes are loan out by parents (I lend them my gals' princess costume, while some other parents lend my gal a red suit for her role as red riding hood). The whole atmosphere is as cosy as the cove itself. :please:

My two gals enjoy themselves thoroughly. They speak in full sentences in daily conversation, and they are definitely more confident to speak up, but I would say not as \"ang moh\" style as those from \"prestigeous pre-schools\". But I think, the family plays a part too.

My 2nd gal is already good in phonics before she joins the cove in K2, so I'm not sure whether the curriculum is effective. Will have to monitor my no.3 though, as she joins the cove since nursery and she's not as strong in languages as her sister.

All in all, if you want your kid enjoy his/her childhood, in a safe environment, I think the caterpillar's is a good choice.

[sgwave]

Hi,


Does anyone has children who graduated from the school?
Care to share some comments about the curriculum whether it sufficiently prepare the children for primary 1?

I am divided whether to change …

Appreciate any comments about the school. Thanks.

[princeton]

hm...how do you define \"sufficiently prepare\"? The cove covers the basic - addition, subtraction, time, etc, and hanyu pinyin. I used to work in a montessori kindergarten, the children there are more \"advanced\" as they learnt geometry, addition/subtraction of fractions. However, come to think of it, won't the children be bored when they attend P1, since everything has already been taught in the K? I do sound like a spokesman for the school but... I'm still very happy with the cove, till now :boogie:


My no.2 is in P1, nanhua, and she's coping well.

Are you thinking of placing your child in the cove or pulling him/her out? If you are thinking of putting him/her in, I believe you can arrange an appointment and take a look at the school yourself. But I heard the older classes are pretty full. My gal is in K1 and the class is around 28, and I'm not so happy about it :roll:

[happychild618]

Can anyone share more about this school? how the teachers? looks lots of children inside. a little bit over capacity?? also long long waiting list…

[tjkok]

As far as I know, the classes will take up to a max of 26 - 28 pax, for the younger toddler class, I think it’s even lesser than that. They have around 2-3 teachers managing each class, so the teacher-student ratio is still fine…


I would agree that for the older classes, you are likely to be on the waitlist as the classes are almost full.

The teachers there are very professional and care a lot for the kids. Granted, they do not dish out lots of homework assignments, which may be a cause of concern for some parents, but they focus a lot on the holistic well-being of the child, in which I believe would translate into our child’s character & social development in their growing years. Importantly, my child is happy studying and learning there, and that to me, is good enough reason why I will let her continue on in Caterpillar Cove until she graduates to P1.

[Fern12]

My kids have been with Cove the last 3 years, and till today, I only have great things to say about the whole Cove experience.


The teachers are very dedicated and are extremely professional. They are great examples of what early childhood educators should be like, as they manage the discipline without putting the children down, and they encourage active reasoning. Also, I like the fact that the teachers are never too busy to update parents on their children (regardless whether it is a major issue or something inconsequential), so much so that the PTM is almost just a formality as you are well-aware of how your kids are doing everyday.

Curriculum wise, I have no complaints, as I feel that the Cove focuses on the holistic education of the children. My kids are creative problem solvers, and personally, I am very happy with that.

If you are looking for an environment which drills students and does rote learning, then Cove is not ideal. Also, as other forumners have observed, the class size is pretty big, so that might not be suitable for everyone.

[happychild618]

Thanks a lot. My son will enroll to the centre from 1 st Aug. Hope he can adopt there and like the school. The size of the class sounds really very big..... but I like the philosophy of the Caterpillar's Cove. My son is very naughty boy and can solve the proplems in his way. He always got purnishment in current school boz of naughty. That's why transfer him to the Caterpillar's Cove. I will share with you about his progress when he officially enter into the Caterpillar's Cove. :grphug:

[happychild618]

Share with you all. My son enrolled in the caterpillar’s cove for more than one month already. The teachers are quite nice and very patient. The foods there are also very good. But recently they have several HFMD cases again. Not sure why, maybe open space, children all stay in one big classroom with the air-con? And too many children and they play together? Don’t other child care centres…

[chinese_tea]

Hi mummies, am thinking of enrolling my daughter in caterpillar cove for the half day school when she turns 18 mths (she is turning one soon) can anyone please advise me on what the school fees is like for half day currently? i did make a call a few mths back and was told she already has to go on the waitlist. should i call again to check on vacancies or would they be likely to contact me when her age is closer to 18 mths? any mummies have any experience? will appreciate any advice! thank you in advance!