Bukit Panjang Methodist Church Kindergarten

[ammonite]

Jedamum,

No problem, it's good that it worked out for you in the end. i did not receive any complaints regarding my son so my impression of the school was not tarnished by that. There were parents who suggested that I change my son's class to one with a better teacher, and I agree that was a big factor. The teacher was simply unacceptable. Her articulation was so poor it was like an old auntie doing food demo and I could not bear to have my son listening to that everyday for two hours when he did not know any better. There were so many glaring grammatical errors as well. The child may learn to spell very well there, but there will be a lot of remedial work to do for other aspects of language with that teacher.

My child did not require extra handling or have any disciplinary issues and I did not feel the need to have him trained for seat work. Really, all I wanted was a qualified responsive teacher who could read well and model good English instead of using broken english. I did not share these observations with parents of classmates. We just left quietly.

There were other observations but it would not be right for me to say anymore except that having tried a few preschools, this was really bottom of the pile on every count, at least for me.

Truly no offence intended. After all expectations are subjective, though I do think that good english from an English teacher should be a prerequisite, no?

Mod: if you feel this is too much details, please feel free to delete it. No need to move to the alternative view section.

[huaywenandkenneth]

Yup, views are indeed subjective. I agree that teachers' level of English needs to be acceptable, but they do not need to speak *very* good English (in fact, I do not think you will find it in all the pre-schools). I speak good English to my children and I believe they are able to \"code-switch\" when they see who they are speaking to.


Being in the education field, to me instilling discipline, developing good disposition and character, being sociable and also the ability to do seatwork (to start-do-finish, not be disrupted and disrupting to others) is important at pre-school. You may find that children have a lot of problems at primary schools if they do not have these qualities, even if they may be strong academically and articulate.

I have no issues with BPMC now and they have been very prompt to take up all the issues I raise with them so far (be it principal or teacher). Admin could have been wanting at times, but generally info to parents is quite prompt. I was initially quite worried at the first half of the year at where the school is heading and spoke to the principal. This half of the year things seem to have fallen back in place again, somewhat.

My eldest boy, after graduating from the kindergarten for 2 years, still remembers his teachers very well and greets the principal happily when we see her on our way to piano lessons, and she remembers him too and called him by name. I think this is something really valuable, as I don't remember my students' names after they graduate for 2 years :oops: My second boy had communication problems (N2 this year) and his teachers had been most accommodating after I spoke and emailed them. He is so much better this year but I must applaud his N1 teacher (and the teacher assistant) for their patience when he was in N1 and being anti-social for most part of the year arising from behavioural problems as he could not get his messages across clearly. There is also a boy with behavioural problem in my youngest girl's class (N1 this year). I believe the teachers are not trained in handling SN kids but they still try their best with love and a large dose of humour at times.

All the best in finding a pre-school that you feel best for your child.

[ammonite]

huaywenandkenneth:

they do not need to speak *very* good English (in fact, I do not think you will find it in all the pre-schools).

Nope, they do not need to speak *very* good English. I agree with this, and that was precisely why it was unacceptable.
[quote] Being in the education field, to me instilling discipline, developing good disposition and character, being sociable and also the ability to do seatwork (to start-do-finish, not be disrupted and disrupting to others) is important at pre-school. You may find that children have a lot of problems at primary schools if they do not have these qualities, even if they may be strong academically and articulate. [/quote]I have an older primary-school going child so I am not an impractical parent. A creative curriculum that encourages a child to find his or her own voice does not mean a child without self-discipline, character or unable to respect others' space. I've yet to see a kindergarten that does not profess to instill all the above. But the kind of work, projects, means of delivery, quality of materials available can differ widely among kindergartens.

I do believe in the intrinsic value of childhood. I feel our primary school curriculum needs to be more creative - and I know many teachers snort at this because there is simply too much to cover in too little time to be creative - and not that preschool should try to emulate our current primary school education.
[quote] This half of the year things seem to have fallen back in place again, somewhat.[/quote]This is wonderful and good for the children still there.

I have written previously that I find the principal and admin very kindly and I have never stated otherwise. The principal does have a very good memory and I do also know other kids who liked it there. But most of these kids did not have much to compare with. As the parent, I can do the comparison with knowledge and I am only writing this in hindsight and in comparison to other preschools that I have had experience with and all in around the same price range.

As I stated earlier, this is a school good for those who want their children to be prepared in the old-fashioned way and trained in seatwork. I personally think it will prepare them emotionally for primary school because primary school may actually seem more interesting and inspiring than kindergarten after this. If you want your kids to knuckle down in preparation for primary school, this is a good choice. It is not for parents who want their children to experience creative trans-diciplinary education or to be in a creative inspiring environment.
[quote]All the best in finding a pre-school that you feel best for your child. [/quote]Thank you! We have indeed already found a preschool that is right for my child.

As before, no offence.
I generally do not post much on this forum. But I felt compelled to write here because I had enrolled my son after reading good reviews and talking to a few other parents who loved it. We went with great anticipation and I really wanted it to work out. It was only AFTER we left the school that those who have WITHDRAWN their kids from the school or decided against it came forward to talk to me. I understand the feeling. My post is what I wished I had the chance to read before I enrolled him, so it's more for parents who are using the forum to research into various kindergartens. \"Good\" ultimately depends on what you want for your kids.

Peace out!

[mykono]

I was overjoyed when I got a place for my gal last year. Eight months down the road, decided to withdraw her. Felt bad that I was oblivious to my gal’s feedback about the kindy which I shall not elaborate. Thankfully , managed to get her into a new place which I had long wanted to send her there . However having said that, I muz compliment that the Principal is really sincere and passionate about her job.

[GKmum]

Hi,

Sorry, Is this MCI kindergarten, the one facing the NTUC at the road junction? Or another Kindergarten?

[jedamum]

GKmum:

Hi,

Sorry, Is this MCI kindergarten, the one facing the NTUC at the road junction? Or another Kindergarten?

no this is not MCI kindergarten.

[cool_hi]

hi! anyone has any feedback on this kindy? my son got a place her for next year nursery 2nd session, & on waitlist for 1st session..

but just received a call from Arise that they have vacansy for 2nd session 11.45-3.15pm, but I prefer 1st session as i work from afternoon,plus my son usu nap ard 1pm..not sure whether I should switch to Arise?
esp now BPMCK has new principal, not sure whether good
& i feel that Arise seems to have more updated curriculum with more fun-learning elements??
Appreciate any feedback or PM..

[huaywenandkenneth]

Hi Coolhi


My gal will be in Nursery Session 2 next year too (she is in PreN Session 1 this year, and we switched her to be with her brother who is in Session 2).
The P is quite new to the kindy and so far the only time I interacted with her was about my swop of session for my kids. She got back to me within the day and was able to confirm the swop to the session. I understand she was previously a P from another church kindy some years back. Before Mrs Yang left, the new P was in school already so I feel the transition was smooth.

My kids are in PreN and N so what they are doing are not too academic yet. But they do have little works brought home now and then and so far I have had a bug bun from my gal (made from small bun for body, grapes for eyes and pocky sticks for legs), and craft stuff like lanterns from the 2 of them. They do enjoy going to school. Will prob need to wait till the year end concert before I can sense the "culture" of the school.

Hours at Arise K seems much longer, not sure if you want to take that into consideration, since your kid is only N next year. BPMCK is 11.30am-2.30pm for Session 2.

[phtthp]

http://www.bpmck.com.sg/centres/?dxuid=SG010301&&pageid=1409

[cool_hi]

hi, huaywenandkenneth & phtthp,

thanks a lot for your feedback and link appreciate your time:)

btw, just to bring up a recent disappointment with BPMCK, i registered for 2nd session in april & stressed a lot to the admin staff that I need to switch my boy to morning seesion( due to my work schedule & plus my son's nap time is ard 1pm)..& also reminded ex-principal over the phone. Sadly, when I called up last Fri, a staff was surprised with my request & said that 1 morning vacancy has just been given away to another student, 1-2 weeks ago!! & said don't know why my son's name not written on waitlist, if not they would have given vacancy to me instead, coz I registered earlier!!

I was very pissed off & disapppointed..something so simple to do(to WRITe in down on a waitlist), & has important impact on a student & parents, is treated so lightly. makes me really need to think thrice!! sigh