Bukit Panjang Methodist Church Kindergarten

[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

[huaywenandkenneth]

So sorry to hear about your disappointment. I understand what you meant, as the Session 1 slots are always very popular and vacancies are usually very few, if not none at all.


When I asked for a Session 1 slot for my boy who is currently in Session 2, I was told there is a waiting list (so the waitlist does exist, but you need to tell them explicitly to be put on it, and keep reminding them, as they may miss you out since you already got a place). That was why in the end I had to change my girl’s session to Session 2 (she is currently in Session 1), and to swop them back to Session 1 in 2014 due to other commitments. Just that my poor girl had to change class twice.

If you still decide to stay on with BPMCK, vacancies may "appear" especially at the start of Terms 1 and 3 when people change sessions or withdraw due to moving house etc. They give priority to requests from current students and siblings, and that could be one of the reasons why the vacancy was given to another child instead of yours (unless your name is not even on the waitlist, and this is a separate administrative issue altogether). Hope it helps.

[Payal]

This kindergarten is horrible.I have just noticed the last thread has died, so am starting this new one.I am strongly advising all those parents who are planning to put their childern this time to this kindergarten, Please do not.They never take any least care of the child.My 3yrs old repeatedly fall sick after joining this school, and the most horrible part is even if you write in the communication book, they never bother to care about your opinions.Inspite of so many times doctors advice, I repeatedly asked them to give some water to drink to my child, but every day she is coming back home with a full bottle. The class teacher and the principal- both are just useless to talk and the principal supports the class teacher for all the wrong doings.My child’s health suffered so badly because of these people.Last time as I heard the old principal was too good and thats why I had put my child in this school, but unfortunately this time I have noticed the New Principal will only teach you what do at home and she doesnt care to you.She will give million excuses why she cannot take proper care of children.On the contary she supports the class teacher,who is another masterpiece in negligence.Most of the times either your child shots is wet, they never change and even they dont bother to inform you how was the child’s health in school.My kid one day came and informed me she vomited in school and after that when I asked they said yes she vomited.Isnt it’s their part to inform the parents?


Being a victim and have suffered so much for my baby,I will request all other parents please think twice before you put your kid there because our kids are too young to handle these negligence.The new Principal is real bad.