Our Juniors' Schoolhouse

[Happie Mummy]

Anyone have review or comments about the branch at tanah merah? My friend’s child graduated from there last yr and was quite pleased with things there but heard there’s a change in the principal or supervisor this year and things might not be the same? Any parent out there with kids in the centre crossing this phase? Is it still good to send my child?

[ConcernednConfusedMummy]

I visited OJSH @ Thomson (Westlake) twice and was generally happy with what I saw. It was one of the most well-organised preschool I’ve seen, with bright, airy and spacious classrooms for every class, a big music room, well-resourced learning corners, age-appropriate developmental materials and toys, a grassy play area with several play structures, buggy cars and trikes on concrete floor, two big water tubs and a large sandpit, as well as a varied curriculum that includes pretend play, cookery, art (but doesn’t seem like alot of craft), show n tell, and daily varying physical activities, etc. The only thing was, I didn’t get to observe the teachers for long, caught some snippets of teaching. The students looked engaged enough. Class sizes were small and students generally seemed well-behaved.


The principal has been with the school for several years, rising from teacher to principal, so she’s very familiar with the school and gave us tips on how to settle our child into the Playgroup class for the first couple of days and what to expect in the first 2-3 months.

Any other parents who have visited or have kids in the school and keen to share your perspectives and experiences? I’m quite interested in the school right now.

[pingsped]

My girl is very verbal & I’m observant cos i work in special needs. That said, my girl was only enrolled for 4 weeks. She is in PN or 3 year-old class.

So pls use discretion.

Ms D1 is a part-time English teacher who comes abt 3-4 times for half day.
Ms J is the Chinese teacher who handles class of 12 kids. The student turnover in this class seems high; there are vacancies every 2-3 mth.

Ms D is the principal/supervisor. She knows curriculum very well but I feel she’s unable to handle staff well. She also teaches K1 class. There is no admin staff so she has to handle everything.

Ms k is supposed to be assisting PN class (she is in PN class photo) but I understand she takes the Nursery class for English. She is always seen downstairs (N). She speaks alright but she is from China.

Ms I is supposed to take k2 class but she seems to be a part-timer or maybe half-day. I know she helps out in PN class eg showering, etc.

I didn’t observe any other English teachers working there. There are 2 other Chinese teachers for PG & maybe K1-2 class.

[pingsped]

I just read you are looking at PG class.


Who are the teachers in charge? are they working full-time or shared with other classes?

Can your child understand Chinese? I think it’s a middle-aged Chinese teacher in charge. She seems firm. I note there is this English kid who seems to have extra attention. I’m not sure if she’s slow & can’t sit by herself.

My girl’s PN class has 2 kids who require close monitoring. One can’t understand much Chinese. It’s just very difficult to maintain order & conduct lesson with only 1 teacher.

All in, school seems quite fun for some kids. The health record is quite good; sick kids are usu not sent to school.

For us, this school is simply not right one.

[missP]

Hi pingspd may I know where have your put your child to?

[pingsped]

We put her in Cambridge thomson (Educa).


Every childcare has its strengths & drawbacks.
Overall, both my girl & I like the new childcare better. But some parents may be very concerned abt the snacking…

Btw Ms J at OJSH has been transferred. She’s alright but it was difficult to handle 12 kids alone, esp some kids (non-chinese & my girl too) do not understand Mandarin.

[valang]

any parents put their child in OJS Balestier? How’s the teachers and the curriculum?

[happydaddy]

Is it recommend to put the kid in a brand new centre? I saw a leaflet saying there is a childcare in ITE CCK opening. What surprise me is that this OJS is also under G8 and manage by Patricia Koh? What happen to Pat schoolhouse???

[Miaor]

Hi, I dropped by the ITE branch @ CCK this morning. I'd say the facility is impressive - the brand new classrooms are spacious and well organized; the two bathrooms and kitchen area look nice and clean. The baby area has separate bathroom and kitchen. For babies who can crawl and walk, they have a 2mx3m cushioned area for them to move around, and anther seperate room for nap. The overall arrangement is bright, colorful and pleasant. Now they've got only 3 babies with two teachers. For PN and N1, they got about 20 kids overthere, all look happy and behave. Tracy, the principle, attended us and I got a good first impression of her. She told me for toddler the ratio is 1:6. The down side is the whole school is airconed and feels quite cold for me, and they only have an indoor playground. The principle told me that babies are going out for half an hour everyday, but the kids get to play outdoor only once or twice per week :scared:

I'm considering to put my 11mo baby in this center, highly appreciated if any one here can give me more feedback :siao:

[Madamtankyf]

Any comments on the OJS located in ITE west college? Am looking for a childcare Centre for my 2 boys, 4yrs old and 1.5yrs old. Thanks