Eshkol valley preschool

[Nekomimi]

My girl’s been with SK branch for very long.

It’s new and clean, bright and much nicer compared to the 1 she trialed in HG.
It has a room with slide for 2yr olds and older kids can go just outside it to use the HDB slide and fitness corner. Also it’s built on a 2nd level garden, nice environment and very safe for the walks.

I think they’re building up on the curriculum which is not a big problem; this year they attach topics to be covered during the month in its English and Chinese class in the communication booklet for parents to have a general idea (but a little easy for my kid).
{check out the MOE excel fest 2013 on Apr 6, 10am-6pm @ ITE college central, 2 AMK drive, 567720 http://www.excelfest.com Online registration, 1st come 1st served
12-1.15pm for sharing session on: Pre-School Education: A Strong Start For Every Child
2-3.30pm for seminar on: Preparing Your Child for Primary One}

They also have structured reading program (which include some free books and additional reading books optional for purchase)
There’s meet the parents session at year end to update parents about kid’s progress, and regular exercises and worksheets (don’t get frightened, it’s simple drawing coloring and linking for 2-3yr old) to bring home for those who’d like to keep.
Thoughtful with festivals and events (eg remind parents to let kid wear red/white for national day, traditional costumes for CNY etc). On top of that, we often find goodie bags and small toys in her bag (appreciate the gesture).

Dec 2012 they had an annual concert, which is speech/drama/song/dance for the parents to enjoy.
At the same time graduation for it’s 1st batch of students with awesome (for 6yr old standard) speech.
It’s well organized for a new center, and very good exposure for the kids.

With parents login, you can find some school photos on its website http://www.eshkolvalley.com.sg/
Get to know more about what the kid’s doing in class

School fee is S$980 (830 for at home mum, 680 for working mum), no class for kids below 18mths
Teachers all seem nice, only 1 helper auntie who made a huge mistake on me and the school promised it’ll never happen again.
PS: at the moment it’s HFM free. Just my 2 cents

[Nekomimi]

Besides those, there’s water play and sometimes they bring kids to Punggol park to play too.

Lots of hands on, with finger painting and making of traditional food/ dumplings etc. Seems fun

[Clairew07]

Hi nekomimi,


That was very useful info that you have posted… Thanks… My 2 boys just joined eshkol valley for 1 week… Of cos they are still at an adjustment stage so they will cry every morning when I sent them there… But I notice that the teachers receiving them will make an effort to calm them down and win them over… This was very unlike my son’s previous cc… The PG teachers will also update me on how my boy in PG was the whole day when I pick him up… I do feel that the teachers there are caring n good which is very important… My elder son’s previous cc has horrible teachers so I hope that my kids will be happy at eshkol valley…

[blur_mummy]

Hi All,


Do anyone know when can I register my son to the school if I would like to send there next year?

And is it a better choice than \"My first skool\" & \"Cherie Hearts\" for toddlers?
Does they accept payment by the CDA account?

Thanks in advance.

[blur_mummy]

luvSK:

My child is oso at this ctr.


So far my hubby & I are quite happy with this ctr, in fact one of the best in SK area. The teacher ratio is good and the envt is new and clean.

The aircon thingie also suits my gal. Too much aircon is no good, I wldnt want my gal to be in aircon all the time. But my gal cant sleep without aircon, so quite balance to me. It works for me.

I oso quite like the enrichment class. That day, my gal asked me why ice can float? I almost fell off my chair. Preschooler asked me physics!!!? I returned to my science teacher long long ago… LOL.

Aiyah… so hard to get a childcare place in SK. Cannot be too picky… as long my child is healthy and learning something daily… most impt happy. She always so happy everyday these days. What more can I ask.

Hi LuvSK,

Do you mean that there is no aircon for the school the whole day? but is it still cooling enough for the kids? coz the weather can be very hot sometimes, do they on the aircon during the hot afternoon? N pls advise if the teachers there are patient to the toddlers?

[lovers0206]

just got a call from Eshkol at SK to offer me a place for my boy (coming 18mths in Oct). He quoted me $980 for deposit and registration $150. uniform per set is $20 and have to purchase the bed which you can bring back if u withdraw.


I just find it abit ex and their curriculum has some Christianity/ Catholic elements in it; now dilemma as they need us to decide within these few days. I’m actually also on waiting list at the 2 PCF childcare centres nearer to my house. Anyway, I’ve made appointment to bring my boy and hubby to view the centre tis Saturday.

[blur_mummy]

lovers0206:

just got a call from Eshkol at SK to offer me a place for my boy (coming 18mths in Oct). He quoted me $980 for deposit and registration $150. uniform per set is $20 and have to purchase the bed which you can bring back if u withdraw.


I just find it abit ex and their curriculum has some Christianity/ Catholic elements in it; now dilemma as they need us to decide within these few days. I'm actually also on waiting list at the 2 PCF childcare centres nearer to my house. Anyway, I've made appointment to bring my boy and hubby to view the centre tis Saturday.

Hi lovers0206..

May I know if you had visited to the school that Sat? so what's your decision?
And could I ask how do you know that their curriculum has some Christianity / catholic elements in it? coz when I checked their curriculum in their website, it does state anything about it...

Please advise asap as I'm oso wish to enrol my son to that school too.

Thanks

[lovers0206]

blur_mummy:

lovers0206:

just got a call from Eshkol at SK to offer me a place for my boy (coming 18mths in Oct). He quoted me $980 for deposit and registration $150. uniform per set is $20 and have to purchase the bed which you can bring back if u withdraw.


I just find it abit ex and their curriculum has some Christianity/ Catholic elements in it; now dilemma as they need us to decide within these few days. I'm actually also on waiting list at the 2 PCF childcare centres nearer to my house. Anyway, I've made appointment to bring my boy and hubby to view the centre tis Saturday.

Hi lovers0206..

May I know if you had visited to the school that Sat? so what's your decision?
And could I ask how do you know that their curriculum has some Christianity / catholic elements in it? coz when I checked their curriculum in their website, it does state anything about it...

Please advise asap as I'm oso wish to enrol my son to that school too.

Thanks

hi, are you also offered a position?

we decided to give up the position cos it's over our budget and my company cannot adjust to my working hours to accomodate if we want to start of halfday childcare to let my boy get used to first. I went to one of their open house last year, and the owner and principal were there and when they did their presentation, they mentioned they will tell Christianity stories to teach the children honesty, etc.. those general ethics.. but they assured they have to stick to MOE's guidelines so asked us not to worry.

I would suggest you visit the centre yourself with your child and spouse, my boy will still stick to us when we let him walk around the centre and there was another 14 mth old child around at tat time. We let him played the piano but he only sat there staring and only punched afew keys. But he's quite facinated by the colorful hula hoops..

above is my personal views, hope this help.

[blur_mummy]

Hi lovers0206,


Thank you for the reply.

I was thinking of putting my son only in next yr when we moved in to Seng Kang. But the thing is, the Principle wanted us to put the deposit and the registration fee now, as to secure a place for him in next yr. Wonder it is a normal procedure anot?

And I went there to see the school on Saturday morning, therefore there isn't any teaching for me to \"look look see see\". Dunnoe if the kids there do really enjoy it at?

But is there any main concern for you to pull off besides ur work and the high school fees?

Seem like nobody else actually give any feedback on this school :roll:

[lovers0206]

I would think if you really like the centre, its okay to place the deposit. Not all childcare centre would do tat. For me, I am happy that they offer me the place and allow me to put deposit but realy, due to the financial stress and my working hours we have to give it amiss.


I also went on a Saturday and it was their housekeeping and disinfecting day… saw they actually sun the toys, mop, clean… the open house I went also was on a Saturday… I also haven seen how they conduct the class. Maybe you can ask to view on a weekday when there are classes so tat you can make better decision?