St James Church Kindergarten
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My personal experience is that preschool teachers aren’t as effective as specialist enrichment courses such as I Can Read in promoting early reading. This is perhaps partly due to a smaller class ratio with more advanced, focused and effective teaching methods. Understanding the theoretical aspects of reading is one thing but parents mostly want to see results within a reasonable time. There is really no point in asking the preschool teachers to add difficult words to the spelling list if the school syllabus is much slower than is needed to get the child to read at a more advanced level quicker or to spell those difficult words in the first place.
Parents now generally want their kids to get to reading fluency at a younger age before P1. If a preschool teacher is unable to help the kid to do so for whatever reason, I think most parents are not going to take it well no matter what theoretical reasons there may be. Sorry if this is too blunt. -
The strategies I mentioned are for the long haul; these skills will last the child a life time. Skills like monitoring your own understanding in reading and a love for reading are life long skills that will develop your child into an independent reader for life; not just for P1. To each his own.
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empressplace:
Preschool teachers have a guideline to follow according to what and how much to teach. After all, preschools are not enrichment centres and the teachers are there to nurture the child as a whole person, not only in literacy aspects. If children need additional enrichment to supplement, the parents can afford, why not send to enrichment centres? Preschool teachers are MOE registered teachers and enrichment teachers , well, I do not know if there is a requirement for them to be MOE registered.My personal experience is that preschool teachers aren't as effective as specialist enrichment courses such as I Can Read in promoting early reading. This is perhaps partly due to a smaller class ratio with more advanced, focused and effective teaching methods. Understanding the theoretical aspects of reading is one thing but parents mostly want to see results within a reasonable time. There is really no point in asking the preschool teachers to add difficult words to the spelling list if the school syllabus is much slower than is needed to get the child to read at a more advanced level quicker or to spell those difficult words in the first place.
Parents now generally want their kids to get to reading fluency at a younger age before P1. If a preschool teacher is unable to help the kid to do so for whatever reason, I think most parents are not going to take it well no matter what theoretical reasons there may be. Sorry if this is too blunt.
Any school, any parent, can teach a child to read if there is more time. But is time readily available? I'm afraid not. Thus, a preschool or kindergarten or Childcare is not an enrichment centre. -
sembgal:
I would have to disagree that the kindergarten has no duty to ensure that a child can read, whether by its own means and/or through parental involvement. If this is the attitude we adopt - that literacy is not the primary obligation of the school, what about kids from families that cannot afford enrichment? This is precisely why we land up with enrichment centres galore.Preschool teachers have a guideline to follow according to what and how much to teach. After all, preschools are not enrichment centres and the teachers are there to nurture the child as a whole person, not only in literacy aspects. If children need additional enrichment to supplement, the parents can afford, why not send to enrichment centres? Preschool teachers are MOE registered teachers and enrichment teachers , well, I do not know if there is a requirement for them to be MOE registered.
Any school, any parent, can teach a child to read if there is more time. But is time readily available? I'm afraid not. Thus, a preschool or kindergarten or Childcare is not an enrichment centre.
With so little time that the preschool cannot ensure that the child is equipped with the core foundational skills, how can it reach lofty goals like character development and nurturing the child as a whole person? -
If the parents have concerns with child’s literacy progress, the best person to talk to and work with would be the child’s immediate teachers. It takes two hands to clap and teachers and parents have to play their part to achieve any goals set for the developing child.
As for character building, I believe all preschool teachers are equipped with this book named PRAISE. A child’s character development stems from the teachers and parents’ collaboration to mould the child to be a good citizen. -
su27:
NYK - only public can get in via wait list and it is only if the parents/siblings alumni can be filled up. I think its the most academic and i guess the best of the best. Singaporeans are kiasu/pragmatic. If it ain't good, there wont be so many people vying for a place for their kids. With money, they can always send their kids to Odessey/Eton etc.. but why NYK? Just a thought hmm..Hi prettymomma,
Are you sure the wait list for both campuses either session, is only 10s to 20s?
I was told in the range of 90s to 100+.
Not sure about St Joseph, but I feel NYK is too over-hyped, and getting too commercialised. IMHO.
St James: Wait list was 10-20 at the point of my registration la.. hee. I mean in 2nd half 2011.. -
Actually, if you want your kid to be in an academically focused kindy, you should try Mindchamps.
I have been to their guided tour… and wow, it looks more like a boot-camp. Your toddlers basically check-in in the mornings and end their day in the evenings. Enrichments, play (for your info, their play is never outdoors hor), studies, nap, bath, meals, etc all included in the whole day.
I asked myself, is this what I want for my kid’s childhood??? I may be a kiasu parent, but I know the is a limit to everything.
I am an old boy with SJCK. I was too on the wait list. But fortunately, I was given a slot for my girl. I opted for Harding over Leedon. Reason being the outdoor kampong settings… the muddy paths, the zinc roofs, and the nature. Nevermind if Harding may be moving in 2 years’ time. At least my toddler can expose to nature settings for a year or two.
Just my 1 cent’s worth. -
su27:
Not true that Mindchamps' play is restricted to outdoor. Some centers offer outdoor and my child is in one w outdoor and pool play. I am here because i am considering switch to St James only because I want to expose my child to a Christian preschool. Mindchamps is great so far and my little darling at 2 year old could sing in mandarin after 4 weeks in school and you don't have to subject your child to a full day program. Bring the child home anytime if you honestly think it's too rigid.Actually, if you want your kid to be in an academically focused kindy, you should try Mindchamps.
I have been to their guided tour... and wow, it looks more like a boot-camp. Your toddlers basically check-in in the mornings and end their day in the evenings. Enrichments, play (for your info, their play is never outdoors hor), studies, nap, bath, meals, etc all included in the whole day.
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any parents would have experience to share on the phonics enrichment provider (the mapping pte ltd) at SJCK? how’s the curriculum like? have your kids learnt much?
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Mindchamps is great but the fees…
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