Preschool Curriculum

[freshleaf]

Hi insider & buds,


Thank you for sharing with us your wealth of knowledge and experience on childcare curriculum. I've learnt a lot and hope you can give some guidance on my question below.

I'm looking for a childcare for my 20mth old baby and came across My First Skool (formerly known as NTUC childcare). Per the principal, My First Skool had recently revamped their curriculum towards a more \"learning through play\" approach.

Do you have any experience with My First Skool centers that you can share?

As \"learning through play\" approach is very different from a worksheet-based curriculum and need experience teachers to carry out the program effectively, how can I gauge whether a center is doing a good job in implementing such curriculum?

Thanks a lot in advance!

[buds]

freshleaf:

I'm looking for a childcare for my 20mth old baby and came across My First Skool (formerly known as NTUC childcare). Per the principal, My First Skool had recently revamped their curriculum towards a more \"learning through play\" approach.

Yup, they have termed this new approach, the PETAL methodology.
Here's the link to their method details and their promise to families
who have their children enrolled with them.
http://www.myfirstskool.com/introduction-The-NTUC-Childcare-Approach.html

freshleaf:

Do you have any experience with My First Skool centers that you can share?

I honestly cannot share an opinion on this area as i do not have
relevant experience with this new methodolgy in place. Mebbe, i
should go down my nearest one and have a look, aye...

freshleaf:

As \"learning through play\" approach is very different from a worksheet-based curriculum and need experience teachers to carry out the program effectively, how can I gauge whether a center is doing a good job in implementing such curriculum?

Just what you just mentioned - EXPERIENCED teachers! Bingo!
You will be able to gauge the teacher's experience from the manner
he/she interacts with her class and runs her lesson. There are various
ways of learning through play, ie. role play, creative play, guided play,
concrete (material) play (etc) and not being able to see 1st hand the
school environment, its hard to say what else should be looked out for
apart from the teacher. As mentioned in previous posting, the teacher
in such an environment should ideally be involved in the play, nurturing
the children with think-outta-box questions to stimulate young minds &
every child should be engaged in purposeful play.

Some suggestions :
>Ask to be shown their lesson samples from K1 and K2 (worksheets) or
(projects). You should look out for language fluency used and its creative
components, as learning through play helps cultivate a creative environ-
ment for learning.
>Ask how language & literacy and math concepts are being implemented
via their PETAL methodolgy. After all, the basis of having a child enrolled
in a pre-school centre is being prepared for primary education apart from
the care (for childcare set-ups). Look out for concrete teaching materials
displayed (or not), to suggest creative learning resources are being used
to deliver academic lessons.
>As with other curriculums, there must be progression. Inquire what are
the main core topics that will be covered for the different levels N2, K1 &
K2. For example.. What will my child have learnt after a whole year in N2?
>Ask how a parent can be of assistance, to help nurture the child at
home using this methodology...

There should be a purpose to the \"play\" in this kind of environment,
ie. purposeful play which leads to fun learning experiences... and
not just free play.

[Starling]

Hi

I was sourcing for a kindergarten recently & was glad to come across this topic. Just to share.I went to a nearby kindergarten to enquire on the following and got the following responses:

I ask for sample of K1/K2 works and was informed that all works were returned to students. Upon enquiring on the curriculum, I was given a very brief/basic guide (all verbal) such as:
N2 - learning alphabets, simple numbers
K1 - phonics, Maths (no subtraction or addition, just simple numbers)
K2 - spelling etc. (Didn’t elaborate)

When prompt further on what kind of thematic program it follows, I was informed that the curriculum is written from a established organisation(from the long history, i agree that its establish), but it is not provided to parents. The teachers were given the flexibility of going with the flow of what interest the students at K2 level.

When prompt further on the qualification of teachers, the MOE guidelines come into picture.
There are some niggering thoughts in me after having spoken to the principal. Response is very superficial although the principal seems to be quite nice. I am not really sure of what a curriculum should be (but its unlike Berries where they are able to show you what they have). Any comments on the principal’s comments?

I am still contemplating but there is only 1 available vacancy.
Considering that my son will be in K1 next year, my sourcing around seems to be very late and there aren’t many kindergarten with available places.

My son is currently in childcare now and I wanted to switch him to a proper kindergarten as well as having the luxury of spending more time at home before he starts Pri 1 in a few years time.

[deardear07]

kwcllf:

Hi momresource,


I can understand perfectly where you are coming from regarding preschool curriculum and whether our children will be ready for Primary 1.

In Singapore, preschool education follows MOE's \"Nurturing Early Learners: A Framework for Kindergarten curriculum in Singapore\" as a reference. Centres are guided by the desired outcomes of pre-school education in this framework.

For a complete guide of the framework, please refer to the following link:
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/preschool/files/kindergarten-curriculum-framework.pdf

Among the various objectives in the framework, \"Language and Literacy\" and \"Numeracy\" are some of the key areas.

As I have mentioned earlier in this post, there should be a basic result/objective for preschool to aim for. I am not saying children at such a young age should be subjected to examination. but a Basic standard must be achieved from the many curriuculum touted by the many preschools in Singapore.


Hi jedamum,

I don't think most parents are thinking of the academic \"milestones\" for preschoolers in the strict sense. Although MOE has a framework in place, in my humble opinion, there should be better monitoring of the preschool sector to ensure that the objectives it sets out are met, like I mentioned \"Language and Literacy\" and \"Numeracy\". Otherwise, all the supposedly \"superior\" curriculum are nothing more than a smokescreen.

hi, do u still have the document? i cun view the link anymore...

[buds]

Starling:

Hi

I was sourcing for a kindergarten recently & was glad to come across this topic. Just to share.I went to a nearby kindergarten to enquire on the following and got the following responses:

I ask for sample of K1/K2 works and was informed that all works were returned to students. Upon enquiring on the curriculum, I was given a very brief/basic guide (all verbal) such as:
N2 - learning alphabets, simple numbers
K1 - phonics, Maths (no subtraction or addition, just simple numbers)
K2 - spelling etc. (Didn't elaborate)

When prompt further on what kind of thematic program it follows, I was informed that the curriculum is written from a established organisation(from the long history, i agree that its establish), but it is not provided to parents. The teachers were given the flexibility of going with the flow of what interest the students at K2 level.

When prompt further on the qualification of teachers, the MOE guidelines come into picture.
There are some niggering thoughts in me after having spoken to the principal. Response is very superficial although the principal seems to be quite nice. I am not really sure of what a curriculum should be (but its unlike Berries where they are able to show you what they have). Any comments on the principal's comments?

I am still contemplating but there is only 1 available vacancy.
Considering that my son will be in K1 next year, my sourcing around seems to be very late and there aren't many kindergarten with available places.

My son is currently in childcare now and I wanted to switch him to a proper kindergarten as well as having the luxury of spending more time at home before he starts Pri 1 in a few years time.

Comments ah, Starling... :?

If it were me, i won't be sold lor.
Doesn't seem to entice me in any way with
such half-hearted lukewarm response... it's
like, hey.. i'm here reali excited to noe more
abt your school and you hum and haw thru' out
the entire inquiry. An inquiry should have as many
honest and detailed answers as possible lah.. either
that or the principal is new ie. just hopped on board.

Just my opinion..

[YingYing]

Hi Buds

I’ve read some of your really informative & insightful views - many thanks!

Can i ask you if you have heard of St Hilda’s Kindergarten along East Coast area? Would you by any chance know if the curriculum is any good ? Care to share your view please ?

I will of course of making a trip down the kindy to have a look & also to speak with the Principal (so far i only managed to speak with the Admin - prefer to speak with Principal) but i would also like to solicit views from people in the know… So if u can share a view or 2 on St Hilda’s Kindergarten, that"ll ve greatly appreciated. many Thanks.

[Funz]

Starling:

Hi

I was sourcing for a kindergarten recently & was glad to come across this topic. Just to share.I went to a nearby kindergarten to enquire on the following and got the following responses:

I ask for sample of K1/K2 works and was informed that all works were returned to students. Upon enquiring on the curriculum, I was given a very brief/basic guide (all verbal) such as:
N2 - learning alphabets, simple numbers
K1 - phonics, Maths (no subtraction or addition, just simple numbers)
K2 - spelling etc. (Didn't elaborate)

When prompt further on what kind of thematic program it follows, I was informed that the curriculum is written from a established organisation(from the long history, i agree that its establish), but it is not provided to parents. The teachers were given the flexibility of going with the flow of what interest the students at K2 level.

When prompt further on the qualification of teachers, the MOE guidelines come into picture.
There are some niggering thoughts in me after having spoken to the principal. Response is very superficial although the principal seems to be quite nice. I am not really sure of what a curriculum should be (but its unlike Berries where they are able to show you what they have). Any comments on the principal's comments?

I am still contemplating but there is only 1 available vacancy.
Considering that my son will be in K1 next year, my sourcing around seems to be very late and there aren't many kindergarten with available places.

My son is currently in childcare now and I wanted to switch him to a proper kindergarten as well as having the luxury of spending more time at home before he starts Pri 1 in a few years time.

Hi Starling,

Sorry to just butt in here. But I am curious. Do you have any issues with how your son is progressing in his current childcare? If not, why not just switch him to a 1/2 day or flexi programme?

[whyme]

Hi All

need some advise from U all experience parents. I am currently a working mother of 2, (3 1/2 years old and 9mths old). My girl currently in Nursery at PCF, next year when she is in K1 and my younger boy 18mths, I am thinking of enrolling both of them to a full time childcare. Reason is
1) For my girl, 1/2 day learning in the morning, but in the afternoon, she just watch TV and I find she will be very lonely at home alone just with my mum and nobody to play with her,
2) As my mum takes care of her, she tends to be very protective, when I compare her with her peers, I found she is not independent at all. She still needs to be feed, whereas I see my collegues kids who is in full time child care, can already eat by themself at this age

however, if I enroll both of them to child care, my maid will be very free but I can’t get rid of my maid cause my hb usually needs to travel very frequent and I need a helper during the weekend

Any advise?

[cloubhappy.05320live.05320com]

hi whyme


one suggestion:

enrol in a full day kindergarten. That would be about 6 hrs from abt 9am to about 3. By the time, she reach hm. She may most probably takes a nap ard 4 to 5 and u will be home very soon by evening?

[Funz]

consider full day for your older one now and 1/2 day for your younger one when he is about 2yrs old.


That way, your maid has the morning to do her chores b/4 your younger one is due home. Then pick your girl up by about 5pm which is about the time that most activities will end in childcare centres.