Kinderland

[JGMum]

Hi, I am a new mum at this forum. I sent my elder boy to Tulip Montessori for about 1.5 years (started when he was ~20 mths). He really enjoyed himself there, and became a lot more independent. We liked it because of the clean and new classroom, the variety of Montessori tools and toys, the high teacher-to-student ratio (when my son was there, it was 3 teachers to a class of 10-15 students), and the fee is not that ex compared to other Montessori programs. The only drawback is that we could not use CDA funds as it was an enrichment centre. We had to pull him out because we moved to a new location that is too far from Yew Tee/CCK. I would have put my younger one in there if we have not moved.

[cckmummy]

Welcome JG mum,

Thanks for the useful feedback, now then i know can’t use CDA account. i’ve yet to visit the centre although i live very near there, a pity i can’t sign my girl up for the daily classes, I’m a FTWM and the principal told me there’s no school bus service.

[swpf]

i am also considering placing my 3YO girl to one of the schools below

1) mmi katong
2) kinderland marine parade
3) school house by the bay
4) seeds ‘d’ learning katong
5) learning vision tampines

any feedbacks on the above?

[ChiefKiasu]

swpf:

i am also considering placing my 3YO girl to one of the schools below

1) mmi katong
2) kinderland marine parade
3) school house by the bay
4) seeds 'd' learning katong
5) learning vision tampines

any feedbacks on the above?

I looked at most of them other than Seeds and Learning Vision. My daughter's having fun in Schoolhouse BTB right now. Lots of interaction, handicraft, drawings and gym. But need to supplement with the more academic oriented enrichment classes outside. Kinderland Marine Parade is a good option if you are looking for a greater balance between play and serious stuff like languages and music.

[siewyee_lee.02161yahoo.02161com.02161sg]

Hi swpf.

I have a bad experience with MMI at katong shopping centre.Enrolled my gal in July 08 and stop putting her mid Sep 08. For July to Aug,she is on half day prog,only stay few hrs and did not noticed anything. But when put full days in Sep,she start to be moody and sad.
I withdraw her is bcos when I fetch her fr work, I pushed open glass door and saw my gal crying all alone at the sofa. Not a single soul was there,imagine she was sitting near entrance,anyone can just grab her and go.Even no one to grab her she can push glass door and run out. For ur info,carpark is just located outside, and downstairs is places people play pools. Confronted Teacher and she said my gal keep crying whole day and to not want to go indoor playground. And she is standing in btw door,which is crap,cos when i open door and went in to comfort my gal,not a single soul. Supervisor still tell me my gal improving not much crying.
Such a childcare giving such care and concern is really very untolerable.How to entrust kids with them when their replies or updates on ur child is so different. Never put my gal bk after that day.
Heard fr my ex-collegue their teacher is not montessori certify,only certified teacher on long sick leave.All this certification I can still bear with it but not the deadly incident.
Sorry to complaint so much as I am really very angry and disappointed.Now I got to look for childcare again but MMI no longer a criteria for me cos their teacher might not be certify at all. Most impt is that teacher is caring and good. A very simple requirement but so hard to meet as depend on luck.

[ChiefKiasu]

sy:

...I withdraw her is bcos when I fetch her fr work, I pushed open glass door and saw my gal crying all alone at the sofa. Not a single soul was there,imagine she was sitting near entrance,anyone can just grab her and go...

Hi sy, I'm surprised that your child was left alone in the waiting area as it is indeed just 1 door away from the carpark which would be very dangerous. I was told during my visit earlier this year that no child is allowed to be outside alone when I voiced my concern about security.

But I did think that they have a good curriculum, and the place is large and clean.

[jaewee]

so it seems that Kinderland Marine Parade is a better ooptions afterall? versus Schoohouse by the Bay

[swpf]

sy, thanks for sharing with us.

after much thots, i think i prefer to put my girl to nursery (half-day programme) rather than child care programme.
hmm... what about mmi at kee sun and zoophonics tampines?? any comments of these 2 schools?
ChiefKiasu, your kid used to attend kinderland too right? how is it?
thanks all for your valuable feedback.

[siewyee_lee.02161yahoo.02161com.02161sg]

hi chiefkaisu,

ya,i am also very surprised when it hit me,on that day,was still before 530pm,there was still alot of teachers inside,but they choose to put my girl alone in the recep sofa.
Made a complaint to the boss,she also said the same thing,they won't allow a child to be left alone.And said she will investigate. Excuse come back was teacher at that time bring a child to toilet. And if we wish to withdraw,they are fine with it as their waiting list is very long :shock: .
See,so irresponsible answer. When I confronted teacher there on that day,teacher did not mention that got bring child to toilet,only said she stand in btw door.
Parent left to no choice but to buy their reason if want to continue in their childcare. They give me the impression that they are in command if want to put there.
Sigh,I am also attracted by the clean and large environment in the first place. But think kind of quality for care and concern is more impt after this experience.
As for curriculum,for my girl in playgroup they got 2 group,my girl initially joined is under small class,which can learn more as they sit down to art and craft and play montessori material. After few wks,they put her at big group which kids alway sit around with other kids crying.
I asked the incharge,she said got to wait for vacancy at small group and also got to see my girl ready to change anot then can swap. Is like forever waiting if small group always full. my girl is ready as she during full day childcare,she can do montessori material.but just that in morn,their class is bigger as alot of child on half day prog.
Btw,since you visited the centre,why you are not tempted by the clean and large env and curriculum?

swpf, I also felt 3hrs prog is better if got caregiver at home to do the pick up.

[ChiefKiasu]

sy:

...Btw,since you visited the centre,why you are not tempted by the clean and large env and curriculum?...

I was, but I was also curious about what Kinderland Academy had to offer, given their affiliation with Crestar. I chose Kinderland over MMI, and after 6 months, moved my daughter to Schoolhouse by the Bay.