All About Montessori

[Amethyst]

Hi to all,


I am now looking for a montessori school for my K1. Considering between cs montessori at bukit timah plaza and spring montessori (formerly at bukit timah shopping centre, now moved to jln suasa, near St Joseph church at upper bt timah rd).

cs is in shopping cte, hence no play area at all, not even indoors. Central a/c in the bldg (so cannot control temp). Their workgroup is 4 hrs a day.

spring is in a semi-d, so it has a small outdoor play area. At times, they also bring kids to a nearby public playgrd. They hv outdoor play like 2-3 times a wk. The workgroup only studies 3 hrs a day.

I’m not sure which to go.
cs will be more academic, they also seemed more organised. however, my concern is that my girl may fall sick more often. She has sensitive nose and asthma, and has been falling sick like at least once a mth now in a mainstream kindy also in a shopping centre envt. Also, i just feel that the kids need some play rather than just study. this is only kindy, they still hv a long way to go.

I like spring since they only use fans, shd be better for my child. My child also wld enjoy the outdoor play. However, they seemed a bit messy. The hours are also shorter than cs, minus out the playtime & snack time/toileting, they really have less time to study (maybe only2 hrs on some days)!

May I ask what are the hrs for the other montessori schools, is it as short as spring? wld they have enough time to prepare the kids for p1?

I hv heard gd comments on cs but hardly anything on spring. Any parents who hv kids in spring now can comment on the teachers? Or perhaps those who hv kids who graduated fr spring can comment on how prepared they are for pri sch?

Buds - i’ve read a number of your postings on montessori, i know that you are well versed in this area. Can u share on my concerns above on whether playtime is impt and what are the usual hours for workgrp? Have u heard of spring? Do you have any recommendations for montessori sch in cck/ yewtee area (other than tulip)? which sch did your kids go to?

thks in advance.

[super-mom]

Please help, could anyone provide feedback? Thanks!

BTW, i’m wondering why MMI had so many centres receiving Healthy Eating in Childcare Centre Award in 2009 but down to only 1 centre (Sengkang) in 2010? Would parents be concern about whether the Childcare centre they choose provides healthy food for children? I’m a health conscious mom, thats why i put high emphasis on that…

[kascl]

Hi,


I chanced upon your post and like to share that there's a pre-school centre at 1D Pinnacle@Duxton (between Outram and Tanjong Pagar Stations). Just enrolled my son there earlier this month and I am quite satisfied with the low student-teacher ratio as well as the environment. No harm going there to take a look.. I only managed to find out when I moved to Pinnacle a few months back.

Good Luck

[buds]

Amethyst:

Buds - i've read a number of your postings on montessori, i know that you are well versed in this area. Can u share on my concerns above on whether playtime is impt and what are the usual hours for workgrp? Have u heard of spring? Do you have any recommendations for montessori sch in cck/ yewtee area (other than tulip)? which sch did your kids go to?


thks in advance.

Heyya Amethyst, welcome to Montessori thread. Thanks for
appreciating my humble knowledge. :oops: Concerns for playtime
are highly subjective. While some parents place emphasis on play
time (outdoor) for a period of time everyday, there are others who
do not mind the absence of it as they do bring their children out to
play, even if not possible daily... at least over the weekend. It is
lovely for children to have outdoor space to cycle, run about, climb
frames, slide down the playgrounds and stuff once in a while if the
space permits. In fact, i have seen indoor playgrounds within ctrs
as well. As long as the ctr has sufficient space, i'm sure they can
consider having one play area for children to be engaged in gross
motor activities. Where i used to teach, it didn't matter that we have
indoor and a smaller area.. teachers came up with mini races within
the area, playing group games and also our farewell bubble time.
Music period also allows for rolling, jumping, dancing which is also
a good gross motor exercise as well. In my opinion, it IS a matter
of preference. For parents like myself who also still do teach our
own children back at home to supplement what they learn in school,
i like to have the solid academic hours filled up with fun learning.
Hence, whether or not they have outdoor play area / time is of a
secondary issue. But that's me.. Being a stay home parent
means my girls have more than sufficient free time to play indoors
and outdoors.

I personally like aircon environment. It is more comfortable for children.
I myself prefer to work in an aircon centre. :lol: My elder girl has bad case
of eczema so i prefer an aircon environment where she won't sweat as much.

Montessori hours differs between set-ups. It is entirely the decision of the
centre operators. Some so called authentic ones may offer more hours as
they insist on the 3-hr work cycle for children... childcare hours follow the
7am to 7pm even in a Montessori set-up... and enrichment centres may
offer as little as 1.5hrs to 2hrs lesson (X number of days per week) for
children as young as 18mths to begin Montessori education.

I believe each centre has their individual merits as they believe in different
goals and objectives for their students, so i usually try not to compare.
But i do prefer an organised centre where i can trust activities can run
smoothly and not just leave children to free play. I place lesson plans
in view so that parents can keep track of the activities for the week &
cos it is that transparent, we hardly have parents inquiring over petty
lesson plan issues or that things aren't carried out. It also helps keep
my teachers on their toes and well prepared before hand. No last min
work/preparations.

My girls enjoyed their time at Tumble Tots the most! As i had reservations
with a few of the Montessori centres i visited, too far, too expensive, too
messy, too high staff turnover (etc)... i decided i should just teach them
myself. Hee.. I kiasu lor.. what to do? Niwae, the journey has bn
suweeet and i am reaping the joys of my years of pre-school investment
at home for my girls. They love learning.. love school.. and are motivated
learners... plus usually independent. Montessorian children should not only
love learning the present but yearn to acquire knowledge for life. :celebrate:

I dunno how this helps... but there... i said it all. You may try Amazing Star.
I had a very good impression of the place and the people.. hehee... they
even offered me a job when i was recce-ing schools for my girls. :lol: I
cannot vouch for the curriculum though cos my girls did not eventually
attend Amazing Star cos of the distance and also due to the fact that i
did not require childcare services.

[Amethyst]

Hi Buds,


thank you so much for taking time off to reply and share your thoughts.

My girl also has eczma (though not frequent outbreaks luckily) and prone to heat rash. But DH and i are more concerned with her monthly MCs, cos each time she is down with fever/flu/cough, it easily means 3-5 days of absence fr sch, if not more.

Has seen Amazing Star at CCK Blk511 (if I didn't remember wrongly). Also has no a/c. I heard that they don't go at individual pace. The whole class will be doing the same thing/worksheets. I was told by principal that in Montessori teaching, workgroups are not at indvd pace any more, has to be in a grp. Is it really so in montessori culture? The principal is the only one trained in montessori method and she in turn trains her teacher to teach the kids the phonics and maths the montessori way.

Howver, in the other 2 schools that I mentioned earlier, the workgroups are conducted at indvd pace. But of course, the prices really differ fr Amazing Star. I dun need childcare services as well, so looking more at kindy for my kid.

Your kids are so lucky to hv personal tutor at home with them.
By the way, which is the school that you used to work in (Can u pm me if not convenient to post here)? I believe your dedication and passion together with your systematic work attitudes wld be passed on to your fellow disciples? Since the 'sifu' is not at the cte any more, perhaps we can look for the next best disciple. (MIN SHI CHU GAO TU!!!)

[happyfeet11]

Any reviews on cherrybrook kindergarten? Understand they have Montessori teachings too but not sure if this is classified under this thread…

[buds]

Amethyst:

Hi Buds, thank you so much for taking time off to reply and share your thoughts.

No worries. I try to reply when i have time to and these days,
it is like time-no-enuf. :lol:

Amethyst:

My girl also has eczma (though not frequent outbreaks luckily) and prone to heat rash. But DH and i are more concerned with her monthly MCs, cos each time she is down with fever/flu/cough, it easily means 3-5 days of absence fr sch, if not more.

My DD1's eczema didn't start out too bad until much later and became
quite uncomfortable. I didn't want to place so much reliance on steroidic
creams though used sparingly when required. Hence the only way was to
find a clean air-conditioned set-up that could help her learn & play in sheer
comfort. For children with eczema or asthmatic children, carpets and mats
can also be a cause for constant relapses especially if the centre doesn't
really practise good hygiene and daily clean-up routines with their toys &
the environment. MCs? I've been there and done that with DD1 for the 1st
few years of her pre-school life up till P2, where we got a H1N1 scare when
she couldn't keep her fever spikes under control. That was one helluva
scare. I tell you, schools that are complacent with cleanliness are those
who won't eventually stand by their decisions to keep children with fever
off the centre and even allow children who have diarrhoea to attend only
to find out the diarrhoea is actually stomach flu and being contagious it
can spread like anything. I've even had experience with a centre that had
a vigilant teacher who reported a boy with chicken pox in her class and
brought him straight to the principal's office. The mother could still claim
that she didn't know her boy had chicken pox which was an outright lie cos
honestly it was full blown chicken pox all right. Tsk tsk.. the poor teacher
plus another handful of students who were in close contact with the boy
for that short period during health check prior to entering the classroom,
were down with chicken pox for two whole weeks! Some parents uh..
The principal was very upset and rang the mom up to inform her to take
her boy back and the mom was reprimanded for being negligent causing
other children high chance to be subjected to the same illness. The mom
then confessed and broke down saying she had exhausted leave from
having to care for the other sibling who was down with chicken pox for
the past two weeks and she could not take any more leave. She had been
hinted that her leave taking has affected her work and that she could lose
her job.

Amethyst:

Has seen Amazing Star at CCK Blk511 (if I didn't remember wrongly). Also has no a/c.

I visited the one at Jelapang, you know where Greenridge Shopping Ctr
is? It has aircon and was just newly opened when i visited with my todd
and another baby in arm. I have not visited the one @ CCK cos i had no
need for any pre-school services when they opened. :lol:

Amethyst:

I heard that they don't go at individual pace. The whole class will be doing the same thing/worksheets. I was told by principal that in Montessori teaching, workgroups are not at indvd pace any more, has to be in a grp. Is it really so in montessori culture? The principal is the only one trained in montessori method and she in turn trains her teacher to teach the kids the phonics and maths the montessori way.

Different set-ups practise different standards of Montessori teachings in
accordance to the hours and the routines set by the individual organisation.
Each would have varying objectives of running their establishments and
as parents we should recce and go with the one that satisfies our research
the best and where we know our children can learn in a clean, safe & happy
environment.

While group activities are sometimes included to ensure children are also
exposed to mainstream-type education where children must also learn to
work in groups, some centers still do allow for individual mat activity where
the child will be observed to work with materials independently as well.
Montessori education i suppose had to evolve with the demands of our
society and also parents who find children have a need to be equipped
and ready to face mainstream education, since most would be enrolled
into government schools upon graduating from pre-school.

I will not say there is a right & wrong here cause the varying organisations
DO have to work within their limits and capacities of parental requests and
needs, mainstream inclusion and yet try to maintain the purity of the
methodology the best they can. There will be other staunch Montessorians
who may have differing or opposing opinions to mine in this instance so
this is highly based on my opinion as an educator and also from managemt
point of view.

Amethyst:

Howver, in the other 2 schools that I mentioned earlier, the workgroups are conducted at indvd pace. But of course, the prices really differ fr Amazing Star. I dun need childcare services as well, so looking more at kindy for my kid.

The only kindy that offers Montessori is the one also at CCK... err.. St 53?
Ichiban Kindergarten, Tulip Montessori and the one from MMI ctrs nearby
may offer afternoon academic Montessori programme without the child
care. I didn't have a very good impression of an Ichiban @ Hong San bk
when i did recce... due to the attitude of a staff towards the children and
how she maintained discipline with the children under her care, so i sorta
didn't bother with Ichiban as a whole. Not stereotyping but parents really
really have to make the effort to visit a place a couple of times, with and
without appointments... or just to see how dismissal is run and stuff. For
void deck centres, well... you can just hear them from outside really.
I also take time to observe teachers who bring students out for outdoor
play at public playgrounds. The way they interact and care for the
student's safety tell a lot about how they work with the children under
their care. I'm the sort who plays with the children, slide... swing... sand..
you name it. And i chat with the children while we all play together, so i
truly love it when i do get to see teachers unwinding and being the child
in them..... playing joyfully with the children instead of those just standing
around either watching the kiddies or worse; gossiping with other teachers
and not minding the kiddies at all. :faint:

If you're willing to go a little outta the way, you may try Blossom Monte as
well. They provide longer kindy hours from what i last heard. Management
has changed but not sure about the quality. Fees wise also on the high side
almost like Tulip but worth a look to have a feel of a different Montessori
set-up for you to make comparison with a fresh pair of eyes on another
environment.

Amethyst:

Your kids are so lucky to hv personal tutor at home with them.

I left a high flying career to work with them and now looking back i have
no regrets. Psst... after my mom could no longer assist me with child care
upon my 2nd child's birth... i just could not fathom the thought of my ILs
taking care of my two kiddies hence the eventual decision to leave the
profession until my children are older and more independent. It was
worth it!

Amethyst:

By the way, which is the school that you used to work in (Can u pm me if not convenient to post here)? I believe your dedication and passion together with your systematic work attitudes wld be passed on to your fellow disciples? Since the 'sifu' is not at the cte any more, perhaps we can look for the next best disciple. (MIN SHI CHU GAO TU!!!)

All the staff under my guidance have left for greener pastures i'm afraid
and i am extremely happy for all of them... they make me proud.
Teaching... for me, is not only just a reflection of the success of the
children but also in how we inspire others to teach with passion. The
journey has been sweet and we all still keep in touch till today. :love:

Regards, buds.

[happyfeet11]

Can anyone share how much is tulip’s rates?

[sunny]

Amethyst:

Has seen Amazing Star at CCK Blk511 (if I didn't remember wrongly). Also has no a/c. I heard that they don't go at individual pace. The whole class will be doing the same thing/worksheets. I was told by principal that in Montessori teaching, workgroups are not at indvd pace any more, has to be in a grp. Is it really so in montessori culture? The principal is the only one trained in montessori method and she in turn trains her teacher to teach the kids the phonics and maths the montessori way.

Hi Amethyst
my gal is at amazing star CCK blk 511. There are another 2 teachers in the centre who are trained in montessori. one is in playgroup, another one is in nursery. sad to say, the principal has just transferred to another new branch at sengkang. the new principal who will be joining is not montessori trained...

[sunny]

buds:

Niwae, the journey has bn

suweeet and i am reaping the joys of my years of pre-school investment
at home for my girls. They love learning.. love school.. and are motivated
learners... plus usually independent. Montessorian children should not only
love learning the present but yearn to acquire knowledge for life. :celebrate:

Hi buds
wanted to find out, how do we nurture a kid to be a motivated learners? and love learning? When the kids keep asking 'why', does it mean that they love learning?

also, in a montessori based school, is it important that the principal needs to be montessori trained? or only the experience of the teachers is the most important? I was really puzzled when I found out that the new principal of my kids' school is not montessori trained and yet she is hired to manage a montessori school.