All About Montessori

[Sun_2010]

Sorry I forgot to add

I am not sure about MT standards since my kids dont take Chinese.

[buds]

Yes, phankao... there are such programmes around.

Some conduct them within short duration and some
longer, depending on how the management runs the
programme within their centres.

I've run them before and usually they're full house.
Parent and child programmes are very popular as
these sessions allow parents to learn more about the
Montessori Methodology via the directresses. They
also get to learn how to work with their children using
the knowledge they've acquired from the directresses
and go home more equipped as hands-on parents.

For some parents, it's a session where they bond and
get to work with materials every week within the ctrs..
no need to buy. For others, it's a peek into the
ways of Montessori teaching and assessing for them-
selves if this is the method they want their children to
learn from and be engaged with for their pre-school
years and as to whether their children seem to take on
the learning experience using this methodology positively.

We have many parents who sign up for daily sessions
after attending once or twice weekly parent & child
sessions with us.

Parents get guidance from between 2 to 3 trained directresses
in a group of say between 10 to 12 parent & child pairs. Prices
can range from 100+ for an hour's lesson and double that for
a twice weekly 1.5hrs session. These sessions usually do not
require uniforms for the children... until of course they are
ready to join the centre for permanent drop off sessions.

Parents will get to explore all the areas of Montessori and
experience how each child can develop at their own pace and
how the method prepares the children for future secular education.

These programmes are fun to conduct and all of us make many
friends every week. Time for group activities are also catered to
so that children especially those without siblings can interact with
other children their age. Parents can also take time to learn and
share from other parents on their parental journeys & experiences.

Hope this helps.

[vlt142]

Hi Sun,


highly thanks & appreciate your feedbacks, giving me more confidence to enrol my child into montessori system.

[Joeyz18]

Buds

u live in the west too? Can give recommendation on the Montessori Sch in Bt panjang, Cck area?

[superdaddy000]

Hi vlt142


Thanks for your reply. My child did not misbehave and I find their reason ridiculous.

I wanted to change sch but very difficult to find one now for next yr enrolment.

Have been to at least 10 CC, either is no vacancy or price too high for me. And quite frustrating to keep calling around to check and taking leave frequently to visit CC.

I have made enquiries with the sch HQ, they told me sch can’t ask me to withdrawn my child and will check it out for me.

I think is bad that they isolate your child as is unhealthy. Teachers should be caring and feedback to parents if they really have problem handling the child.

[vlt142]

Hi superdaddy,


I understand tt the difficulties for working parents to spend time & leave for looking for a suitable cc / preschool. Perhaps u can try goggle map singapore to search suitable cc nearer to ur living place. In the goggle map, it shows the contact details & add of the cc / preschools. This is the way i look for preschool for my daughter. I will check the details fr internet & make a call before a visit to a preschool. It saves me time & travelling journey.

Good luck to ur search.

[buds]

Joeyz18:

Buds, u live in the west too? Can give recommendation on the Montessori Sch in Bt panjang, Cck area?

Nope Joeyz, not anymore. I've just recently shifted up North.

I've only seen these few within CCK and BP.

> Amazing Star Montessori CC (Jelapang @ Greenridge Shpg Ctr)
> Went there when they were newly opened. Clean. Lively environment.
> No food smells from kitchen. Laminated floors. Good safetly features.
> Good operator. Good Chinese lao shi who also plays piano during the
> music session. Did not get to see curriculum.

> Ichiban Montessori CC (Palm Gardens)
> Didn't really have good impression of school. A little noisy.
> Didn't feel like asking that much questions either. A little warm as well.

> MMI 10 Mile / Phoenix Walk (BP)
> High fees. Excellent complete curriculum. Not impressed with a few staff
> during visit. Crowded hence a little on the noisy side. Good Chinese
> teachers.

> Tulip Montessori (CCK/Yew Tee)
> Experienced and knowledgable operator, who also runs some of the
> classes. High fees. Very very clean & have strict hygiene expectations.
> Lower child:teacher ratio. High quality Montessori materials. Beautiful
> laminate flooring & ctr set-up. In-ctr toilet (very clean). Open concept
> and very welcoming. Didn't get to see curriculum.

But these are highly my personal opinions at the point of my visit.
You still need to visit the centres yourself to gauge the needs for
your children. Centres may have also changed staff from when i
last visited. Fees may have changed as well. My suggestion for 1st
time recce... without child(ren). After shortlisting the ones you like,
bring your child(ren) and if the option of doing trial lessons are
available, i say go for it. Hope this helps somewhat in giving
you a headstart.

Regards, buds.

[kup1pi]

Hi,any1 wt kid at MMI @Pinnacle?any feedbck?tks

[Joeyz18]

buds,


tks for reply, for the above you mentioned, all i had liaise b4, hehe! i also one kiasu mummy, lol

ichiban - the environ a bit old and i think they are not v strict in terms of health checks when entering sch. (my own opinion)

yet to visit amazing star and sch also full til next yr, and fees is reasonable i think.

MMI- i don’t the environment as well…

[buds]

Yup, i find Amazing Star the most reasonable by far.

Too bad though i didn't have a chance to go through
the curriculum then. I guess being more established
now after more years in the industry, they should've
gao tim that part already.