icy_mama:Haha...I feel a whole lot better now...rachee-o:Hi, am new to kiasu parent...even though my son is already 6!! I was still too laid back, but he is going Primary next year...the mommy better buck up a bit to know what's going on! Cheers!
:welcome: you're not late at all.... i found ksp only when my dd was almost turning 12.
Hi, am new to kiasu parent…even though my son is already 6!! I was still too laid back, but he is going Primary next year…the mommy better buck up a bit to know what’s going on! Cheers!
My child just completed his 2 yr kindergarten with Aroozoo (full day program). Being a new center when he was first enrolled, I was prepared that there would be some hiccups along the way or maybe even some \"flaws\".
I didn't quite compare with all other centers, maybe I didn't do as much homework then. I can only say I took a chance with Pat's Schoolhouse Centre and given it's the same operator, it should live up to a certain standard as the other more established centres.
After two years, he has just finished his Graduation Ceremony...sorry, should be a Graduation Musical, whereby Aroozoo and Halifax combined together and performed a full musical of Land of Oz. They went through several rounds of rehearsals, voice recording and practice sessions and even learnt how to coordinate behind stage and on stage with lighting and sound. The whole performance was very professionally done. No hiccups, no breaking nerves of any of the child, all full of confidence in their roles and playing at their best.
And honestly, I didn't even know they took away Speech and Drama until I read this forum...Oh man....this mommy!!! But hey, who needs a formal speech and drama class when they are practically \"speech and drama\"-trained with the result of a professional musical performance, right?
I particularly like their overnight camp that the school organized, it really brought out the independence in them and my son really enjoyed that and can still talk about the BBQ, movie under the stars, trying out the tent..etc..etc...months after.
FasTrack is his favorite topic and to me, given my son is quite laid back, anything that he can remember and talk about much...must be something that has a positive impact on him. He learned about the universe, other science stuff...and come back home challenging me if I knew! haha...
Academic wise, which of course is every parents' concern, I feel that they are probably on track to get the kids ready for Primary. Most importantly, I find that the attitude of learning is really important and that is what I saw in my son.
Every parent will have different expectation, and every center or every childcare offers different focus. So, it's about finding the right one that you want your child to have the experience. For me, I choose towards a more colorful childhood, great experience and exposure. And from the academic side, as long as he has a good foundation, it should give him a good start.
My son ever attended a good nursery (age 4) which was great in academic. However, at the age of 4, when he was still at a very creative stage, he often plays pretend and said he was a lion one day and would oar, while the next, he would be a cat and he would meow. I thought it was funny but the teacher said,\"Something is not right, he has all this different character every day\". I stopped his nursery immediately because to me, it's not my focus to stifle his imagination. The centre drills in all the academic and stuff, but seriously, I have no desire to push my child only in that direction.
I think putting center aside, it really boils down to the actual teacher for the child's class. Some teachers just deliver what they are supposed to, while others do beyond their call of duty. I work closely with the teachers, often asking for feedback and areas my son need to work on and I find this partnership is really important to help the child achieve more. I am also fortunate that his teachers are very dedicated and committed to teach the whole class well.
As for the academic part, they use Letterland and I think it doesn't help in teaching the kids how to read. Of course, letterland is sold in bookstores, so not necessary to decide on PSH just because of letterland. My son is able to read anything thrown to him, even recently, he just took the latest LKY book, he just tried. Could read but of course, won't be able to understand because content is just beyond him at this age. The point it, I think the blending of letters is easy for him now, and because he could understand the phonics, he can try to spell out words. Hopefully, that will help in his spelling in Primary! 
