Huamin is also becoming popular.

I was looking through the vacancies by phases page by MOE and saw that there’s quite alot of vacancies in Jiemin this year as compared to previous years’ stats. What has happened this year that makes Jiemin a less attractive school this year?

Anyone has any idea what are the different open house dates for different primary schools in Yishun?

Looking to sell my daughter’s pre-loved complete set (16 books) of English readers used by Nursery level in Edelweiss Kindergarten. The school sells it at $108 for a brand new set. I’m letting my pre-loved copies go at $60 which is still in very good/like new condition. Please email me at childsgifts (at) gmail (dot) com so you save.

This is a video of my daughter starting to read at 39mo.


[youtube={https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqctfSk5__A}][/youtube]

From observing her progress, I find that mastering sight words first then learning phonics helps the learner more easily decode words. For example, words like \"bat\" is decoded \"b-at\" and not \"b-a-t\" which is longer.

Just want to give an update since my DD has enrolled in the school for 2 weeks.


First 6 days she was crying like mad because she loves her previous school’s principal and wants to go back.

It has been 4 days since she has stopped crying. I am always amazed by the serenity and the sight of children being purposeful at work, sometimes with a teacher, sometimes by themselves, how a couple of children had proactively come to befriend my daughter - a couple of times even when she was wailing away the first 6 days. And 1 time, I see pure joy shining in my daughter’s eyes, countenance and body as she plays simply with the swings in the garden.

2 days ago (her 9th day in school), she suddenly took out a pack of flashcards she had ignored for more than a year that I had used as a very young toddler, went through them and showed recognition of a couple of new simple words. (Disclaimer: She has started to recognise a couple of simple words before entering the school.) It made me wonder what she had done that day in school to re-ignite her interest in these flashcards.

I think she will likely grow emotionally and socially there, not sure about cognitive development currently.

Now, if only someone has a simple natural remedy for repelling mosquitoes. That will be perfect!

If anyone else visits the school, please let me know what you observe. I’m always curious about what my daughter is experiencing.

Hi, I’d just like to know if any parent has any reviews for Greentree Montessori at Yishun/Sembawang?

I’ve observed their lessons twice at their orientation. What I really like is that they really look true-blue montessori, and the children look so satisfied in going about their work, taking pride and motivated in what they do.

What concerns me are the safety issues - I observe a child waving the knife about (she was cutting celery for the rabbit) while talking to another child when the teacher was quickly giving instructions to a 3rd child for his work. Another child was holding the scissors with the sharp ends pointed outwards while walking to her placemat, and none of the teachers saw or had intervened.

However, 2 children who attempted to run in the classroom were stopped quickly by 2 different teachers and sat out the session for about 5 minutes (I guess it’s reflection on not running in the classroom again.) Thumbs up for this.

Also, a child had fallen and hit his head hard, I asked the admin staff talking to me about the protocol and she said that parents would be informed so that the child can be monitored. Had any parents ever receive such communication from the school?

Usually, those 2 instances (child not corrected on holding scissors with pointed ends out and child waving knife about while talking to another child) would have me writing out the school. However I’m very torn in this case as I would very much like my child to have a pure montessori education and I see the pride the children have in their own work.

Can any parents who have their children in this school or who have observed them during normal class time comment? Also, anyone has reccomendations for good montessori school in yishun, sembawang or yio chu kang area?

Thanks.

I understand that there are 24 applicants for 14 vacancies at St Nicks with balloting conducted for >2km.


This means that there are people who definitely got in below 2km right? So I’m wondering if anyone knows the actual applicants >2km vs available slots in the actual balloting exercise?

I have visited First Bridge at both AMK and bishan. There are elements of Montessori like you had said of mixed age group, circle time but I find the key element of being child-led missing.


The classes are structured and teacher-directed (except for the child's first month where they let the child work on what he/she chooses for the purpose of inculcating comfort).

Having said that, I've heard reviews of the classes preparing the child academically for P1 particularly in the areas of literacy.

greenie123:

Hi,
Any one has review on First Bridge Montessori at bishan and AMK ave 4 (new branch)?
The principle is author of First Bridge Series Phonics Books.
http://firstbridge.com.sg/index.html

They seem true blue monte (pls correct if incorrect)...with circle time, mixed age class.. and small class size.. Which I wonder if that the reason I cant find much review on this school online..

Pls advice. Thanks a million!!

Dear Buds and Sembgal,


I think my eyes had really "taq stamp." Even though I was checking this thread daily for a few days after my query on Greentree Montessori, I didn’t see your responses until today, the day I had decided to enroll in Greentree Montessori (without knowing your responses!) Thank you for responding.

Sembgal: How does your friend feel about Greentree Montessori for her child so far as compared to her previous childcare?

Anyway just to update: Despite my reservations, I have gone ahead and registered for Greentree. I see the confidence the children have in going about their work and want my child to have the same confidence. I have highlighted my safety concerns mentioned earlier in this thread to the teachers. If anyone has any knowledge on their safety measures, do let me know too? I’ll be really interested.

Buds: I have only browsed through the home-learning you are doing with your children and it already looks impressive! Thanks for sharing.

Hi, I’d just like to know if any parent has any reviews for Greentree Montessori at Yishun/Sembawang?


I’ve observed their lessons twice at their orientation. What I really like is that they really look true-blue montessori, and the children look so satisfied in going about their work, taking pride and motivated in what they do.

What concerns me are the safety issues - I observe a child waving the knife about (she was cutting celery for the rabbit) while talking to another child when the teacher was quickly giving instructions to a 3rd child for his work. Another child was holding the scissors with the sharp ends pointed outwards while walking to her placemat, and none of the teachers saw or had intervened.

However, 2 children who attempted to run in the classroom were stopped quickly by 2 different teachers and sat out the session for about 5 minutes (I guess it’s reflection on not running in the classroom again.) Thumbs up for this.

Also, a child had fallen and hit his head hard, I asked the admin staff talking to me about the protocol and she said that parents would be informed so that the child can be monitored. Had any parents ever receive such communication from the school?

Usually, those 2 instances (child not corrected on holding scissors with pointed ends out and child waving knife about while talking to another child) would have me writing out the school. However I’m very torn in this case as I would very much like my child to have a pure montessori education and I see the pride the children have in their own work.

Can any parents who have their children in this school or who have observed them during normal class time comment? Also, anyone has reccomendations for good montessori school in yishun, sembawang or yio chu kang area?

Thanks.