[Bukit Panjang/Bukit Timah/Hillview] Preschools

[vividlaurel]

babysz:

Thank you so much for your reply. May I know what is the teacher:children ratio for N2?

If I remember correctly, it was 7 kids to 1 teacher. The average class size when my kids were in N1/N2 (in fact even now) is around 14-15. I don't remember a year when the class size went beyond that. They also have 1 main teacher (either the English teacher or the Mandarin teacher) and an assistant teacher.

Vividlaurel

[ChiefKiasu]

nhl:

...We visited the both centres last year and will be enrolling our daughter when she turns 2 months to the Babies Inc...

Thanks nhl! Great, balanced review.

[babysz]

That's is a comfortable size . I went there for a visit and was impressed by a child who was learning chess with a Chinese teacher. It is also heartening to know that the staff there are committed and good. Can you enlighten us more about the teachers (qualifications, experiences, or anything you think will be helpful)? Dh passes by their school on his way to work so the location allows him to send dd over. Thanks in advance.

[vividlaurel]

babysz:

That's is a comfortable size . I went there for a visit and was impressed by a child who was learning chess with a Chinese teacher. It is also heartening to know that the staff there are committed and good. Can you enlighten us more about the teachers (qualifications, experiences, or anything you think will be helpful)? Dh passes by their school on his way to work so the location allows him to send dd over. Thanks in advance.

Most of the main teachers, if not all have diplomas in teaching. Last year they had some turnovers (almost 3 teachers for English for K1 which my kids were in that time) but the N1 and N2 teachers have been for the last 4 years atleast. They have good Chinese teachers and at times have expat teachers for English (last year for K2 and the 2 years before that for K1 and K2). Unfortunately no expat teacher this year! Some of the teachers are parents with kids either in kindergarten or slightly older, so they are able to reach to you as a parent too. Since we are not Chinese and the kids are learning Chinese, the teachers usually go out of their way to let us know how the kids are doing in the language.

Are you planning on the full day or the half day programme?

Vividlaurel

[allseasons]

Hi all,


I am still searching for kindergarten around Bkt Batok, Upp Bkt Timah and Hillview area for my sons. Any recommendations? I hope I can find a good one that can prepare my sons' to go to P1. If not a kindie, I am also considering a half-day childcare around this area...

Thanks a lot and cheers

[metz]

Hi Allseasons,


I have just visited a childcare centre within Cashew Heights. Its curriculum looks pretty interesting (but I don’t think it includes spelling and tingxie). The curriculum is designed based on story. For instance, the K2 are currently doing The Crow and the Pitcher. The kids are introduced to English, Arts, Math and Science based on this. They are introduced to different types of beaks and make investigations about the beaks. Perhaps you might want to drop by and speak with the principal to get a better understanding. It’s a relatively new setting that has just started this February. However, as it is a childcare, the curriculum is spread over the entire day. If you are looking solely for a half day setting, then it may not be a good fit.

[allseasons]

Hi Chamonix,


Thanks for the reply. Which cc at Cashew Height was it?

[metz]

Hi, it’s Agape Little Uni.

[babysz]

vividlaurel:

babysz:

That's is a comfortable size . I went there for a visit and was impressed by a child who was learning chess with a Chinese teacher. It is also heartening to know that the staff there are committed and good. Can you enlighten us more about the teachers (qualifications, experiences, or anything you think will be helpful)? Dh passes by their school on his way to work so the location allows him to send dd over. Thanks in advance.

Most of the main teachers, if not all have diplomas in teaching. Last year they had some turnovers (almost 3 teachers for English for K1 which my kids were in that time) but the N1 and N2 teachers have been for the last 4 years atleast. They have good Chinese teachers and at times have expat teachers for English (last year for K2 and the 2 years before that for K1 and K2). Unfortunately no expat teacher this year! Some of the teachers are parents with kids either in kindergarten or slightly older, so they are able to reach to you as a parent too. Since we are not Chinese and the kids are learning Chinese, the teachers usually go out of their way to let us know how the kids are doing in the language.

Are you planning on the full day or the half day programme?

Vividlaurel

Thanks for sharing so much details, Vividlaurel. They are very helpful. I am planning to go for the full day programme. Will give the principal a call for a trial lesson this coming March holidays.
dh is working very far up North but the fact that he goes against the traffic flow the travelling is still feasible. That is why we can only consider centres along the way up. That rules out Bukit Timah area and heavy trafiic areas heading towards town.

[ChiefKiasu]

evelynseet:

...Anybody can recommend me any GOOD Childcare or Kindergarten around Bukit Timah Area??...

Hi evelynseet, reviews of childcare services tend to be very subjective and dependent on individual views. What we hope to achieve is a large enough sample size of responses so that we can see what most people think about specific childcare services.

Have you looked through this thread to see if you can find what you are looking for?