[Bukit Panjang/Bukit Timah/Hillview] Preschools

[metz]

Hi,


My son is now in Arise Kindy. After some scouting around, I'm intending to put my girl there too. For us, we are happy with the school. My son has no complaints about the teachers or work taught, (though he has some grouses on his classmates). The teachers we have come across are pretty nice and caring. Ms Fong, the school adminstrator is very friendly and helpful too. For the academics, the kindy follows the MOE guidelines. Rigby Rocket readers are used to reinforce reading and word recognising skills. There's a set of English and Chinese Readers to be completed for K1 and K2 respectively. If parents require more intensive learning for their children, the school has also engaged external parties for enrichment purposes - English and Chinese Reading classes (btw, Arise doesn't teach phonics), English and Chinese speech and drama, Fastrackids, John Langrehr Thinking Programme, Creative Artist by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts etc.

Now and then, the school will organise some events that encourage parents' participation. Last year, they had some talks on parenting confident children etc. And this year, the school celebrated Valentine's Day by organising a candlelight dinner for the parents at the school premise. Overall, my son enjoys the school and teachers.

There's no official channel for communicating with the teachers, ie. no commication books. The only teacher-parent meet is conducted in May. Usually, I would just call the teachers if I have any queries. They are very patient and prompt in responding me. However, the only grouse I have is the heavy morning traffic :stupid: (if you are driving). It's a horrendous experience if I were to drive my son there on time. Usually, I'll avoid the traffic and ERP gantry by arriving a little later.

[mickeyminnie]

belmum:

Dear Kiasu parents..


Appreciate any recommendation on childcare centres in Bt Panjang/ Upp Bt Timah/ Hillview/ Toh Yi (Jln Jurong Kechil) area.

In addition, will also appreciate any comments about Learning Ladder (woodlands) opposite Ten Mile Junction.

Thank you in advance!

I would recomend NEWLIFE CHILDCARE @ Jelapang Road. It was under Church care and the teachers all really good in handling kids, the place also very big for kids, so when the HFMD spread.. they won't affected wo much.
My 2 kids grown up from there since 18 mths (playgroup class). Too bad, now I shifted to Woodlands and have trouble with the student care...

[creativethinkers]

I’m surprised nobody recommended Creative Thinkers Learning Centre. It’s tucked right along Jln Jurong Kechil. My kids are there and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a small setup but with terrifc teachers, especially the principal who is also the teacher herself!

[VRossi]

Hi Any Comments on Preschool by the park (Shelford) and Carpe Diem Kids Academy (Watten Park)?

[luvmum]

chamonix:

Hi,


My son is now in Arise Kindy. After some scouting around, I'm intending to put my girl there too. For us, we are happy with the school. My son has no complaints about the teachers or work taught, (though he has some grouses on his classmates). The teachers we have come across are pretty nice and caring. Ms Fong, the school adminstrator is very friendly and helpful too.

Hi chamonix,

I went there few days ago but the place is more like an open concept. Wouldn't tat be noisy when lessons are conducted together? But I like it that they hv gym hse every fri and cooking lesson incorporated. I went to the website and realised they actually hold V day nite for parents. Something very different and innovative. I'm contemplating whether to enrol my child as most of the kindy I went have all the morn timing taken up and tat is for next yr. Can't believed it...I'm late :stupid: Arise still has a few, so I must act fast. Did you go to other kindy when scouting ard?

[metz]

Hi Luvmum,


I was also held back by the open concept (not to mention the classrooms are in the basement) initially. But I'm glad I went ahead with placing my son there. Mrs Hong, the principal, did assure me that the different classes are scheduled in such a way that all the kids wouldn't be in the classrooms together most of the time. So far, my son has yet to complain of noise from other classes.

Yeah, I was surprised by the V night too. Not only we had a good dinner and games, the kids also put up something for us on stage within that 2 short hours. Amazing effort by the teachers They have gym on fridays and music & mvmt on the other days. As for cooking, don't think it's a regular programme. But my son did have much fun with pizza making a few weeks ago. Now the teacher are getting them to work on a class project about dogs. The kids are encouraged to research about dogs and share their findings in class. Work done in class are distributed back to students end of each term. And the parents are updated on the school activities via the newsletters.

I did go around checking other kindergartens - Cherie Hearts, Agape Little Uni, CS Montessori, Just Kids at Bt Batok and one of the Montessori preschool mentioned in this thread. Others such at St Joseph Kindy, Little Wonders, Learning Ladder, I relied on feedback from frens. I would say I am happy with Arise. But if you don't mind a childcare setting, you might want to check on Agape Little Uni.

[quote]I'm contemplating whether to enrol my child as most of the kindy I went have all the morn timing taken up and tat is for next yr. Can't believed it...I'm late [/quote]

Fret not. It all depends on luck and timing that you called in. One week after I enrolled my son in Chiltern House for afternoon session, he was offered the morning session. And for St James Kindy, morning sessions for K1 and K2 were available when I called on 2 different occasions. Can't believe it, huh? :roll: The vacancies for next year are definitely not confirmed yet. But the kindergartens assume their current students will continue with the school next year. Hence, the \"no vacancy\" response as the current batch of students are given priority.

There are a few alternatives worth considering 1. Put on wait list 2. Enrolled for PM session but request to put on waitlist for AM session. (higher chances) 3. Call up the school towards end of term or end of the year. There might be some vacancies due to transfers etc.


Good luck!

[BelleBelle]

nhl:

JHJC:

Hi anyone out there could comment on this 2 centres? I am looking at their infant care.

Thank you!

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

To be honest, I think both centres are good and bad. This is a small summary of the points:
Babies Inc:
Good:
1. Clean environment and large space for infants
2. Area all fresh air
3. Staff speak good english (We spoke to a 3-4 persons I think)
3. Staff friendly, I spoke to two different ladies and both were very friendly
4. Infant room large with low infant/sqm ratio....;) Let just say that they can easily double/triple the number infants.
5. Rooms all fresh air plenty of fresh air.

Bad:
1. A little bit boring, there could be some more decoration. It seems like a clean but slightly boring place.
2. Car park has potential to become full. When it rains you need to walk a long way to drop off your kid (1-150m??)

Sunflower baby house:
Good:
1. Seems like a more fun place for children
2. Staff friendly
3. Covered access, easy to drop off the kid on a rainy day

Bad:
1. Infant room very crowded, many cots next to each other
2. No fresh air in infant room. They rely on air purifiers and there are no windows. We got claustrophobic in there.

As we are new parents our main concern was that our kid should be in a clean environment, our idea is that Babies Inc will give this. Later, when our kid is older we maybe look for a different place as Babies Inc seems to be very strict in the kids upbringing.

So, we do not have a real experience other then the visit. Does anybody else know anything about these places?

Hi,

Any more feedbacks for these 2 infant care...Sunflower Babyhouse Vs Babies Inc....?

[luvmum]

Hi Chamonix,


Check with you hor...I've actually left a msg for Mrs Hong to call me since last wed but she din, send her email no reply. The first time when I talked to her she is very prompt in replying...wonder if it's usual for her to take some time in responding leh...paiseh to call so many times. Tks for sharing... :?

[metz]

Hi Luvmum, you are most welcome.


Hopefully Mrs Hong has returned your call. But just in case she hasn't, try calling again (after 9.15 am) and request to speak with her personally. If she's unable to attend to you immediately, Mrs Fong will be most glad to take a message for you.

Not sure what's happening in school but the principal and staff might be busy with LSM norming and some other quality award matters.

[confused_jo]

Any comment/ feedback on St. Joseph Childcare Centre?


I am thinking of putting my 3.5 y.o girl in this centre. I have seen the centre and like the huge area and not many students in the centre ~ 40 kids only. But really concerned about the teachers' quality and if the curriculum is rich enough for the young ones?

My gal is currently in another Church childcare centre and have been there for about 6 months already. We felt she din learn much and has been really laxed in her manners. So worried that she is unable to catch up with her peers! Couldn't hold a pencil properly, can't read, never hear her singing any songs.... Things like these are already taught to my friend's dotter (a year younger than my gal) in her childcare centre!

I am so worried and am looking for a better change. Anyone has any good recommendation on a reliable childcare centre @ Bt. Panjang area?