Caterpillar's Cove

[princeton]

This thread has been very quiet... but I've put my gals in caterpillar's cove and would like to comment that: It's a great school! :love:

[leo26]

may i check if they accept toddlers?hw much are the fees?

[tjkok]

Hi leo26


Caterpillar Cove accepts toddlers from 18 months onwards, fees are on the high side, around close to $1K without subsidy.

[kiasuguru]

Hi


Any comments on the above? Heard the program was a tie-up with a university.

[babystickyfingers]

Original Title: Caterpillar's Cove at Ngee Ann Polytechnic


Hi

Anyone's child enrolled here? Wanna share experience on the curriculum and school's focus etc etc My DD will be enrolled here soon. It is also opened to the public.

http://www.thecaterpillarscove.com.sg/

Thought I could start a thread here so all parents can share....

[princeton]

My 2nd one just \"graduated\" from the cove this year. I've only GOOD things to say about the school. :rahrah: I am not so bother by the curriculum, but I would say that the teachers are really committed and almost equally good, which, in my opinion, is something quite rare in childcare centres. They provide daily feedback, casual ones, when I fetched my kids. The centre is very very open and transparent, unlike some well known centres, which only allow parents to fetch their kids at the \"reception area\".

Academically, they may not be top, there is NO spelling, NO take home worksheets. BUT, I like their project theme, the K2 class goes around the school and identify \"problems\", then try to solve them as a group. They even have hands on wood work, which I'm impressed.
What's more, we only pay a $12 ticket for my gal's graduation concert. No glam stuff, but they acted in a play with songs, and played musical instruments with the poly students. Head gears are made by the students and teachers, costumes are loan out by parents (I lend them my gals' princess costume, while some other parents lend my gal a red suit for her role as red riding hood). The whole atmosphere is as cosy as the cove itself. :please:

My two gals enjoy themselves thoroughly. They speak in full sentences in daily conversation, and they are definitely more confident to speak up, but I would say not as \"ang moh\" style as those from \"prestigeous pre-schools\". But I think, the family plays a part too.

My 2nd gal is already good in phonics before she joins the cove in K2, so I'm not sure whether the curriculum is effective. Will have to monitor my no.3 though, as she joins the cove since nursery and she's not as strong in languages as her sister.

All in all, if you want your kid enjoy his/her childhood, in a safe environment, I think the caterpillar's is a good choice.

[sgwave]

Hi,


Does anyone has children who graduated from the school?
Care to share some comments about the curriculum whether it sufficiently prepare the children for primary 1?

I am divided whether to change …

Appreciate any comments about the school. Thanks.

[princeton]

hm...how do you define \"sufficiently prepare\"? The cove covers the basic - addition, subtraction, time, etc, and hanyu pinyin. I used to work in a montessori kindergarten, the children there are more \"advanced\" as they learnt geometry, addition/subtraction of fractions. However, come to think of it, won't the children be bored when they attend P1, since everything has already been taught in the K? I do sound like a spokesman for the school but... I'm still very happy with the cove, till now :boogie:


My no.2 is in P1, nanhua, and she's coping well.

Are you thinking of placing your child in the cove or pulling him/her out? If you are thinking of putting him/her in, I believe you can arrange an appointment and take a look at the school yourself. But I heard the older classes are pretty full. My gal is in K1 and the class is around 28, and I'm not so happy about it :roll:

[happychild618]

Can anyone share more about this school? how the teachers? looks lots of children inside. a little bit over capacity?? also long long waiting list…

[tjkok]

As far as I know, the classes will take up to a max of 26 - 28 pax, for the younger toddler class, I think it’s even lesser than that. They have around 2-3 teachers managing each class, so the teacher-student ratio is still fine…


I would agree that for the older classes, you are likely to be on the waitlist as the classes are almost full.

The teachers there are very professional and care a lot for the kids. Granted, they do not dish out lots of homework assignments, which may be a cause of concern for some parents, but they focus a lot on the holistic well-being of the child, in which I believe would translate into our child’s character & social development in their growing years. Importantly, my child is happy studying and learning there, and that to me, is good enough reason why I will let her continue on in Caterpillar Cove until she graduates to P1.