Marymount Kindergarten

[Power Puff]

Just crossed my mind. If I recall correctly, the pre-nursery and nursery class sizes are smaller. When my son was in pre-N, I think there were about 17 kids in his class. You may wish to check with the school about this.

[Rea]

Thank you for your replies!

Dessertwind, I hope your son is doing better at the new kindy. Must’ve been a painful process for you. Appreciate your frank feedback. At least I kinda know what to expect. My gal doesn’t quite like big groups. Wonder how shes going to settle down in MMK…
Powerpuff, I totally agree with you on MMK’s environment. I went for a tour and loved the calmness and the space. Personally I prefer non-air conditioned place.
Thank you for your good comments. I’m more confident in sending my gal there. Just hope that she’ll settle well.

[Power Puff]

Hi Rea,


Oops…I think the K1 classes do have about 30 kids each…was checking out the cubicles for the bags recently. Morning classes seem to be fuller than the afternoon ones. I’m fine as long as the teacher-students ratio is in accordance with MCYS’ guidelines.

My boy howled and yowled during his first 3 weeks of pre-N. I tried to be brave in front of him and his teachers but was actually distressed…could hear him crying even from the carpark! Even thought of deferring school to mid year coz he was born near year end but decided to let him be. Anyway, kids are more resilient than we think. They will adapt quickly as long as we don’t fuss over them too much and trust the teachers to handle the kids. The pre-N teachers are rather maternal and patient so don’t worry. My daughter will be going there next year. Her birthday month is even later than ds1’s and she’s petite, like a baby doll haha but she’s more sociable than ds1 so I think she’ll have a lot of fun.

[DesertWind]

Rea:

Thank you for your replies!

Dessertwind, I hope your son is doing better at the new kindy. Must've been a painful process for you. Appreciate your frank feedback. At least I kinda know what to expect. My gal doesn't quite like big groups. Wonder how shes going to settle down in MMK....

Hi Rea,

Yes, my son has already settled down well in his new kindy, K1 this year! His class ratio is now 2:11 which is a pretty good size. Lots of kids (hundreds and thousands over the years!) have gone through MMK successfully hence all the best for your girl!
:celebrate:

[Power Puff]

Hi DesertWind,


I am sorry to hear about your son..you're doing a wonderful job as a mum, making all the difficult decisions to improve his welfare. I'm sure he's happy and appreciative of your efforts

Rea,

I was also hunting for a play/ toddler group to put my girl in before she enters pre-N next year. Difficult task like you've mentioned! Checked out the expensive Growing Up Gifted, Lorna Whiston at United Sq, Julia Gabriel (my son was at the Evans Rd branch and he really liked it there). Unfortunately, the Evans rd branch has closed. Apart from the sharp fees increase, strange timing, I don't like the claustrophic Forum Galleria and the new Rochester Road (too far off) branches. Eventually decided to enrol daughter in a flexi two weekday mornings childcare program at a childcare centre near my home. Starting in July. I like that there is a structured curriculum and CDA can be used to pay the fees, unlike the above enrichment programmes. Daughter will be unaccompanied - saves time so I can have brunch, run errands and ferry my son to and from school without leaving her at home alone with my maid.

You may wish to check out informal playgroups formed by other forum mums also living in Bishan, Thomson. I had to take into account my elder boy so I decided to go for flexi childcare programme instead. Hope this helps?

[Power Puff]

Rea,


If you have time and can accompany your daughter for 1 and half hour two or three times a week, you can also try out Zoophonics - Thomson or Serangoon branches.

I’m sure you’re having great with your daughter now. Mine has 10 teeth and very active. Can’t believe my baby’s going to school soon.

[DesertWind]

Power Puff:

Hi DesertWind,

I am sorry to hear about your son..you're doing a wonderful job as a mum, making all the difficult decisions to improve his welfare. I'm sure he's happy and appreciative of your efforts

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement, Power Puff!
:celebrate:

[new_mum]

Hi Power Puff

Thanks v much for sharing about Marymount. My son is the same age as your daughter. Registered him for N1 next year and got a place in the afternoon session. However, was still not sure about Marymount and also went to check out Newton Church Kindy. After reading your post, I feel more confident about Marymount. I visited Marymount before and like the green, open, airy school environment. The children also look happy in the school. However, it’s hard to know whether the school is good based on one brief visit so it’s always good to hear from mummies who have kids in the school. I am worried that Marymount’s curriculum may not prepare my child for primary one and lay a good foundation for Chinese so went to check out Newton recently. I feel that Newton definitely has more emphasis on Chinese lessons but unfortunately, I do not like Newton’s school/classroom environment (very small outdoor play area, classrooms are rather small and dark (two classes share one classroom)). I think I will stick to Marymount after all.

[Power Puff]

Hi new_mum,


As mentioned earlier, I was concerned about the school not being as academically-driven as some other kindys, esp since DS1 will be enrolling into a SAP school. Some parents send their kids to enrichment classes but it’s up to you to see if your child really needs them.

I suppose with or without such extra classes or homework from the kindy, the onus is on the parents to guide and help their kids revise and let the kids have a balanced life with enough play as well. My husband or I read to the kids everyday and take them out to enjoy the outdoors, minimal TV. Strictly no computer games or IPad or other electronic gadgets. I would hate my kids to become nerds! In the meantime, I will let DD2 play as much as she likes until she hits 4 or 5 years old, then I will press the panic button like for DS1.

[ryanbunny]

Hi everyone, my son is enrolled in pre-N for 2013 (pm session) and we’re hoping to get into a spot for the morning session. Anyone who wishes to swap please let me know. Thank you!! ^_^