<![CDATA[Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten]]>Hihi..... :oops:


Any mummies or daddies here enrolled their kiddos into GUG kindergarten? Particularly the Mountbatten branch? Or heard of any positive/negative feedbacks about them? I did a search but most reviews I've found are for their enrichment classes & not the kindergarten. I am thinking of putting my dd in for next year.

I am wondering how good are they, especially helping the kids in preparation for P1 & of course the quality of the teachers?

Many thanks in advance! šŸ˜„

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/28602/growing-up-gifted-kindergartenRSS for NodeWed, 17 Jun 2026 00:48:03 GMTFri, 25 Nov 2011 19:12:12 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Mon, 24 Feb 2014 14:21:07 GMT]]>Oh yes one more thing to add They have hired foreigners to mend the counter (admin

Duties) and also do music. My friends who are attending the Sunday class does not look forward to music! Can anyone share? During my childā€™s time it is done by Faruz. My kids loved her as she has a beautiful voice and is creative with her song selections. She is a senior there and also does babes classes. Thank
God Iā€™ve left before the hike in school fee otherwise Iā€™ll be hovering the grouchy admins.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1222731https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1222731Mon, 24 Feb 2014 14:21:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Mon, 24 Feb 2014 13:49:58 GMT]]>Just came across this. Not that tech savvy BUT am gettin at this! My child was in the Kindy program. It is very much overrated. I have compared with Odessy or Etonhouse and felt it was much better. The only staying factor was that we live behind the mall. I am shocked to find out that they feed the Kindy kids (or the whole school even) with those tinned biscuits (large rectangular Malaysian brand could be khong guan)- my helper brought my child to the toilet and passed by an Indian teacher who was mentioning something about the snack. My kid pointed to my helper and said they eat those earlier in the day. Further probing into this "whatā€™s being served" issue, my kid said that they have steam cakes (apam - traditional nyonya kueh which can be found at bengawan). Why serve such cheapo food when we are paying premium fees? My friends whose Chdn are still there also mentions an Aunty (apparently in charge of sourcing out the food for snacks) will be seen carrying bags of their snacks. Sometimes speaking aloud in halting English! As Iā€™m always flying, when I talk on Skype with my child and asked about school, my kid will say the teachers are not around. On MC or asked to cover so much so my kid knows so many teachers. Iā€™m not fussing but makes me wonder if the teachers have taken a typhoid jab when they prepare snacks for the children. Will MCYS swing by anytime? I am sending the youngest to A church Kindyā€¦ My friends kids also mention that speech and drama is done by their own class teachers. In my childā€™s time, they would see an external teacher. Itā€™s all about increasing the school fees I heard in term 3 again?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1222667https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1222667Mon, 24 Feb 2014 13:49:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Sun, 23 Feb 2014 07:12:51 GMT]]>

seen:
But from what i observed and compared after sharing sessions with my colleagues and the other parents, lesson plans have never changed since years ago and that lesson plans are \"recycled\" throughout the other programmes. What is been taught in babes, were also done in kids, tots classes. Even ideas of lesson plans that i see were extracted from other sources.

I taught different levels there, quite sure the lesson plans are all different... The curriculum is set by the school's MD and they're actually quite strict we follow the lessons plans exactly to avoid any repetition. So I think best to bring up to principal or management if there's any project or lesson which you think is repeated? I'm sure they will be able to help clarify.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1221612https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1221612Sun, 23 Feb 2014 07:12:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Sat, 22 Feb 2014 09:53:25 GMT]]>I came across this post and thought Iā€™ll say a few words as I used to teach in GUG for a while. Had to stop since my mother was too sick to look after my gals. Although I was English form teacher, I know mandarin was challenging for some students but the majority were ok. Many were attending Chinese enrichment on weekends. Actually parents complain when they feel the curriculum is simple and they expect the school to prepare children for primary school curriculum. As teachers frankly itā€™s not easy to give 1 to 1 extra help becos weā€™re always busy w prep work & duties and we need to cover other classes and duties when colleagues are on leave/MC etc. But i know while I was there, the directors did organize extra English lessons weekly for 2-3 special needs cases (autism, ADHD).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1220958https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1220958Sat, 22 Feb 2014 09:53:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Sat, 22 Feb 2014 09:53:21 GMT]]>I came across this post and thought Iā€™ll say a few words as I used to teach in GUG for a while. Had to stop since my mother was too sick to look after my gals. Although I was English form teacher, I know mandarin was challenging for some students but the majority were ok. Many were attending Chinese enrichment on weekends. Actually parents complain when they feel the curriculum is simple and they expect the school to prepare children for primary school curriculum. As teachers frankly itā€™s not easy to give 1 to 1 extra help becos weā€™re always busy w prep work & duties and we need to cover other classes and duties when colleagues are on leave/MC etc. But i know while I was there, the directors did organize extra English lessons weekly for 2-3 special needs cases (autism, ADHD).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1220957https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1220957Sat, 22 Feb 2014 09:53:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Fri, 21 Feb 2014 05:59:02 GMT]]>Beatrice, yes agree! No worries I just mean they do seem to change areas that need to improve, and not those that's already working well. We're actually happy they try to keep it that way, coz we're already happy with the standard and curriculum... All these yrs my kids v good teachers, so feel quite lucky. I've heard horror stories from frens with kids at other kindys... šŸ˜ž


Hi nficewine! Yah I know what you mean abt the Mandarin standards so difficult šŸ˜ž I think can't be help becoz have to prepare our kids for primary school. I hear the P2 Chinese standard is set so high by MOE, so we got no choice but push our kids now otherwise they sure to suffer in primary school... šŸ˜ž So I just send my DC for extra Chinese tuition classes... I think if by the time K2 if still cannot write simple words like\"you, me, him, no...\" then must definitely already go for tuition class otherwise BIG trouble when go to primary sch.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1220184https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1220184Fri, 21 Feb 2014 05:59:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Fri, 21 Feb 2014 04:01:54 GMT]]>

tamtam:
Hi hi! Beatrice_NoQ depends how old is your kid, the kindy classes have time for quiet reading in the school library 1-2 per week (also when raining and can't go to playground).


As for the lesson plans being \"recycled\", personally my kids all went to GUG, and honestly we never experienced that at all... I think if always same-same then my frens and I will have withdrawn long ago! But seriously from Babes to K2 my kids never experienced any repetition. The only thing is the lessons for every level don't change so much. Example when my ds attended Babes, the activities all different. Then when my dd joins the Babes classes following yr, she will do the same activities as what my ds did when he was attending the babes classes. But now he's attending Tots level so it's all different for him again. My dd don't mind becos all the babes lessons are new to her too. That's the best I can explain it haha!

But it's true their teachers don't come up with the lessons. My understanding is all these years the Founder or MD is the one who writes the lessons because she's qualified as a curriculum specialist, and the teachers are considered qualified to deliver/teach the lessons. We see changes more so at kindy levels, like the MD recently came up with readers & workbooks, which must say are v gd. I think their attitude is basically \"if it's good then better don't fix it\" šŸ™‚
'If it's not broken, don't fix it!' - šŸ˜‚ that statement's so true! But schools also have to keep themselves updated to keep up with changing tides.. šŸ™‚

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1220122https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1220122Fri, 21 Feb 2014 04:01:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Thu, 20 Feb 2014 01:57:31 GMT]]>

Beatrice_NoQ:
seen:

Now then i happen to bump into this forum. In my experience, i intended to enrol my kid in the babes programme that they offer. (One of my colleague enrolled her kid and was in the kids' class). 1st impression when i went over - their principal, klaudia or kordial which i don't remember the spelling of her name, brought me n hubby ard the school. All she did was talked abt what we see \"visually\"...the classrooms and the children in it. I asked her abt how was the curriculum n lesson plans go abt..she told me with a laugh that the teachers only copied lesson plans provided by the school. She didnt impress me and hubby at all with the way she talked and all.


And so, i proceeded with the 1st trial session. It was well-conducted by the teachers with great fellow parents and students in the class. But from what i observed and compared after sharing sessions with my colleagues and the other parents, lesson plans have never changed since years ago and that lesson plans are \"recycled\" throughout the other programmes. What is been taught in babes, were also done in kids, tots classes. Even ideas of lesson plans that i see were extracted from other sources. Teachers' turnover were pretty high (just by staying there few months, i could really count). The school is more to \"business-making\" than focussing on good education.

Wow.. Thanks for sharing! Curriculum is of course the most important aspect, and the principal should definitely be able to give you a comprehensive outline of what goes on during classes. Do you know if they have quiet reading time during classes?

Hi Beatrice_NoQ,

While curriculum is important, you may like to consider the quality of the teachers too, as how they deliver the lesson can make or break the curriculum too. As GUG (like a few other kindergartens) have a significant proportion of foreign teachers, their values may be different from how we were brought up or how we would like to bring up our children. I'll PM you separately on specific incidents, to avoid embarrassing anyone here.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1219186https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1219186Thu, 20 Feb 2014 01:57:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Thu, 20 Feb 2014 01:48:54 GMT]]>

seen:
Now then i happen to bump into this forum. In my experience, i intended to enrol my kid in the babes programme that they offer. (One of my colleague enrolled her kid and was in the kids' class). 1st impression when i went over - their principal, klaudia or kordial which i don't remember the spelling of her name, brought me n hubby ard the school. All she did was talked abt what we see \"visually\"...the classrooms and the children in it. I asked her abt how was the curriculum n lesson plans go abt..she told me with a laugh that the teachers only copied lesson plans provided by the school. She didnt impress me and hubby at all with the way she talked and all.


And so, i proceeded with the 1st trial session. It was well-conducted by the teachers with great fellow parents and students in the class. But from what i observed and compared after sharing sessions with my colleagues and the other parents, lesson plans have never changed since years ago and that lesson plans are \"recycled\" throughout the other programmes. What is been taught in babes, were also done in kids, tots classes. Even ideas of lesson plans that i see were extracted from other sources. Teachers' turnover were pretty high (just by staying there few months, i could really count). The school is more to \"business-making\" than focussing on good education.
Hi Seen,

The principal you spoke to, is from the Mountbatten school, right? The principal for United Square should be Ms Vidhya. Both my DC went to the United Square branch, (11 and 7 yrs old now). I agree with you that they are more to business-making than education. They show off their worksheets like brochures, instead of designing curriculum for the good of the children. For example, in the chinese tingxie (spelling), they set words like rainbow 彩ēŗ¢, tornado龙卷风, earthquake地震 and tsunamięµ·å“® at the beginning of K2! This is even before these kids learnt how to write \"you\", \"me\", \"him\", \"yes\", \"no\" in chinese. Hopefully this situation has been corrected since the parents last year raised violent objections. In another case, the chinese teacher offered to stay back every Fri for 30mins to help anyone who looks like they are having problems grasping the HYPY, when the management got to know about it, they stopped it, saying that it's not fair for those who don't need the extra lessons??!! I cannot think of any reasons that's in the benefit for any children to stop these extra help, except that it's $$$ or lost opportunity hidden agenda...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1219176https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1219176Thu, 20 Feb 2014 01:48:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Wed, 19 Feb 2014 17:37:22 GMT]]>Hi hi! Beatrice_NoQ depends how old is your kid, the kindy classes have time for quiet reading in the school library 1-2 per week (also when raining and can't go to playground).


As for the lesson plans being \"recycled\", personally my kids all went to GUG, and honestly we never experienced that at all... I think if always same-same then my frens and I will have withdrawn long ago! But seriously from Babes to K2 my kids never experienced any repetition. The only thing is the lessons for every level don't change so much. Example when my ds attended Babes, the activities all different. Then when my dd joins the Babes classes following yr, she will do the same activities as what my ds did when he was attending the babes classes. But now he's attending Tots level so it's all different for him again. My dd don't mind becos all the babes lessons are new to her too. That's the best I can explain it haha!

But it's true their teachers don't come up with the lessons. My understanding is all these years the Founder or MD is the one who writes the lessons because she's qualified as a curriculum specialist, and the teachers are considered qualified to deliver/teach the lessons. We see changes more so at kindy levels, like the MD recently came up with readers & workbooks, which must say are v gd. I think their attitude is basically \"if it's good then better don't fix it\" šŸ™‚

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1219012https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1219012Wed, 19 Feb 2014 17:37:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Mon, 17 Feb 2014 15:07:06 GMT]]>

seen:
Now then i happen to bump into this forum. In my experience, i intended to enrol my kid in the babes programme that they offer. (One of my colleague enrolled her kid and was in the kids' class). 1st impression when i went over - their principal, klaudia or kordial which i don't remember the spelling of her name, brought me n hubby ard the school. All she did was talked abt what we see \"visually\"...the classrooms and the children in it. I asked her abt how was the curriculum n lesson plans go abt..she told me with a laugh that the teachers only copied lesson plans provided by the school. She didnt impress me and hubby at all with the way she talked and all.


And so, i proceeded with the 1st trial session. It was well-conducted by the teachers with great fellow parents and students in the class. But from what i observed and compared after sharing sessions with my colleagues and the other parents, lesson plans have never changed since years ago and that lesson plans are \"recycled\" throughout the other programmes. What is been taught in babes, were also done in kids, tots classes. Even ideas of lesson plans that i see were extracted from other sources. Teachers' turnover were pretty high (just by staying there few months, i could really count). The school is more to \"business-making\" than focussing on good education.
Wow.. Thanks for sharing! Curriculum is of course the most important aspect, and the principal should definitely be able to give you a comprehensive outline of what goes on during classes. Do you know if they have quiet reading time during classes?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1216971https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1216971Mon, 17 Feb 2014 15:07:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Mon, 17 Feb 2014 06:23:09 GMT]]>Now then i happen to bump into this forum. In my experience, i intended to enrol my kid in the babes programme that they offer. (One of my colleague enrolled her kid and was in the kidsā€™ class). 1st impression when i went over - their principal, klaudia or kordial which i donā€™t remember the spelling of her name, brought me n hubby ard the school. All she did was talked abt what we see "visually"ā€¦the classrooms and the children in it. I asked her abt how was the curriculum n lesson plans go abtā€¦she told me with a laugh that the teachers only copied lesson plans provided by the school. She didnt impress me and hubby at all with the way she talked and all.


And so, i proceeded with the 1st trial session. It was well-conducted by the teachers with great fellow parents and students in the class. But from what i observed and compared after sharing sessions with my colleagues and the other parents, lesson plans have never changed since years ago and that lesson plans are "recycled" throughout the other programmes. What is been taught in babes, were also done in kids, tots classes. Even ideas of lesson plans that i see were extracted from other sources. Teachersā€™ turnover were pretty high (just by staying there few months, i could really count). The school is more to "business-making" than focussing on good education.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1216541https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1216541Mon, 17 Feb 2014 06:23:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Fri, 06 Sep 2013 11:45:38 GMT]]>Hi,

Any one have feedback on their K1 class? Noticed that the English teachers there are either Malay, Indians and Philipinos. Are they experienced teachers?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1091309https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1091309Fri, 06 Sep 2013 11:45:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Wed, 31 Jul 2013 13:52:10 GMT]]>

faithgurl:
Hi,


Any latest updates regarding the parents & tots enrichment program at united square? How are the teachers? Anybody can share your feedbacks? Thanks!
Both my DC went to GUG at United Square for the preschool years, they used to be quite good, but have been losing the good teachers to other schools like MindChamps. A school is only as good as its teachers, so ...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1055371https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1055371Wed, 31 Jul 2013 13:52:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Tue, 09 Jul 2013 15:48:38 GMT]]>Hi,


Any latest updates regarding the parents & tots enrichment program at united square? How are the teachers? Anybody can share your feedbacks? Thanks!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1033403https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1033403Tue, 09 Jul 2013 15:48:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Sun, 30 Dec 2012 07:52:57 GMT]]>We're very glad to have sent our kids to GUG kindergarten. They're not just strong in teaching the academics but also increase self-confidence and general knowledge. Without a doubt I'd say they prepare students very well for Primary schooling and life skills. Personally we had no issues with male cleaners but thought they were professional and standards of hygiene kept very high. In addition to English and Science which are the school's forte, since 2 years ago there's been a lot emphasis on Maths and we're v happy with the Mandarin curriculum too. All in all, excellent kindergarten! I also think a testament to how good a school is when their classes are almost always full. My nephews tried to enroll in their N2 and K1 classes for next yr but unfortunately long waitlist! There is more \"live\" info and feedbacks in their newsletter @ http://www.gug.com.sg/newsletter which I think may be useful or interesting if you're considering this school for your child.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/926071https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/926071Sun, 30 Dec 2012 07:52:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Fri, 30 Nov 2012 06:31:17 GMT]]>Hi,


Anyone sends their child to GUG kindy at united square? How do you find it?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/911907https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/911907Fri, 30 Nov 2012 06:31:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 03:01:34 GMT]]>Hi parents

I am thinking of sending my daughter to GUG Mountbatten for Nursery. Any feedback on their nursery (3-4 yrs old) programme?

I was also quite sad that Teacher Russell left. She was an amazing teacher. My daughter was in her playgroup at GUG but now that she left, it was tough.
I hope she'll adapt to other teachers in time.

I would really like to hear feedback on teachers/ programme for Nursery... any comments or feedback appreciated šŸ™‚ Thank u

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/854915https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/854915Fri, 21 Sep 2012 03:01:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Sun, 12 Aug 2012 17:22:26 GMT]]>My boy is in the Gifted Tots Programme. I notice that the teachers turnover in United Sq. has been high in recent months. Wondering how the centre can keep up with the quality of the Programme.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/819827https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/819827Sun, 12 Aug 2012 17:22:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:02:22 GMT]]>Hi,

Is there school bus service provided to GUG suntec for nursery students?
Thanks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/747606https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/747606Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:02:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:51:19 GMT]]>I sent him to the one in Siglap - burnfoot terrace. They have about 6 locations - for enrichment classes. You can look it up online.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/731009https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/731009Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:51:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:44:44 GMT]]>Thanks for the advice! Where is the Zoophonics playgroup you sent your child to?

grapevine:
I did try out their toddlers programme on weekends - parent accompanied when my kid was 12 months. They do teach zoophonics. There were 8 mth to 20 months in same group. Some were crying from start to end. Classrooms were a bit small. ( GUG mountbattern). Pulled him out after a term.
He was too young to benefit form the programme fully
I sent him to zoo Phonics playgroup instead at 18 months- cheaper and my kid is fully engaged by the teacher. But method is the same as GUG - Phonics, music and movement, art and craft etc.
I feel best to start enrichment classes when kid is older than 12 months.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/731006https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/731006Mon, 19 Mar 2012 03:44:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 09:13:59 GMT]]>I did try out their toddlers programme on weekends - parent accompanied when my kid was 12 months. They do teach zoophonics. There were 8 mth to 20 months in same group. Some were crying from start to end. Classrooms were a bit small. ( GUG mountbattern). Pulled him out after a term.

He was too young to benefit form the programme fully
I sent him to zoo Phonics playgroup instead at 18 months- cheaper and my kid is fully engaged by the teacher. But method is the same as GUG - Phonics, music and movement, art and craft etc.
I feel best to start enrichment classes when kid is older than 12 months.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/730694https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/730694Sun, 18 Mar 2012 09:13:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Growing Up Gifted - Kindergarten on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:32:05 GMT]]>Any reviews for GUGā€™s programme for 8 month olds? Do they teach Zoophonics for this age group? Would like to hear reviews from mummies before deciding whether to enroll my baby. Also, I heard they have a new branch in Suntec. Is that true?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/730123https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/730123Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:32:05 GMT