this is a perfect thread for me.... cos i recently visited these 2 centers!


1st stop at bethesda - being my 1st visit to this place, i was a bit \"lost\" reading all the signages to find the kindy office. i was greeted by a granny who was sitting on the bench waiting for her grand daughter to finish her class at 1pm(i was there at 12:25). she showed me where the office is and luckily a lady who is just outside the office( given my blur face+my lil boy with me) asked me if i needed assistance. i said yes and she kindly told me that its lunch hour so there is no one available so she asked me to sit down and wait and she will inform the person in charge that i m waiting.

i decided to sit beside the granny cos she keeps looking at my lil boy...hehe..anyway, i m glad to hear tt her grandchild likes the school and teachers. after i got to meet the 'registra\" or whoever she is, i gotto tour the compound and manage to catch the new session taking place.

place is \"children orientated\" with sand play area, children toilet and teachers engaged in 1 activity with children at least. but it will be burning hot for afternoon session as the classrooms are non aircon with only ceiling fans and a small fan on the tbl more for the teachers i think. but in all, i see happy children playing around but nobodys \"fighting\" or \"screaming\".

i left the school happily with 3.5/5 rating.

2nd stop at Soka Kindergarten - i read that this is a popular one so i die die must visit despite its inconvenient location. i stood at the lil gate looking across the hall with at least 5 adults standing abt 3meters away from me. i was \"missed\" untill the mr asked one of the teachers to \"attend\" to me. so i stood there for a good 2min looking(or rather accessing) at the situation. i was greeted by ms so and so and went touring the school. a few groups of kids at the main hall area, some eating, some eating, some running abt, playing, shouting. teachers are snacking. i reckon its meal time.

after the entire visit, my heart sank bcos i had really high hopes but i really did not feel \"comfortable\" in this place.

i left the school with a 2/5 rating. the envrionment is great with aircon and big place to run and place. oh yes and a lift for everyone so no need to climb stairs. i just felt something lacking which i could not explain. maybe the rave its in its teachers and cirriculum which i could not \"understand\" yet.

abt the teacher ratio, it should be 1 english tc, 1 chinese tc and 1 helper. not all 3 are with the 15 children at the same time so i m not sure if we should look at it as 1:5

i am going to find out more why this is so popular and maybe make a second visit. because i really am trying to find a warm, friendly, and geniune loving kindergarten for my 3yo!! :?: :?:

xinnamag:

hi, thinking of sending my son to justkids at tampines. any review or comment on this sch? thks!

:faint:

carnation:

My ds is 3 years old this year and i intend to send him to pentecost methodist church kindergarten. Any feedback about this kindergarten? Thanks! :celebrate:

hi there,

have you enrolled your child? i am considering too..

hi mummies,


Can someone please help to give some advice or comments?

I had registered my 3yo child for nursery in 2012 at Bethesda Pasir Ris as well as Holy Trinity Church Tampines. I m a free thinker and i am open with whichever religion my child is comfortable with.

I reside in Tampines (a step away from Pasir Ris) so either kindy my lil boy still has to take the bus to school.

i visited both schools and i like both schools and the teachers. my boy likes the schools too, in fact i think he cant wait till next year.

i register him for both schools first so that i could hv sufficient time to justify the travelling time and also to make up my mind. yes, u r right, i can't make up my mnid which one is better. maybe i should say both are good so which one is more \"suitable\".

in terms of \"convenience\" holy trinity is better as there is a bus stop right beside so if i am free i can easily take a bus to fetch. i also hv a direct bus to bethesda jus that i gotta walk 3-4min.

travelling time on school bus is 30min for bethesda and 20min for trinity. i tot it is obvious i should pick trinity but i am kindda pulled by the vista program offered in bethesda where my child can play/learn more than the usual 3 hours.

i hope to hear from parents who have children in these schools as i dun want to judge the kindys jus based on the environment and learning program as i think the teacher's commitment and geniune love for the kids r more important.

Help me decide!!

Hi, does anyone has any experience with this center in Tampines Blk 355?


Thanks for sharing in advance!

yup, distance should be the major consideration.


i’m residing in tampines so do u all know any good ones around here or simei? i’d heard soka kindy is good but i’m not sure abt it though…

hi buds


could you kindly advise what are some of the important things parents should pay attention to when visiting the \"potential\" monte school and some of the important questions we should ask?

some of the questions i'd prepared are:
- is it a full or half monte school
- the class size and ratio
- are the teachers qualify in monte edu
not sure what else...

pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease help me. i'm so nervous!

toddles:

Yup looking to enrol in Jan too. Mine is with gramps... I was sahm until she was 1 yr 2 months old, but since then have been back to work (and much less tired haha).

I've visited but only at the reception area, cos only enquiring. I think before I confirm, I'll ask to see inside. Not sure whether they allow us to sit in for a 'trial' for N1....

i'd heard parents are not allowed in when lessons are going on. what we get to see are just the classroom and stuff. no chance to \"see the kids and teachers in action\". i remember someone told me that....

so you staying in simei? so ur bb and mine could be classmates! i'm looking at the afternoon session but i'm thinking its a little not-here-non-there hour cos its either he eats a super early lunch at 1030am or late lunch when he returns. or a heavy breakfast at 9am and a light snack when they have the break at 1230am.

oh, i am still thinking abt the oh-so-exp fees. plus what i'm giving to the nanny gosh, the expenses is double. i wonder if i can discount my nanny since he is going to school and she will be free for 3-4hrs.

happychick:

Hi Trixter !


U are right, the buses dont service the East

In my case, i send my child to and from school. What session is your child ? If it's convenient, i dont mind car pooling.

wow, thanks soooo much for suggesting that.

the waiiiiiiiiiiiiiting list is so long, i have no idea when my kid will get in there. i was planning for next yr Pre-Nur 3rd session but I am still considering.

i think a school closer to our house will be more ideal. i work and my husband goes to school. so, i know it will be alot of hard work if i enroll him there though i really love the school!!!

wow, so u drive drive ur kid to and fro monday-friday??? :!: i bet u go shopping while waiting to pick him/her up!

toddles:

I am considering Josiah, mostly because of location. Although it is pricier than the other options nearby, I like their individualised style, and the fact that my kid will be met at her own pace, and not rushed through if she's too slow, or bored if she is straining to go ahead.

although I've not sat through a class, so what I gather is from what the teacher/center manager tells me. wonder if they do trials for N1, not just the toddler accompanied one.

Overall, at this point, it seems to meet my needs the best in the vicinity. would have preferred it if they had more than just 30 mins of mandarin a day... but guess there is no perfect centre. Do you live nearby too?

hi there!

yes, pretty near....i'm at tampines! just a couple rides away!

i guess our choices are limited when it comes to non-childcare centers here. do u look after him in the day or someone else? mine is with his nanny.

hey, you are looking to enrol jan next year too right?

yup, i was also hoping they have longer mandarin classes bcos 30mins is like so rush...i mean before they actually have the chance to speak mand i guess the bell rings already. :lol:

so u'd visited the center? i have not, planning to do so soon.