SOKA kindergarten


hi my nephew all went to soka kindergarten cos my aunt is the principal.heehee
i like the teaching method, too bad i live in the west. tink the fees are slightly more than PAP
 
no childcare services
$350 per month

it's a kindergarten 3 hour 15 minutes programme
for 4 to 6 years old

hope to gather some feedback regarding the school

contemplating to send my 2 kids there
 
hi
i am also interested to send my boy there for nursery next year.
anyone has any feedback on soka kindergarten?

thanks
 
thanks all....
i also just called and find out all the details...

but i am living in hougang / sengkang area..tpt seems pricey leh

but if the programme is good, i don mind

any feedback are appreciated

thanks
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hi hippo2002,
convenient to share why u wont be sending your 2 girls? becos of no school bus in the morning?

by the way, where are u staying?
 
not simply because of the school bus, I don't mind ferrying them personally if the school is so fantastic

we felt that the curriculum is quite rojak, attempt to do too many things but only briefly

with the fees ($350 + school bus), I can send my girl to enrichment classes that specialised in that particular field, such as one for gymnastic, one for music & movements, one for Arts

Nevertheless, we are still impressed with the environment. It's a premium kindergarten

The classes are filling up very fast. in the morning itself, 1 nursery class was already full. If you are interested, need to decide quickly
 
thanks for the explanation.

may i ask which school are you planning to send your girls to?

sorry for intruding as i am sourcing for kindergarten / nursery for my son at the moment.

thanks
 
my elder girl is attending PAP

I'm still sourcing for nursery for my girl next year. A lot of kindergartens starting their enrolment in Mar-May. I will probably sign up for one nearby, too tedious to travel too far daily

your son is 3 years old? did you send him to any enrichment classes?
 
do u mind sharing how is PAP?

i am really undecided which kindergarten to choose sigh...so got to make a choice soon as you mentioned, enrolment starting soon

where are you living anyway?

my son is coming to 3 in dec this year. i used to send him to zoophonics and baby jumper gym.
this year he started class in Tots house nearby.

so i definitely need to source for a nursery
 
I don't really like PAP, think the kids didn't learn much, they teached really simple textbook stuff, didn't see any attempt to encourage problem solving.

My elder girl told me she watched 'tom & jerry' in school. Not educational DVD.

She is doing primary level at Kumon, so I don't mind PAP though it's not up to expectation. I just wanted to give her a classroom environment as she didn't attend formal kindergarten last year. She seems to enjoy going to PAP.

I live in Bedok. Personally, I think it's not ideal to travel too far for preschool
 
thanks for your info
i heard some reviews on PAP too.. i guess it depends on branches and teachers as well.

Now i am having headaches on which school to choose for my son.
 
Montessori is good
my elder girl was in a Montessori childcare for almost 2 years
but I can't find one in bedok or even nearby
 
Hi hippo2002,

you went to Soka open house.. can share if you saw the upper level of the school?

i went this afternoon but the VP said there's lesson on the second level so she didn't show me the upper level.
 
hi hippo2002,
thanks
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how is montessori childcare? good?

i am contemplating to send my boy to kindergarten.
 
Ann
There is a Computer room and quite a big Gymnastic hall. The rest are classrooms that showcase the kids' projects and assignments


Joleena
my girl enjoyed playing with the montessori material. She was there from 2 to 3 years plus in their nursery programme
maybe you can look for a montessori based kindergarten ? but do attend a trial class 1st to ascertain whether it is suitable for your boy
I attended a trial class in the East area, not satisfying so I didn't enrol my girl
 
hi hippos2002,
thanks again.
i went to a montessori based kindergarten on friday and was quite pleased with their program and environment.
Has plans to sign my boy there for his nursery classes.
Ha...they don have trial classes...so shall see how it goes
keep my fingers crossed
 
I'm thinking of sending my ds to nursery class next year.
Are the teachers(1 eng teacher+1 chinese teacher+1 teacher aid) with the class of 15(max) kids at ALL time?
I'm asking 'cos in some school, even though they say 3 teachers, usually only 1 teacher in class, when it's chinese class then chinese teacher will come.
Also, anyone has the nursery class timetable?
 
Hi wishes,

My girl is in soka kindergarten. They just had an open house last sunday. You went to their open house? So far my girl loves the sch and the sch is very particular about hygiene. They make sure the kids change their shoe, go to toilet and wash their hands before going in the classroom.
 
Anything in particular you'd like to know?
We put DS there 'cos we have frens with kids who'd ask why they're not going to school during holidays! We take it as a good sign that kids are eager to go to the school.
School fees at nursery level is $350 per month, all inclusive, nothing extra to pay like others eg, gym, phonics etc.
It's also in the handbook that no outside food allowed, no birthday cake, goodies bag etc. I feel this is a good thing so curriculum is not disrupted, and parents who can't afford don't feel bad that they're not celebrating their kid birthday in school. I do wish the school can be more open in giving parents the daily timetable.
At nursery level, they don't have outings like other school, to plays and farm etc.
Overall, it is a decent school. It really depends on your requirement.
 
Hi wishes,

i don't think they teach religious. R you a soka member? I'm not. As for teachers, most of them r very nice. They always approach in a very nice way to the kids. There's a Parent Teacher communication book given to the children. They need to hand in this book 1st thing when they reach the sch. Than change the shoe.
Lesson wise, also nt too sure but i do know that during certain lesson the children are allow to choose which playcentre or which corner eg. reading, drama...
Also everyweek once, there will be some soka members volunteers to clean/wash up the toys/place. Although they do have cleaners to clean the sch everyday.

Hi Anngel,
My girl is also in nursery this year? Which session is your boy in. My girl is in the PM session.
 
Hi Wishes,

School Bus
Previously, the school bus was run by outside operator, they get lotsa complaints so the school decide to do it themselves this year. DS doesn't take the school bus so I can't share any experience there.

Teachers
They seem loving and genuine with the kids, my boy feel right at home. No worry on kids coping in pri sch, we have fren whose kids (2 DDs) have since gone on to primary sch with no hassle.

Parent Teacher Communication
Yup, they don't encourage parents to hang around and look-see, they say it'll distract the kids. I guess there's some truth in that, on one hand I'd like to be able to do 'spot check', but I guessed I'm assured that security at the premise is tight.
There is a little comm book that your child will bring home for you to write notes to teacher or vice versa.
The teacher will also do home visit once or twice a year, to get to know your child/family better.

Religious Teaching
They don't teach religion(FYI we're not SOka member), I've also seen muslim teachers/assitant in head-scarf. All the food serve is non-pork, in fact, mostly vegetables based eg cabbage/carrot/peas in macaroni/rice/porridge/noodle.

Let me know if you have more questions.

Hi Ann
DS is in AM nursery session, teachers are Yang lao si and Ms Li Na and Mrs Tang. It's great that he's got chinese teacher in-charge 'cos before this, he hardly speak mandarin, now he could speak a smattering of chinese.
 
hi wishes,
well, we've been telling him a month before school starts that he'll be going to nursery soon, what it will be like etc. So he's ok from day 1, daddy drop him off on the way to work. He knows that he's just there to play for a little while everyday, then he has to come home.
Some kids do cry, DS would come home and tell me how many kids cry everyday, i think after a month, he reported nobody cry anymore. So i think credit to teachers for helping the kids adjust.
Do you live far from Soka? What makes you decide to sign up there?
 
Hi Anngel,

My girl's teacher is same as your DS. But she is in PM session. Same as your DS after going to sch she speaks more mandarin if not she can't even speak mandarin. i drop/pick her up from sch..i notice that Mrs tang also speaks more in mandarin. Is your DS taking the schoolbus?

Hi wishes,
I'm also staying in pasir Ris. I'm sahm so my girl is not taking the schoolbus. My girl did cry on the 1st day of sch but its gd that the teacher just take her in the class. After less than 1wk she ok and now she's always looking foward to go to sch and telling ask what she did in class.
 
Hi wishes,

Daddy sends/picks up DS, we're at Flora road, loyang. We may put him on school bus but i'm concern that school bus have a long route to cover and he'll take forever to reach home, or have to get up super early for it.

I don't like the place is air-con, but i guess spaciousness makes up for it, kids are not coup up in one room all the time.

The fees is actually ok, 'cos a lot of other school charge cheaper but when you add in extras like phonics, gym, readers, comes up about the same la.

The interview is for the school to gauge your child personality so they can group the kids accordingly. I can't rem when have to pay deposit and how much. But if you change your mind before school starts, can still get $ back. Only the registration fee ($50 i think) is non refundable.

Perhaps your maid can pick up your child after school? Bus fare is not half if you only take one-way, for eg if 2-way is $90, then 1-way is $80.

Hi Ann,
What a coincidence that they have same teachers. Ya, mrs tang is more teacher-aid than teacher la, helping out the 2 teachers. I wonder if they always have 3 teachers to the class at all time, or would eng teacher rests when it's chinese class.
Does your DD enjoy gym? Did she reply the japanese penpal? I thought the postcard was so sweet but we haven't got around to reply yet.
 
Hi wishes,
Some students from Soka Uni in japan visited the school and played with the kids, they brought postcards from jap kids to give to local kids, perform for them etc. They havent started on school post office yet, at least not for DS class.

So far for the gym, DS does the balancing beam. He loves everything, his class, his teachers, even the plain bread (margarine optional) that they serve every friday!
Dunno if you'd call it enrichment 'cos it's part of the curriculum, can't opt out. When he misses school, his eng teacher gave us some printout on phonics letters that she taught on the day he was absent, that's how i know they teaches phonics.

seems like you'll have to go for the school bus, or if there's enough kids around your place or pils place than they can take turn to fetch the kids. We heard eastwood green or something like that has a bunch a parents taking turns picking up the kids 'cos they all stay at same condo.

are there other school you're looking at besides soka?
 
Hi wishes,

Payment of the sch fee is on the orientation day. I think is in August. One more is the entrance day for purchasing of sch uniform. Also all the student carry the same soka sch bag which i find it very neat and the kids won't compare or even ask parents to get them his/her friend's bag. This is what i feel. Soka have their own playground and it's in the whole of basement. Think its safe and notice that all playhouse door removed.

Also i think in May/june for Nursery they have home visit.

Hi Anngel,
From what i know there will always be at least 2 teacher. I don't know if its like the teacher-aid will always be around. Cause once when i came early to pick my girl up, i saw Ms Lina and Mrs Tang with the kids at the basement playground. Also during the open house, Mrs Tang told me that she's will be with the kids during gymnastic lesson.

Ms Lina told me that the kids have done some cards for the Soka Uni students and handed personally to them. And the lion "necklace" so sweet with their photo in it. This are very gd keepsake for the kids.

As for school bus..i saw one of the sch bus opp my blk coming like 1hr 15min b4 the sch start at 12pm. Stayin near Loyang too
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Hi mummies,

I'm new to this thread and am staying at Bedok Reservoir area.

My gal's turning 4 this year and I'm intending to switch her to a nursery near my place. She's currently attending a church kindy at pasir ris near my ils' place but we find it a bit too far.

Would greatly appreciate if I can get some advice on the following:

1) Curriculum
Would the school inform parents what they teach in class? I think this is important so that we know what our kids are learning and also reinforce learning at home.

2) Teachers
Read some comments about the teachers being quite caring. The school doesn't allow parents to go in for spot check? I am a bit worried as my girl will likely take some time to adapt to a new school environment. Not sure how she can take it if I just drop her off at the lobby on the 1st day of school. I feel that teachers play a very important role. They must be able to engage the kids esp. the new comers and not let them just cry alone.

3) Male teachers
Do they have any male teachers?

I am likely to go down for a visit next week so hope to receive your advice soon. Thanks in advance!
 
Hi Seagal,
You've prob checked out the place already, if not, here's the answer to your question.

Curriculum
I received a summary of what the teachers covered for both english and chinese classes at the end of each month.
In addition, we also get phonics worksheet when it's being taught.
The teachers will also inform parents on the general theme they'll be covering for the term. Eg they did "me" last term and ask parents to write something about the child to be shared with the class. For this term it's on pets so we're welcome to contribute anything related.

Teachers
They don't allow spot check, something we're not totally comfortable with but accepted it would cause unneccessary disruption if every parents were to do that.
As for child adapting to the school, the teachers are well trained to engage the child. In fact, I believe most child adapt fastest if they don't have parents coat tail to hang onto. The teachers for DS class are very gentle when handling the kids.

Male teachers
I have not seen any male teachers, there's a Mr Tan but he's on the admin side,assisting the principal, doesn't teach.
 
Hi wishes,
no worries. my gal already started her nursery class at SOKA since the beginning of this term in June 08.

Have you enrolled your gal in the Nursery class next year?

Their fees are not cheap but one thing I like about them is the low teacher/child ratio. The kids get real attention this way.

Hi Anngel,
Thanks!!

Surprisingly, she didn't cry at all since the beginning of school. I am so proud of her. Maybe she has "grown up".

My gal's in the Nursery PM session - same teachers...Ms Lina & Yang Lao Shi. =)
 
Can we revive this thread?
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Any parents from punggol sending their little ones to Soka kindergarten in PM session? Will like to check what time will the little ones reach punggol from school. Transportation is a concern here.
 
hi wishes,

wats ur review on soka after ur gal is there for almost a yr? do u think she has learnt quite a lot of stuff?
i just visited the sch, like the environment, culture and what i see of the kids at class. but feel the curriculum quite lacking, cos no spelling n hanyu pinyin even at k2?

would appreciate any form of feedback. thanks a lot!
 
thanks for ur feebdack!really appreciate it : )
another concern,cos m non-soka member, i wanna know if the school imparts religious knowledge to the kids,directly or indrectly?
 
wow the feedback of this school is pretty good.... i will consider enrolling my 2nd kid there.. but currently still early to think of it.. haha !
 
Hi all! I happened to chance upon this forum when I was searching about Soka related stuff.

I'm still a student, not yet a mother, but I'll be more than happy to register on this site to share with you my experience - I studied in Soka Kindergarten when I was a child!
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I'm 19 now, I studied in SK in 1996, which is more than 10 years ago! I believe the curriculum has changed since those days, but the changes are definitely positive!

Looking back, I can gladly say that SK's curriculum focuses on both educational and character development, developing its students as lion cubs - fostering good spirit, righteousness, integrity.

This is something that many kindergartens do not emphasise on, and they simply go about to teach the children the ABCs and 123s.

Also, this year, Mdm Yang Pei Luan from Soka Kindergarten received the Distinction Award in The Outstanding Kindergarten Teacher Award honours teachers who have contributed significantly to teaching and learning in their kindergartens.

I sound so pro-SK! :p But I'm really happy that I got to go to SK to study because those were one of the best memories in my life. The teachers are patient and loving. I also vividly remember for my graduation, we sang and performed a puppet show about 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf'.

Up till now, I am still good friends with some of my fellow classmates!
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If you'd like to get any advice from the alumni ourselves, come to our fb group! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=23175469508
 
Hi Serene,

Its very encouraging to hear such positive comments from you.I will be registering my gal this march for her k1 class next year despite the high bus fare from Sengkang to Soka Kindergarten. Its the character building that makes me decide to put my gal there. Thank you.
 
Hi

I am also considering whether to put my gal with Soka. She is now studying at PCF pre-nursery. I am choosing between PCF which is just downstairs or Soka? My sis commented that PCF is not good as kids don't learn much. She sends all her 3 kids to PCF and she said for PCF, you will need to supplement with other classes (eg, PCF does not teach Hanyu Pinyin, Phonics etc).

For Soka, I am not sure about the curriculum. my concern is also the transport. I find the transportation fees too ex - S$114 per month. For primary school, bus fees only S$50.

FYI - Soka is having open house on 13 March 2011(Sun) for those interested.

I would like to hear more feedback from other parents who have sent their kids there.
 
Hi everyone,
I am also considering to send my boy to SK next year, will be going to view the school tomorrow.

Hi teddybear88,
Have you registered your gal to SK. My boy will also be at K1 next year and we are staying at Sengkang too
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Hi Beauty Seet, did you enroll your gal?

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Hi

Yup, I enrolled my gal but she is in nursery class. Are you using the school bus? I find the school bus fare expensive. Actually our place is near the round market, but i work and worry that the maid cannot walk my gal to the school safely...now in dilema, dunno if i shld let my gal walk to school or just opt for the bus.
 

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