Hi R&R mom, i tried out GUG trial before with my elder son. In my own opinion, comparing GUG with JG....
1. JG teachers are more passionate in what they do. They have a vibrancy and dedication that the GUG teachers lack. I (I am NOT the only one) feel that the GUG teachers (most of them) seem to be going through the motions and their heart is not really in it.
2. During the trial, one of the small boys were very fussy. The way the GUG teacher told the caregiver off and ask her to bring him out was quite harsh. Comparing it to JG teacher's tactful and wise advice on how best to handle the child, its very very different.
3. The things they teach are quite similar, both are quite thematic. That trial was the letter Y, and they teach everything that start with the letter Y - yellow (ask the kids to find yellow things in the room), Yetti the Yak and i dun rem what else. GUG emphasize more on zoophonics way of teaching alphabets. JG uses craft and games and interaction to introduce that week's letters.
4. My son took a long time to loosen up during that GUG trial. In JG, prob coz of that first 15mins free play time and interaction with the warm teachers, he warmed up faster.
5. GUG classrooms are smaller than JG. Or it could be becoz JG rooms are more subshiny so it appears bigger.
6. For this age group, both has a breaktime during class. JG provides snacks/food and in this way encourages kids to all sit together and practice self feeding, independence and social skills. GUG is just a breaktime and you bring ur own snacks, not an organised activity.
7. Personally (hope i dun offend anyone here), i find GUG environment a very "learning" environment, but JG gives me a very "play" feel.
Having said all this, I have 2 friends who swears by GUG. So really each to their own. heeeee....
thats about it I can think of.
