Any comments on Montessori for Children

sorry for the delay. pai say..... pai say.....
injured my finger lately. a bit difficult to do things n bb n visiting kept me busy. :p


54 Farleigh Avenue - Amazing star montessori house.
This centre has Montessori lessons in the morning and other curriculum like computer lessons in the afternoon.

* It is in private estate, beside private houses.
* There are 5 teachers for the (about)25-30 students (Heard that more are coming in this new term).
* They have front play area(slide n sand box) - outdoor on grass
* They haveanother area at the back where they can have water play, chalk drawing (on the cement).
* They have 2 toilets in the house.
* The house is rather old.

* They have lots of Montessori equipments but changed the breakable ones to plastic.
* They have a file to keep n chart the progress of each child.
* They have individual classroom for all group (aircon).
* They have common areas like front hall, dining area which are not air-con.



Serangoon North - Amazing Star Learning Centre
Blk 103, Serangoon North Ave 1
#01-773
According to manager, she tried to introduce Montessori style learning there not was not successful as parents there wanted more 'tranditional' kind of curriculum. Thus only Montessori in the afternoon. I did not get to see any Montessori material there.

* Below HDB thus use public playground outside the centre.
* Their student-teacher ratio much higher, I saw 1 teacher doing story telling with at least 15 children.
* No individual room, just shoulder-height partition. It's very airy (no air-con i think or its not cold) on one hand but I can actually hear on and off (not loud but as background) what's going on in different class.
* Whole centre is well decorated.
* They have a drama area.
* Very big shower room + toilet.
(But I personally do not like the scene of boys and girls naked wrapped in towel (if they keep it on) sitting on the chairs (some are strolling, playing) waiting for their turn to bath.)




I also visited Genevieve's at Thomson Road Goldhill Centre too. They have 2 different location for different age group.

* They only have accompanied programs for 18mths - 2 1/2yr.
* Thrice weekly, 1 1/2 hr each.

* As for the N1 and above, in my opinion, they have a rather packed curriculum because no naptime in their time-table (I know of centres that has naptime from 1-3pm) and it ends ar 5pm. I personally believe that children who takes nap, learn better and sleep better at night. I asked about it and they mentioned that the children are excited to learn and that the school is not so child care but more school-like.

*I really like their curriculum which includes montessori, zoophonics & character first (Insitute of basic life principles). Especially character first cos have not heard of any places other then some pri schools like Raffles have this as their assembly program. (But info 3 yrs old liao.)




We also went LV at Gentle road too. Really like the new building and environment there. I also like their curriculum and that they use Letterland & Rigby Literacy.




We went to Pat's schoolhouse at Bukley & Serangoon. Both of the premises are rather old but they are much much bigger than Amazing star. Thus, bigger outdoor area. They have Letterland in their curriculum which I like and I saw library books (with the barcodes) in the classroom. I know they bring the children out once a month/term(?), maybe they went to the library this time. But after I called to ask about transport fees, we decided that it's not workable for us - $320 per mth, 2-way, 5 days per week.............
 


AC; Wow! So much info from you. =)

Pat's schoolhouse transport is way too ex! Looks like u have gd feedback on LV@ Gentle Rd too. Yr comment kinda reassured me and hopefully I didn't make the wrong choice.

So, have you decided? =)
 
AC,

thanks for the info. you really been to so many places.

weilin,

i have made appt with bestcare nxt tue. the lady i spoke to is miss ann.
 
Funny: I spoke to Ms Ann too when I was there for a visit. But when I went there, there was no children. It was 5pm only but all left liao. SO, I didn't have the chance to see the on-going activities.
The only thing I didn't like about Bestcare is all the different levels are all in a classrm, all separated by partition.
 
Hi

Oops.... realise wrong info. Pls note.


Genevieve's

* As for the N1 (SHOULD BE K1) and above, in my opinion, they have a rather packed curriculum because no naptime in their time-table (I know of centres that has naptime from 1-3pm) and it ends at 5pm (SHOULD BE 4PM+-).





Hi weilin

Hb n i went to LV again n we r very very interested bcos we like what we saw. personally, even thot not montessori, it's a very gd choice.
most probably register there but hb wants my darling to start asap n there is no vacany at gentle rd...... going down to the woodlands plaza 888's branch to take a look.


we may also go down to treehouse montessori again cos i like the indian teacher - 'sha' something(?) n will reconsider only if she teach the class that my darling mayb attending. as i mentioned before, i m impressed by the children in her class.


i went to mfc too. the children there showed self-discipline while playing n learning.

i went to some other montessori childcare recently but felt that some r too 'free-spirited' during montessori time as i saw children walking up n down(exploring environment? or mayb us - new faces) n playing/climbing n learning(at the same time?) while teachers r having 1-to-1 session with one of the children.



ya lor funny, i also think quite a lot but i m a kia-su mummy lah...... heee..... heee....
 
AC: Wow... u r going all over S'pore. U needn't choose the nearest place to your home?
I didn't know there's no vacancy at Gentle Road. How old is your child? I hope I can get a vacancy in Jan 07. U went LV today?
 
AC: I actually like treehouse. But it wasn't Kavita teaching the playgrp class. The Indian teacher u mentioned is teaching the N1.
But the adminstrator of treehouse is not pro at all. She doesn't seem to be receptive to comments.
 
AC,

where do you stay ? when do you intend to start your gal for CC ?

Weilin,

I also did not know LV got no more vacancy cos i started registeration last year but is meant for infant care.
i am going to bestcare and MMI at kovan tmr. Feel like giving tree house a visit.
 
Funny: Do let us know abt yr feedbacks.=)
I am kinda worried that my girl can't secure a place in LV in Jan07. I m sure there r children fr infant grp progressing to the toddler grp.
It seemed that there's only 1 toddler grp of 8.
 
Hi weilin

haa....haa.... i only 'comb' central n north area lah. i feel that the first 5 years very impt. i want bb to love learning n oso learn social skills tat will benefit her in the long run. Both teachers n environment r very impt.

I did look around at my area, i exclude all malay childcare cos want bb to learn chinese mah. Then the ones around i mentioned not dun really meet what i want. It juz horrified me to see naked boys n girls together running around, teachers who spoke singlish, dirty floor n surrounding - i saw dead 'xiao qiang'! The teacher juz told me the cleaners clean everyday..... i dun think so.

well mother 'meng3' moved 3 times for her child, frankly if we can afford, we may also do tat........haaa.... haa.....


Hi funny

I was hoping to start when she turns 2. but hb wants her to go asap. u mentioned infant care, that day i visit, they mentioned that they have vacancy now.

I was told that the waiting list for gentle road is long/thick (saw the file) n they give priority to those in their infant care who r moving up.

Tats y i m a bit kan-jeong liao.....
 
ya weilin... me 2.... i now regret not being more kia-su cos i was told for infant care some parent register when they r only 3 mth pregnant!

btw i type wrongly, it's mother 'meng4' not mother 'meng3'. too tired.....
 
AC: So weird. Since they have long waiting list, I don't understand why they are sending confirmation of interest to everyone. I won't mind sending my girl at 17mths for infant care, then she can progress to 18mths for toddler. Kekeke...
 
Hi,

**Some feedback on Bestcare Montessori at Boon Keng.

1) Location : good, very near the MRT and many buses available.
2) Environment : place is new and clean as the Kallang CC has just renovated.

At the moment, not many children are with them. I saw about 4-5 toddlers and 1 older child. Currently they have 1 supervisor, 1 English and 1 Mandarin teacher. Ratio is 1:8.
Dun quite like the low partition (which is actually the shelves) use to separate the different activities. now still ok cos less children, when they have more children at different age group, the place will be abit rowdy. They have a indoor play area outside the centre.

**Feedback on MMI at Kovan centre

Though the centre is at the shopping centre but when you are inside, it is quite a cosy place. Quite like the wall painting. Feel that this place is more organised and pro. Only managed to see the toddler group as the older children are out for excursion.
 
HI <font color="ff0000">mummies</font>,
long time din post here, but i m watching
happy.gif
thanks for all the sharing. really valuable.

Hi <font color="ff0000">weilin</font>,
how is Ash? recover already? seems LV at Gentle Rd a popular choice amg mummies here? my work place get LV, i went viewing last wk, it is located inside the building, 1 toddler class. env is ok, quite clean, but all classrooms are juz beside each other, not sure whether when other kids got activity in the music room, will affect others?

regarding the aircon thing, some frends told me non aircon is worse leh, ceiling fans more uncomfortable compared to aircon.. is it ture?

MMI kovan get open house this weekend, maybe i will go take a look..
 
Funny: I share the same sentiments as you about the low partitions. It'll be super noisy.
So, your choice is still LV?

MMI Kovan is too far for me. Looks like LV is the only choice. Sigh* Now, LV may not even have vacancy for my girl.
 
Hi <font color="ff0000">weilin</font>,
sure, maybe we can meet at the center? the open house from 10AM to ?PM.. i wanna c how is the weekend enrichment class going, then the lady told me this Sat got open house.. if no last minute change, think i will go take a look this time
happy.gif


u hv my hp, so keep in contact
happy.gif
 
Selina: I can only meet after 12pm leh.

Sigh* LV's principal for Gentle Rd just emailed me. There is a long waiting list for toddler. Looks like my girl can't enrol in Jan 07. =(
 
Hi <font color="ff0000">weilin</font>,
oh i c.. hmm dun think i will stay that late leh.. bb will nap ard 11:00AM nowadays.. we may juz do a quick view... sorry ah..
 
Selina: It's ok. Anyway, I can't consider that place too unless my girl goes to my mum's place. Just want to go there to take a look. It's ithin working distance from my mum's place. Too bad, my mum has to work.
 
i maybe visit Talent Plus(?) located in HDB hub level 3 some time..

another one i m interested in Kinderland, but TPY branch only whole day, no half day..
 
Selina: There's a Talentplus at the Community Centre near my place. But I didn't like it. Teacher is not well-trained. Class is rowdy &amp; unorganised.
 
There is a enrichment class on sat from 10 to 11.30 am at MMI Kovan. It's cheaper than GUG cost about $252 plus for a term of 10 weeks.

Weilin,

did the LV principle said when we will know if we got a place ?
btw MMI at kovan do provide school bus but got to check does it go to yr area. My area, they said most probably not.
i think our area got limited choice...
 
Funny: I can't make it so early on Sat. Do they have other slots on Sun or later on Sat?

LV principal is not sure how many classes they are going to open next yr. They are waiting for existing students' parents to confirm if they wish to continue next yr. I reckon, most will continue and some from infants are given priority to progress to the toddlers class.

MMI Kovan is too far from Whampoa. Do think carefully coz little ones can't tahan long journeys.

Seems like there's a limited choice. I may consider Pat's schoolhouse, but need to check on the rates again. Anyone knows the fees of Pat's schoolhouse? Only CC programmes?
 
Guess if I don't manage to get a place for my girl in LV, I may continue at GUG or try the d'story club at Pat's schoolhouse. Perhaps, it will be a gd n slower transition before she moves to a daily programme.
Anyone has experience with Pat's school house?
 
Hi Hi <font color="ff0000">weilin</font>,
i oso wanna pay a visit to pat schoolhouse.. oso interested in their enrichment class..

only MMI kovan center get enrichment class on Sat (sun closed). think it is still ok from TPY? get a bus 153, think abt 15+ mins travel.. anyway i take a look first..

anyone interested to go trial for Julie Gabirel? i will go for trial next Monday at 2PM. oso c how first
happy.gif
 
Selina: Trial is for 18mths and above for Julia Gabriel right? I am interested to go for a trial but Ash is only 13mths old.
I don't mind visiting Pat's schoolhouse again. But I think per mth is about $900+ for half day programmes. School bus is ex, as mentioned by AC.

AC: Can tell us more abt yr visits at Pat's?
 
Hi <font color="ff0000">weilin</font>,
yah JG is for 18+, my son will turn to 18mth next mth le, so can go for trial now
happy.gif
i will update u all again next wk.
 
selina,

I am interested in JG too. do update us after the trial.

btw, my gal is having fever today. SIL brought her to see PD. I am worry no mood to work...
 
Funny: Many kiddos r falling ill recently. Give her more water. It's like that, imagine, I had to work too when my girl was down with rashes, not fully recovered. Yet, boss is not understanding.
Lucky, you have a nice SIL.
Funny, yr girl is 15mths old? Keke... can wait till my girl is 18mths, we go for JG trial together?
 
Hi <font color="ff0000">weilin</font>,
sure will update u all here. i not decided yet whether to withdraw from GUG (though i had submitted letter), becoz some mummy say toddler class is better than bb class.. but since so many mummies recommend JG, i may go for a trial first..

Hi <font color="ff0000">funny</font>,
hope ur gal recover soon!! u do take care too...
 
Hi

As for the Pat's Schoolhouse d'story club, you can call up to arrange a free trial to try out.
it's free.
happy.gif


Environment wise, compared to GUG, I still prefer GUG even though the bathroom is so far away. Pat's is much bigger but older.

Program wise, GUG has more activites and also with flow, dun need to wait too long for the next activity. However, Pat's d'storyclub using a very big self-drawn story book and puppets to tell story instead of paper laminated ones. It's rather similar to GUG n most enrichment centres(?) like clean up song, identify your name card, story time, craft time, snack time, activity - Outdoor for Pat's , goodbye song.

Teacher wise, GUG has 2 teachers most/all of the time but for Pat's only 1 teacher most of the time, the 2nd teacher comes in much later towards the end (tat day only?).
 
HI <font color="ff0000">ac</font>,
thanks for the info... it is free ah, good huh. mummies, wanna go together on some Sat this mth?

sure, will update u all after my visit to JG..
happy.gif
 
Hey mummies

Sorry abt this but the trial class at Pat's is not free!

Juz got a call to ask if I wanted to continue and since it's too far, I say no and they informed me that the class is about $31++/$32.
i think the trial will b included in the school fees if I decided to continue, so din need to pay first. :p very pai say about this.....

I din get to talk to the teachers regarding trial fees aft the lesson tat day so I thot free. haaa.....aaa.... very wu long of me!!!!!!!
 
selina,

Can ask does JG got makeup lessons ? Notice that with makeup lesson, mummies will not bring sick children to the class.

Find that GUG not that strict. I saw mummy bring in a child with running nose and dun really bother.

Ac,

have you decided which CC ?

Weilin,

did you visit the MMI at orchard ?
 
Funny: I didn't go. They sounded snobbish over the phone. Told me to register fast as they have limited vacancies. I have not even visited the school yet.

Anyway, have a bad news from LV. They replied my email that they have a long waiting list. Unless I enrol my girl before Sept for infant class, I may have to wait quite long for a vacancy in toddler class. If she enrols now or before Sept 06 for infant class, she will be guranteed a vacancy in 07. Sigh* I don't wish to send her to CC too early. Moreover, they can't do much at such a tender age.

Funny: You have decided?
 
I went JG at Forum tat day to make enquiries. Nice teachers n receptionist there. They are definitely more professional than GUG.
May consider them. They have many play areas for role-plays. I saw the kitchen playset, playhouse etc.
 
weilin,

in that case must i check with LV to see if my girl can enrol next yr ?
no point putting Ash at infant care now since you have a helper.
you went to JG to make enquiries, do they have make up lessons ?

I think i have come across their advert, they dun provide CC services, but i may be wrong. this school is quite ex.
 
Hi <font color="ff0000">mummies</font>,
sorry for late reply as i m down with diarrhea yesterday.. no energy to do anything..

my son attended JG on monday afternoon. It is a 2 hr playnest.

The classroom is quite small.. maybe 2/3 of GUG?

First part is Mandarin, 2 teachers:

1) learn new word (fast). they hide a drum inside the magic box, then ask the kids, what is inside? after that, show how to (fast fast).

2) story telling, the teacher will wear some costume. it is very fun, both the parents and kids are laughing..

3) project: paint a crab. they only hv 1 table, so kids gonna do projects by turn..

then snack time.

after that is English time, 2 teachers, but seems English only got 20+ mins:

Story telling: read a book. but my son is not interested.. he walk ard and go amuse with other kids..

after that, play time, kids go play with the toys at the play area..got a lot of cars, ride on..

after that, singing time, all 4 teachers come sing together..
Seems the english session is very short, even though on the brocher they say it is a 1 hr Mandarin and 1 hr English.. after class i go check with the reception, the lady say they alternate between Mandarin and English each week, that is, if this week starts with mandarin first, then next week will start with English and english will take longer time.. not sure how true is it? (since the brocher says both Eng/Mandarin is 1 hr..)
 
Hi <font color="ff0000">Funny</font>,
i din check with them whether get make up class leh.. but read in some other thread, seems also dun hv unless u produce MC?
 


JG weekend class is full now.. if u wanna put on waiting list, muz register first ($25 reg fee).. but for me, i mainly wanna find a good English playgroup for my son.. so may opt out JG though it has good kou3 bei1 among parents..

some mummies told me GUG toddler class is much better than baby class. i may continue with GUG for 1 more term...


I visited <font color="ff0000">MMI at Koven</font> last Sat for the open house.. as Funny said, they hv lots of Monte instruments.. personally i prefer Monte CC as kids can explore by themself and can develop their thinking skills instead of juz being taught by teacher..

they only hv 1 class for weekend playgroup. when i go there, they r hving singing time.. (mandarin session is abt 20 mins, then english session).. the teacher told me if can find enough parents, they can hv a FOC maybe 30mins playgroup for us... any mummy interested? think at least 4 children will do.. hehe maybe we can hv a feel how Monte works mah?
 
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