<font color="aa00aa">lup,
wanted to reply you this topic together with my above reply however realised that i have far too much to say so separate reply to you + i have to dig out & compile all my data hehe...
anyway don't worry to ask again! i'll be glad to tell you all about it again!
my boy's in cherrybrook. as a matter of fact they are having a parent presentation on 29 oct, 12 nov, 3 dec at 2pm. i would seriously recommend everyone to send their kids to them if possible cos they are really good!
why? cos they emphasize on charactor building which shape them in to better person & also their unique spalding technique used (cos they are the only ones using this), trains their passion for learning & it really helps in their future school life in spelling & all cos there are certain rules whch they teach like always a vowel before 'ck' & they also have something similar for mandarin so helps in 听写 too!
my boy already know some of the sounds that the alphabet makes so meaning he will be able to read very soon & this is only after 5 weeks at cherrybrooks when 6 months at PCF he learnt nothing!
their parents-teacher communication is really good cos they have a tutor assign to every child such so you can have 1st hand info on how your child is progressing in school.
they do have cherrytots for below 3 i think but need a caregiver to accompany them...
but i guess the only downside is the distance & probably the school fees as well but if you factor in that they have both montessori & language classes, it is not that bad. i personally prefer cherrybrook (for obvious reasons hehe) over the other few schools i have visited.
the teachers have a real passion for teaching & i can tell when i visit the school cos the kids all look so happy!
i still have much much more to say but i guess you get the idea...if you are really keen, do go for the parents presentation to know more. even if at the end of the day you don't go there at least you have a better idea
in short below are all the schools that i have shortlisted & reviews.
immediately after withdrawing him from PCF:-
- MMI @ 10 mile junction (didn't go cos know that they moving)
- tulip montessori (make appt but didn't go in cos don't like the outside environment. those typical void deck & didn't feel safe kind of feel.)
- ichiban montessori (full house - no vacancy when i called)
- gracefields kindergarten (shortlisted, paid & confirmed unfortunately had to withdraw due to closing down)
schools shortlisted & visted after gracefields upcoming closure:-
- orangetree (called up & got all info needed so didn't have to visit but 3 hours classes start next year only after gracefields close so currently operating as childcare only)
- CGM (quite highly raved school in cck but personally didn't quite like the environment. there were 3 sessions & i went in between the sessions so kids were waiting for dismissal & others waiting to get in to the next session. there were too many kids, too rowdy & 3 story building seems to be like accident waiting to happen. staff showed me around but didn't explain much. either she's not too keen or too busy.)
- gracehouse kindergarten (another highly raved school. typical classroom environment. new building, very clean air con rooms. very academically inclined. staff very nice, brought me around. didn't choose this cos didn't wanna subject my boy to stress that early an age.)
- canossian convent kindergarten (pretty old builing. no air con. building looks very old with an old building kind of smell. staff went though the notion of showing me around but didn't feel very keen too maybe she could sense that i was quite turn off already hehe...went pass a series of sinks & sudden image of those old abandan ghostly building image came to my mind lol. also another building with multiple levels so didn't feel safe + to me old = dirty...you get the idea...)</font>