The Best Kindy for my preschooler

Even though I am happy sending Chloe to Vital Years, but I think learning language only is not enough exposure for Chloe. So, I was very determined to hunt for "THE BEST KINDY" for my child like what I had read from some blogs. Thanks to many dutiful mothers cum bloggers, they have given me a great idea of how should I go about on my kindy search. 

Internet is really very helpful in my hunt process. What I need to do is simply key in the word "Kindergarten" and you will get an endless list of them. The disadvantage is the endless list will take me forever and ever to run through. With the SUPER POWER of MOTHER LOVES, some bloggers posted their kindy hunt experience and provided some comparison of these kindies in their own perspective. Some even illustrated with photos and followed with comments. It was marvelous! I told myself I want to be like them, so dutiful and determined to find THE BEST one for child.

So, with the recommendations of these Mummy Bloggers, I managed to shortlist a few kindies. I actually printed out all their address and made appointment to see ALL of them today. (Yes, Hubby and I purposely took a day off today for kindies visit and the next half of the day to view some unit at Ceriaan Hartamas)

I have made my selection based on my preferred location, then the recommendation by the Mummy Bloggers. 

- Peter & Jane

- Juara Cerdik

- Kuen Cheng

- Precious Steps

- SummerField

- Kinderland Hartamas

- Diyana

- Villa Maria

I realised that I was a "LITTLE" ambitious to actually plan to visit all these schools in less than 3 hours. Hahaha...So, in the end, I have decided to go to those that are in TOP OF MY LIST. So, we went to Peter and Jane first, then to Villa Maria. Juara Cerdik is also on top of my list, but because the appointment is made end of this month not today so I didn't have to rush for the school visit. We managed to do TWO only, and then we had to rush to pick up Chloe from Vital Years. After sending Chloe home, I insisted to pay Kuen Cheng a visit even though it is placed LAST OF MY LIST,  because the afternoon session ends at 3.00pm. 

After these visiting, I have decided not to make any comparisons (I actually took some photos and make a remark of each school to post on my blog.) Also, I am not going to see the rest of the kindies in my list. Each kindy has its own pros and cons, and I am sure the most important things is that my girl is happy being in school. 

Papa & Mama have decided to send Chloe to P&J for Nursery, then will enroll Chloe into Kuen Cheng for K1 & K2. Let me briefly explain my choice.

BECAUSE P&J is using the Montessori Material...Nah...Any system or method of teaching is not so crucial to me. To me, safety comes FIRST, hygiene and cleanliness of the centre come FIRST too. Other than that, all can be neglected at MY set of tolerance level. Both P&J and Kuen Cheng has met my Main Criteria. To be honest, P&J teachers did not show me their passion of being there teaching these adorable children in the centre. All teachers there are YOUNG and CERTIFIED. Passionate-wise, hmm...Yet to discover but I don't want to judge at this stage. But Why Kuen Cheng was last in my list has become my choice, simply because during my visit to Kuen Cheng, I can find discipline in these children in school. They are not shouting or running about while the class is commencing, and they follow instruction closely. Teachers there are 40+ I guess, and very young and energetic assistant in every class. All of them shows their passion through their facial expression while conducting their classes. It was a very impressive and convincing visit at Kuen Cheng, especially thanks to 许老师 (Teacher Xu) for bringing us around the school compound and informed us how important for us to prepare our children for the primary one entry since I am very DETERMINED to send my children for chinese education. 

K2 students in Kuen Cheng can actually memorise 弟子规 (di zi gui) and Teacher Xu told me that they might not recognize all words but actually some at their level is considerably good. Teacher Xu also reminded us that once enter P1, the school expect these P1 students to know the basic and they are not going to teach from the beginning. No more A B C, 1 2 3, 一二三，Satu Dua Tiga! And they will straight away commence the government syllabus. There is a MALAY TEST for P1 student after two weeks of schools. Should any students fail the test, they have to attend a special Malay Class. Gosh..So stressful!! Also, the math and science will be taught in Malay and no English anymore. 

Stress Stress Stress. Who is Stress? I AM! I was told by many that Kids at young age do not know what is stress and that kids' brains are like sponge, can absorb anything easily. Once they reach a plateau, they will slow down at their own pace. So, feed them as much as possible now, and leave it to them when they knows how to analyze and make their down decision for their own future. 

That's it. I am going to call up P&J to indicate my INTEREST and register Chloe into their WAITLIST. YES! It is FULL at the moment. But I will try my best to get my girl in. It shouldn't be so difficult, I HOPE. 

As for Kuen Cheng, I shall make a remark EVERY WHERE VISIBLE to remind me for early enrollment for Year 2013. 

YES, I am a KIASU Mama and I am happy to be KIASU my my children's sake. Love it. :P