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 

How effective is Vital Years to my Preschooler?

Chloe has attended Vital Years for 2 weeks to date, and the common question I get from friends and relatives is always "How is Chloe's Progress in Vital Years? Can she read now? Can she write now?"

I usually replied "Nothing Much" or "Like that lor" with a shrug because I didn't really expect much from Vital Years and besides Chloe has only attended TWO WEEKS of classes. What miracle can happen in merely two weeks? It must be crazy to expect Chloe to write and read on her own after two weeks classes. 

I think I was expecting too much from Vital Years and thus I UNintentionally complained quite a bit about Vital Years of being lack of Professionalism. Complaining which also means lacking of confidence in Vital Years. Lack of Confidence leads to low expectation in my child's progress. 

Hey, let me tell you this TODAY that I was so wrong to make such an inaccurate judgement about Vital Years. (Hmm...Actually I don't remember making very bad comments :P )

After two weeks, I actually find Chloe has improved a little in her speech. During the journey home from Vital Years, I always take the opportunity to talk to her. She surprised me on the last few trips home with her ability of describing THINGS like "Mama, see those clouds in the sky?" - and this is the exact words that she used. Compared to before Vital Years, she would say "Mama, see, see, cloud there." So, is this a Progress? Of course!!! Being skeptical about Vital Years had stopped me from noticing my child's progress!!

Okay, Fine! Let's not talk about progress in her reading and writing skills. Let's talk about how enthusiastic she is to be at school everyday. We were late for class on Monday because I sent Chloe for her Hep A jab. On our way to send Chloe home from the Clinic, she cried badly and she insisted to go to "school". Even though we were SO late, but we managed to send her to attend the class for the last 1 1/2 hour.

Every morning when Mama sent Chloe up to the centre, she would walked up the stair joyfully and never forget to tell Mama that "Mama, Chloe is a good girl. No Cry in School." Upon arriving the center doorway, she would turn to Mama and said "Bye, Mama. I Love You, Mama". Immediately, she would rush into the centre with her GREAT BIG SMILE, and I could faintly hear Chloe greeted her teachers & aunties in the centre. 

Another BONUS! Guess what? How a? Should I even mention about it? It's a TABOO to talk about it! Hahaha..Nah...I don't care. Dang Dang Dang Dang~~~ Chloe is actually "sleeping through the night" after attending classes at Vital Years. Hahaha..To many of you, must be wondering what is the big deal?!! In my case, YES, it is a major transition. So far *touch wood*, She sleeps through without waking up in the night to ask for cuddling or TLC. I mean I don't mind Chloe waking up to ask for our TLC every night, but I reckon it is not a very good habit to mold. Well, last two nights because of her flam, she woke up coughing and crying for TLC. It is perfectly fine for me. Just that, it is EVEN BETTER if she could actually sleep through without waking up. :P HOORAY for Mama & Papa. 

Because of Vital Years experience, it makes me hunt for a kindy more aggressively. I have been googling for kindies, reading blogs about which is a better kindy for my child. I shall elaborate in my next post. 

I am very grateful to Vital Years for making me realize how important is it for me to ACT quickly to expose my preschooler to a proper learning environment. Vital Years is a place for preschoolers to learn how to read & write in English, but because of their good program structure, it was actually needless for  teachers to update me on my child's progress. My child will update me her progress in her very own way, I just need to pay more attention and I will find the answer. 

I always ask Chloe what did she do in school every day on our journey home. The first week's answer was only "DRAWING", and when it comes to her 2nd week. Her answers varies a little day by day. From drawing to drawing & reading, from drawing & reading to drawing, reading a book & singing, from drawing, reading a book & singing to drawing sun, reading mickey mouse book and sing London Bridge.  Is Vital Year good? It is a "VERY GOOD" to me. I refuse to make comparison and I am happy at where I am now AT THIS CURRENT STAGE. Why worry? As long as my girl is happy. 

Baking project - Egg Tarts

Ingredient
Crust
- 250grams flour
- 60grams icing sugar
- 70grams butter
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 egg white
- 1/4 tsp vanilla essence

Filling
- 3 eggs
- 280grams fresh milk
- 160grams castor sugar
- 1/4 Vanilla essence
- 1 tsp rum ( I didn't use rum, no rum at home. )

1. Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, then add in yolk, egg white and vanilla essence.
2. Mix the flour, and knead until it firm into. Dough. Don't attempt to add flour, because it will turn into dough after kneading.
3. Leave it to rest for 15mins.
4. Mould the dough in tart moulds
5. Bake it in a lower tray for 10 mins at 175 deg c
6. Dissolve sugar in fresh milk over medium heat.
7. Remove the milk syrup from the heat, add in the eggs mixture gradually and light whisk, but not foamy.
8. Pour the eggs mixture into the slightly baked crust using a sieve.
9. Return the tarts into the oven, 10 mins at 175 deg c.
10. Voila!

Lesson
1. Don't add flour even if sticky while kneading. Keep kneading, it will form into dough.
2. Too much sugar in the tart mixture, cut half the sugar!!!!
3. Don't whisk the egg mixture till foamy.
4. Try 5 mins on 200 deg c for the crust only. Just need the crust turn slightly white, don't have to be cooked since the tarts will be sent into the oven again.
5. Need more same size tart mould.
6. Will try to add in rum next time.

Recipe adopted from a blogger, and I m so so so sorry, didn't manage to save the sites, will try to search again and post it here later.

One fine free day at home

Thanks to the Bersih Rally, Mama decided to stay home the whole Saturday to avoid the massive jam in KL. *** Actually it was just an excuse for me to skip work!***Ahem, for safety reason, Mama stayed home with everyone else except for my Boss cum Dad who actually went to office to work.

We woke up in the morning, together with Chloe and Clarisse. As usual, Papa a.k.a the lazy cat, This is show Chloe called him sometimes, was still in his dreamland. I didn't bother to wake him up, cause waking him up means quarrels which I am not interested at all. Therefore, Mama made a smart choice to spend some quality with my princesses like a walk inside the house garden, we played cooking cooking, played bubbles and then Mama bathed both my girls. A complete Spa treatment from head to toe i.e pretend body scrub using foam instead, then a total hair wash, then a warm bath in a tiny blue tub. Followed by a 5mins massage with Chico Baby Body Lotion, then put on comfy cotton clothing. The Spa completed with a Baby Manicure and a Stylist Hairblow.

After the Spa treatment, Clarisse was so comfortable that she went to sleep immediately while Chloe was in the kitchen with Mama baking Butter Cake. To be Precised, it is a cinnamon apple BUTTER CAKE, which I also added the blueberries which are going to rot anytime soon like the other raspberries in the fridge. *sigh* It was a total failure, my mum said it was too buttery (butter cake is too butterish? Hmm...) and my brother who is my former dessert supporter rated it 4 out of 10. My sis said it's ok but she wouldn't have another. Hubby said NO without even tasting it, well, he is never a sweet person so no comment from him. My dad had most if it, but his comment was "you've improved".... Yeah, it was really bad. I want to put all this lousy rating to the recipe. :p To be honest, there is nothing wrong with the cake except the burnt side, it was the butter cake too buttery which the crumbs don't go well with butter cake.

Then, we had a simple lunch prepared by my mum, noodles and fish balls in anchovies soup. After lunch, I sent Chloe and Clarisse to the room for their afternoon nap. Then, Mama got back to the kitchen and went on with my secong baking project - Egg Tarts. Hey, it was not o bad too but my bother rated it 6, then he went on to tell me that,"after tasting this tart, the cake is 2 and your tart is 6." My mum said it was too sweet which I agree.

I wanted to take a pictures of my projects before I start writing this blog, but I realized that all the tarts are all gone! They were 8-9 mini tarts, 4 medium tarts and 2 large tarts. They are all in different sizes because there are not enough tart moulds at home. Mum bought them in 4 different sizes. So, just in one days, all the tarts are one, it can't be too bad. The huge cake left 1/8 of the portion, but I agree that this recipe doesn't suit my taste. Butter Cake is better off being simply butter cake without any fancy variation. Egg tarts wise, I will try making it again, with a little changes in the recipe like reduce the sugar, use high protein flour, don't over bake it, try to make a softer crust. Try it again until I get it right, if I have the time. But sweets are not popular at home, all the effort made will not be popular. So, I'm going make buns and loaves in the next rally, which is....dunno when...haha....

After all the baking projects, and babies are awake. Mama got my two babies dipped into a shallow balloon pool, a present for Chloe from ayi two years ago. After a long day with babies and project, mama's energy had a sudden drop to th minimum, and I rested on the couch before dinner. Had home cook dinner At home with everyone...

I was too tired to stay up late, watched bride's war and slept at 11.30pm.....

When Papa was away for 4 days....

I used to feel really really emotional when Papa travelled overseas. Papa was actually away for 4 days and I didn't post anything about how much I miss him. Maybe I don't love you anymore, Papa. :P

My daily schedule is so tight that I don't have time to actually "MISS" Papa. 

I wake up everyday "SO EARLY" (**7.30am**) in the morning and then I have to pick Chloe's clothes from her "extensive closets". After that, I have to get myself prepared for work. 

At about 8.30am, Chloe and Mama will leave home for Breakfast. Usually, we will take up another 5 - 10 minutes to do the "goodbye hand wave" to Baby Clarisse or Mama would carry her to have a 5 mins walk around the house compound. 

We arrived the Breakfast place at about 9.00am, which is nearby the Learning Centre. After Breakfast, Mama would walk Chloe up to the centre. I can tell everyone now that Chloe is very stable now, no more tears. She said "byebye" to Mama on Tuesday with a sulky face and a little of tears. And today, Mama is so proud of Chloe. Before I sent her up to the centre today, she said," Mama, Chloe Good Girl, No Cry ah" . When we arrived the centre's doorstep, Chloe gave Mama a kiss and said bye to me in her very confident and loud voice. 

Then, Mama rushed back to the office because Mama's terribly late for work. Since Mama is late for work, Mama is usually rushing a lot at work in order to clear up all my work before it piles up. At about 11.45am, Mama has to prepare to leave the office to pick up my darling.

Depending on the traffic, it usually takes me an hour to fetch Chloe home and back to the office. Then, I will have a quick lunch in the office, and back to my work again. Due to the limited working time, I am always in the rush. Hehehe..because Mama needs to make sure I am able attend the classes at the GYM. :P 

By the time Mama's GYM session is over, Mama arrived home at about 8.30pm. After a shower, it's time to have some bonding time with my babies. Right after a very short bonding time, Chloe & Clarisse will have their milk. After the milk, Novi will take Baby Clarisse and Mama will stay in the room to make Chloe sleep. 

Other than Monday night, the rest of the night was smooth sailing without Papa. Chloe has noone to turn to when Mama scold her or punish (**Just like Monday**). Mama switched on the light, reading some recipe while Chloe lied down on her sleeping spot quietly until she feel asleep herself. 

No Patting. No Hugging. No Scratching Back. Not a single funny request from Chloe. 

If Mama is not too tired, Mama will go watch a DVD. Otherwise, Mama would just go to sleep. Baby Clarisse usually will be sent into the room even before Chloe fall asleep. Only on certain day, she wake up asking for some cuddling from Mama. But, rarely. She would just sleep through and indulge herself in her sweet dreamland. 

Mama is so BUSY!