Interesting comments from parents... Many parents read blog and forums these days to get a sense of the preschool they wanna send their child to. I recommend reading these forums but making a few trips to go down and see the centre is most important. My tips as follows:
1) Scan the various forums on preschool to get a sense of where to send your child. Select 5-7.
See typical forum and comments here... http://preschool.sg/?p=2368
2) Call them up and enquire abt 1) Curriculum, 2) Fees 3) Enrollment size and if centre is full (this is imposrtant for you to decide if you wanna visit the location and how urgent to put your child in. If urgent, then a centre with waiting list will not work and you may want o skip centre or prioritise it lower. 4) training of teachers etc
3) Pick 3 to visit which you are most comfortable and suits your budget.
4) Visit the 3 centres on your own and with your child. Visit a centre at least 3 times. Talk to Principal + teacher of your class.
5) Check for more comments on internet of the centre.
(REMEMBER- there is no perfect preschool but most important is for your child to enjoy learning and learn from the centre! :) )
Enjoy the hunt!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
How do I choose a good preschool?
Question: How do I choose a good preschool? What are the characteristics of good preschool teachers? Are children who don't attend a five day preschool (childcare) program unprepared for primary school?
Answer: Preschools (full day or half day programs) in Singapore are govern by the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports while the Kindergarten (3hr program) are licensed by Ministry of Education because it ensures that the facility has adequate space and staff and meets national safety requirements. On the websites of the various ministries, you will be able to obtain the list of preschools and kindergartens you can attend. Several preschools are seperate accredited by International organisations and you should also pay some attention to these as preschool education and even formal education in Singapore is getting pretty complex as opposed to the standard 6 years primary school, 4 years secondary school education that we were previously used to. Most preschools have websites of their own like Mindchamps, Etonhouse and Pat's school house so you should be able to obtain information fo the various preschools.
Your next step is to call prospective preschools to learn about their programs, operating hours, payment policies, and other essentials. Then make arrangements to see the schools. Don't choose a school without visiting it for a few hours. (Very important point!!!)
During your visit, look for teachers (focus on the teachers who is going to teach your child's class) who show a love of children and are dedicated to their welfare (horror stories of teachers depriving their children of their fair share of food can be found in forums). How do the teachers interact with the children? Teachers should gently guide and instruct them, answer their questions, and foster their self-confidence. Be sure to find out about the teachers' training and credentials.
The school's curriculum is of paramount importance. I would prefer preschools who develops and have a planned curriculum for the centre rather than those who leaves it to the teachers to decide on the curriculum. Avoid preschools that emphasize pen-and-pencil and teacher-directed activities, which can stifle a young child's love of learning. Make sure a school offers opportunities for your child to work alone and in groups, while balancing indoor and outdoor activities.
In selecting a school, consider carefully how your child will fit into the environment. If possible, have your child visit the school with you. And above all, choose a school in which the children are obviously having fun.While I understand that many parents prefer a preschool with a large playground, frankly, such playground are less practical then useful as Singapore's weather is largely either too hot to use such palygrounds or raining. So I would rather choose a playground with a nice gym that kids can have activities in.
Due to the rigours of standard formal education in primary school. It is essential for children to attend preschool every day to be ready for formal primary school. A good preschool will prepare the children, emotional, physically and educationally to meet the new challenges in Primary school. What matters is that the preschool experience helps your child gain an appreciation of what school is like and a positive attitude toward school.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Not sure how good this is but found this on the web!
Five Tips on Choosing a Preschool
A high-quality preschool program can help children in many ways, including getting ready for kindergarten. Cost and convenience are essential, but what else is important? These tips can help you choose a preschool that can help prepare your child for school.
Ask about the teachers.
- What educational backgrounds do they have? Are they trained to work with this age group? Is the staff stable, or does it change constantly? How many children are there for each teacher?
Illinois will soon require all preschool teachers to have a bachelor's degree. High staff turnover may negatively affect your child. Illinois law says that two staff members should attend no more than 20 preschoolers. - Do the teachers show warmth, respect, and interest in each child?
The children should seem comfortable with the teachers. The teachers should be approachable as well as firm, when necessary. Teachers should interact with children individually, in small groups, and as a class.
Ask about the program.
- Does it allow time for individual and group activities and offer a variety of activities and materials? Are there intellectually stimulating activities as well as enjoyable ones? Is there time for outdoor as well as indoor play?
Children should be involved and absorbed in interesting activities much of the time. They should not have to sit and listen to the teacher for a long time. Every day should include time for teachers to read to individuals, small groups, and the entire class.
Look at the classroom.
- Are all areas, indoors and outdoors, clearly safe? Are there distinct areas for reading, playing, and participating in group activities? Does the room look inviting? Is the noise level generally pleasing? Is there a comfortable, enclosed space where a child can calm down away from the crowd?
There should be building blocks, toys, other objects for pretend play, art materials, print materials, puzzles, and games. The children's work should be carefully displayed on walls and bulletin boards.
Observe the children.
- Do most of the children seem happy and truly absorbed in their activities most of the time? Are the classroom rules fair and consistently applied? Does the teacher help misbehaving children reflect on how to act next time, saying clearly what behavior she expects?
Listen for positive discipline words. "Remember to walk in our classroom" rather than "Stop running!" "I want you to use your indoor voices" rather than "Stop shouting!"
Find out whether the school encourages parent involvement.
- Does the teacher discuss the child's progress with parents at scheduled times as well as informal times?
Listen for such statements as "Here's a book we read today that your son really enjoyed. Would you like to take it home to read with him?"
To learn more about choosing a preschool visit these web sites.
- 10 Signs of a Great Preschool
http://www.naeyc.org/resources/eyly/1996/01.htm - What Is a Quality Preschool Program?
http://www.parentingweb.com/dev_edu/qualitypresch.htm - Preschool - Academics or Play?
http://www.naeyc.org/ece/2001/05.asp - Finding the Right Preschool: Step-by-Step
http://school.familyeducation.com/preschool/school-selection/38806.html?detoured=1
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