Scouting for kindergarten – Part II

21 Oct

Posted by kazyiau bloggeraz

I went scouting for kindergarten in the past months (read here if you don’t already knew it) and well, actually I have only been to 3 kindergartens so far and I have planned to enroll Dillon before end of this month but I’m still deliberating.

My criteria is actually very basic and simple:
1. The kindy is decent, spacious and well ventilated. Have space for kids to play around freely while studying. (I don’t prefer corner double storey link house, too cramp)
2. The teachers and teaching method. (I prefer Montessori teaching)
3. The school fee is not too expensive or overpriced. (this can kill me when I eventually sending 2 kids)
4. The location is not too far from my house. (because I only plan to send half-day, will need to arrange transport)

After I have visited Reka and Yuder, I went to Mayter Montessori school in Taman Tayton also and I just love the place at first sight, and it actually fufill my above criterias number 1 to 3.

The only thing that is holding me back now is the location. This kindy is not located in my area, it is about 15-20 minutes (by car) away from where I live. There is a private 10-seater van that can fetch him but I’m just worried that he has to get up very early for the school that starts at 8.00am!!

Some people have asked if I’m comfortable to let the van fetch Dillon for such distance, since he is only 3 years old by this year end, they actually think nearer is better for him. But my husband said maybe this is a good start to train him to be independent, and waking up early also means sleeping early and it should be a healthy lifesyle.

What are your criterias?

Filed Under: Kids & Family, Kindergarten
Tags: Dillon, Kindy, Mommy

12 Responses

Ann

October 21st, 2008 at 10:39 am
1

Hmmm….for me personally, I think ok for him to get up early if he can sleep early.
And I always wonder why parents dont car pool – at least less the jam around schools and day cares etc.

Good for them to have the ‘bus’ to pick and drop off. I think ok for you to use them too!
vickylow

October 21st, 2008 at 10:41 am
2

For my criteria I’m looking for clean, ventilated, enough spacious and quiet kinder. Small classroom with ratio around 1:10. Prefer montessori or fungates method. Kind and loving teachers. Of course reasonable school fee. So far I have only scouted 1 kinder and it meet all my criterias. I’m too lazy scouting again and there are no much choose around my house. BTW that kinder I scouted start class at 9am, but we will send her ourselves b4 leave to work at 8am. I’m practicing Chloe to sleep early and wake up at 7am
FamilyFirst

October 21st, 2008 at 1:26 pm
3

Its always a healthier choice for kids to sleep & wake up early. As for the private van, is it registered with the school? If so, then it should be safe. Perhaps you can speak to some of the teachers or mommies who use this van services to gauge if the driver is a responsible person & how long he/she has been ferrying the kids, etc. Sometimes for working parents like you & me, no choice, have to rely on such services. Moreover, my mom or mom-in-law dont drive, so I too would have no choice but to rely on private transport services.
shoppingmum

October 21st, 2008 at 2:05 pm
4

I like kids to get up early. It’s just hard at first, but after awhile, it’s like an habit to them. As for the transport, some vans have a teacher going along, but some only rely on the driver. I will ask some mothers whose kids use the van and see what’s their response.
rachel

October 21st, 2008 at 3:11 pm
5

All the best in your kindy searching…
kohei

October 21st, 2008 at 5:09 pm
6

Hi,

If your choice is Mayter, just bear in mind that the van might probably take 40 min to Mayter and 40 min to come back home cos the van need to fetch other kids as well. If you don’t mind that your son sit in the van go around and round then your choice should be Mayter.

For me, I mind that my son sit in the van for so long hour. Waste a lot of time and I want my son quick to come back home or vice versa. Pitty them as a young kids. For me, I engaged private car for my son to go to Yu der. Cost around RM70 per month. Max kids she fetch around 5 kids.
slavemom

October 21st, 2008 at 8:58 pm
7

My priority is location. Must be nearby as I need to ferry her to and fro. Of coz, the kindy must be decent enuff. I’m not comfortable with the idea of little ones taking the van/bus themselves. But if there’s no choice, gotta make sure they hv at least 1 adult that sits behind with the kids.
sting

October 22nd, 2008 at 4:52 pm
8

Perhaps you can enquire if there are any other parents living around your area who also send their kids to Mayter Montessori so can “tumpang”…
Angeline

October 23rd, 2008 at 2:39 am
9

girl, go with your mommy instinct… ‘cos distance is NOT a problem over time, cos when you are so used to it, 15-20mins would seem like 5mins!

and the van ride, if you trust the school so much, meaning meeting your 1-3criterias, then you SHOULD have the same trust that your little one WILL BE in good hands…

3 ticks against 1 cross, isn’t the choice very obvious?

karenyiau: thansk angeline, i must trust that my boy will be in good hands, in fact my choice is very obvious, perhaps i’m just need some assurance from people like you.
pyteo

October 24th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
10

Personally think age 5 is the best time to enrol kindergarden. Just because very easy to get sick once go to school. What i worry most is asking the kid go to school too early, they will get “bored” very fast. Imagine our days only start the kinder 1 year before primary school and some just start primary school without kinder. A few friends of mine, the kid start complaining to go school. Even my dotter (age 5) nowaday also checking her school holiday everyday even she started her school at age of 5.

karenyiau: yes i know what you mean, i had the same thought as you before and didn’t like to sendmy son to kinder so soon. but since i don’t have much time for him, and he is quite bored to be at home whole day long so i’m sending him. anyway i want him to feel that school is fun and not something burden, that’s why i prefer montessori, and it’s just half a day (actually 2 1/3 hours only) so i think it’s still fine. thanks for sharing your thoughts with me
venus

October 27th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
11

to me,distant is not a big deal. as long as it is at the same route to my working place. but i prefer myself or family members to send and fetch my child. but this is still depend on individuals. i am thinking to send my son (2yrs old) by Jan 09. but will be sending him to the kindy in dec 08. coz i found that he feels bored at the nanny place.sometimes he refused to go. actually 0-6yrs old is our human being most sensitive period. the expert says the most suitable age to send ur child to kindy is 2 1/2 yrs old. but this is also depend on the readiness of the child itself.

karenyiau: yes i agree, when i’m off at home, i can see that my son is quite bored basically doing nothing that really benefits him, except for running around, messing things up and watch a lot a lot of tv!!! i can’t expect my maid could do anything about it as she is just a helper anyway. this is the main reaosn i wanted to send him by next year. he is turning 3 this dec and to me, he is more than ready to go!
Eva

October 27th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
12

My girl is currently studying at Mayter Kinder at Tmn Bkt Anggerik. Some of my colleagues kids are at Mayter, Taynton. Em … I can tell u tat Mayter is a good kinder.

karenyiau: thanks eva for your comment, i’ve already made up my mind, check out my next post.