Is he ready for Kindy?
I received a brochure from a Kindergarten a few weeks back and in it, it mentioned about a new branch opening around our area. The place is about 5 mins drive away in a nearby neighborhood. Today, they have a ‘Open Day’ and if anyone sign up for their program will get a pair of uniform for Free which is worth RM25 (for Darrius’s size).
It was drizzling the whole morning, which I have intended to go at around 10am but have to change our plan. So we waited till after lunch but it was still drizzling… nevertheless, I decided we just go ahead since it was not pouring.
When we reached the roll of houses (all 3-storeys semi detached houses), we were shocked to see a few Kindergartens on the same roll! If I remember correctly, there were 4 altogether! This is the first time I see so many kindy in one roll…. basically next to each other!
The one we went was at the end of the road. It was just 2 houses away from the dead-end. They erected a tent and I could see they have been serving some refreshment for those who came to view the place. (I did not take any photos as there were so many people starring at us since we were among the last few that arrived).
We went in and immediately Darrius was stuck with the push car and refused to go. Have to bluff him so many times. The principle of another branch brought us tour around and introduce us to the place and explained to us the curriculum. I was not quite impressed with the way they speak in the first place. They told me they only conduct their classes in English but from the time I called up to inquire till I was there, I can see their grasp of the English language is not up to my standard. Most of them have the ‘Chinese accent’ which I hope Darrius will not learn from school… since his mommy already speaking ‘Singlish’ with him at home… 
which is already a very bad influence.
I wanted to let Darrius try the 1/2 day session which is called ‘Study group – Nursery 1′ for 2-3 years old. Classes will commence from 8.30 to 12 noon. There will be reading, phonics, writing, art and crafts as well as ’sport’ which I am still wondering what can they do in that small compound (and we have to get Darrius a sport suit @ RM16). The fees is about RM200 and they follow all the school holidays… which means when it is school holidays or public holidays there will be no classes/lessons but we still have to pay in full. That means, if I send Darrius there, for November and December he will be at home with me! What’s the point????
Then I asked if there is any trial sessions and the principle told me – NO. Well, I can’t be risking my $$$ on the uniform and all the misc fees and what if Darrius has phobia being left by mommy and decided not to go to school??? What am I going to do with the uniforms?
It is a tough decision for us and we are still unsure if Darrius is ready…
.
p/s: PiggyBeng was not impressed at all and showed black face the entire session. And the principle that spoke to us colored/painted her eyes like kena punched liddat… so black and weird looking. And the principle of that branch… looked more like a cleaning auntie… no air of authority at all (her hand shake was not firm at all)… can you picture our concerns?
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shop around first since there are so many around. if i have doubt about the school and the teachers/principle, i don’t think i would want to send my kids there.
whoisbabys last blog post..Friday 5/16 Part 1
that sounds bad! search for more options and see which is the most suitable one. no hurry one….
wens last blog post..Lactose Intolerence Kid?
yup..it is not easy…
hope you can find a suitable one for your boy….
ya..it is always daunting to hunt a good one…good luck
haiyo!!! forget abt this school then! when i was hunting for a kindy for oscar, i bumped into a school that speaks manglish but the principal told us that they practices international standards. she even told me she has got international students, so i asked from which country, she told me, Bosnia, Cambodia etc etc… all the war country!!!!! i almost fainted!!!! and yes, the principal has got really colourful eyeshadow and her nostril hairs are sticking out from her nose!!! you can check out my previous post!!! hahahaha… of couse we didnt’ sign up for that school la….
that doesn’t sound very good leh… since there are so many in that area, maybe can check out the others as well?
stings last blog post..Baby Zen’s Diet
Yeap, survey around. I am sure there is one your son likes.
Shop around la…
definitely the wrong school.
If you ask me, i much rather envelop my kid in the warmth of my own home if he is only 2 1/2, but if you need to work,then no choice lar. Got to send the toddling one to kindy and daycare till 6pm. If u are thinking of just letting him interact, maybe gymboree (if there’s one in Penang) or musikgarten or those once or twice weekly session would be better?
allthingspurples last blog post..Ashley the ballerina-to-be
BTW some schools let u pay pro-rated for the one week trial class you went. Maybe you can work out an arrangement with the next school that you found?
allthingspurples last blog post..Ashley the ballerina-to-be
need to follow yr heart. If you think its not suitable then don’t sign up. You must have the “good feel” when you walk into the kindy and also when you talk to the teachers. That’s very important. And if cannot have a trial day, then better not also.
Never too young for playsch, cos J is younger than Darrius but he’s in sch for about 1 month edi. Send him and let him have fun in sch, play with frens , interact with other kids, share and all those things.
Eh not to be in hurry. Must survey kow-kow, check background kow-kow before decide.
There got convent school or not? If yes, they have kindergarten one..maybe u can try a convent school kindergarten.
If not, Darrius kindergarten at home lor, u home study him lah.
Hi Alice, if just for socializing, start with the weekend progrma first. In Penang, there’s Kindermusik, Tumbletots, Learning Garden to choose from.
When will he be ready for school? Given a choice, maybe never? He will definitely have separation anxiety once he is in school. So the question is, are you ready to send him to school? Are you ready to hear the morning cries of “I don wan to go skool.” Tat’s what Bryan’s principle told me. The kids are never ready, so we as parents need to ask ourselves whether are we ready….
I tell u, it is tough to see your child cry going to school everyday in the beginning… I am living through it now. But I have no regrets, I can really see that school is doing a lot of good for him.
MSN me if you wanna chat about it.
Shoois last blog post..Weeks of madness
I’m wondering of the same thing here, don’t know if I should send Dillon to kindy next year. Yet to go for “kindy hunting” & survey in my area.
karenyiaus last blog post..Why Dillon cannot be a footballer?
You can try the one opposite Bukit Dumbar, if it is still there. It’s Montessori one. Forgot the nam eliao..that one quite good but they close during school hols…
You should look at other schools to do the comparison. That’s what we did before. We had to compare the curiculum, facility and fees. What Shooi said is true. Separation anxiety is normal and it goes the same for us the parents. As of now, I can’t seem to remember the anxiety..prolly will need to read back on my previous posts. Yes, it is easy to say, “just send them to school and they will cope well.” I’ve been thru the crying, etc..and from my experience, it will get better. In a way, I’m glad I had sent Belle off to the daycare when she was only 14 mth old…mebbe that’s the difference. The older they get, the stronger the separation anxiety? Probably.
I say go with your gut feeling. If you feel the kindy is not fit for Darrius, then don’t enrol him there.
Take some time to “shop” around since there’s no hurry to send him to a pre-school. The negative side of our schools here is that they don’t have trial period and I too had sent Mei Mei to a pre-school which I thought was right, only for 2.5 months. Wasted the uniform money and other fees but no point sticking to a school that sucks right?
Immomsdaughters last blog post..Progress Report
Its not easy to find daycare. We went to like 4 or 5 b4 settling down with one. The earlier ones we saw, I dont like the teachers la, i dont like the space, i dont like too many kids la, i dont like the fact that the kids sit on the floor (cos the rooms was too small to accomodate proper chairs and table), i dont like the fact that babies mix with toddlers like my son …
i check the materials, the students, the area, the toilet, the kitchen, the teachers and i scrutinise every bit.
Up to today, i still “advise” the principal when i see something i dont like hahaha. I even ask the teacher to cut her nails, which was long..
Alice, i agree allpurplethings and shooi. Try that class first. Kindermusik at Sg Ara, nearby PISA. but the price i think to Piggy Beng also will be in black face. Yang joined Kindermusik. So 15 classes (once every week) is RM375 (if pay sekali) and home material RM215. I think Piggy Beng sure will say no loh. Oh… that Kinddy no good lah. In Penang ada banyak, but the best quality one, very hard to find loh…
allisias last blog post..Breastfeeding consultant
Aiyo.. agree with the other mommies. Go survey around first. A child’s first few years are very important. It’s better for him to be in an environment where you’ll feel comfy with. Else will also worry day and night later….
Thanks to all for all your advices and tips. I know I shall never simply put Darrius in any place where I don’t feel comfortable with. There are indeed a lot of considerations before deciding on a place. I have concerns with location, hygiene, neighborhood, method of teaching, curriculum and etc… I did not anticipate so much worries when come to choosing a good place to let him learn and play.
What I hated most is, most school seemed to emphasis in ‘money’ rather than care for the kids. They tend to put importance of the ‘commercial’ part where it really puts me off. I mean, why should I get uniforms before my baby is even sure he will stay for an extended period?
And I found that most do not have trial sessions. They just want you to commit with fees and all the misc charges (registration, uniforms, materials…) So annoying isn’t it?
PiggyBeng was worried that they usually put a nice front but in the end get some Indonesian maid to mind the kids when the parents are out of sight.
Since you’re not in a big rush then take your time to scout out other kindy lor. The ones you mentioned above sound quite cina-pek ler………
Paik Lings last blog post..Tag: Fabulous Friday Fives
Oh, ya…Kindermusic in Penang paid RM25 for the first class if enroll then will tolak RM25 from the fee. (if enroll then only entitle for the 1st class free. )
allisias last blog post..Breastfeeding consultant
I am also in the same shoes. Although I hv registered my girl in one, but my mind is still running wild…:p
BTW, my daugther is going to kindermusik, and tumbletots (both are once a week, 45min class).
Hooi Lings last blog post..Bedtime On Demand