Pre-school search starts...

At the end of last term, we started discussing if we wanted to let K continue with BJG next year or to ease him into his future as-yet-unchosen kindergarten's N1 class. After a quick browse in the area and comparing pros and cons, we decided that K will continue with BJG for another year and go straight to N2 thereafter.

The pros of transferring to a kindergarten:
1. Much cheaper
2. Let him get used to a new environment earlier since he's gonna end up there anyway

Cons:
1. His nightmares will probably start again
2. Morning crying for at least a month
3. Shorter schooling hours
4. Odd schooling hours (by our standards)

As I'm quite insistent that K goes to a church kindy, we checked out the only 2 down the road--

1. Bt Panjang Methodist Church Kindy
Prior to visiting, I'd read good academic reviews from current/ex-students' parents....and because it's based in a methodist church, I'd more or less decided I WANT THIS. On site, the location was, well...quite dreary. Can't blame them as the church building is rather old. The decor is pretty dated and dark. HW hated it and was like No No No...so gloomy! But academic reviews are good! On the downside, you have to be toilet-trained before entering (which our dear friend isn't)...and you have to be 30months before starting school. Which means, K can only start in February. The fees are quite reasonable, being about half of what we're paying now. It's a 3hrs programme. With all that's said and done, it is FULL. We are like #30something on the waitlist.

2. St Joseph's Church Kindy
Now this place is HUGE and AIRY and looks really really nice! The playgrounds look fun and there's ample place to run around. I've also read pretty good reviews on this place, mainly about how nice and spacious it is. I must say I was pretty sold on the place. Plus, you don't have to be toilet trained and you don't have to be a full 30months to start! The morning session's full though, but there's space in the 2nd session, which is fine by me. The fees are about $200 more than the previous kindy (but still less than what we're currently paying). Then comes the negative part. The first, glaring thing that concerned me is that the school compound faces a graveyard!! Apparently there is a graveyard within the church...and it's smack like 50metres in front of the front facing of the kindergarten section. Kids are more err...in tune with their err...senses. So I'm not sure it's such a good idea. Then, the programme is a mere 2.5hrs. So after getting over the crying bit, there mightn't be that much time left for other stuff? Also, this school advocated playing over learning. I know this is a plus point for alot of parents..but I personally prefer more learning to take place in school.


As a parent, I take precedence in the academic value of a school. HW, on the other hand, was only concerned that the place looks nice & fun. So we were split on our views. I wanted Bt Panjang Methodist...and HW wanted St Jo. In the end, obviously my view counted more....and since Bt Panjang had no vacancies...we decided to enroll him in N2 the following year. We'd continue with BJG, or so we thought...

Yesterday after picking up K, teacher Stella asked us in for a chat. I was thinking "Uh Oh! Keston got into a fight!" She was so solemn that alarm bells were ringing in our heads. Then it turned out that the school will not be operating the playgroup anymore next year. So this will be our last term there. (And we just bought a new uniform!!!!)

And so begins our frantic search for K's new future school. There's a church near where the in-laws stay and recently we've noticed that they've also got a kindy within. It's pretty near our place...but I wasn't that keen cos it's really near the ils. Anyway, we decided to check it out today.
3. The Methodist Church Of The Incarnation (MCI) Kindy
Not so keen on the name either :P As there were some renovations going on, we took forever trying to find our way in...and then we walked round and round without managing to find the office. The place is quite big (not as spacious as St Jo) and there are ALOT of students. We found out their full capacity is 170 and they're nearing full cap. K doesn't need to be toilet trained. There is still a couple of vacancies for the morning session and also for the 2nd session. Plus points first, the church/kindy is undergoing renovations at the end of the year so everything will be spanking new when we start N1 next year. There will be proper classrooms for the N1 and N2 (right now, they are partitioned using little walls/shelves. Only the K1/K2 have proper classrooms). The bathrooms will be new. There will be a new outdoor playground. Basically, the keyword is NEW. The school will be fully air-conditioned with options to be non-airconditioned when there is an epidemic. They haven't had any closure due to HFMD as yet. The fees are abit more than what St Jo is charging but it is a 3 hours programme. Also, ALL except 1 of their teachers are locals.

For now, based on what's available and what we've seen...it seems that MCI kindy is the way to go. I'm still being stubborn, and hoping for more choices to drop our way. But if I procrastinate too long, I'm sure they won't have anymore vacancies already :P