Narrowing down

My hunt for a good playschool for Declan has been narrowed down to 2 centres. One is the MMI located at the former HDB building at Bukit Merah - Twink School House. The other is Cherie Hearts located along West Coast Road.

Yesterday, I revisited the MMI at West Coast Recreation Centre again. Somehow I still don't like it there. I don't really feel comfortable. The teachers' faces all look so glum (not even a hint of smile) and I even saw with my own eyes that the teacher for the playgroup and nursery (they actually combined the 2) making the students sit against the wall facing her and she was folding her arms across her chest and staring at them very fiercely. One little girl was made to sit facing the wall for "time out" as she was not co-operative, as explained by the teacher. hmmmmmm at such young age, isn't it expected that they've not yet learn to cooperate fully? I am sure Declan won't be able to "co-operate" as and when the teachers want him to as yet. If the teacher is gonna make him sit facing the wall for "time out", I can imagine that the teacher will probably end up pulling her hair out as I know that this chap won't be able to sit still and he will most likely be dashing around the classroom :x There was also this new boy there who was crying and crying for his mama with mucus streaming down his nose. I thought the least the teacher could do was to wipe up his mucus for him... but it was not done.... MINUS MARK MINUS MARK. The greatest put off was no matter which programme I choose, full day, half day, flexi hours, alternate day etc... the fees are all 600+ excluding transport.................. totally senseless......

Straight after I left that centre, I headed to the Twink School House at Jalan Bukit Merah. The moment I stepped right into the centre, I instantly felt that this was a much better choice. The whole place have a bright cheery atmosphere. It had a open concept, thus one could see the whole place at a glance. The fee structure makes more sense there. They gave parents choice of sending in the kids from Mon-Sat, 4 times weekly, thrice weekly, twice weekly or even once a week. Plus point plus point. They offer a 2 weeks trial period at about 400 bucks while the other one at West Coast will cost 500+. Plus point plus point! Today I brought Kiat over to view the place during his lunch time. He agreed that this was a much better place than the one at West Coast.

This morning, I brought Declan over to Cherie Hearts. The person in charge was nice. They have a mini animal kingdom there. Though they called it a kingdom, there's only terrapins and rabbits :p Their curriculum looks fun. It includes, water play and also teaching the little ones road safety. Unique! Plus point Plus point. The centre's owner's daughter is also in the playgroup, hmm so can I assume that the group will strictly follow the curriculum since I bet the owner will want the best for her own child?? If I sent Declan there and he continue on to nursery and kindergarten, he'll also be given free Jap lessons. PLUS PLUS PLUS points. The owner herself is trained in the montessori method but her teachers are not. She claimed that she trained her own trainers on the montesorri method. I will be giving this centre BONUS PLUS POINT cos they allow 3 full day trial! This centre dun offer flexi care.... they only cater to straight 5 days... and not alternate days... minus mark minus mark.... I already registered for it and will be on trial next week. I will be bringing the dad there tomorrow to view the place.

Actually I already have a preferred choice but I am not gonna indicate here in case Kiat comes in to peep. I don't want him to be influenced by my choice. I want him to give me his own views before I share with him mine.