Montessori for Children

[Jo1]

Hi, I am looking for a playgroup/preschool for my child.
Does anyone have their child in this school? http://www.montessori.edu.sg/

How do you find the management of the school? Do they practise pure Montessori?

Does your child enjoy school?

Thanks for your feedback!

[chixchix]

Hi there,, I have my older boy who has been there for nearly 2 years now and I just placed my younger one,in the playgroup.
I would say the teachers are very patient and proffesional in their work.

Environment is very clean and good. The teachers are very different from local playschools or nurseries. The educational materials they provide are also very catered to the kid's needs. I find that my kids have been developing well with MMI. They are now in the West Coast area.

[sq009]

more info needed... like where do you stay, what is your expectation, do you want to put your child in similar environment or exposed to multicultural environment

[cbavasi]

I enrolled my 2.5 year old in MMI when we first arrived in Singapore after being in a non-montessori preschool in Jakarta. I wasn't familiar with the montessori method and really only signed him up there b/c they were not on school holiday and could accept him straight away (I was heavily pregnant with baby #2). I sort of had in mind that I would transfer him if he wasn't happy - but couldn't be further from my expectations! He really enjoys "school", his friends and most of all his teachers. I am surprised at how much he knows and what they expect from him. I certainly underestimated his abilities - and the Montessori method really helps children excel at what they are good at. His school is a mix - mostly Singaporean and about 20% fully expatriate children. Since there are so many Montessori programs - you'd be best to personally check the ones you like out - or ask other parents around pick up time at the school.

[chixchix]

Wch centre is your boy in ?

[cbavasi]

He's in the one on Claymore.

[koolkat]

MFC (Montessori for Children) is not the same as MMI (Modern Montessori)

Jo1, my son is in MFC in Newton. He loves it there. Teachers are really patient and good. Yes it is a traditional montessori in the sense that the students select what they want to do and the teachers facilitate. The classes are mixed age so the older students mentor the younger students.
My boy has really thrived there so I am very very pleased. My initial concern was the lack of preparation for local school but many of my son's classmates are local kids whose older siblings have graduated from the same school. So I guess their parents would not have sent the younger kid there if the older kid was ill-prepared for primary school.
The downside though is the wait-list. They have a very long wait-list. About one year for the morning session. I registered my son when he was 16 months old just so he would make it to the morning session when he turned 2 and a half.
Otherwise, I would highly recommend MFC.

[Jo1]

Thanks Koolkat,

Your insight is just what I am looking for! Thanks.