New to Singapore & I want to help my 3 yr old make new friends

[oli's mommy]

Does anyone have advice on where to take my son so he can meet/play with other kids. We are thinking of moing to SG by the end of the year so I'm coming next week for a month to check things out. Im looking for playgroups, or places where moms hang out with preschoolers. I've read there are pre-preschool type places there too. Are they hard to get into like KG's?

My 3 year old son gets so excited when he sees other kids but he is a bit shy at first. I think mostly because he hasn't had much opportunity to mix with kids his age. I hope he will be a little less nervous meeting new friends. He's grown up in Canada & China (mostly China) so since he's been able to talk, he hasn't really had friends that could speak English. I think this month will be a good trial for us both.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to best experience toddler social life in Singapore, or had a similar experience, I'd love to hear from you!

[durain]

will you be putting your kid to preschool or nursey? from there, he will make new friends. also if you will be staying in a condo, again he can make new friends there at the condo's playground or pool. kids will be kids and will mix well once they are in their environment.

[oli's mommy]

Hi is actually not 3 yet ,so he wont be able to start nursery until January I guess. Do preschools take students late in the term? Maybe Ill look into preschool for the next 6 months.

and I didnt think abt the other kids in the neighborhood, of course he'd meet kids around there.

tks.

[durain]

you can put his in a nursery. i put mine when he was 1.5 years old and he loved it so much that he doesnt want to leave when i go and collect him! he was the youngest then and he had tons of friends, even from the older kids.

[oli's mommy]

great to hear. how do i find one.....in the phone listings?

[durain]

great to hear. how do i find one.....in the phone listings?

well, need to know where you gonna be living first.

[viajera]

you can use this to search for local childcare centres according to location:

http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg/ccls/ho ... ccSrch.jsp

[oli's mommy]

great...will do.

Im not sure which area we will be living in yet. Im staying in a hotel when i first arrive and I have a few condos to look at that I'll choose from. There seems to be lots of places at lower rent in the west, but I was thinking the east or northeast would be a good location. Im not hung up on any one area though, all areas that Ive seen are nice.

two of the places the agent is pushing me towards are bukit timah area & around novena MRT station...any comments on either?

[oli's mommy]

IN RESPONSE TO THIS MESSAGE:
*******hi there!
I am also from Canada but have lived in Hong Kong and now Singapore - we are still relatively newbies in Singapore - having just moved last November. My advice would be to live near the city unless you know the school that your child will attend. We live 5 mins. away from Orchard off River Valley. We also do NOT have a car so we live near ammenities. Our building, The Tiara is right beside Great World City which is a very convenient shopping mall (not for clothes) but for groceries, convenience goods etc. I also have a 3 year old son and a 6 month old boy. Let me know when you settle and want to meet up!
Let me know if you have any other questions.
I have also have a good ped, etc.

Best wishes, Audrey Liu*********


I"D LOVE TO MEET UP Audrey. Thanks for the advice on areas. That's just what I was thinking...near amenities would be better. Last time I was in Singapore I stayed on Stevens Rd, and although it was nice a quiet, it was a residential area and there was nothing around. I'd like to be near grocery & MTR, mainly. I'm arriving this weekend. Maybe we can meet next week. Thanks again.
Denice

[ninabc]

Hi is actually not 3 yet ,so he wont be able to start nursery until January I guess. Do preschools take students late in the term? Maybe Ill look into preschool for the next 6 months.

and I didnt think abt the other kids in the neighborhood, of course he'd meet kids around there.

tks.

My daughter will be 3 i november and she is starting in a daycare center on monday. She's really excited about it. Untill now we've just been going to local playgrounds, there's usually kids there. I would most likely be up for a kids play date if you do end up moving here

[oli's mommy]

Hi ninabc:

Im in Singapore now and would love to meet up. Just let me know where and when. Im in bishan area, but i can meet you anywhere. I don't really know many places to go so I'll leave it up to you to pick a place.

I have looked at a daycare/preschool type place and my son was really excited to be there. We went to a Gymboree class too, which he also loved. He has asked me like 10 times a day since then if he can go to school.

My schedule is pretty much open so let me know if you want to meet.

Denice & Oli

[oli's mommy]

Hi Audrey:

Im in Singapore now. Let me know if you'de like to meet.

Denice & Oli
(Im Canadian that has been living in China, now in Singapore with my almost 3 year old son. You posted a message before saying you live just off orchard. I am in bishan area, also not that far away from orchard I think. I saw an ad for a kids playplace at Great World City if you want to meet there someday this week or next? Or if you have another suggestion for place to meet up, Im easy.

Looking forward to meeting.

Denice & Oli

[Blue Sapphire]

I take my son to My Gym at Great World city for play gym classes. Its right next door to us so its very convenient. They also have just expanded so they have other kinds of classes like music and playgroups.

School is still the best way for him to find friends, you can enrol him at preschool or montessori. Alot of them take kids from 18mtns. I'll be sending my son who is only 16 mtns now to Brighton montessori at river valley in Jan. Its for him to learn how to socialise without me around. Allow him to be more independent.

Dont worry, when you settle here you'll find lots of activities to keep your son occupied esp at that age when its easier to take him around. Theres alot of playgrounds around. You can even form one yourself!

[endacotta]

Hi all

I am also new to Singapore - moved last weekend. I have 2 boys 4 years old and 3 months. I would also be interested in meeting up. we are in the Orchard area. Please let me know when you are free to meet up. My eldest starts preschool on 18th August.

Anita

[oli's mommy]

How's Tuesday? 1pm...at a kids playplace?

Someone on here mentioned they go to Great World City Shopping Center to a place called My Gym. They have 'Open Gym' time from 1230-200 on Tuesday for kids to climb, jump, bounce, etc. It's abt 20$. It's not super-exciting but my 3 year old really liked it and there's plenty of things to keep them busy. There were a couple 6-7 yr old kids there that seemed to be having fun too.
Anyone who is interested in meeting...see you there!

Great World City
1 Kim Seng Promenade (Orchard area)
#03-06/07/08/09/10
(There's an elevator near the McDonalds on the bottom floor. It's on the same floor as the Cinema. Next to "Grace Kids". ...and the entrance to the Gym is at the back of a party supply store called Jolly-something???)


From Orchard MRT station take bus 16 or 175 OR theres a free "Great World City" Shuttle bus that takes you to the mall.


Well, Im looking forward to meeting other parents new to Singapore, and Im sure my son will be happy to meet new friends.

Happy National Day tomorrow!

See you on Tuesday.

Denice & Oliver