Preschool/Kindergarten options for indian expat kids from US

[sunijam]

All,

We have moved to Singapore from US recently and are exploring Kindergarten options for our kids.

We are indian with kids born/grown up in the US. so I am trying to find the right fit for them in Singapore. I am trying to find a school that has a good mix of all races and a good number of Indians too. Most of the schools that I visited had always one race to be a majority. Either they are too local or too expat centric. I am trying the find a middle ground here.

And at the same time be able to have a mix of Indian/local asian kids. Maybe it's not easy to explain what I mean. Living in the US, they went to public local kindergartens where they mixed with the local kids. And then we have a huge Indian friends and associated with Indian dance schools etc - so we had plenty of Indian friends.

After our move to Singapore - I would like to provide them the good education and at the same time be able to identify with Indians with similar views.

Thanks.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Living in the US, they went to public local kindergartens where they mixed with the local kids. And then we have a huge Indian friends and associated with Indian dance schools etc - so we had plenty of Indian friends.

I've read about the Indian diaspora in the US before and the problems the Indian communities faced there (especially on the east coast). In fact, I heard that the only time Indian children mix with non-Indians is when they are in school. As soon as they get out of school, they are hustled back into their little Indian conclaves and the moats crossings are pulled up and there is absolutely no social intermixing with the greater community. In fact, I read cases where an Indian boy started having a social relationship with a non-Indian girl and he was promptly sent back to India to stay with relatives.

I don't think you will be able to find something of that sort here except that GIIS does have predominately Indians but also a mix of other races.

sms

[boffenl]

I'd agree with SMS, I don't think you'll find what you're searching for here in SG. The majority race will be Chinese in local schools and "other" at expat schools unless you look at GIIS which will be Indian majority. GIIS is a good school, and if you're looking to rebuild some semblance of Indian identity for your kids, then they're your best bet.

Local schools generally have a mix of kids from 10 to 15 different countries, mostly Asian (obviously). My daughter's local school has kids from over 20 countries. That was our goal, not setting her up in a school where she is reflected back (as a caucasian surrounded by caucasians) but one where she can grow and learn.

If your little people are still little, it's a tough choice. Good luck!

[srx]

All,

We have moved to Singapore from US recently and are exploring Kindergarten options for our kids.

We are indian with kids born/grown up in the US. so I am trying to find the right fit for them in Singapore. I am trying to find a school that has a good mix of all races and a good number of Indians too. Most of the schools that I visited had always one race to be a majority. Either they are too local or too expat centric. I am trying the find a middle ground here.

And at the same time be able to have a mix of Indian/local asian kids. Maybe it's not easy to explain what I mean. Living in the US, they went to public local kindergartens where they mixed with the local kids. And then we have a huge Indian friends and associated with Indian dance schools etc - so we had plenty of Indian friends.

After our move to Singapore - I would like to provide them the good education and at the same time be able to identify with Indians with similar views.

Thanks.

Hi - Similar situation - similar problem. Kids grew up in a racially diverse community. Also had a good mix of Indians and non - Indians for friends. Not sure what SMS is smoking, but I don't blame him for his basing his opinion after reading about a random act (remember - all our Indian roads have cows and elephants and snake charmers according to our less traveled American buddies ).

So my question is - what did you find out ? Maybe we can tag team ?

[ecureilx]

... reading about a random act (remember - all our Indian roads have cows and elephants and snake charmers according to our less traveled American buddies ).

Well, two years ago, travellng on the Bangalore to Chennai Highway, doing about 120 KM in Tata Indica (wisely I chose not to sit in the front seat and fast the traffic whizzing by left, right and almost flying over us - you see, I have a weak heart nowadays .. ) our car was almost wrecked, luckily, the driver did a F1 style dive into the road shoulder (or whatever that thing on the road, which is about 2 feet lower than the main road is called, and did a dust swirling side slipping maneouvre was, and did save our souls, and got us back on to the road, and slowed down, and to see, he had avoided a COW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dunno about the elephants and snake charmers though ..

Unless you insist that South India and North India are two different countries, in case you hail from the north

[sundaymorningstaple]

All,

We have moved to Singapore from US recently and are exploring Kindergarten options for our kids.

We are indian with kids born/grown up in the US. so I am trying to find the right fit for them in Singapore. I am trying to find a school that has a good mix of all races and a good number of Indians too. Most of the schools that I visited had always one race to be a majority. Either they are too local or too expat centric. I am trying the find a middle ground here.

And at the same time be able to have a mix of Indian/local asian kids. Maybe it's not easy to explain what I mean. Living in the US, they went to public local kindergartens where they mixed with the local kids. And then we have a huge Indian friends and associated with Indian dance schools etc - so we had plenty of Indian friends.

After our move to Singapore - I would like to provide them the good education and at the same time be able to identify with Indians with similar views.

Thanks.

Hi - Similar situation - similar problem. Kids grew up in a racially diverse community. Also had a good mix of Indians and non - Indians for friends. Not sure what SMS is smoking, but I don't blame him for his basing his opinion after reading about a random act (remember - all our Indian roads have cows and elephants and snake charmers according to our less traveled American buddies ).

So my question is - what did you find out ? Maybe we can tag team ?

Obviously you didn't read the OP's opening post too closely then did you? OP as much as said the same thing. Once out of school. You may well be the anomaly. What are 'you' snorting, that you don't see the obvious. Oh, by the way, I've observed much of the same as well, as I'm a yank from the east coast, which is why I based my observation thus. About the only time this doesn't apply is in the case of them settling in small towns rather than the larger cities. This happens primarily with doctors in small town hospitals. There they have few if any others to circle the wagons around.

[srx]

All,

Oh, by the way, I've observed much of the same as well, as I'm a yank from the east coast, which is why I based my observation thus.

Good for you! So - any good options where the kids are from diverse backgrounds without unnecessary weights towards any particular sect/community ?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Nope. International Schools will all be "weighted" towards the country where they are from. Local schools will be weighted towards Chinese as they comprise 78% of the population. How? What you are asking for is something that is only theoretically possible, but not very probable. Good luck. You all started out on the wrong foot, as you all brought up the ethnicity. You all wanted predominately Indian with a mix of all others. You were told where your best options were, but frankly the mix will be extremely small as nobody but Indians generally want to go to Indian schools for a number of reasons, one primarily being language differences. This especially if they are of other Asian extraction. YMMV.

[JR8]

In fact, I read cases where an Indian boy started having a social relationship with a non-Indian girl and he was promptly sent back to India to stay with relatives.

Yeah and in the UK it is a regular event to read of a young female that has become 'too westernised' or fraternised with western men to be killed by her own family. It is known as 'honor killing'.

[sundaymorningstaple]

That too, but I wasn't gonna mention that as I'm not aware of it having happened yet in the US, although it may well have at some point. I knew it hads happened several times in the US though. But I think your population density of the Indian diaspora is considerably larger there than the US by comparison.

[JR8]

That too, but I wasn't gonna mention that as I'm not aware of it having happened yet in the US, although it may well have at some point. I knew it hads happened several times in the US though. But I think your population density of the Indian diaspora is considerably larger there than the US by comparison.

Yes also until very recently there has been no requirement to speak English or have any demonstrable understanding of the UK to get citizenship.

Couple that with the Sub-Cont proclivity to bring in the whole extended family and you have entire cities that are probably more Asian than in Asia itself.

refer: Bradford

[srx]

Nope. International Schools will all be "weighted" towards the country where they are from. Local schools will be weighted towards Chinese as they comprise 78% of the population. How? What you are asking for is something that is only theoretically possible, but not very probable. Good luck. You all started out on the wrong foot, as you all brought up the ethnicity. You all wanted predominately Indian with a mix of all others. You were told where your best options were, but frankly the mix will be extremely small as nobody but Indians generally want to go to Indian schools for a number of reasons, one primarily being language differences. This especially if they are of other Asian extraction. YMMV.

I think I half expected that answer and it was probably more wishful thinking than anything else. Your argument makes complete sense - I brought up ethnicity to try and shield the kids from any form of discrimination while at the same time teaching them to respect other ethnicities - I don't think I want a school that is predominantly Indian, but if there is going to be a clear dominance of one ethnicity over the others.. I'd rather err on the side of caution..