Brighton Montesorri

[Montesorri]

Hi! May I know if anyone out there has any opinion of Brighton Montesorri at River Valley (curriculum, teachers, environment etc.)? Thanks!  

[mmm]

when i was researching montessori schools for my son i did come across brighton and was not very impressed with their staff.  i visited their river valley school and liked the idea that it was a new facility.  unfortunately when i asked about the qualifications of their staff and principal, they became very apprehensive in giving me any further details.  i did not like that they were not forthcoming in such simple and very important information.  i asked the principal to call me to clarify some questions but never received a call!  definitely not a place i would send my children.  also they are registered under childcare and not a kindergarten.  this may or may not be an important issue.

please research what the montessori philosophy is all about before you decide on a school here in singapore.  there are no true montessori school here and some can only be considered montessori inspired.  anyone can say they have a montessori school.  make sure you are getting what you are paying for and not just a name.

[ahcp]

I am also looking for a montossori for my three year old son.  Can anyone suggest a school he can go to for two or three times a week but doesn't cost a fortune?  I'm willing to spend around $300 a month for twice a week or $400 for three x's a week.  I also considered the Brighton on River Valley but reading the above message makes me think twice about sending him there.  Because I just gave a birth to twin babies I can't travel too far in dropping my son off for school.  I live on River Valley Rd. off of between Mohamad Sultan Rd and Kim Seng Rd.(Great World City).  If not Montessori than how about any good school that has good program.

[Naaaah !]

Brighton Mtsr. is NOT a Montessori, even though they use some of the equipment. Primarily they provide "enrichment" classes in Math and Reading which is the bulk of their business (at least in the East, where they have a branch). Only a few of the teachers or supervisors are Mtsr trained, the rest being teaching assistants. This is probably the reason for the hedging at straight questions about qualifications.

Unfortunately in Singapore, many assume a "brand" is synonymous with quality which in this case, is not true.

[Sam's]

I've just come back from a visit to Sam's Early Learning, further down River Valley Rd, at Jalan Mutiara. After seeing so many places with such an emphasis on early academics (usually achieved through rote learning), I was presently surprised by Sam's. They have an open classroom set up for each age group, with emphasis on learning through play ("guided" and "free") experiences. They do have a couple of Montessori trained teachers, and say that their curriculum is influenced by Montessori philosophy, but is not "pure Montessori" per se.

[wlml]

try Casa Dei Bambini Montessori For Children at Newton Road.  I, too, did a lot of research on Montessori schools in Singapore a few years ago when we returned here from the US & this one was the only one who had teachers trained under the AMI philosophy of Montessori education.  

[Nana]

I also did extensive research but am still unable to decide right one.  Briton was one of my choice but does not seem to impress a lot of people here.  I also went to Sam's twice and found that  their management appeared disorganized.  Other school that I am now looking into is MMI, one behind ISETAN Scotts.  Could anyone share your view with me ?  

[mmm]

I looked at Casa Dei Bambini Montessori For Children at Newton Road too.  They are probably the most "montessori'  in singapore.  like a poster mentioned all of their staff is AMI which is the best certification there is for montessori training.  they are also very organised in their mgmt.  they know what they are doing and they have schools in hkg and canada.  one reason i did not chose the school is that all of the teachers are of one nationality.  not that i mind because they all speak perfect english, probably better than mine.  i just wanted my son's school to represent the wonderful mixture of nationalities in singapore (chinese, malay, indian, european, etc) in terms of teachers and students.  there are 2 more schools run by AMI principals but for various reasons i did not chose those school either.

again, you need to ask about the teachers qualifications.  some centres only the principal has the qualification.

MMI is an organisation that provides certification AND schools.  unfortunately i believe the schools are franchised and the one on claymore just became a montessori school.  as such not all the teachers are qualified yet.  for me, i felt the school was run more like a business; trying to maximising the number of students.

when researching for a montessori school, try to look for 3 hour programs (anything else may be too short). the option for an extended day program is also wonderful.

JMHO