Pre-schools

[Mimomum]

I have looked back at previous posts on pre-schools and there is a lot of conflicting information, so I thought that I might ask for recommendations...
We are looking at pre-schools for our two children, aged 4 and 2. 
Can anyone recommend Avondale, Swallows and Amazons, Eton House or White Lodge?

[Whoever123]

How old is the child? (some schools start at 18 months, some at 4 years old). Aircon or fresh air classroom? Start at 8am or at 9/9:30?  Teaching only in English, or Mandarin-speaking teacher also?  Which part of Singapore? Play-based or more structured? Do you want the classmates to be primarily native English speakers, or would you like the child to have exposure to lots of languages with his playmates?  Just for a couple of years, or do want a "through train" school through to the secondary years?      

[Whoever123]

Sorry, I mysteriously missed the ages you mentioned when i posted above!

[Mimomum]

Obviously, there are lots of things to consider! As we are coming to Singapore from the UK, I'd like English only speaking. Play-based for our 2 year old and more structure for our 4 year old, although I'm hoping that this will be a given. The pre-school will probably just be for a few years, but if they fit right in and love it, it could be for longer.
I realise that all kids are different and that parents are looking for different things in a pre-school, but can anyone recommend any of these pre-schools as places that care about the kids and where their kids can have a good time when learning.

[happy mum]

my daughter goes to Little hands montessori on paterson hill...
loves the place...
has  a good mix of structured learning and play
and an excellent reading program...
their website needs some work though... best if you call them and go view the school...

[English]

Is there a reason you wouldn't go for Tanglin for the older child which follows the british curriculum?

That said, I would wait until you move, well for the 2 year old anyway and see where you end up living. At 2 they may only be going to school for a couple of hours each day and it will be more convenient to have something close to your house.

With the 4 year old you could consider a more permanent school so you are not changing schools again in a year.

[Avoid]

Odyssey

[britmum]

Why not Odyssey?

[Wil]

You may wish to check out agape little Uni @ Orange grove.

Jus opened last month. There are programmes for your 2 yr and 4 yr child.

[frinkso]

Another thing to consider is environment - many of the preschools I saw reminded me of a concrete rabbit warrens - common to have small playgrounds in full sun all day, heavy traffic whizzing by. I wanted something greener and quieter.

[Rain Maker]

I think you could do much better than White Lodge.  Their standard of teachers and assistants seems to be very hit or miss. Their libraries seemed to me to be very poorly equipped (all I could see at one was about 8 books on a tiny shelf) & I got the impression not much is spent by the management.

[visit as many as you can]

My eldest went to WL and while most parents seemed happy I wasn't impessed. The teachers were nice enough but half of them didn't really seem suited or qualified. They seemed more alike to teenagers on work experience than educators. They had very obvious 'off' days and didn't seem to have much enthusiasm. For that type of money I expect talent, enthiusasm and a basic understanding of childrens behaviour. The organisation seemed to be a PR show. I don't want nor expect an 'education' at that age but I did expect him to be encouraged and enjoy his time there.

He didn't seem to gel with his teachers so I moved him to another school. The change was amazing - I wouldn't have said he was unahppy before but his behaviour, excitement levels and general outlook changed considerably. Enough to make me realise I should have moved him much sooner.

A couple of friends visited Eton House and were equally unimpressed but it is very subjective. One sat in on a class and was very unhappy with the behaviour of a teacher (talking down to a three year old basically, enough to upset the child) but any school can hire a bad teacher which is why, when you get the opportunity, you have to visit them yourself.

I have a friend with a child at the Montessori on Paterson Hill - I have no personal experience but she seems very happy with it and her child (who is naturally very quiet) has blossomed.

My children all attended mother and child classes at play days at Clementi Arcade - I really like the staff there, over the years they have always displayed a very caring attitude to the children and in hindsight I should have simply enrolled them there.

Some schools work well with certain children - they can't cope with those that are shy, quiet or need a little coaxing to join in. Many of the pre-schools here seem to be more about presenting the right image, with all the glossy advertising, in order to bring in us high-paying expats. Money-making machines basically.

I personally would avoid anything that has opened very recently, and I agree with the pp who said some places are very closed in, concrete boxes. Children need to be able to let off steam, outside, preferably in the shade of course!

The only way to tell is to visit yourself.

Good luck.

[Avoid]

Odyssey. In short because of the reasons the pp has mentioned. The priority of this place is to make money. Children, parents, teachers are not important for them.

[AND]

it's not a 'school' if your child is 2 3 or 4...its childcare.

[Mimomum]

We have our children's names down for Tanglin, but our 4year old won't get in until August 2011 at the earliest. So we are looking for something until then.
We are visting Singapore next week and have back to back appointments at schools and 'childcare', so we are hoping that we will find something that we like and that will fit with the children.
Many thanks for all of your advice and assistance.