This was one of the first places I checked out. Someone told me about this place and she sends her 2 year old here.
My first impression of this place had quickly gone to hell with the lady who manages the place.... her name's Stacey.... she's not the most welcoming and well-mannered person I know. Am I the only one who thinks that having a blur-tooth device stuck to your ear is weird? OK, that's not what's important.
It's a split-level double-storey link house that has a long driveway. I thought they could get the exterior painted as the walls and its surroundings were looking tired. As I entered, I saw about 6 babies and newly turned toddlers hanging around in the dining area. There's a bedroom on that level and it's right next to the spacious kitchen.
Good natural sunlight permeating in as it's a corner house with good amount of windows.
You don't get traffic noises although it faces one of the main roads in Taman Desa and it's also next to a public school.
There were two English speaking Filipina helpers. The TV was switched on and the babies were watching TV. Ahem. I made a comment about that and I was given a reply that the babies don't watch TV all day.
Stacey said they give fish, vegetables, cereal and porridge to the babies to eat.
Then I asked to view the place upstairs and I saw at the living hall, a few older children between ages of 3-4 sleeping on the floor. I was told they're toilet training them and they sleep on the floor without mattresses so they don't wet the bed. I took a peek into the bedrooms where the older children were taking their afternoon nap. I'll find a picture of the kind of bed for toddlers they use when I can find it.
The classroom where supposedly storytelling and music are conducted isn't very roomy. Not sure how many kids or babies can fit in there considering there are boxes of toys and some books stored in there as well.
I asked what they do if a child falls sick.
Reply: They call the parents and ask if they can be given PCM or taken home.
Do you know how to handle EBM?:
"Yes, just bring over we put in the freezer or fridge. We're use to it."
What do you do with the babies? What activities do you do to involve them?
"I talk to the children a lot you know? When I bathe them I talk to them, I got music class, I read to them."
And one of my more crucial questions.
What happens if I am late to get my baby? There'll be days where I may be required to work long hours or I could be stuck in the traffic jam.
Reply: "NO NO NO... please don't do that. 6.30pm is the latest and I don't allow parents to come any later than that to pick-up their children. We also wanna go home."
Seeing that their not flexible about timing, I had to look at another option.
Another observation - A newly walking baby was curious and she wanted to come close to me and my baby. The safety gate was latched on and Stacey said in a not so sweet and friendly tone to the baby, "Say please! I know what you want. Say please first."
2nd visit: Months after in 2011
Apart from all of that, the only differences I noticed were:
Most of the babies I saw in January have either moved to the toddler class or are not with Judith anymore. There were 2 babies. One 2 mos, the other 4 mos. The babies sleep in the playpen or the cot, by the way.
There was only Stacey and one helper. So it was 2:25 children.
Meals now don't include fish apparently. The parent can bring over for their child.
Judith Child Care Centre
84, Jalan Desa Maju, Taman Desa,
Jalan Klang Lama, Kuala Lumpur, 58100
03 7981 9019
016 227 2409
Fee structure:
450 monthly for babies
(I will update this post with more details on fee structure)
Time: 7.30am-6.30pm Mon-Fri
Breaks: Public holidays (Wilayah), 2 weeks in December, 10 days for Chinese New Year.
Based on what you say, this Judith really isn't such a good Enrichment Class for Kids. .. in fact, I even sense a huge ego/cockiness with that Stacey. Definitely wouldn't want to place my kids there.
ReplyDeleteI guess some people don't like people. Heh.
ReplyDeleteHi, I am looking for a place for my 8mo in Taman Desa. I went to visit this place today but also didn't get a good vibe - it was like boot camp. But maybe I felt that way because I've never really checked out a daycare environment before. Do you have any other recommendations for babies? I am in desperate search of one to start in December. Thanks very much.
ReplyDeleteHi, are you in Taman Desa? Where else have you checked out? Would like to hear your opinion as well.
DeleteAs a parent myself, I find children nowadays are too pampered. I think Stacey is doing a great job to discipline the children. My girl, used to be a princess at home coz the grandma and maid just pampers her but after Stacey trained her, not only she knows the meaning of the word "discipline" like queing up, placing her shoes back on the rack, eating healthy food like vegetable even though its not her favourite, etc.; she also go off diaper quicker than other children of my friends and most importantly, she is sensitive inough to take care of her little brother whose 14 months while my girl is 38 months old. My husband and me always feels that the most difficult part for our children is when they realize how difficult the real society is but at the same time their character building and social skills are good enough for them to live a harmonious life as adults. If we pamper them our children too much, it not only damage their adult life but they will find a total different world when they step into the adult working life. All in all, such "discipline" should start as early as possible and our girl is well trained by Stacey. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteHi Mei, thanks for dropping by. Always good to hear experiences from others.
DeleteI send my son to Stacey since he was about 3mos old. My son is now coming up to 15mos. What I can say about Stacey is, she is quite strict, yes. But she is really good when it comes to babies, and being a young parent myself, sometimes you tend to panic when your child is sick. But with Stacey, we are not worried because she knows what to do and that is the most important thing. She potty train my son since he was 7mos old and I like that. I can see my son has learned a lot from his daycare. He could clap his hand even before he was a year old. he does things that always amaze me every time i fetch him from the daycare. I think Stacey is doing a great job.
ReplyDeleteThanks for leaving a comment! I need a second opinion as well as what I've written is based on what I have observed personally. How much are you paying for full day? Wondering if the fees are the same as before.
DeleteI just went to check it out last Friday. Fees has increased to RM500. Overall looks ok to me as the most important is whether the place is clean. My daughter (1 yr old) love the place and Stacey the first time she saw her. Planning to put her there next month onwards
ReplyDeletehi cecilia, good to know that you found a place that you like! thanks for the updates on the fees. do drop by again with updates, if you may.
DeleteI'm looking for preschool learning centre... any recommendation ?
ReplyDeletehi erik, what's the location you're looking at and have you seen any places so far?
DeleteHi Chuff, I'm looking for a pre school for my 19m bb girl too. Went to baby atelier past 2 days, very nice place and good person in charge. However the fees is rm1,400/mth. Am looking if there's a lower fees option around Desa before confirming Atelier.
ReplyDeletehi there! RM1,400 is a lot of money for sure. as our requirements for parents aren't the same, the different places with different services and fees also differs. budget vs needs also vs cost. please share what you have found so far.
DeleteI have check their fee before, 18m baby until 3 years old is RM1,200. how come extra RM200 per month?
ReplyDeletesorry for the late reply. first and foremost, i'm not sure if judith is still in operation or if they have moved to another premise. for maybe over a year now, i see that the unit/ house doesn't look the same as before.
Delete