Monday, October 15, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
Rasberry Preschool
Rasberry Preschool is the newest school in the neighborhood to date.
I've been talking to the Charan, one of the teachers also admin person. She's so pleasant to talk to and makes me feel welcomed. Too bad I can't say the same about the principal from their centre in Kajang. Best she stays in Kajang :)
The open day is on Oct 21, 2012.
More on this post after that.
I thought that by reserving the information to be revealed until the open day was a way to say "We'll get ready everything and lay them out by October 21st."
The presenter, Mrs. Singh introduced herself as the learning coordinator. She spoke with less vigor, proud like a peacock, condescending to the parents and down right rude. Very, very rude.
After explaining what Montessori is (which bore the audiences to tears), she introduced this man who is the rep or a supplier of this IT edusystem called the Little Scientist. They explained that someone else was suppose to be there to do a demo on the programme but he was unable to make it.
Anyway, they tried to get something to work on the computer and they couldn't.
Then Mrs. Singh opened up the session to Q & A.
One of the parents asked "Do you think 2 classes in a week for Mandarin is enough?"
Mrs: Singh: We didn't say err, err, we are preparing the children for Chinese schools. We didn't say we're preparing them for Sekolah Kebangsaan. This is what we have."
Did she answer the question?
Then another parent asked: "What about Moral?"
Mrs: Singh: What do you mean Moral?
Another parent, who tried to help to rephrase the question: What do you do about discipline? Do you practice time-out, what methods do you use? One day someone will kick my son, another day, my son might bite another child... so what do you do in situations like this?
Mrs. Singh: Discipline must start at home. Parents cannot expect us to teach the children everything in school. It's the parents' responsibility to discipline the children.
Parent: Yeah, sure. But we're talking about in school.
Mrs. Singh: How many children do you have? You have only one? If you have two or more you will know what children are like.
Was she addressing the questions?
Parent: What do you do when a child is sick. They can fall sick at anytime of the day.
Mrs. Singh: If the child is sick, we don't take them in. We call the parents.
Parent: OK. What do you do if someone falls sick during school hours? For instance, is there a room that they can rest in while they wait for the parents to come?
Mrs. Singh: We have a daycare room where the children sleep, the sick child will be placed there.
Parent: I saw that there's one room for the children to sleep in. It could be a fever, a flu but what if it's something more contagious like HFMD? I'm trying to understand here, how do you isolate the sick child away from the others. I wouldn't wish for my sick child to get others sick too.
Mrs. Singh: We have that room.
Parent: Are you guys licensed? Because from what I know, the Taman Desa Residents Association is against this school being set up. Do you have approvals from the Bomba, neighbors, Kebajikan and so on?
Mrs. Singh: We have submitted all the approvals and they're in process. What happens with the government people we have no control of but they know we have the intention to start a pre-school.
Like I said, we dunno what goes on with them.
Parent: Wait a minute.... What you are saying is you don't have the license, you are not legally allowed to have this set-up. So briefly, your answer to my question is NO? And you intend to operate in January 2013? That's 2 months away. Can you be sure that the approvals will be sorted out by then?
Mrs. Singh: No but like I said, we can't control what the Government does.
Parent: OK. Thank you.
Parent: Do you offer trial classes?
Mrs. Singh: Yes, we do... 2 weeks.
Parent: Free of charge?
Mrs. Singh: Yes.
Parent: Can we join the enrichment classes only?
Mrs. Singh: Yeah, of course.
Parent: If a child is not use to English, how to adjust?"
Mrs. Singh: It's not a problem. Parents should try to speak more English with them.
By this point, a few of the parents looked at each other and made eye contact.
We shook our heads and walked out. There was a demo on Aikido at the front porch.
Most of us were ready to leave with a big sigh and talked among ourselves.
One said, "Inexperience..." The others said, "They're very very new" and rolled her eyes. The others, "Cakap macam terra...sombong betul" "Such a small space inside"
I say... I'm not at all impressed and I'm turned off.
See, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and thought they'd be prepared on the open day.
Was only that day that they were bringing in snacks and drinks for the kids.
Even Mr. Clown who was suppose to be there much earlier to entertain the kids was late.
So kelam-kabut.
It's nice that they have a big compound, nice new toys and Montessori thingamajigs.
You don't gain the parents' confidence by telling a parent, "I'm so sorry I offended you. It's just how I talk. No hard feelings... I'm use to lecturing."
The parents are not your students, woman. We were there for out children and we want to know what value our children will get especially when we are your potential customers and will be paying good money for a service you render. You were there to play a role and you were assigned to do a good job. Can you at least smile and be more approachable?!
Needless to say, there was no follow up phone calls or call answering since that day.
I'm glad they feel all those questions shook them up.
There wasn't anything I got about their programme except the emphasis of Montessori. Which they had put it so generally. One can go on the web to look for information about Montessori if they want to. But it's an open day. Why have one or have a Q&A session if it's gonna be all fluff and if you can't provide the information parents need? Come on people of Rasberry. There are better ways to make money. Get serious and passionate about what you do!
Fix that broken staircase railing while you're at it. It's jutting out and it's not safe for anyone.
I've been talking to the Charan, one of the teachers also admin person. She's so pleasant to talk to and makes me feel welcomed. Too bad I can't say the same about the principal from their centre in Kajang. Best she stays in Kajang :)
The open day is on Oct 21, 2012.
More on this post after that.
I thought that by reserving the information to be revealed until the open day was a way to say "We'll get ready everything and lay them out by October 21st."
The presenter, Mrs. Singh introduced herself as the learning coordinator. She spoke with less vigor, proud like a peacock, condescending to the parents and down right rude. Very, very rude.
After explaining what Montessori is (which bore the audiences to tears), she introduced this man who is the rep or a supplier of this IT edusystem called the Little Scientist. They explained that someone else was suppose to be there to do a demo on the programme but he was unable to make it.
Anyway, they tried to get something to work on the computer and they couldn't.
Then Mrs. Singh opened up the session to Q & A.
One of the parents asked "Do you think 2 classes in a week for Mandarin is enough?"
Mrs: Singh: We didn't say err, err, we are preparing the children for Chinese schools. We didn't say we're preparing them for Sekolah Kebangsaan. This is what we have."
Did she answer the question?
Then another parent asked: "What about Moral?"
Mrs: Singh: What do you mean Moral?
Another parent, who tried to help to rephrase the question: What do you do about discipline? Do you practice time-out, what methods do you use? One day someone will kick my son, another day, my son might bite another child... so what do you do in situations like this?
Mrs. Singh: Discipline must start at home. Parents cannot expect us to teach the children everything in school. It's the parents' responsibility to discipline the children.
Parent: Yeah, sure. But we're talking about in school.
Mrs. Singh: How many children do you have? You have only one? If you have two or more you will know what children are like.
Was she addressing the questions?
Parent: What do you do when a child is sick. They can fall sick at anytime of the day.
Mrs. Singh: If the child is sick, we don't take them in. We call the parents.
Parent: OK. What do you do if someone falls sick during school hours? For instance, is there a room that they can rest in while they wait for the parents to come?
Mrs. Singh: We have a daycare room where the children sleep, the sick child will be placed there.
Parent: I saw that there's one room for the children to sleep in. It could be a fever, a flu but what if it's something more contagious like HFMD? I'm trying to understand here, how do you isolate the sick child away from the others. I wouldn't wish for my sick child to get others sick too.
Mrs. Singh: We have that room.
Parent: Are you guys licensed? Because from what I know, the Taman Desa Residents Association is against this school being set up. Do you have approvals from the Bomba, neighbors, Kebajikan and so on?
Mrs. Singh: We have submitted all the approvals and they're in process. What happens with the government people we have no control of but they know we have the intention to start a pre-school.
Like I said, we dunno what goes on with them.
Parent: Wait a minute.... What you are saying is you don't have the license, you are not legally allowed to have this set-up. So briefly, your answer to my question is NO? And you intend to operate in January 2013? That's 2 months away. Can you be sure that the approvals will be sorted out by then?
Mrs. Singh: No but like I said, we can't control what the Government does.
Parent: OK. Thank you.
Parent: Do you offer trial classes?
Mrs. Singh: Yes, we do... 2 weeks.
Parent: Free of charge?
Mrs. Singh: Yes.
Parent: Can we join the enrichment classes only?
Mrs. Singh: Yeah, of course.
Parent: If a child is not use to English, how to adjust?"
Mrs. Singh: It's not a problem. Parents should try to speak more English with them.
By this point, a few of the parents looked at each other and made eye contact.
We shook our heads and walked out. There was a demo on Aikido at the front porch.
Most of us were ready to leave with a big sigh and talked among ourselves.
One said, "Inexperience..." The others said, "They're very very new" and rolled her eyes. The others, "Cakap macam terra...sombong betul" "Such a small space inside"
I say... I'm not at all impressed and I'm turned off.
See, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and thought they'd be prepared on the open day.
Was only that day that they were bringing in snacks and drinks for the kids.
Even Mr. Clown who was suppose to be there much earlier to entertain the kids was late.
So kelam-kabut.
It's nice that they have a big compound, nice new toys and Montessori thingamajigs.
You don't gain the parents' confidence by telling a parent, "I'm so sorry I offended you. It's just how I talk. No hard feelings... I'm use to lecturing."
The parents are not your students, woman. We were there for out children and we want to know what value our children will get especially when we are your potential customers and will be paying good money for a service you render. You were there to play a role and you were assigned to do a good job. Can you at least smile and be more approachable?!
Needless to say, there was no follow up phone calls or call answering since that day.
I'm glad they feel all those questions shook them up.
There wasn't anything I got about their programme except the emphasis of Montessori. Which they had put it so generally. One can go on the web to look for information about Montessori if they want to. But it's an open day. Why have one or have a Q&A session if it's gonna be all fluff and if you can't provide the information parents need? Come on people of Rasberry. There are better ways to make money. Get serious and passionate about what you do!
Fix that broken staircase railing while you're at it. It's jutting out and it's not safe for anyone.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Q-dees (2012 & 2015)
There was so much hype about the new premise. Supposedly bigger, newer, better, wow this, wow that.
A good thing I didn't think much about this place and went to see it anyway.
Went to the old school first and it looked like a dump. Gaffer tape on the stair rails, dirty, dusty, badly lit, cluttered. Ugh!
The teachers don't speak properly and I didn't see how they connect well with the children.
Went to see the newly built place. It's not all that huge, c'mon.
Huge is like Kinderland.
The compound in Q-dees is pathethic. The children don't get to be out often enough and I think they're pretty stingy in investing in play materials. Maybe most of the money went to buying cheap doors, cheap kitchen cabinets, cheap tiles, toys from Ikea. The CCTV is for their staff, not parents to monitor the children.
Why even bother bringing up that they have a CCTV? Big deal.
The children don't get to mingle with those from other classes of different ages.
Not nice.
That guy Irwin who is the founder is lousy in selling (he was in sales before), couldn't give me answers like "What do you or the teachers do when you realize a child is sick?"
"What do you do to discipline the children?"
Generic answers given straight out from the template.
Hey, I don't care what your new place is like if I see how badly maintained the current place is.
Not convinced.
Really not convinced at all.
http://q-deestamandesa.blogspot.com/2012/06/superhero-camp-at-q-dees-taman-desa-day_05.html
Update, January 2015
I gave the school a call to inquire about the hours and was told that if I am late to pick up my child, he/ she will be brought home to the principal's home in Taman Desa say after 7:30pm onwards.
I don't know if there's additional charges for this option but there is this option which is great for working parents. Transportation is available within Taman Desa. Sounds good.
I'm not sure what is the school like now or if it has a good size outdoor compound since my last visit.
If anyone has an updated info on this school, please please e-mail me or leave a comment below :)
Thanks!
A good thing I didn't think much about this place and went to see it anyway.
Went to the old school first and it looked like a dump. Gaffer tape on the stair rails, dirty, dusty, badly lit, cluttered. Ugh!
The teachers don't speak properly and I didn't see how they connect well with the children.
Went to see the newly built place. It's not all that huge, c'mon.
Huge is like Kinderland.
The compound in Q-dees is pathethic. The children don't get to be out often enough and I think they're pretty stingy in investing in play materials. Maybe most of the money went to buying cheap doors, cheap kitchen cabinets, cheap tiles, toys from Ikea. The CCTV is for their staff, not parents to monitor the children.
Why even bother bringing up that they have a CCTV? Big deal.
The children don't get to mingle with those from other classes of different ages.
Not nice.
That guy Irwin who is the founder is lousy in selling (he was in sales before), couldn't give me answers like "What do you or the teachers do when you realize a child is sick?"
"What do you do to discipline the children?"
Generic answers given straight out from the template.
Hey, I don't care what your new place is like if I see how badly maintained the current place is.
Not convinced.
Really not convinced at all.
http://q-deestamandesa.blogspot.com/2012/06/superhero-camp-at-q-dees-taman-desa-day_05.html
Update, January 2015
I gave the school a call to inquire about the hours and was told that if I am late to pick up my child, he/ she will be brought home to the principal's home in Taman Desa say after 7:30pm onwards.
I don't know if there's additional charges for this option but there is this option which is great for working parents. Transportation is available within Taman Desa. Sounds good.
I'm not sure what is the school like now or if it has a good size outdoor compound since my last visit.
If anyone has an updated info on this school, please please e-mail me or leave a comment below :)
Thanks!
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Tadika Happy Sunshine, Taman Desa (Part 3)
From my long phone conversation with her (the conversations with Reanne are never brief),
they are updating their syllabus to Scholastic in 2013 for the 4yo-6yo classes.
Mandarin classes are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
It seems like they use flash card method but they flash the cards in a group of children and not individually.
Finally, I got the chance to take a look at this place since it moved to a new premise.
I must say, I'm disappointed that the previous place was neater and cleaner.
If you are more into an academically heavy pre-school then this might be the place to send your child to.
They do take into account that parents will most likely send their children to Chinese schools.
There aren't many reading or story books at their 'reading corner' which is on the first floor by the staircase.
The classrooms aren't all that spacious but it's OK with 5 to 6 children. That's just my opinion. I prefer a larger space for my child explore in.
There are 3 teachers and 1 helper, a part-time maid who's there till 6pm.30 students for the 2012.
The highlight of this school to me is that they use the syllabus by Scholastic.
Mandarin classes are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Suppose they place importance in Mandarin lessons. There is simple art and craft daily with the kids and the parents can also opt to pay an extra fee of RM40 or RM45 a month as an enrichment class which usually is at 12:30pm for an hour and a half, once a week.
The garden is quite bare, such a waste. Didn't seem like they do much outdoors when I took a walk around the compound. Sadly, the place is dusty and it's right by the busy road with heavy traffic.
The things I like about Rhyann is that she encourages the parents to communicate more often with her about their children, ie: what they're like at home or if there are any behavioral issues out of school that they want the teachers to take notice.
A very book heavy place. Good academic books, though.
Moral,
Science,
English,
Phonics,
Bahasa Malaysia,
Math
Mandarin writing, etc
About the cut-off time to pick up the children, this is probably the only school that ends officially at 7:30pm and Rhyann is totally fine with parents getting there at 8pm or later. To her, she understands the rush that parents go through after work just to pick up their children.
They're also not particular if the children aren't fully potty trained by the time they're enrolled to Happy Sunshine, or if the children take longer to be fully potty trained. About the toilets and bathroom, they're small and there aren't children sized toilets.
The children in daycare (12:30pm-7:30pm) sleep for an hour or so in the living room, which is to me, better than having them all cramped up in a tiny room like I've seen in ELC, Bright Horizon, Judith, Danau Permai Condo (DeBest Kids), Kinderland and JC Kids.
I still wouldn't rule out this place just yet.
Much improvement needed in terms of having more story books, play through learn.... or they probably should really spruce up the place pronto.
Transportation (by Rhyann)
RM80, 2 ways within Taman Desa
**Will update this post with their fee structure and timetable soon.
Rhyann prefers to be contacted on this number and here is their current address.
016 555 9180
513, Jalan Desa Utama
Related post:
Tadika Happy Sunshine (Part 1)
they are updating their syllabus to Scholastic in 2013 for the 4yo-6yo classes.
Mandarin classes are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
It seems like they use flash card method but they flash the cards in a group of children and not individually.
Finally, I got the chance to take a look at this place since it moved to a new premise.
I must say, I'm disappointed that the previous place was neater and cleaner.
If you are more into an academically heavy pre-school then this might be the place to send your child to.
They do take into account that parents will most likely send their children to Chinese schools.
There aren't many reading or story books at their 'reading corner' which is on the first floor by the staircase.
The classrooms aren't all that spacious but it's OK with 5 to 6 children. That's just my opinion. I prefer a larger space for my child explore in.
There are 3 teachers and 1 helper, a part-time maid who's there till 6pm.30 students for the 2012.
The highlight of this school to me is that they use the syllabus by Scholastic.
Mandarin classes are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Suppose they place importance in Mandarin lessons. There is simple art and craft daily with the kids and the parents can also opt to pay an extra fee of RM40 or RM45 a month as an enrichment class which usually is at 12:30pm for an hour and a half, once a week.
The garden is quite bare, such a waste. Didn't seem like they do much outdoors when I took a walk around the compound. Sadly, the place is dusty and it's right by the busy road with heavy traffic.
The things I like about Rhyann is that she encourages the parents to communicate more often with her about their children, ie: what they're like at home or if there are any behavioral issues out of school that they want the teachers to take notice.
A very book heavy place. Good academic books, though.
Moral,
Science,
English,
Phonics,
Bahasa Malaysia,
Math
Mandarin writing, etc
About the cut-off time to pick up the children, this is probably the only school that ends officially at 7:30pm and Rhyann is totally fine with parents getting there at 8pm or later. To her, she understands the rush that parents go through after work just to pick up their children.
They're also not particular if the children aren't fully potty trained by the time they're enrolled to Happy Sunshine, or if the children take longer to be fully potty trained. About the toilets and bathroom, they're small and there aren't children sized toilets.
The children in daycare (12:30pm-7:30pm) sleep for an hour or so in the living room, which is to me, better than having them all cramped up in a tiny room like I've seen in ELC, Bright Horizon, Judith, Danau Permai Condo (DeBest Kids), Kinderland and JC Kids.
I still wouldn't rule out this place just yet.
Much improvement needed in terms of having more story books, play through learn.... or they probably should really spruce up the place pronto.
Transportation (by Rhyann)
RM80, 2 ways within Taman Desa
**Will update this post with their fee structure and timetable soon.
Rhyann prefers to be contacted on this number and here is their current address.
016 555 9180
513, Jalan Desa Utama
Related post:
Tadika Happy Sunshine (Part 1)
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Kinderland Brickfields
Kinderland Brickfields is in fact in Taman Seputeh right next to the furniture mall.
They used to be in Brickfields which is also the reason for the majority of the students, about 95%, being Indians. All the teachers are Indians too. The classrooms are tiny and rather cluttered.
Was told that the children get outdoor and indoor playtime. They go by thematic play and learn method but too bad that there's no reading exercises at all for the 3 year old class, only 4 years old onwards.
There's a list of transporters.
I'm not keen on this place for several reasons.
The menu is one.
I asked the principal if they could omit certain kinds of food or drinks off my child's meals and she said they can do that. But I don't get why they serve Ribena, Chrysanthemum tea, Milo and sweet drinks to children.
Really.
The principal said that's what they do. That's what they've been doing all these past 5 years and they will not consider changing the menu.
The bathrooms are quite small. I didn't get to tour the 1st floor... was told they're in the midst of furbishing the rooms. There's suppose to be a music room and a reading room on the floor above.
I like the concept of thematic play and learn but no reading at all?
Sad.
The numbers to call:
03-79846282
Shamla, the principal:
0162834858
They used to be in Brickfields which is also the reason for the majority of the students, about 95%, being Indians. All the teachers are Indians too. The classrooms are tiny and rather cluttered.
Was told that the children get outdoor and indoor playtime. They go by thematic play and learn method but too bad that there's no reading exercises at all for the 3 year old class, only 4 years old onwards.
There's a list of transporters.
I'm not keen on this place for several reasons.
The menu is one.
I asked the principal if they could omit certain kinds of food or drinks off my child's meals and she said they can do that. But I don't get why they serve Ribena, Chrysanthemum tea, Milo and sweet drinks to children.
Really.
The principal said that's what they do. That's what they've been doing all these past 5 years and they will not consider changing the menu.
The bathrooms are quite small. I didn't get to tour the 1st floor... was told they're in the midst of furbishing the rooms. There's suppose to be a music room and a reading room on the floor above.
I like the concept of thematic play and learn but no reading at all?
Sad.
The numbers to call:
03-79846282
Shamla, the principal:
0162834858
 |
| Please try to rotate the image on your own. |
 |
| Indoor play area. Good space. |
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Desa Villa
I like that they have plenty of reading materials within kiddie height placed in bookshelves.
It's good to know that they have weekly music movement class, art and crafts, a spacious play area and lots of toys for the children to play with.
The place looks clean enough.
There are 2 ladies who are the caretakers and the principal is Mrs.Wan who claims to have more than 20 years of experience in this business and had owned many kindies before. She decided to slow down and run a daycare centre now.
Unfortunately, there isn't an outdoor compound but there's a playground within the condo complex where the children are brought there to play once in a while.
The fees are relatively affordable and they also provide after school care service.
Was told that there are a few older kids in primary school there too.
There are several transporters which you can get the contacts from them.
The number to call is:
012-331 5373 Mrs Wan
It's good to know that they have weekly music movement class, art and crafts, a spacious play area and lots of toys for the children to play with.
The place looks clean enough.
There are 2 ladies who are the caretakers and the principal is Mrs.Wan who claims to have more than 20 years of experience in this business and had owned many kindies before. She decided to slow down and run a daycare centre now.
Unfortunately, there isn't an outdoor compound but there's a playground within the condo complex where the children are brought there to play once in a while.
The fees are relatively affordable and they also provide after school care service.
Was told that there are a few older kids in primary school there too.
There are several transporters which you can get the contacts from them.
The number to call is:
012-331 5373 Mrs Wan
 |
| View from the corridor outside. There's a piano by the window. |
 |
| Activity and reading area |
 |
| Sleeping area. Sleeping bags are provided, with a sum of fee. You have to bring your own pillow. |
 |
| Main entrance |
 |
| Play area after the main entrance. |
 |
| Kitchen |
 |
| Bathroom. There are not kiddie toilets. |
Bright Horizon, Taman Desa
I have had 3 visits to Bright Horizon over a spand of 2 months. I had a good feeling about this place the first time I was there. It's ...
- Clean
- Tidy
- Tina, the supervisor was wonderful to deal with.
- The supervisor didn't have a problem with me taking photos of their premise.
- The monthly fee is reasonable with RM650 a month for the 15mos-3yo class.
- The food they serve the children seemed simple enough with apples and bananas too.
But not ideal for muslims as they use pork based broth in the porridge.
- The children are required to drink a lot of water in school.
- There were boxes of montessori toys (kept neatly) on the shelf.
- One teacher + 1 helper in each class.
- SebaMed body wash, J & J shampoo.
- Weekly change of clothes are to be put into a box provided. Dirty laundry will be handed to the parents daily in a reusable bag (brought by the parents).
So why don't I place my child in this school then, right?
On my 3rd visit, which I decided to go sort of uninformed, a lady who later I was told by Tina is the founder and the principal reluctantly opened the front gate for me. I had my tot with me. Ms. Wong, had to be one of the more harsh people I have met.
Wong: Yes?
Me: Hi, I'm here to see Tina. I called her earlier.
Wong: Who are you?
Me: I'm here to enroll my child to the school and I had earlier talked to her about transportation arrangement. I'd like to see her to talk to her about it.
Wong: Yah, you talked to her, so why are you here?
Me: Can you please at least let me in to the porch? It's really hot and my son's been out here with me for so long already.
Wong let me in reluctantly and ....
Wong: So you come for what? You came before what?
Me: Excuse me? ........ The other times I came, it was too late to check out the class and the other time, Tina was busy so we didn't get to discuss things properly. You really seem to have a problem with us being here. Do you wanna tell me what is it and if you are so upset with us being here now, I can leave. Just tell Tina to call me.
Wong: The class teacher is not here. She's on....
Me: Maternity leave, yes and will be back next week. Yes, Tina told me about it.
Wong called for Tina and then I proceeded to put my kid to the classroom and tried to focus on my objectives on being there. I had also wanted to see how the other kids are with my boy and vice versa.
I asked Tina who was that woman and why was she being so rude. I dunno what that Wong wanted to project herself or the school to be by behaving like a total bitch. To make me feel welcomed or to intimidate me? Tina said she's not sure what happened between the both of us but she vouched that Wong is usually OK. Then in the classroom, while the kids were working on coloring and tracing numbers, Wong got in again and said to me "This is why I don't want you to be here..."
Me: Sorry, I'm not getting you.
Wong: This is my daughter (pointed at a 3yo Isabel) and she will look for me and want me if she see me.
Me: So how is this my problem?
Wong walked out of the room and then Tina tended to me. She apologized to me and I said, it's OK. I looked around and asked Tina where are the books for the children and when do they actually get a chance to utilize the montessori toys. She took a couple of very well kept board books off the shelf and showed them to me. And then I thought, if the books are well used, won't they also look umm well used? And then I observed my boy in the class and realized also that one of the things that I didn't like about this place was the small classroom. Some may not have an issue with this. The thing is, my kid roams a lot and he's at the age where he's exploring the surroundings a lot more.
I told Tina later that if the principal can be so difficult with me, I wonder what she's like with the children. Although it's a corner lot with a compound, they don't have a yard. They have a big slide-monkey bar combo and a few Step 2 and 3 rocker and trikes out in the porch.
I asked again if they speak mostly in Chinese language with the children and Tina said they usually speak to the children in English. Again, not that I have a problem with that bit unless I see that the teachers speak lousy English. Which, they do.
My other concern was the sleeping arrangement. All the children, all 25 or 30 of them sleep on a Dwinguler sorta mat in one room. It's not mean until you see how small that room is for that many children. Apparently, there will be 1 teacher and a helper during sleep time with the kids. Please, someone tell me if I'm overreacting about this matter coz I'm so close to report about this to the Kebajikan. On my last visit, Tina had very quickly told me that they plan to have 2 rooms for the kids to sleep in and the room will be swept and mopped everyday before sleep time.
I will upload the photos here as soon as I can.
- Clean
- Tidy
- Tina, the supervisor was wonderful to deal with.
- The supervisor didn't have a problem with me taking photos of their premise.
- The monthly fee is reasonable with RM650 a month for the 15mos-3yo class.
- The food they serve the children seemed simple enough with apples and bananas too.
But not ideal for muslims as they use pork based broth in the porridge.
- The children are required to drink a lot of water in school.
- There were boxes of montessori toys (kept neatly) on the shelf.
- One teacher + 1 helper in each class.
- SebaMed body wash, J & J shampoo.
- Weekly change of clothes are to be put into a box provided. Dirty laundry will be handed to the parents daily in a reusable bag (brought by the parents).
So why don't I place my child in this school then, right?
On my 3rd visit, which I decided to go sort of uninformed, a lady who later I was told by Tina is the founder and the principal reluctantly opened the front gate for me. I had my tot with me. Ms. Wong, had to be one of the more harsh people I have met.
Wong: Yes?
Me: Hi, I'm here to see Tina. I called her earlier.
Wong: Who are you?
Me: I'm here to enroll my child to the school and I had earlier talked to her about transportation arrangement. I'd like to see her to talk to her about it.
Wong: Yah, you talked to her, so why are you here?
Me: Can you please at least let me in to the porch? It's really hot and my son's been out here with me for so long already.
Wong let me in reluctantly and ....
Wong: So you come for what? You came before what?
Me: Excuse me? ........ The other times I came, it was too late to check out the class and the other time, Tina was busy so we didn't get to discuss things properly. You really seem to have a problem with us being here. Do you wanna tell me what is it and if you are so upset with us being here now, I can leave. Just tell Tina to call me.
Wong: The class teacher is not here. She's on....
Me: Maternity leave, yes and will be back next week. Yes, Tina told me about it.
Wong called for Tina and then I proceeded to put my kid to the classroom and tried to focus on my objectives on being there. I had also wanted to see how the other kids are with my boy and vice versa.
I asked Tina who was that woman and why was she being so rude. I dunno what that Wong wanted to project herself or the school to be by behaving like a total bitch. To make me feel welcomed or to intimidate me? Tina said she's not sure what happened between the both of us but she vouched that Wong is usually OK. Then in the classroom, while the kids were working on coloring and tracing numbers, Wong got in again and said to me "This is why I don't want you to be here..."
Me: Sorry, I'm not getting you.
Wong: This is my daughter (pointed at a 3yo Isabel) and she will look for me and want me if she see me.
Me: So how is this my problem?
Wong walked out of the room and then Tina tended to me. She apologized to me and I said, it's OK. I looked around and asked Tina where are the books for the children and when do they actually get a chance to utilize the montessori toys. She took a couple of very well kept board books off the shelf and showed them to me. And then I thought, if the books are well used, won't they also look umm well used? And then I observed my boy in the class and realized also that one of the things that I didn't like about this place was the small classroom. Some may not have an issue with this. The thing is, my kid roams a lot and he's at the age where he's exploring the surroundings a lot more.
I told Tina later that if the principal can be so difficult with me, I wonder what she's like with the children. Although it's a corner lot with a compound, they don't have a yard. They have a big slide-monkey bar combo and a few Step 2 and 3 rocker and trikes out in the porch.
I asked again if they speak mostly in Chinese language with the children and Tina said they usually speak to the children in English. Again, not that I have a problem with that bit unless I see that the teachers speak lousy English. Which, they do.
My other concern was the sleeping arrangement. All the children, all 25 or 30 of them sleep on a Dwinguler sorta mat in one room. It's not mean until you see how small that room is for that many children. Apparently, there will be 1 teacher and a helper during sleep time with the kids. Please, someone tell me if I'm overreacting about this matter coz I'm so close to report about this to the Kebajikan. On my last visit, Tina had very quickly told me that they plan to have 2 rooms for the kids to sleep in and the room will be swept and mopped everyday before sleep time.
I will upload the photos here as soon as I can.
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