Smart Reader Kids

Firstly, the minimum age for enrollment is at 3 and a half years old.
The place is small with 15 students altogether in 2012.
I like the small numbers, not the tiny space. But, it's well kept, clean and tidy.
It is a pre-school/ kindy without the outdoor compound.
It runs only for half-day from 8:45am to 12pm only so no daycare program.
I met one of the teachers who spoke really well and has a really pleasant personality. The principal is Puan Mila who isn't the best with PR but bearable.

This place feels more like an enrichment centre to me than a school. They do cover all the necessary subjects like English, math, BM, Mandarin, science with the addition of kindercooking and Moral. 

3Q MRC Junior

I spent a really short time in this pre-school/ kindy.
The principal was friendly. The place however, needs major refurbishing.
They have sports day sometime in May and field trips are twice a year. Parents of the 3 year old are required to go along with their child. The kids get to go outdoors once a week.
There is of course, uniforms.

It's heavy Mandarin, this place. Ideal for children who will be sent to Chinese schools. 
The teachers remind me of the ones I met in ELC, Rasberry, Totalchild, Chrisdale, JC Kids (now 101), Bright Horizon and Q-Dees. That makes up to all the other places I've checked out, right? Except for Le Sands because there's no chance to meet the teachers and you can't gauge the quality of the teachers like one mom told me. Anyway, I meant to say that the teachers don't speak well... in English, I mean.

The classroom for the 3 year old is sad looking. The windows are sealed and covered apart from the tiny space. The biggest room houses the older kids which they have 25 of them 5 year olds this year (2012). That's also the room where the children stay on for the daycare program sleep in.

The flash cards and materials they use are similar to what I saw in JC Kids/ 101. DIY and small.
The words flash cards are as small as a business cards so don't expect super large ones like Glen Doman's. There's nothing wrong with DIY materials though.

There's a one week holiday program which ends the last week of November or first week of December. No enrichment classes are available unlike some others do.

The only reasons I thought of seeing this place was so to satisfy my curiosity as I heard from a few other mothers that the place looks like a dump. Thought I'd update this blog with some info for you too. So, hopefully this blog has been helpful in your search although opinions differ.

Vital Years

This is an enrichment centre and the lessons are conducted in English. I did notice however, that the teachers didn't exactly speak in perfect English.

It's on a first floor of a row of shoplots, nestled between a cul de sac and a few condominiums (diagonally opposite Desa Villa). Just around the bend is where Chrisdale is.
The centre itself is basic. There's a library which looked really bare (not in the picture), the playroom is bare but one of the staff said they rotate the toys is why the room looks bare.
I waited to observe the storytelling session and was hoping that it's got some action or movement involved. The songs they sang had minimal action.
Not very interactive.

I wouldn't mind sending my child here just to socialize and get some exposure for twice a week....And only if the fees were more affordable.

The person in-charge of marketing (Suzanne) was really patient and she's also one of the 3 teachers there. She's so easy and wonderful to deal with. She even showed me all the books of all stages without me asking to see them. That's a first.
They provide a snack in the morning and Suzanne is the one to handle the potty time and diaper changes. She seemed very good with children.

Books can be loaned by the children as they cultivate a reading habit amongst the little ones.
There seems to be more memorizing of words from the reading books and worksheets with made me think if the students can read other books aside from the VY's books.

The children are involved in art & craft, reading, storytelling, worksheets, pre-writing and writing.
Some playtime like puzzles and toys, no outdoor activities.

The dedicated transporter charges RM4 per way within Taman Desa.
That's the most expensive around. More pricey that what ELC is charging for transport.

No uniforms for the children is required? I like.

101 Kids Kindergarten

This is in fact what used to be JC Kids. I thought to go see it anyway now that a new management had taken over. There's a slight reduction in the fees and apart from that, nothing else changed. The place is still as cluttered as I went to see it a year ago.
The principal is the same one and this time she really tried to be nicer to me. Sadly, she wasn't sure about the syllabus for next year. I think a lot of children had left too. They had the concert in that small space itself. The mediocre artwork and backdrop put up were unappealing.
The other things I asked about were the background of the teachers and who is the new management, what's different now and what brand of toiletries they use on the kids.
Not sure if the principal had lost steam or she just really knows jack about the school. Again, the principal didn't give clear answers because she boasts about the new management is an established tuition centre and has many outlets around. And she said they use, "mild one lah, mild one... suitable for the kids.. I dunno what brand because I don't go and buy the toiletries, you see... hehehe".
The other info I got was the fees get cheaper subsequently as the child is older. A difference of say, RM60 between babies-3yo and the 4yo class.  There are enrichment classes offered like art (3rd party teacher) and arithmetic. They do have primary school children there attending daycare too.


Related post:  JC Kids

Le Sands

Came across this at the end of October 2012 and the school's not yet in operation. They haven't decided on the date to have the open day.
My optimism is wearing thin.

Brighten Le Sands. 

This post is gonna be a long one (when I'm able to compose this properly,) I promise.
However, to cut the long story short, I'm sold on a few things but I am not convinced that this is THE place.
Not yet.

Nice work on overloading the place with new toys and deco. Everything is everywhere. The ceilings, the walls, the shelves, every nook and corner. I have no idea why they fill up the space with stuff.
Maybe to make an impression?
I wonder how long can the novelty of the 'prettiness' last.

We are often so suckered into all things pretty and new, aren't we?
Hoping more parents will be more objective in picking a childcare centre and ask, do ask the essential questions. Check to see if the centre is well located and child-proofed.
Meet with the teachers and check them out.
Oh yeah... where are the teachers on the Open Day that's been going on for weeks in October, November and coming to December 2012?

Do you intend to have your child be in a place until it's time to move on to primary school?
Would you make do with a place because your child will be there for half day only?

If a school is more interested to have your child there for half day programs, what does that say?
Could it mean that they wanna make a quick buck out of the parents and couldn't care less about the children?
Not sure.

If the principal or whoever that is responsible to do the marketing doesn't return your calls and text messages and say they're busy or hand the phone to someone else to answer... what does this say?
Could the possibility of having the answer "I'm busy" when you're not informed should a child fall sick or any mishaps like that happen?

If they're not keen on showing you the books and explain about the syllabus to the parents, also keep things vague like saying "when the kids turn 6, we'll streamline them to see who's going to international schools, who's going to public schools....." I wonder.... Is that convincing enough to the parents?

If and when asked for the fee structure and was told they don't have the info at hand and was like guessing, "Erm.. I think it's 280 for half day and I think it's another 400 until 6:30pm..."
with no explanation of what the terms of payments like not even when asked about it, I dunno...
I wonder why bother putting up a bad act like something is up their sleeves.

No field trips for the 3 year olds. That is so sad.
The response about this was that they are too young to go out, too young to understand anything.
Too young to enjoy field trips. Too young to have fast food.
It's too hot out, they travel by buses.
If the 3 year olds are too much to handle on a once in a blue moon field trips, I wonder... how can they even handle a class on a usual school day.
If fast food is not good for the 3 year olds, are they good for the older ones?
If they think 3 year olds are too young to learn and absorb or learn out of the classroom, I wonder why they even have 'classes or programs' for them at all. They should set up tuition centres for older children who are in primary school and forget about having younger children at all.

I wonder too much about this place and I shall stop wondering. 

Here's another one that boasts about Montessori and talk like a salesperson except this one behaved like they had something to hide and is so afraid that competitors walk in to steal their ideas.
I totally agree when people say this - If you're good, you're good. Let your work speak for itself.
And if there's nothing to hide, if you are earning an honest living, who the heck cares if you have competitors visiting?? I'm also saying this because I was in fact taking photos for my friend who couldn't view the place at that time. That guy, Ting and his mother insisted I was a competitor it was so, so awkward. What can I tell the old lady? Tell her off? I mean, seriously. And then I was rushed through it all and left waiting for a long time when another parent came after I got there. So I got interrupted. There he went, "Anything else? Anything?"..... "What else do you wanna know?"
And I tried my best to keep my cool and tried to remember to ask about the essential questions as I was being rushed ie transportation, holidays, extended hours, who are the teachers, etc.
So I said that he was really rushing me and Ting said without hesitance that he has a dinner to attend.
I said maybe he could call me when he can so that I can gather my thoughts and he can spare me more information.

And he was reluctant to show me the entire place. Sour faced all the way from the living room to the first floor and to the kitchen, library corner and back.
Hello?
Maybe not everyone cares about checking a place out on a whole but some people actually do.
I have already made time to go there for a visit.... on foot!
Ting actually said there's nothing for me to see upstairs. I kid you not.
I said, "Looks like the renovations are done nicely" and he said, "It's OK lah, nothing so special. To me it's just another kindy."

I asked at least 2 times about the routine and schedule for the 3 yo class.
Nothing specific was told to me except, upon arrival of the kids, the teachers bring them in and they have circle time, assembly. Then snacks are given at about 9:30am, so he said feed your child breakfast before leaving for school. He said, "If your child can tahan until 9:30 then OK lah."
The only time all the kids mingle together is during assembly time which is in the living room.
There was no clear answer when I asked how often do the kids get to be out to play.

Oh yeah... but of course they haven't gotten the full licenses and permits to run the school. 

Stand proud, Le Sands. Stand proud.
Maybe I'll be more sold when you're ready to be professional and by that I also mean when Ting is able to humble himself and apologize. Then maybe, just maybe I'll change my mind and give this place a chance.

Taska Chrysalis (Delicate Years)

Chrysalis had a change of name from Delicate Years. The principal, Roze has the best personality amongst all the principals I've spoken to or met. She deserves a medal for just that.
From giving me the directions to get to Taska Chrysalis to texting me with the website address to bringing me through all possible details that I needed about the place... the patience and effort she showed won my respect.

This place takes in infants as young as 2 months old till 6 years old. The baby nursery is well kept, well lid, clean and tidy. Nothing fancy or Crate and Barrel about this place but it's comfortable and clean. The owner's mother helped out with the babies and a nurse who is dedicated to looking after the babies.

They use the better brands of skin care.
The children were well behaved. There was not one who talked aloud. They cap the number of students to about 20 odd. 1 teacher to 8 students in a class.
The syllabus is according to US (Scholastic) and UK, so it's good for parents who haven't decided which school to send their children to after they're done with Kindy.
It's not a very huge place, but the classrooms are spacious enough.
Not enough books, if you asked me. Plenty of other options for stimulation like art & craft, music & movement, etc. Those things come under enrichment classes, so additional fee is to be taken into consideration. They said transport can be arranged with a fee starting from RM100 for 2 ways depending on the location. Field trips are held once a year only.

I love that they have waterplay and sandplay. Love that the children are introduced to music instruments at a young age. Love that they have children sized toilets and sinks. Love the uniform although I loathe the idea of having uniforms put on my son. Already it's a struggle to get his diaper changed in the morning, let alone putting on the uniform on him. I would definitely consider sending my child to this place if not for the distance. 
Wonderful people!
Lovely place.

No 25, Jalan Sg 2,
Taman Seputeh,
58000 Kuala Lumpur

Tel : 03-22741066 / 012-3779744

Totalchild (Also in a new premise 2015)

This school has moved into a new premise and is still in Taman Desa, diagonally opposite Public Bank.
I've seen it from the outside and pictures of the exterior to follow when I can update this post further.

Anyone has or had kid(s) attend this school?

Below is the post from my visit to Totalchild Taman Desa in 2015.

Made an another impromptu visit to another pre-school and decided I'd drop by Totalchild. 

All in all, it was a pleasant visit. The principal, Suguna, although doesn't speak perfect English, spent a long time talking to me and showed me some work done by the 3 year olds and 4 year olds. 

I got to observe the 3 year olds in class and the class teacher seems to be someone really patient with children. They had non-stop play and educational activities as I saw. 

There is no time-out corner but they do practice time-out on the 4 year olds and older kids. 

Their menu is simple enough, though the principal assured me they use less oil, salt and sugar. 

Items in the menu includes oats, banana cake, noodles with fishball and bread with butter or jam. 

There are enrichment classes offered and school holiday programmes. 

Art class: 

Thu, 1pm - 2:30pm

Weekly

With lunch included

RM95

Martial arts:

Mon

1 hour

RM70

No classes in Nov & Dec.

The classrooms are really quite small. As small as I've seen in some others like Rasberry, Happy Sunshine, Bright Horizon, JC Kids, ELC.... I suppose they're all quite similar. I like the activities that they have like Drama. They go according to themes every 2 months which is also quite fun. They say they use the Montessori method too but I'm quite tired of hearing this already. Because it seems that the schools use this Montessori as an excuse to charge a fortune. 

There's no reading for the 3 year olds and I asked what do you do with the children who know their alphabets and who are able to read... She said they'll still be taught alphabets but in different activitiesie art & craft, story telling, drama, games and so on. 

About sleeping arrangement, they provide stackable toddler beds.. those with a mesh at the base.

Parents are to bring pillows, blankets or bolsters and covers/ sheets if their children require so.

Frankly, the principal did a really good job. She was friendly, approachable, patient and all that but I don't see it in their place. It looks like a generic pre-school kindy. The school seems to have the system in place. There's a report book that the student brings home and back to school daily. Comments and notes by the parents and the teachers can be written in that book.

The students bring home the books or worksheets every Friday so the parents are aware of what the kids have done in school. There's a yearly PTA too. So, I was told that the last concert was held in the UM and there are 3 field trips in a year. That's pretty awesome. 

Seems like a well organized school!

Just like most places, they're closed the last 2 weeks of December every year.

No classes during the school holidays but the daycare will be opened.

Fees are paid every 3 months. 

RM350 for the tuition another RM350 for the daycare. 

Daycare is RM280 in December.  

One of the more important things for me is the time. It officially ends at 6pm and they make an allowance till 6:30pm. Any later than that, there will be additional charges incurred and I don't remember how much. Something like RM100 more or so. Say if it's 7pm, the charges are to be paid as a fixed rate monthly. 

The next open house is on Nov 24/ Sat

10am - 12pm

It's also their Children's Day celebration.

Suguna said she's organizing stalls outdoor and in the classrooms. The older children will be participating as vendors. I fear to think how packed it will be on that day. Cute idea nonetheless.

2 Jalan Desa Mesra, Taman Desa, 

58100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel/Fax: 03-7982 1492