1. Cherie Hearts @ Depot
A non air con, open concept school, with a big open air playground in the middle of the premise. As it was raining earlier in the morning when we visited the school, we can see how messy the school is, due to the open space of the school, i believe the rain somehow splash into the building and the corridors of the classrooms, and you have to walk a big round the class room but you cant avoid getting wet if you happens to be walking at the corridor and met with a heavy downpour.
Principal seems very rush to bring us through the cirriculum and school and the air was very stuffy in there. Although she mentioned that there were already 15 parents on waiting list. It was already a NO NO, not an ideal choice for our kids in our minds.
2. Cherie Hearts @ Bukit Purmei
It was a shock to us, the centre was beneath the HDB block, poorly ventilated (coupled with the upgrading works in place), walls in the centre were not painted properly, centre seems to be dirty, dark and stuffy, also non-aircon, we wanted to get out of that place soon after we reached. But principal is a very kind and patient lady who keep talking to us and entertaining our queries. Teachers are mostly Philipinos and PRCs. The auntie who cook there looks abit untidy and fierce, kitchen seems to be 'not so clean' and the toilet and bathroom were beyond our imagination (no doors only shower curtains separating the toilets from the classroom!
3. Eager Beavers @ Bukit Merah Swimming Complex
A very nice place with nice friendly teachers and well ventilated environment, fully air-conditioned, with their own classrooms for every different levels and classes. Two storeys in the centre (first storey for toddlers), and second for older children. Have their own outdoor playground and a big centralised eating area (so you do not mess with the food in the classroom). As it is situated in the swimming complex, once the swimming complex is done with renovation, the kids will even get to have water play at the swimming pool. The cirriculum looks attractive with optional lessons on drama and speech, music etc. Kindergarten classrooms are neat and well decorated. Price is reasonable and attractive too.
4. Cherie Hearts @ The Bay
This was the most satisfied centre so far we have seen, with nice teacher, director, pupils seems very disciplined and well organised, with a large space as they are expanding, with infant care and the we saw the students dancing as well, everyone seems to be enjoying and is happy at the centre, centre is very clean and hygenic and the care givers looks very professional and friendly too. However, there is no outdoor activities as they are situated in a commercial building, they have inhouse playground though in the fully air-conditioned premise. The minus point is that it is too pricey, almost 1k before any subsidy.
5. NurtureStar @ Mt Faber Safra
This is the second time we visited the centre, it is only open for eight months after taking over from eager beaver's premise, they follow the cirriculum of Kinderland and the cirriculum seems to have changed. They now allow waterplay in the safra swimming club. And although they have their own outdoor playground, they will also bring students out to the club's premise for a walk or the playground in the club's premise too. Fully air conditioned, well ventilated and clean with young teachers. They seem professional and friendly and attentive to the students. Centre is very strict on hygiene and do not allow unneccessary people into the premise not even parents who are picking up their children. The centre is big enough for 90 students and has yet to be fully occupied. Price is a bit pricey but as a Safra member we do enjoy discounts and on comparison of the environment, it is on par with eager beaver. However, it still beats EB due to the strategic location, within walking distance from our block and it will be easier for us to pick him up after work or even if we need my MIL to pick him up earlier after school. The centre customer service lady told us that we should still be in time to register him for Dec or Jan intake, however they do not allow for early registration as they strictly take on first come first serve basis three months prior to the entry date.
At first we have agreed to let Cepheus go Childcare only in January just before my second one is due in Feb. However, after talking to the persons in charge in NurtureStar and Cherie Hearts @ The Bay, both recommended that we should let him join earlier in Dec so as to let him have more time to familiarise himself with the surroundings as they can cry up to a month or two after joining. And the most crucial point is that we should not send him just before or even after his sibling is just born so as not to let him have a sense of abandonment that he was sent away just because of the arrival of the young one.
; "xmas pressie.jpg")
; "pinklady.JPG")
; "penguins.JPG")
; "panda.JPG")
; "monroe.JPG")
; "magadascar.JPG")
; "hat.JPG")
;)
; "its all boys")
; "nice view from my hotel balcony")
; "car door dented")
; "IMG_3956.JPG")
; "amk2.jpg")
; "previous batch")
; "kyvia3.JPG")
; "avery.JPG")
; "anise.JPG")
; "babies.JPG")
; "babies2.JPG")
; "shopshop.jpg")
; "Mit i.jpg")
; "Rhys.jpg")
; "lucky")
; "Gong Gong")
; "drummy")
; "grab.JPG")
;)
; "pooh bear")
; "sarong2")
; "sarong")
Dear Dearly,
Allows me to clarify comment on Cherie Hearts @ Bukit Purmei in Aug 2010. I am Mdm Zeng, the new owner of this centre, who took over in Oct 2010. Really thanks for your comment on this centre, it will serve as my guidelines to improve the centre condition. Fyi, the remodelling has been happening since my took over. The entire centre remodelling will take place phase by phase without causing any disturbance to my childrens since we are operating an healthy level of children.
These are my takes to comment posted:
- Just a little bit background. It was Cherie Heart Merryland when you visited. After Oct 1st, 2010 (took over) we changed the name with our vision to make the centre a better place for my children. Not just a statement but with action.
Your comment:
1. It was a shock to us, the centre was beneath the HDB block, poorly ventilated (coupled with the upgrading works in place),
- Answer: Yes it is indeed beneath HDB Block wt open concept (we insist not using air-conditioning, because it is not good and healthy to my children. On the other hand, it is windy and not stuffy in overall).
HDB upgrading was unavoidable but it has been completed before Oct 2010 (no more worry). And after remodelling; in terms of centre condition, management; I am seeing some improvement. The fee is relatively lower and reasonable as compared to other branches/centres (> 20% lesser) but with similar curriculum. Ultimately, children's improvement are not depending on the location of the centre instead it depends on teachers' quality. Our children are oftenly selected to carry out key performance event during K2 graduation.
Your comment:
2. walls in the centre were not painted properly, centre seems to be dirty, dark and stuffy, also non-aircon, we wanted to get out of that place soon after we reached.
- Agreed wt your observation, as I have carried repainting works before my took over. Other remodelling works will be carried in phases. As we would like to ensure minimum disturbance to my childrens; hence, most of the works would be carried out during weekend.
3. Teachers are mostly Philipinos and PRCs.
- We do have good ratio for teachers coming from different nationalities (Singaporean, PRC and Phillipinos with qualification/diploma). Regardless of nationalities, when you come to earlier childhood education, I think the most important factor would be the quality of teachers and the amount of attention the teachers willing to put on each and every children. Instead of focusing on nationalities, why not look at the other factors. In addition, teachers are trained and retrained by CH Headquarters periodically. Give you one example: my current Chinese teacher has good reputation in terms of teaching Chinese, this is the genuine feedback from parents. Phillipinos teachers are also working hard and caring. In fact, my priority would be to retain good teachers regardless of nationality. Kids are my priority. We also have started Teacher to parents meet session quarterly.
4. The auntie who cook there looks abit untidy and fierce, kitchen seems to be 'not so clean' and the toilet and bathroom were beyond our imagination (no doors only shower curtains separating the toilets from the classroom!
- Hope you don't judge a person from outlook. She is doing a good job by providing delicious meal to my children. As for kitchen, we are in the process of remodelling, definitely in my radar.
Bathroom remodelling has been scheduled.
In overally, I am grateful to hear your feedback/comment on this centre. As it helps me to correct my centre and serve as my guidelines. Hope you don't think I am defensive, instead it is just to clarify since things are changing after Oct 2010.
Your sincerely,
Ms. Zeng
Dear Ms Zeng,
Thanks for your reply to my post.
Pertaining to the points below :
3. I did not say that PRC and Phillipino produce poor quality teachers, it is a just a comment based on my observation and the care taker previously on the nationalities of the teachers there. Almost all the centers that i have visited have a fair share of Phillipino and PRC teachers. But just that i am given an impression that Merryland then have more than usual.
4. These are just personal observations, you do not need to take it to heart. And based on my observations, the kitchen and toilets condition then was really in not so good shape.
I do agree that quality and personality of the teachers and staff is important, that is one of the top traits that i will consider when putting my own children into any centre. However to me, having a clean, hygiene and comfortable environment is equally important to the well being, health and psychological development of the children.
I am glad that you are putting in measures and remodelling in place to ensure that the children are given the best in terms of environment after October. I am sure the existing children as well as new children to join will benefit from all the remodelling works in place.
All the best to your new center.
It's a bit disturbing to see an educational center being owned/administered by someone who can't spell and use proper English diction, IMO...
Children is plural already, FYI. It's Filipinos and not Philipinos...