Singapore - Turf City Kindergartens

[LittlePoppetsMummy]

Does anyone have any experience of the three kindergartens at Turf City? Swallows & Amazons, The Blue House and La Petite Ecole all seem amazing and I can't choose between them for my rising 3 year old.

Also, what do you think about keeping children at kindergarten for K2 (age 5 rising 6) then transferring to an international school? I've been told that kindergarten classes are smaller so they can go into the topics in more depth, and I'd much rather keep my little one in a familiar and friendly environment for one extra year, but if a place comes up at one of the international schools can I risk asking to defer it for a year?

Thank you!

I don't know La Petite Ecole but I've heard good things about Swallows and Amazons. My personal favourite is the Blue House - dd2 went there. We loved the Reggio philosophy underpinning the teaching where the children are architects of their learning. For example, one day a child (3yo) had been to the aquarium and the kids ended up building a 2m long shark with chicken wire and papier mache, all decided by them from what was at the aquarium, wouldn't it be great to have their own fish, what type, how they would get one (make it!), how, using what etc. It's really amazing.

I know of kids who have stayed at the Blue house til 6 and then gone to international school but I don't know the full circumstances. Shouldn't be an issue but speak to the schools you have your eye on and ask them when you should start applying for a year 1 start etc. I don't know of schools that defer. Also ask them what kids in that class would normally know (ie reading levels, basic arithmetic) before they start and ensure that the school caters for that.

Thanks, Butterflies. Unfortunately The Blue House has a compulsory 5 mornings a week regime starting from the September following a child's 3rd birthday, which is a bit too much for me. I've just given up my career to move to Singapore with DH, so want to make the most of my last few months with DD before she starts on the 14 year rollercoaster of formal education!

Does anyone else have any experience of these three nurseries?

We've edited LittlePoppetsMummy's last post, at her request, to specify that the compulsory 5 mornings a week kick in from the September following a child's 3rd birthday.

I can see your point but check with the other nurseries too as 5 days a week is very common. You might want to ask the same question to the "singapore expat wives" Facebook page, there are loads of members and someone is sure to be able to give you more information.