Hi again,
Hope I don't forget to answer all the questions aimed at me!
My problem with the first place was during water play outdoors (by the classroom) the teacher went away to take some children to the bathroom so the assistant was left to look after the remaining children, no problem. That was until she wandered inside to another classroom. Who was left with the kids? Teacher/assistant wise.. no one. Ok, so I was there.. but to me that was not the point, if you work with kids you never leave them unattended like that and in a big paddling pool type thing. It doesn't take much water for a child to drown.
I then noticed the assistant seemed to have favourites and she wasn't very observant.. e.g children fighting behind her and then she would tell off the wrong child who started a scrawble.
The other thing was that some days the timetable was changed so lunch was ridiciously early just so that one international group of children could go and have their English lesson.
My main problem was with the water incident and yes when the Head asked why I wasn't enrolling my son anymore I told her! It was central based, so unless you're there no worries!
Here is a copy of what I wrote.. btw this appplies to any nursery/centre in any country, but it might have a few points you might not have thought of. Excuse typos going fast!
'Finally the day came when my son turned 2 and I thought that now was the time to send him off to Nursery. He needed more than Mummy and Mummy needed some respite! Had I been in the UK I was confident that I knew what to look for, after all I had worked with children of all ages in different settings for 9 years. I assumed finding a place in Singapore wouldn't be too difficult, how wrong my assumption was. The whole process of finding a centre was a headache and left me wanting to share my story, combined with some useful tips to consider from the view of a qualified Nursery Nurse.
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International centres were ruled out due to cost and distance. This left me with "going local". I took a look at the website www.childcarelink.gov.sg which lists registered centres. I then called the centres which are reasonably close to where I live. Centres who did not answer my calls or return my messages were immediately crossed off the list.
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It is worth visiting a selection of nurseries as every one differs. Take your child along. Do the staff make you and your child feel welcome?
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On arrival, note the premises. Are they clean, safe and well maintained? This includes the toilets/bathrooms. If your child is in nappies, what do they say about this? All nurseries I visted stressed that they would take the lead from the parents.
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Is the Nursery well organised? Is it busy or calm? Do not ever be afraid to make a second visit. You know your child best. Look at the daily routine. Are there enough opportunities for creative or pretend play, for example sand/water time and a play corner? Do the children have a choice to explore and investigate? What about physical play? How important is that your child has the opportunity to use up energy outside? Is an outdoor are larger than an area to house sand and water available? Location is also important. I have a friend with an asthmatic child who wishes she had paid more attention to the centre being so close to such a busy road, as his asthma is easily triggered.
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How are meal times managed? Is the menu varied and nutritious? My son's present nursery told e they have lunch at 11.30am and if this was too early or he didn't eat the local menu (he loved it!) then I was welcome to pack a snack or packed lunch for him.
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What is the policy on behaviour management? Give an example: if a child hits my child or my child bites another what would you do? How are accidents and complaints handled? Don't be surprised to hear "we don't use corporal punishment" It took me by surprise! I had taken it for granted that they wouldn't!
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What about other children? Do they seem happy? Is nationality important to you? Do you seek a good mixture of nationalities/cultures within your child's class?
Generally, nurseries are very good at giving information regarding staff rations and qualifications but do not feel afraid to ASK. If your child has special needs, how will they be met? If you are looking at full time session, where will your child rest? How will you know your child is progressing? Will there be written reports or are the staff happy to chat with you at pick up times?
Many local centres cover Mandarin, how do you feel about that? One nursery I visited had certain days for certain activities in the morning. Parents could choose whether or not to involve their child in Chinese if opting for part time. Our son enjoyed singing in Mandarin.
Now for my favourite question (which flusters most staff in Eeuropean nurseries, but not here, from my experience) ask about staff turnover. Children need to develop relationships and this is easier when staff turnover is low. In centres where management support their staff and on going training is provided, staff loyalty can be found.
Eventually, I had it narrowed down to two choices. I initially had reservations about the one I particularly liked as it had the word Monterssori tagged with it. My experience of the Montessori is limited to the UK where the common perception of Montessori is that it involves less creative play, which is not what I wanted for my son. I opted for the other choice.
So, off we went to the other nursery. Here, the procedure for setlting in new children was my saviour. Many centres run a trial period where you accompany your child for a few sessions or hours and they go it alone. All was well until the second session. I noticed thing likes the assistant preferred to speak in Chinese, despite an "English as first language" policy. Though the teacher was fantastic, the assistant concerned me. I felt she had a job but not a job she had her heart in. The last straw concerned an issue of safety and so withdrew my son immediately.
I then returned to the montessori centre. The staff were very welcoming to someone who had just appeared out of the blue. I asked more about the montessori method and voiced my concerns. The staff put me straight. They integrate the method but do not use it fully. If you are after Montessori this is worth bearing in mind too. There were opportunities to be creative and socialisation skills are encouraged. I decided to enrol my son there and he settled well.
My final dilemma concerned the BCG shot. Local children usually receive the shot at birth but my son had not been immunised in the UK. Not all nurseries ask, but should they ask you to have them vaccinated with his shot and you do not wish to do so at this stage, your Doctor will write a letter that the nursery should accept.
Confirmation that I made the right choice came when after we had made an unexpected trip to the UK for a month. On his return to the centre, he rushed up to his teacher and kissed her!
Well, there you have it.. hope you get something from it?
It is so good when you find a centre that work with you. For example a local friend of mine had me worried because my son is left handed or was showing signs of. He told me Singaporeans teach children to right right handed due to the chinese characters which I didn't want, at the same time I needed to check this out. His teachers were very reaassuring they would not train him to.. as it goes the teacher was left handed!
Brentwood - I used to go to school there! Lived in Ingatestone and travelled. I am still in touch with an old school friend living there!
Hope all are awake with my looong post!!!