DMK or Sunshine House Kindergarten in Discovery Bay?

[starbucks2]

Hi Cathryn

Have PM'ed you.

Thanks

 

[starbucks2]

Hi Cathryn

How are you finding Sunshine House? I have a friend considering sending her child there for a morning class and wondered if you had any feedback.

Thanks

 

[cathryn]

To be honest with you I am not liking it. I am taking Harry out and I am going to send him to a place called Woodentots Montessori Playgroup instead.

I know people that like Sunshine so I think it is just Harry's class. I find it way to academic, no playing, they never do anything like painting or sticking etc. On Mothers Day we were given a mothers day card and I said to Harry did you make this? He said no the teacher made them! I find the teachers not so happy, they don't really smile, Harry cried every time he went there and they didnt comfort him, he has just stopped crying now but I am still not happy with the place, every time I look through the window all they are doing is circle time - listening to the teacher talk. I want him to actually be doing stuff.

So today I went to see the Montessori one in North Plaza and this playgroup run by one lady and have decided to go with woodentots, its a nice little group, just 8 children and 1 teacher and she was great with Harry.

But I do have a friend who's daughter goes to sunshine and loves it (in a different class) so maybe it just depends on the teacher. Harry is in Rainbow Class with Miss Priya and Miss Nancy.

Hope this helps
x

 

[Narayanism]

About Discovery Montessori at DB North

Hello folks

My elder daughter has been attending pre-school classes at Woodlands Caine Road - we love the Montessori system.

We're now moving to DB in July 2011.

I found this discussion very insightful - you folks clearly have a great sense on what parents look for in pre-schools. I will really value your advise on the Discovery Montessori School at DB North.

Thank you! - Priya

 

[cathryn]

Hi Priya,

I did go to see the Montessori in DB North this morning and really liked the looks of this also. The main reason I have decided to go with Woodentots is the cost. DB North is $6500 per month, you have to go 5 mornings/afternoons a week and you pay a debenture of around ?25,000 (you get this back though when you leave) but to fork out $25k is quite a lot for us. At woodentots you dont pay this and you have the option of 2 or 3 days rather than the 5. Woodentots is a much smaller place which is run by a lady who is montessori trained, so it is not an actual registered montessori school. Anyway I like it, but depends what you want, if you want a bigger school environment then perhaps DB North is the better option. Like I say I did really like it, it was mainly the cost being an issue for me.

Hope this helps
Cathryn

 

[starbucks2]

Thanks Cathryn. Will pass on your feedback on Sunshine House. I know she was going to have a look at a few but good to hear some real life experiences of places. I totally understand your point about finding one that suits the individual child (and parents) needs. We also looked at the DB North Montessori when we were looking 9 months ago and the cost was one thing that put us off. To be honest, the rooms were lovely, new and bright but am not sure that Montessori style is for me. That one, anyway, seemed very strict - only wooden approved Montessori toys/puzzles. No dressups or cars etc. I wanted something more relaxed for my son especially at the 2.5 - 3.5 years age. He is loving it at DMK Playgroup (which is a good mix of structure and playtime) and I only have good things to report about the style and teachers there.

Good to hear you have found one that looks to suit you and your son. I find that thinking about schooling in Hong Kong seems to occupy so much of my time!

SB2

 

[cetice]

Hello!

My daughter is in Discovery Montessori School for a year in playgroup, next week in Little Casa (nursery). I was quite happy and proud of the school and their high quality but for this new period I am very disappointed... the new staff lack profesionalism as almost none of them has Montessori training, which it is what one is paying for, isn't it?

That said, I have been looking into the other schools around and I would like some updated opinions about DMK. My daughter seems to loves it, I cannot even walk in front of their premises because she just throw a tantrum wanting to get in and stay, also the fact that it is a real bilingual school (3d English, 2d Potonghua, then from K1 onward half day for each language) and that they encourage group work as well as individual work (in oppose to Montessori where the child must work alone in his activity and cannot socialise with the other kids until play time) is quite a catch specially because my daughter is such a social person.

Also DMK do not request Debenture which it makes me feel less used as I know it is a business but some schools in HK are not that commited to education but for the money.

Thanks for any intake.

Thanks heaps