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co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
New member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 26
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - 8:52 pm: | 
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Hi, I would like to give my 2 cents worth of frustration. My Boy has been with GUG for 2 terms and I am struggling with the decision to change a pre-school for him. (Not goona mention about the high and mighty attitude the staffs have)
I feel that the teachers are not sincere in teaching. Teacher Earnie is sleepy and tired all the time. She has this *sian* attitude. Totally no enthusiam at all. Toddlers are dependent on teachers to motivate or capture their attention.
Also, although my boy is not super active, he is observant. When he sees a name tag drop from the board, he will get up and pick it up. But the teachers will insists he sits down. (I am afraid that he may grow up thinking its wrong to help pick up something that has dropped!) These teachers dun seem to think in the minds of the kids. They seem to take it as a chore having to make the kids sit still.
Honestly, my boy is not super active, but I also do not wish that he just sits still to watch and not participate or react at all!
I am very disappointed with the teachers there. As parents, we can do all we can to make them sit still, but they also have to play their part to guide the kids or to capture their attention.
So far, only 2 sincere and warm teacher at GUG - Yani and Devi. I can see that they teach with their hearts. For the rest, we are subjected to their mood swings and their preferences.
Oh yes... classrooms are full of distractions so not a good place if your kid is distracted easily. Toys are displayed openly during class.
Any mum has any comments about Julia Gabriels? I would like to collate some feedback on that. How about Actphabets? ANyone sent their kids there before? |
MumJune (mumjune)
New member
Username: mumjune
Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, August 05, 2007 - 2:27 am: |
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Hi,
My boy is also in GUG. Who is the other teacher in your boy's class? I have met Devi before but not Yani.
Heard that Actphabets is good, but they have ceased operation a few months ago. |
Tuffy (tuffy)
Intermediate Member
Username: tuffy
Post Number: 4110
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, August 05, 2007 - 2:02 pm: |
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hi,
which time slot are you at? I just signed up for a trial class.. not sure what to expect. |
junebrides (junebrides)
Junior Member
Username: junebrides
Post Number: 340
Registered: 4-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 06, 2007 - 8:14 am: |
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Hi
What does GUG stands for? Do let me know so that I can avoid it too.
I would also like to hear some feedback from mummies about Julia Gabriel too. Thanks!!! |
bellemom (bellemom)
New member
Username: bellemom
Post Number: 4
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Monday, August 06, 2007 - 8:54 am: |
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Hi.
My daughter attened GUG from the time she was 18 months for about a year.
I totally agree with co11ectionz about the attitude of the staff -- teachers and admin staff alike!
i took my duaghter out to put her in Julia Gabriel and i find the teachers there so much more sincere. the programme is better too, i feel!
She is now in Chiltern House and is doing fantastically! |
Clarissa (cclim)
Junior Member
Username: cclim
Post Number: 111
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Monday, August 06, 2007 - 10:35 am: |
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thanks collectionz for this info. I am currently planning for enrichment for my son. Was contemplating GUG cos its cheap...Now at least I know... |
mashy brainz (mashybrainz)
Advanced Member
Username: mashybrainz
Post Number: 5678
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 06, 2007 - 11:21 am: |
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GUG is cheap????
Wow, then u can afford to send your boy to most enrichment classes.
They're expensive and their service sucks. I didn't even read abt the attitudes of the staff there before i went. But when I was there for the trial, ai yoh, the admin staff's attitude is so bad. At first I wanted to sign my boy up, but with that bad experience, decided not to. |
Clarissa (cclim)
Junior Member
Username: cclim
Post Number: 114
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Monday, August 06, 2007 - 1:06 pm: |
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huh? its about $300 for 1 term right? and 1 term is about 2mths? THats the price quote i get. Unless i remembered wrongly??? cos i check out other enrichment and they are all more ex! like shichida is about 700+ for 1 term than need to add parent cost about 100+, than JG is about 700 for 1 term for 2days/week class, etonhouse is 3000K for a term! |
tamarind (tamarind)
Intermediate Member
Username: tamarind
Post Number: 4299
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 06, 2007 - 4:17 pm: |
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I went for trial class for both my boy and girl before. $40 per class, that is certainly not cheap for me. Both my kids didn't like the class. So I didn't sign them up. I have the exact same observations as co11ectionz.
My girl went to the Little Gym for one whole year, I find the teachers so much better. Although she doesn't learn ABC there, I feel that it is very enriching for her.
Now both my kids go to PCF nursery/pre-nursery in Jurong West. I am very happy with the teacher and the syllabus. Why bother with GUG ? |
joyful2 (joyful2)
New member
Username: joyful2
Post Number: 98
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Monday, August 06, 2007 - 5:23 pm: |
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think this GUG more of a hype ... think people mainly sign their kids there is bcos of the zoophonics they teach. but maybe unless u follow on to learn the blends properly, it's no use. my child has almost completely forgotten it, but she's doing fine in learning phonics the simple way now ... |
missylan (missylan)
Intermediate Member
Username: missylan
Post Number: 2412
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, August 06, 2007 - 8:48 pm: |
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co11ectionz,
My son was with GUG when he turned 13th mth. Stayed for 2 terms but got real boring with the same songs all over and over again. He used to be with Teacher Danissa and Evelyn. They are nice teachers. Teacher Ernie? If she is young chinese lady with long hair? If that is her, she used to be the music teacher and was quite ok. Maybe she herself got boring with all the repeated songs. Hahaha... During my son times, they do sing the clean up songs while tidying up the toys to storeroom leh. Maybe now slacken liao?
After GUG, I enrolled my son to Julia Gabriel. Tell you a heaven and hell... ahem not hell earth lah. I enrolled him to the Evans outlet and tell you, I love the spacious classroom, playground and the teachers there are very very expressive. He loves the drama part. He is still in the PlayClub(Mandarin), though it is like $300 more x than GUG, think worth it.
My son still rmbs some of the zoophonics especially the Alligator, Jellyfish, Lizzy lizard... Must have patient and teach them once a while. But it is true that I do not like the attitude of the front desk ladies.
Just enrolled my son for Nursery 1 at the Chiltern House. I believe them due to the experiences at JG playclub. |
MumJune (mumjune)
New member
Username: mumjune
Post Number: 8
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 07, 2007 - 2:20 pm: |
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Clarissa,
Can't really compare prices by term, coz some are 10wk term and GUG is 8wk term. At GUG ~$300/term is for once a week. |
MumJune (mumjune)
New member
Username: mumjune
Post Number: 9
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 07, 2007 - 2:31 pm: |
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My boy has been in GUG for 3 terms, and my overall impression of GUG is also in some ways similar to what other mummies mentioned here: front desk ladies are not friendly or helpful, but on a fair note, the school is not that bad.
Teacher Earnie does look listless at times, but she is just not the dramatic type. But I have seen alert and dramatic teachers who are really terrible at teaching - think I could do a better job than those. One of the strengths of Earnie is that she could remember the special details of all the kids - like who is afraid of lights-off, which kid doesn't like to do certain things etc. If she didn't put in her heart, she won't have been able to remember these.
As for Zoophonics, it takes consistent repetition to help the kids remember. My boy could grasp A-Z by the end of 2nd term. Important of all is that he remembers the phonics which would help him to read words.
I'm not from GUG or anything, but thought I would share some of my opinions. Afterall, my boy has mastered Zoophonics from GUG and loves the song session at the end of the class. |
SeaBreeze (seabreeze)
Intermediate Member
Username: seabreeze
Post Number: 2613
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 07, 2007 - 4:51 pm: |
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I share the same sentiments as MumJune =)
My son was there for 4 terms and we did enjoy the classes with Teacher Zee. When I move him up to the toddler class, I had Teacher Earnie and Teacher VJ. Teacher Earnie is the stricter of the 2 teachers but I must say that she is not too bad lar
We stopped GUG cos my son or rather I was getting bored so we switched him to another school. However, he did learn all the zoophonics action by the end of 2nd term. Now he knows A-z and even remember some of the alphabet by the phonics.
I think that the teachers are q drained out by the end of the day cos they have so many classes to teach and I dun really blame them lar
However, in addition to the credits that I give to the teachers .. the admin v stuck up and their attitude v yucky lar - always give that high and mighty feeling like that
My experience with JG admin is oso not that fantastic either so I guess the branded schools are the same kind lor heehee
Now my son is at Kid's Loft with Lavina and he loves the music lesson as he can play with alot of instructments, run and dance with the huge space =) |
megansmom (megansmom)
New member
Username: megansmom
Post Number: 19
Registered: 7-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, August 09, 2007 - 9:28 pm: |
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Signed my daughter up for JG coz heard that the GUG staff were stuck up plus waiting lists super long.
Her first term was at Evan's road (Bilingual playclub). While I liked the location and large play area, the classroom itself isn't that big. Also didn't have a very good experience with one of the Chinese teachers, who repeatedly chided me for not consistently speaking to my daughter in Mandarin. While I understand the need for full parental involvement, my Mandarin sad to say isn't fantastic and had to pepper the conversation with some English. Didn't appreciate being told off (more than once) in front of the class for failing to call my daughter by her Chinese name.
After that, decided to switch to the Forum branch and oh what a difference it has been! Her Chinese teacher is very gentle and understanding. Also didn't always insist that the kids sit on the blue mat which I think is ridiculous to ask of a 2 yr old. No complaints so far at the forum branch. We look forward to it every week.
One difference though is that the Evan's branch has an outdoor play session. Each week is different, i.e. sand play, water play etc, in addition to the indoor play time.
Word of advice to anyone who is thinking of signing up. If your child cries and doesn't seem to be enjoying themselves, PERSEVERE (and ask for a switch in group if you think it may have something to do with the teacher). It is well worth it in the end |
missylan (missylan)
Intermediate Member
Username: missylan
Post Number: 2422
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 09, 2007 - 9:48 pm: |
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megansmom,
My oh my... you should complain about that Chinese teacher. So far, I have good experience with Teacher Zhang(now in forum), Teacher Yuan Yuan and Teacher Jiang. The most friendly one is Teacher Yuan Yuan. My 3 terms with JG, teachers don't insist toddlers to sit on that blue mat leh. Not once! |
Clarissa (cclim)
Junior Member
Username: cclim
Post Number: 121
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, August 09, 2007 - 9:50 pm: |
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megansmum - thanks for the pointers. wanna send my son there soon too. I was contemplating between evans road and forum as I hear good comments on evans road branch. |
megansmom (megansmom)
New member
Username: megansmom
Post Number: 20
Registered: 7-2007
| | Posted on Friday, August 10, 2007 - 3:08 pm: |
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Funny story. When they asked me why I wanted to change classes, I cited my reasons so they asked me which teacher? I said, Zhang lao-shi and they told me there were 4!. Went round the classrooms looking for the correct one but I didn't have to open my mouth. My daughter literally cried at the sight of her. Enough said.
Her teacher at Forum ironically is also called Zhang lao shi but definitely 180 degree difference. Maybe it is the same as your teacher missylan.
Clarissa, I think that most of the other teachers at either branch are pretty good. This one just rubbed me the wrong way. Do put your son on the waiting lists as it can take abt 3 mths for them to offer a place to you. Are you also thinking of the bilingual playclub? |
poohy (poohy)
Advanced Member
Username: poohy
Post Number: 6399
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 10, 2007 - 3:40 pm: |
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megansmom,
my son's previous maindarin main teacher in his billingual playclub is also Zhang lao-shi. Long hair... I like her... she does remind parents to speak maindarin to the kids but at least does not chide the parents as and when.... mostly as a reminder before the class or after the class as a general announcement kind. I like her. Maybe same teacher as yours and missylan. But she had went off to teach edu drama. My boy's class also have a zhang-lao-shi as the assistant teacher now but I dun really like her.... she always like to forcefully hug my boy and push his head against her etc and dunno whisper what to him.... My boy dun like it.
missylan,
have your son started at CH? I also enrolled my boy at CH N1. I hope its good... |
missylan (missylan)
Intermediate Member
Username: missylan
Post Number: 2423
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 10, 2007 - 4:03 pm: |
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megansmom/poohy,
My Zhang lao shi is a long hair, fine, skinny lady with several moles on her face. You can see her inside JG website.
Nope, starting year 2008, nursery one at Halifax. The one which is nearer to me, Big Splash is full for both morning and afternoon session. By the way, the school fee for CH is 8 weeks or 10 weeks huh? |
poohy (poohy)
Advanced Member
Username: poohy
Post Number: 6402
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 10, 2007 - 6:16 pm: |
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missylan,
i thought the school fee for CH is by month? At Turf club branch, its $840 per month. Only JG pays by term of 10 week. |
missylan (missylan)
Intermediate Member
Username: missylan
Post Number: 2426
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 10, 2007 - 6:49 pm: |
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poohy,
I forgot about CH school fee liao. I know I enrolled the afternoon session, think close to $800. Is it per month or same like JG PlayClub by 10 weeks? Forgetful me! |
bbrooster (bbrooster)
Member
Username: bbrooster
Post Number: 1440
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 13, 2007 - 12:12 pm: |
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My girl attend GUG for 3 terms now. She started at the age of 20mths and she knows all the phonetic sound of each alphabet. She could also recognise all the alphabets if I ask her to pick up for me. I am very happy of the result.
So far I have no complaint about the school nor the teachers. For the receptionist attitude I don't care much. Most important is the class syllabus and the teachers.
There is a reason why they want the kids to sit down during lessons. If you allow them to roam around they will forever be walking around in class. My daughter did the same thing when she first started. But I have to catch her back each time. And after a while she learn. Also you will realise if there is a kid who stand up, walk away and do other things the rest will be distracted. |
Sarahbb (sarahbb)
Member
Username: sarahbb
Post Number: 973
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, August 13, 2007 - 1:25 pm: |
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Hi Hi,
I started JG this term only & son been loving it. Am in 2 a week for english & 1 billigual.
went for GUG trial & didnt like it at all, son couldnt even last an hr in e classroom. but when we went for e JG trial, he could be in e classroom for 1hr 45 min.. and could see he enjoyed it so much, hence i signed him up for JG for this term.....
can see that e teachers & admin pple there very nice... esp e teachers, they will reflect to me his progess (be it a positive or negative one) when i pick him up on certain days. & advise me what i should do @ home to help him overcome his negative points (i.e. cannot sit still during storytime - but now, after so many weeks, improve liaoz.. ). but they dun scold him in class or anything (unlike GUG which happen to me in e trail class)... and when my boy cry, i tend to bring him out of e class... (so wont distract other tots mar)... they will actually come out to help coax e boy back to class (happen twice already)... all in all, very very happy with e progess my boy is making in JG...
as for CH, i feel like putting him in there for N1.
which branch is better? any comments??? and whats e school time & fees like??
and after putting ur kid to CH, any1 joining JG back?? is JG & CH e same.... boy is nov05 baby... |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
New member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 44
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 10:42 pm: |
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Hi all,
Thanks for sharing! I am comforted to know that I am not the only one feeling this.
I do agree that JG has a better environment with warmer teachers. (Though not all teachers in GUG are cold) |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
New member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 45
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 10:46 pm: |
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bbrooster,
My boi is able to recognise the alphabets as well. Personally, class syllabus is one thing, but I feel teachers have a strong part to play. As a pre-school teacher, they should have the patience or the ability to understand a toddler. This is where my disappointment is from.
Do we conclude a child is obedient just because he/she sits still throughout the class? I have seen some of the toddlers, sitting still throughout the class, but that is because they are totally not interested in participating.
As a teacher, they should encourage equal participation, especially so for toddlers.
There is a difference between toddlers wandering and toddlers standing up to participate.Toddlers standing up are toddlers who are interested in the class activities, feeling excited and eager to participate and express their thoughts.
Toddlers who wander are those that require discipline.
Honestly, I Would worry if my child sits continuosly on my lap without moving. If so, what is the difference in sending my child to playgroup? Might as well just play a DVD for him to watch. |
corrine (corrine1106)
New member
Username: corrine1106
Post Number: 72
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 9:20 am: |
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co11ectionz
my boy also attended GUG class.. personally i find that those parents should pull their child back when they walk around in class.. for my class there are a few children who parent simply dun care and let them walk around.. to be i fell that it is very disturbing |
missylan (missylan)
Intermediate Member
Username: missylan
Post Number: 2453
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 10:21 am: |
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JG do have such a practise. Teachers usually will not ask the parents to chase after their kids and pull them back to attend the class EXCEPT story telling and 1 more dunno during what session. Cos the teachers think that while running about, children are still listening, holding some active children back might encourages them to cry or scream.
At GUG, my child used to be distracted by running children but maybe gets older he didn't bother about them liao. My child used to walk in front of the phonics but not disturbing the class. |
poohy (poohy)
Advanced Member
Username: poohy
Post Number: 6421
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 2:47 pm: |
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just wondering, will walking in front of the teachers when the teacher had specifically instructed the parents/children to be seated be an act of inconsideration? I just thought standing will most likely block those who are sitting as instructed.... its like being penalised for listening to instructions.... how would u walk and stand in front during story telling without disrupting others eg. blocking etc... Will it set a concept that its ok that your classmates are blocked as long as u r happy... etc Or that all should just stand up and dun listen to the teacher else wont get to see anything...
This is different from walking around the class.... that's another matter 
The reason why I asked is becos... my boy is one of those who normally will guai guai sit down when instructed to the story telling time. But some parents actually encouraged their tods to even walk in front and end up my boy always kenna bend here and there to see what's happening in front. Its like being penalised for listening to instruction leh.
I mean I understand kids do get excited at times and start standing up... like my boy do at times ... and I will quickly tell him to sit down so as not to block his classmates. I felt its not really about obedience but more learning to be considerate. Kids at this age normally are not so mindful of how their action affects others around them, but if we as parent being in the same class as them were to keep reminding them, slowly they will learn abt the cause and effect of it too. I am just more irritated by those parents who not just do not try to get their kids to sit down but even go to the extent of encouraging to go infront... *faint.
There is a time for everything... not saying the kids must remained seated throughout... like during magic box time, when the teacher encouraged kids to go infront to knock the box, then they can go in front etc...
Its just like during snack time, when the teacher come around pouring the juice for the tods, we as parents will normally encourage them to say thank you. I mean if you leave it to their natural "instinct", they wont know they need to say thank you as a form of politeness and appreciation....
hope I din offend anyone but I do get irritated at times that there are very inconsiderate parents around. |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
New member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 46
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 4:51 pm: |
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Hi, I understand what you mean. This is why I feel that there are a lot of inconsistency and practices.
In my boy's class, half the class will sit in front of the teacher while the other half will sit behind with their care giver. Hence, If 1 kid stands up, those behind will get blocked.
I agree that we should teach our kid to be considerate. I do ensure that my boy does not block anyone if he stands up. I do experience times when inconsiderate care givers simply bo-chup and let their child jump around or hop around. In such cases, it is definitely the care giver's responsibility to execute discipline.
However, my initial point is... when a child stands up, is it fair for the teacher to immediately say "Sit down"?
I feel that we need to understand the child. He may be standing up for a good cause... eg. to go and pick up a name tag that has dropped off the board. |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
New member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 47
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 5:02 pm: |
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Hi all,
I am not saying that GUG is not good in anyway. My boy has benefitted from the program and learnt his alphabets there as well.
My disappointment is in the teachers. As pre-school teachers, I expect them to be more understanding towards children. I just feel that the students are subjected to their moods and preferences.
After some discussions and reading your postings here, maybe all schools are just the same. Nonetheless, I have stopped my boy's classes at GUG and switched over to JG. I feel that the environment in JG is warmer and friendlier.
I truly do not want my boy to grow up thinking that this is a cold world. |
Vanessa (angvada)
New member
Username: angvada
Post Number: 42
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 6:21 pm: |
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Hi,
My son was also in GUG for 5 terms and we have decided to pull him out. He is very bored with the same routine. Every term, there are bound to be new classmates which some are very inattentive which made the class very interruptive!
Just wondering ex-parents from GUG whether you received the deposit back by cheque thru mail or we need to self-collect?
Thanks!
Thanks! |
poohy (poohy)
Advanced Member
Username: poohy
Post Number: 6430
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 6:25 pm: |
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co11ectionz,
u r rite. JG also can be inconsistent in their execution of this particular matter to do with sitting down. My son had been in JG for 3 terms. His prev maindarin teacher is stricter in enforcing sit down policy especially during maindarin story telling time. When there is a child who stand up or wander, they will quickly carry the child in a playful manner back to their caregivers. When they english teachers enforces sit down, they will say "xxx, can you please sit down?".. or try to coax the child. In your particular example that a child standing up to pick something, that is definitely not a discipline problem. I feel its ok to stand up for that short period to pass the object back to the teacher.
That said, my boy's current maindarin teacher do not enforce sit down policy though. though she said its encouraged but you can always see the tods walking around in front.... I think they should remind the parents privately after classes that they need to help remind the tods to sit down. That's a better way then directly asking the child to "sit down".... |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
New member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 48
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 10:02 pm: |
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Overall, I just feel that some of the teachers are not sincere in teaching. Pre-school teachers should be patient and understanding, not impatient and getting irritated/frustrated with todds. Anyway, no more GUG for us! hee hee...
I'd rather pay $ for my boy to enjoy himself than to be subjected to the teacher's moods.
A-Zs can be learnt everywhere but sincerity and character moulding is equally important and I want my boy to grow up well in this area as well. |
missylan (missylan)
Intermediate Member
Username: missylan
Post Number: 2454
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 1:20 am: |
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vanessa,
The refund was issued by cheque. |
poohy (poohy)
Advanced Member
Username: poohy
Post Number: 6431
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 7:25 am: |
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co11ectionz,
even JG can have such insincere teachers that you mentioned. Sincerity is not just measured by whether the teacher mete out discipline or not. Depending on how the discipline are enforced, it does not necessarily means the teacher is not sincere.
Favouritism is also another thing that is practised even in JG at least from what I observed for 3 terms.
How do u feel if your boy go and hug his teacher goodbye and his teacher just give him a patronising hug and his eyes and face looking somewhere talking to someone else? This happened many times to my boy right in JG and it is just one of the many incident I observe in 3 terms there. U think this reflects sincerity? Till now, I cant be sure.
My point is black sheeps are everywhere |
Sarahbb (sarahbb)
Member
Username: sarahbb
Post Number: 977
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 10:23 am: |
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poohy,
gotta agree with u that the JG teachers do have favouritism. but i tink its not that obvious in the way that it affects e kids.. cos i personally feel if u dun go notice it, it is not that obvious.
BTW, which mandrain class is ur kid in?? i wanna switch from billigual to a mandarin class. but not too sure which teacher is nice.. my billigual mandarin teacher (dun really like her).. heez =)
about the sitting down thing during story time. my son had the problem. during his first few lessons, ( i tink e first week), he always wanted to run up to e book.. and when i pulled him back he WAILED & CRIED damn loudly.... (sighz), so had to bring him out of e class. my maid took him e second week & she did not pull him back & let him be.. and i scolded her for it (i was watching from outside e class)... cos i personally feel that it is too irresponsible & would be distracting other kids.. and given that if i am in e other parent's shoe, would be mad too!! so she also started to pull him back. but things did not improve.
meanwhile, this period of time. the teachers never once asked my kid to "sit down" or whatsoever (perhaps they saw me trying to make my son sit down also lar).. but when i went out of e class to coax my son one of em actually came out to coax him too.... and in private, they actually told me not to "exercise" e sitting down rule too much, as firstly he was NEW to these kind of classes hence i cant expect him to behave like e rest of e kids. secondly, it may make him not interested in classes anymore - rejection process. so we (e teachers & my maid) will take e situation as how it goes...
and we realise that, during e third week, we manage to refrain him from going up to e book. (too much participation -haha) .. but we allowed him to stand up to look (as e teachers could see that him standing up - never distract any1 else in e class - hence allow it to happen) and he was at e side, so not blocking anyone....
now, being in his dunno how many week... he can sit, but only 15mins.. and he will start to stand up... (his teachers comments... he is already improving in this suitation, as they dun want him to feel that it is wrong to participate, so they encourage us not to "exercise" e sitting down rule so long as he is not blocking / distracting any1 else....) he stands up in front of my maid... and my maid will say "see, everyone sit down, so u also sit down ok".. and he will sit!!.. haaa...
overall, am happy with his progress @ JG.. =) |
Clarissa (cclim)
Junior Member
Username: cclim
Post Number: 135
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 11:38 am: |
|
hi all, have been reading this thread. wanted to send my son to JG too. he is currently 6months 1 week old. what will be a good age to send him to playnest? Evans road JG is good?
Pls advise. Many thanks! |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
New member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 52
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 11:47 am: |
|
Hi Clarissa,
Forum is more accessible to transportation. For drivers, some prefer Evans cause parking in Forum is expensive. But some mummies like Forum cause can go shopping after class.
As for teachers, as Poohy mentioned, they are the same everywhere. Hope this helps! |
Sarahbb (sarahbb)
Member
Username: sarahbb
Post Number: 978
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 3:04 pm: |
|
Clarissa,
only know e difference is that JG evans rd got "water play" & "swimming" but forum no "swimming" not too sure if forum side got "water play" and "sand play" not..
and some parents dun like forum cos the playground is also air-con. but some parents like that e fact playground also indoor air-con.
so its really up to individual. but i tink e youngest is 10mths. not too sure about this u might wanna just give em a call. =) |
Clarissa (cclim)
Junior Member
Username: cclim
Post Number: 136
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 7:22 pm: |
|
hi collectionz & Sarahbb - thanks for the advise. JG says youngest can send is 6mths but i tot 6mths is a wee bit too young cos my son can crawl, cant walk now. Only can sit by himself. But than again, on weekends, i dun even know where to bring my son to. shopping is boring, places of interest i think he's too young to appreciate so i tot wanna send him to some classes, than comes the worry that too young means low immunity and mixing around with too many children higher chances of getting illnesses...
guess i will send to evans road since theres sand aand water play. swimming? meaning theres a pool? sand play have got sand flies not? |
Clarissa (cclim)
Junior Member
Username: cclim
Post Number: 137
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 7:23 pm: |
|
i mean cant crawl, cant walk only can sit by himself |
Serenade (serenade)
Member
Username: serenade
Post Number: 791
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 8:49 pm: |
|
My girl is attending the JG Bilingual Play. I'm pretty happy with JG in general. The thing that irks me is that most parents have no sense of punctuality. Since the start of the term till now, my gal's class has never started on time. Usually, it starts about 20mins later cos most of the kids are late. And b'cos of this, the program itself has been shortened to less than 2 hours. That goes for my son who's attending the JG Edudrama too. The teacher wouldn't start the program until majority of the kids are present. So, in a way, I feel shortchanged.
As for sitting down, both the English and Chinese teachers will remind parents to "fasten the kid's seat belt" and not let them roam about during storytelling. I think it makes sense cos that's part of learning too, i.e to be able to sit down and listen. We have a kid who tends to cry or roam around in class. The Chinese teacher will tell him in a playful manner that he should sit down or not cry by including him in her story. Sometimes, when he goes to the back of the classroom, she will "catch" him back and remind the parent to fasten his seat belt again. Personally, I think she handles such incidents with great tact. |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
New member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 53
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 10:42 pm: |
|
Hi Serenade,
I tot the 1st 20 mins is children's play time? That is why they dun start on time. Some parents feel that play time is not so important, so they dun come on time for the play time interaction. |
megansmom (megansmom)
New member
Username: megansmom
Post Number: 55
Registered: 7-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 4:36 am: |
|
Hi Clarrisa,
The "swimming" is actually a fairly large wading pool (like the plastic kind you can buy from Toys R Us) so the kids can sit in it and splash around. Swim gear required. Waterplay is where they bring out small tubs of water with some water toys. No need to change into swim gear but can get pretty wet.
The term my daughter was at Evans, they temporarily stopped the water activities as there had been an outbreak of HFMD.
The good thing is that the teachers at JG are very vigilant about checking for it. They also have a strict policy about not attending class if either you or your child is ill. Some parents can be quite inconsiderate and still send their kid to class even though they clearly have green snort oozing from their nostrils. |
poohy (poohy)
Advanced Member
Username: poohy
Post Number: 6438
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 7:24 am: |
|
serenade,
co11ectionz is right. The first 20 min is play time. For my boy's billingual playclub on weekend, it always start on time. And the playtime will end on time also. It can be quite a rush for us at times plus not easy to find parking lot in forums but we always make sure we arrived in time for the end of play time to keep the toys.
btw, read somewhere that your boy is attending CH too rite? just wanna find out from u why u think its still necessary to attend the edu drama? I am also trying to decide... |
stressma (stressma)
Junior Member
Username: stressma
Post Number: 146
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 12:37 pm: |
|
hi mummies,
my boy attendted JG playclub for 3 terms last year and i must say he and I enjoy it verymuch. i like yuan yuan and tu lao shi....i think the chinese session is more interesting than the english one....
actually, now i m contemplating to let my 3YO son to learn phonics and was decding between GUG or zoophonic. JG edudrama class wont teach phonics rite? can anybody tell me whether ZP is good? also, is the bukit timah branch better than the jurong west? |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
New member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 54
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 1:44 pm: |
|
Hi, I dunno about the ZP Jurong west branch but I compared Thomson and Bukit timah. Bukit Timah is better than Thomson. When I visited the Thomson branch, I find the place rowdy and noisy. There was even 1 mummy sitting outside the classroom floor painting her nails! (In the air con you know!) and the school did not even stop her. |
Serenade (serenade)
Member
Username: serenade
Post Number: 796
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 9:31 am: |
|
Hi co11ectionz, poohy,
Thanks for the clarification. Didn't know the first 20 minutes is free play. But since most parents don't find it useful (i.e they arrive just in time to keep the toys), why doesn't JG just scrap it or shorten the play time? Not sure if you experience this, I always feel the teachers are running short of time. For instance, if the Chinese session starts first, the activities will be covered in details. But if it starts later (i.e after the English session), I realise certain activities are excluded. Even the story might be modified to a shorter version. And it's the same for the English session too. Wondering if this is the norm too. |
Serenade (serenade)
Member
Username: serenade
Post Number: 797
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 9:37 am: |
|
Hi poohy,
Welcome to CH's family. I was told if the kid is attending CH, then there's no need to enrol him/her for any JG programmes. CH would have covered all aspects of JG programmes. For my case, I had already enrolled my son for JG Edudrama before we got him a seat in CH. |
missylan (missylan)
Intermediate Member
Username: missylan
Post Number: 2458
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 5:12 pm: |
|
Serenada,
Personally I felt that there is a need for the 20 mins of free play cos my son is abit reserved. He is those shy shy type so if we arrived the class and got to start the programme immediately, he tends to be get more reserved. So I forced myself not to leave home later than 11.00am. I don't know about bilingual cos he is in Mandarin PlayClub but so far I didn't experience running out of time during lesson except for a few times during play time. |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
New member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 55
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 12:11 pm: |
|
Serenade,
I did enquire about this before cause JG has 2 sessions of play time in the 2 hours class. The teachers said that it is to encourage the todds to play together. At this age, most of them only know how to play by themselves so this time allows them to experience playing with others. (Part of the sharing concept) |
fushiastar (fushiastar)
Member
Username: fushiastar
Post Number: 1573
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 12:26 pm: |
|
just to give my 2 cents worth my girl was with GUG for 3 terms- gifted babes for 1 term at 12m, then the parent and babe for 1 term at 16m and parent and tot for 1 term at 18m.
she's now with JG bilingual playclub since 21m for 1 term and i'm gonna let her go for another term..
personally feel that Gug and JG 's programmes teach different things.. gug is more for learning phonics and literacy.. jg is more drama and creativity.. my girl has picked up all the alphabets and simple words at gug after 3 terms although she does get bored with the chinese segment... now i still do phonics at home with her.. at jg, she hardly learns any phonics at all..but she really enjoys the chinese drama programme..(yuanyuan lao shi is v v good!!) the jg teachers are definitely more engaging than the gug teachers on the whole.. but guess it also depends on what you want the child to learn..
for my next child,i'd send to gug first to learn the phonics part and when he's mastered that and gets bored, will send to jg for the drama and chinese lessons which is v good..
just my personal take.. |
fushiastar (fushiastar)
Member
Username: fushiastar
Post Number: 1574
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 1:30 pm: |
|
By the way, anyone has any comment on the gug early reading and writing programme verses the jg one? ... |
Serenade (serenade)
Member
Username: serenade
Post Number: 804
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 5:21 pm: |
|
Hi missylan,
I would agree that some free play at the start of the lesson will help to settle the kids. But if everybody does not come on time, is the 20 minutes of free play then still necessary? Perhaps, 10 minutes would be enough for those who need time to settle and warm up? Or if the class seems ready, the teacher could perhaps shorten the free play and start the lesson? |
Serenade (serenade)
Member
Username: serenade
Post Number: 805
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 5:38 pm: |
|
Hi co11ectionz,
Thanks for sharing the info.
I don't see how the free play allows the kids to interact much. Rather, I feel some of the activities during the lessons help achieve more on team work. For instance, when asked to look for the letter "d", some of the kids will go searching for it and bring it back together (holding different corners of the paper). During free play, most kids are just engaged in the activities that interest them. There's not much interaction unless the adults take the lead to engage them, which is rather rare for my class.
Don't mind me for grousing on the free play. Just felt that the free play is pretty expensive and it's something my kids get to do (for free) everytime they visit the playgrounds. Also, there's the snack time and music time. All these would have been great if the quality of lessons has not been compromised.
Perhaps I should write in to JG about this since my gal is continuing for another term. |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
New member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 56
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 7:56 pm: |
|
Serenade,
Yes, yes, pls write in! ha ha... I heard many parents also complain about the 2 hr Engligh lesson has to be twice a week and not once a week. |
Debbie Goh (debbie_goh77)
New member
Username: debbie_goh77
Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 11:59 am: |
|
dear mommies,
i'm new in here.... can i noe wat is CH??? i noe GUG n JG. |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
New member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 57
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - 1:16 pm: |
|
CH = CHiltern House |
Mummy Lee (mummy_lee)
New member
Username: mummy_lee
Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2007
| | Posted on Friday, August 31, 2007 - 12:26 am: |
|
What about GUG? What does it stand for? |
Mummy Lee (mummy_lee)
New member
Username: mummy_lee
Post Number: 2
Registered: 8-2007
| | Posted on Friday, August 31, 2007 - 12:27 am: |
|
By the way, hi to everyone...Im a newbie. I read with interest about your comments on GUG...just don't know what tat is.. |
MTDT (mtdt)
Advanced Member
Username: mtdt
Post Number: 5165
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, August 31, 2007 - 1:10 am: |
|
http://www.gugifted.com/ |
poohy (poohy)
Advanced Member
Username: poohy
Post Number: 6474
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 31, 2007 - 10:20 am: |
|
Serenade,
thanx for sharing. I had also placed my boy on JG edudrama waiting list for nearly 2 terms liao so I gather he will soon be given a slot. For CH, the place became available the day we enquire so we just enrolled him. I am still trying to figure out whether its indeed adequate to just go for CH and drop the edudrama. |
Destinee (destinee)
New member
Username: destinee
Post Number: 78
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 31, 2007 - 11:45 am: |
|
Hi, what is the monthly/term fee for CH? My child is going to be 2 yrs old next Jan. Thinking of enrolling her there. |
poohy (poohy)
Advanced Member
Username: poohy
Post Number: 6475
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, August 31, 2007 - 12:04 pm: |
|
Destinee,
CH at crescent road half day morning is $840 before GST. Full day is $1640 before GST. Half day afternoon is $790 before GST.
Kindergarten Two fee is more exp by $75 for half day.
For the rest of the CH location, half day morning $820, half day noon $770, Full day $1620. All before GST. |
prissy (prissy_olive)
Junior Member
Username: prissy_olive
Post Number: 309
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 2:19 pm: |
|
Hi poohy
The fees are per month or per term (8 weeks or 10 weeks). Daily lessons?
Thanks for providing the details! |
Bluesea (bluesea2)
Member
Username: bluesea2
Post Number: 833
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 2:38 pm: |
|
Hi Fushiastar,
My girl is doing the Early reading and writing class at GUG. So far, she's shown very keen interest in the class. It taught zoophonics with some simple writing/tracing exercises. Well, I would say so far so gd for us, at least my daughter has shown an interest and looks forward to attending class. She also can recite her zoophonics of the alphabets taught to her so far. The teacher is also pretty gd and loving to the kids, IMO. HTHs.
Cant comment on JG as I didnt send my kids there. |
poohy (poohy)
Advanced Member
Username: poohy
Post Number: 6481
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 3:07 pm: |
|
prissy,
its per month. |
lilipit (lilipit)
Junior Member
Username: lilipit
Post Number: 219
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 3:27 pm: |
|
My son has been with JG for 2 terms; and overall he enjoys going to JG. When he first started, he was rather difficult to handle, always crying and wanting to be let out of the room. i think he took abt 5 weeks to adjust, and i am glad i did not give up. Now he simply enjoys class. Some of the things i did to help him adjust :-
- talk to him abt school when we are at home
- took pictures of him and his teachers and show the pics to him and talk to him abt them
- ensure he starts class on time - so that he has the full of free-play time to adjust himself to the teachers. When there are lesser children, the teachers can focus on him
He's been doing the walking abt thing in class for last term, and i will always make it a point to bring him back. This term, he is better
And this term, he started to be able to sing .. in the sense that he helps to compelte the phrase to each line of song i sing to him...all songs from JG class - he couldnt do this earlier on (he;s now 25 mths).
I like Tu-lao-shi and Pix.
As for asst teacher Zhang-lao-shi, that some mentioned earlier on, I tend to agree with the observations - she likes to 'grab' the kids to get their attention. Well, that's why she is asst. :-P
But overall, thumbs up and money's worth. |
jill (jillianl2004)
Junior Member
Username: jillianl2004
Post Number: 200
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 10:35 pm: |
|
Hello mommies,
Any comments on the different Chiltern House branches? Considering either Halifax or Turf City. |
Larkspur (larkspur)
Member
Username: larkspur
Post Number: 1482
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 11:40 am: |
|
Hi Bluesea,
my girl will be starting the Early reading and writing class in Jan cos has stopped her for this term since she has already known the zoo phonics by heart.
Will be starting in Jan and my boy who will be 13 months in jan next year will start the Parents and babes class |
winnie poh (winnie_the_pooh_mummy)
New member
Username: winnie_the_pooh_mummy
Post Number: 17
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 1:39 pm: |
|
Zoophonics or Montessori Phonics? which is better? how are they different? anyone pls share........ thanks!! |
Bluesea (bluesea2)
Member
Username: bluesea2
Post Number: 865
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 10:09 pm: |
|
Hi Larkspur,
Gd to see you here! My daughter has been for GUG for abt 6 mths. So far so gd. She enjoys the classes and I hv also sent my younger girl (2.5yo) there as well. However, recently, started to think abt sending my elder one to Lorna Whiston Speech & Drama. Still considering and shd confirm by this wkend.
I hv exceeded the withdrawal deadline at GUG by 2 days for my elder child.... anyone with experience with their admin staff? Will they really insist no refund of deposit?  Any way to persuade them? I dont mind it as a credit for my younger child as she will be continuing for 2-3 more terms at GUG. |
Celine (celwong)
Member
Username: celwong
Post Number: 607
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 8:46 am: |
|
Hi, mummies. I have also withdraw my son from GUG class, now still left about 4 lessons to go. Phew...
Just a thought, GUG seems quite good for smaller children, as my son has been attending Parent & Babe. Now attending Parent & Tot.
Parent & Babe - As children this age are mostly crawling so they can be more focused on the songs/ Stories times/ Art & Craft. My son love playing with the paints. My son is with the young indonesian chinese teacher, find her very good.
Parent & Tot - Tried the Biligual Class, cause thought that it is quite popular. Find that the class too rushed and the chinese segment is only singing chinese songs.
Switched over to the english one after only one lesson. My son started to roam around after the free play time and even give me my bag asking me to leave the class half way. Started to bang at the door to leave even. Think he is no longer keen at the syllabus.
The teachers for his class is quite good though, Teacher Ereen very expressive. I would stay with her if my son is more keen in the class.
Now letting my son trying out My Gym as he seems to have lots of energy. Also thinking of starting him at a montessori school where all the activities are in without me paying extra. |
Celine (celwong)
Member
Username: celwong
Post Number: 608
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 8:54 am: |
|
Hi, mummies. I have also withdraw my son from GUG class, now still left about 4 lessons to go. Phew...
Just a thought, GUG seems quite good for smaller children, as my son has been attending Parent & Babe. Now attending Parent & Tot.
Parent & Babe - As children this age are mostly crawling so they can be more focused on the songs/ Stories times/ Art & Craft. My son love playing with the paints. My son is with the young indonesian chinese teacher, find her very good.
Parent & Tot - Tried the Biligual Class, cause thought that it is quite popular. Find that the class too rushed and the chinese segment is only singing chinese songs.
Switched over to the english one after only one lesson. My son started to roam around after the free play time and even give me my bag asking me to leave the class half way. Started to bang at the door to leave even. Think he is no longer keen at the syllabus.
The teachers for his class is quite good though, Teacher Ereen very expressive. I would stay with her if my son is more keen in the class.
Now letting my son trying out My Gym as he seems to have lots of energy. Also thinking of starting him at a montessori school where all the activities are in without me paying extra. |
Larkspur (larkspur)
Member
Username: larkspur
Post Number: 1666
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 10:25 am: |
|
Hi Bluesea,
for the withdrawal, you must inform her before the term dateline if not, they will not refund you the deposit. Initially i wanted to withdraw my girl too and too miss the dateline, they told me my girl need to attend another term and inform them of the withdrawal. Anyway change my mind the last minute cos heard from friends that the early reading and writing class is very good cos some centres dun have letter tracing. Since i will enroll my son in the parents and babes class to learn the phonics too. Think wil probably withdraw my girl in 2009 to put her in I Can Read after she learns how to write |
Bluesea (bluesea2)
Member
Username: bluesea2
Post Number: 868
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 - 10:47 pm: |
|
Hi Lakspur,
Agree that the early reading and writing class is quite gd. That's what my elder girl is attending now. She totally enjoys the classes. Is your girl attending this also? Sekali same class??? hehe ... Now I would like to expose her to more of speech and drama as she's 4.5yo, hence will withdraw her and put her in Lorna Whiston instead next yr. |
Larkspur (larkspur)
Member
Username: larkspur
Post Number: 1678
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 1:54 pm: |
|
Hi Bluesea,
She will start the early reading and writing class in mid Jan cos the first 2 weeks will put her in the kids playclub to see if she can attend class by herself and if okay, will move her to early and writing in the morning from mid Jan onwards.
I think you mention you also live in sengkang right? |
Bluesea (bluesea2)
Member
Username: bluesea2
Post Number: 869
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 6:28 pm: |
|
Yes, me in sengkang!
I will be moving my younger one to Bilingual play club next Jan. Hope she dont scream for me when I leave the class. :p |
bbrooster (bbrooster)
Member
Username: bbrooster
Post Number: 1794
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, November 23, 2007 - 2:01 pm: |
|
Bluesea
My girl is also in GUG but doing her last term cos she will be going to a pre-nursery next year. May I know how old can they start the early reading and writing class? |
Larkspur (larkspur)
Member
Username: larkspur
Post Number: 1687
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 11:21 am: |
|
hi bbrooster,
they can start the early reading and writing class from 3 years onwards but provided that they must be independent enough to attend class themselve.
Bluesea,
oh your younger one is in Bilingual play club....i still stick to the english one |
Bluesea (bluesea2)
Member
Username: bluesea2
Post Number: 870
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 12:28 pm: |
|
Yes, from 3 yo onwards. I feel this class is quite gd for that age to learn zoophonics, letter tracing, matching things etc. Will move my younger one to this class when she hit 3.
Larkspur, I see. What kind of activities do kids do in I can Read? How's the fees like? |
Larkspur (larkspur)
Member
Username: larkspur
Post Number: 1690
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Monday, November 26, 2007 - 1:09 pm: |
|
Hi Bluesea,
what i heard from my friends are that they teach your child to read, learn spelling and pronuncation and there are phonics too. not very sure what phonics. Have been trying to call up the Sengkang branch but phone always engaged.
Fees not cheap but slightly cheaper than GUG cos my colleagues said they increase their prices too |
Bluesea (bluesea2)
Member
Username: bluesea2
Post Number: 873
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 8:58 am: |
|
Tks Larkspur for the info. Will see if my elder one likes Lorna Whiston.
By the way, hv u considered Kumon before? I hvt made any enquiries yet but heard this is quite a good programme too. |
Larkspur (larkspur)
Member
Username: larkspur
Post Number: 1705
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 9:04 am: |
|
have considered Kumon but heard very very stressed. May bring my girl for Mathematics at Kumon when she turned 4 years old. But think may stick with I Can Read for English cos my colleague says it is very good for his girl.But his is at woodlands not sure about the one in Sengkang though
you can let me know about lorna whiston if you enroll your girl. just want to know what it is like |
cristy (cristy)
Member
Username: cristy
Post Number: 566
Registered: 6-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 11:07 pm: |
|
my son and daughter are both with GUG,so far okay,but i heard the receptionist service really ridiculous....very very bad service,perhaps we can forward dis forumto the principle..hehe.. |
larkspur (larkspur)
Intermediate Member
Username: larkspur
Post Number: 3763
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 - 1:26 pm: |
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end of this year will be my girl last term cos have withdraw her and put her in another one nearer my house. for my son, i am thinking of withdrawing too cos i find the teacher quite impatient especially my son is the kind who cannot sit still and listen to story, concentrate on art work, likes to walk around pointing to the flash cards on the wall. I am actually quite unhappy with one of the teachers in his class as she is very impatient with him and scolded him and somemore tells me my son (2.9 months)lacking behind those younger than him and shake her head. The look she gives me is like y your son so slow?
I was very pissed off but i din say anything. I mean i send my son to learn and socialise. To me, it doesn't matter if he really behind cos he is still young and i do not want to stress him.
I am seriously considering to withdraw now |
Tinkerbell Lim (tinkerbell_lim)
Junior Member
Username: tinkerbell_lim
Post Number: 350
Registered: 4-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 11:24 am: |
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Hi mummies,
Can anyone share or remember the lyrics taught in GUG? I only remember the letter A..
A: Ally, alligator, "air" "air" "air"
B:
C:
D:
E:
F:
G:
H:
I:
J:
K:
L:
M:
N:
O:
P:
Q:
R:
S:
T:
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:
Anyone?
Thanks in advance! |
Eliz (star_eliz)
Advanced Member
Username: star_eliz
Post Number: 8429
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - 12:39 pm: |
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Hi,
Just my two cents worth:
My gal was with GUG for quite time. Just pulled her out as she's too young to go up to the next level but too bored with the present class she's attending.
So far I have no problems with the teachers or receptionists.
Especially Teacher Aze and Ash. My gal liked her teachers very much.
They did a great job laying the foundation for my gal to attend child care next yr.
By the way, my gal was about 20mths when she started with GUG |
Pam (mothers_dream)
New member
Username: mothers_dream
Post Number: 18
Registered: 8-2009
| | Posted on Sunday, December 13, 2009 - 8:54 am: |
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Same here! I also feel same about them laying foundation for my gals when they were real small. I think their gifted babes class is good but the gifted tots get boring after a while. I agree w the mummies here that the zoophonics is useless unless our kids carry on learning the word blending all the way till they can read. When the kids go other preschools, will learn phonics again (even if the kids already know zoophonics), so why bother! It is not like the preschools will excuse them if they have mastered it. My 2 cents worth lah.
I also tried JG at both Forum and Evans but I think the pace was also slow. In my experiences, they taught a Q one day, lesson 2, was the number 4 and lesson 3, the shape square etc.. just like that. totally haphazard! but teachers r enthusiastic, that is true. but i wish their content is stronger too. kids are like sponges, can learn so much more in that one hour, even if thru play and music etc... my gal n niece were bored to tears in the lessons most days. most pple i see are won over by their colorful classrooms and the fact they have expensive play toys.
the chinese prog is good though. And two of their teachers in forum come to class smelling like a cigarette!!!! that is most shocking! |
larkspur (larkspur)
Intermediate Member
Username: larkspur
Post Number: 3925
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 14, 2009 - 11:26 am: |
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I have withdrawn my son from GUG and next year 1st term will be the last term and i didn't give them the withdrawal notice in time.My son is more interested in the zoo flash card and he does not like the rest of the lessons. I have registered him for the zoo phonics class in serangoon starting next year so hopefully he can pick up the basic phonics.
Preschool does teach basic phonics like my girl nursery 2 childcare but just basic. next year K1 then started blending but my girl is already into 4 letter word blending in other enrichment class and moving on to spelling out the words by sounding. At least now she start to read simple books at 40 months and whenever she come across words she dunno how to read, she will use phonics blending to sound out the words. I feel somehow preschool does not teach in deptth phonics no matter branded or not. |
larkspur (larkspur)
Intermediate Member
Username: larkspur
Post Number: 3926
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Monday, December 14, 2009 - 11:35 am: |
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Forgot to mention one thing good about learning phonics and letter blending, it allows the child to pronounce a word properly. I used to read to my girl when she is younger and i never bother to pronounce properly words like this, there, three, fox and ended she pronunce all these words as tis, dare,tree, fog. it took me a while to correct the fox but all the TH sound cannot correct and i really regret . Luckily until she learn the 4 letter blending and now she pronounce all the TH sound without me having to remind her and it comes to her effortless not like me have to pronounce slowly |
Nicole Lee (nicole_lee)
New member
Username: nicole_lee
Post Number: 5
Registered: 5-2009
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 - 2:35 pm: |
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Ya, 2 yrs ago I think GUG's admin service not so good (as the date of posts here also show). But since then they seem to have changed to all new staff. They are alot more friendly and helpful now, no complaints so far! Agree with Pam that Julia Gabriel's content rather slow and not strong enough. Personally I was frustrated bcos my son was bored and not being challenged enough. So I took him out after 2 terms and put him in GUG. That was when he was 1.5 yrs old. Must say GUG curriculum is much stronger in learning and not just play. I was told difference is JG curriculum done by their teachers, whereas GUG's done by curriculum experts. Now my son already in GUG kindy and we're amazed how much the kids really learn! They teach blending starting from Gifted Tots level and he could read story books before even going to N1! GUG helped develop a love for reading at v young age, and we're v grateful and impressed. He's also confident, happy and looks fwd to going to school everyday! So my 2 cents worth is that GUG programme really works if you stick with it. |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
Member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 1552
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 11:54 am: |
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Hi Nicole,
Your son is now with GUG Kindy? K1? How is the kindy? Is it good? |
don (donroxx)
Junior Member
Username: donroxx
Post Number: 429
Registered: 5-2009
| | Posted on Saturday, April 17, 2010 - 1:50 pm: |
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My boy is in gifted babes. we are pleased with his progression and the program by GuG. We are considering putting him to kiddy at gug when he is old enough. Any one has children who attended the kiddy program? What is your experience and do you think the things they learn at gug reduces the learning curve at pri sch? |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
Member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 1599
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 9:45 am: |
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Kindy and the enrichment programs are very different. |
bbee (bbee)
Intermediate Member
Username: bbee
Post Number: 3756
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 6:14 pm: |
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Need some advice. I just withdrew my 27 month old son from Zoophonics' toddler class. I'm considering putting him in GUG's Gifted Tots program as i heard the quality of lessons are better there. One of my concerns is, my son has mastered the zoophonics alphabets signals (his Zoophonics toddler class only taught them sounds of a-z with the animals, not yet the alphabets without the animals). I wish to know what's covered for the phonics part in GUG's Gifted Tots program? Do they cover the alphabets without the animals, and move beyond that to blending? thanks for all advice. |
co11ectionz (co11ectionz)
Member
Username: co11ectionz
Post Number: 1640
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Monday, August 16, 2010 - 5:43 pm: |
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Hi bbee, tots class teaches the alphabets with the animals. They also have sandpaper fingering and this is without the animals. HTH! |
BJY (moonyuki)
Member
Username: moonyuki
Post Number: 823
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010 - 5:14 pm: |
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Hi Mummies
I am thinking of putting my boy whom is currently 17months at GUG.
But i couldnt decide whether to put him in US or Mountbatten.
I was told that US the class room is old n small.
I went for their trial at Mountbatten and i am kind of impress by how they teach. The room is clean n new.. But i notice this fat teacher quite rude to the parents..
Need advise... |
Nicole Lee (nicole_lee)
New member
Username: nicole_lee
Post Number: 10
Registered: 5-2009
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 3:05 pm: |
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Co11ectionz and Don: Both my kids now in GUG kindy. No complaints cos they love their classes and teachers. DH and I did check out other kindys and childcares and decided to stay with GUG cos their kindy programme is really strong. Their curriculum definitely prepares kids for Primary schooling. Not just academically, but also how to analyze and think out of the box. I like that they cover all kinds of interesting topics and teach thru fun and creativity. They even have current affairs to discuss latest news happenings! *Sigh* wish I had this sort of schooling when I were young.. lol! Fyi My friend's DD graduated K2 from GUG last yr and she said they prepared her so well that she already knows practically everything taught in class this yr! She thinks GUG's K1/K2 is equivalent to waht is K2/P1 standards elsewhere. Which so far I agree. |
Pam (mothers_dream)
New member
Username: mothers_dream
Post Number: 34
Registered: 8-2009
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 5:31 pm: |
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Nicole, i know what you mean about "I wish I had this sort of schooling when I was young." LOL
My gal, niece and a few good friends' kids are in another enrichment very close to GUG called From Tiny Acorns lapbooking classes (www.from-tiny-acorns.com) which covers very interesting topics and advanced materials and trains the kids for critical thinking and problem solving skills. Highly recommend for those who are looking for more than just the typical learning to read and Maths program!
Every week when I look my gal's lapbook, I am so happy that I found this class.The teacher prepares a list of questions too for the kids to bring home so parents who want to reinforce and review can do so. Most require analytical and good thinking skills. I obviously don't have lah! But luckily, my gal got. Haha! Nowadays, schooling is not about just content but must have good thinking skills. So thank goodness for these fantastic enrichment programes. Exposure is so important! |
zenn (zenn)
Advanced Member
Username: zenn
Post Number: 8171
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Friday, December 03, 2010 - 2:04 am: |
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Hi Nicole,
Any feedback on GUG Literacy in Action? Understand it's a consists of early reading & writing + speech & drama in 1hr 45min lesson. Wonder how effective it is. |
Mrs Chua (mylovelygirls)
New member
Username: mylovelygirls
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2010
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 - 11:36 am: |
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Wow, there is a lot of things to read here I have tried GUG and JG and really, nothing to scream about. I really dont care abt the admin staff but pay great attention to the teacher and the environment.
I send my two girls to Colourful Hearts. Its founded by a former teacher there for 13 years and its quality education but affordable. I also watch my daughters reaction to any centre for for this place, they will run and scream the teachers name in great fun! So its all good and I am happy.
www.colourfulhearts.com |
googlez82 (googlez82)
New member
Username: googlez82
Post Number: 59
Registered: 5-2012
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 01, 2012 - 2:47 pm: |
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Hi all,
Is this thread still alive? I was just googling GUG and came across this? Come think of it, your babies shld be 7yo in P1 this yr?! I find this amazing how your conver 7 yr ago can be found by me, a 2012 mummy.
If anyone of u still checks this thread, has branded CC really done your kid good?
TIA
*wonders of internet* |
rosnyus (rosnyus)
Advanced Member
Username: rosnyus
Post Number: 8233
Registered: 6-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2012 - 7:58 am: |
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how much are the fees? |
Year 2005 Mums