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Living overseas

Singapore nursery advice

9 replies

Kingyfam · 20/03/2012 10:31

Hello

My family and I are moving to singapore for a couple of years. I've spent ages looking for nurseries online which I'm finding hard not only as don't know what area to live in but also because I love his nursery here in the uk. He goes to montessori nursery here but i seem to be getting mixed reviews on them in singapore. Any advice on this would be greatly received and recommendation either montessori (or other). I love the montessori style of teaching and it has been wonderful for my ds who is 3.5 & wanted to continue it for him and my dd when then times is right as she is only 1 but if not the best thing then open to other things.

My dh and I are currently in discussions(!!!!!) about when to come as we have been told its up to us. I want to leave after end of school year here which is july but he Is saying june. Is there any +'s or -'s for each that you can think of? Does it matter if he starts in the middle of school term? Do places normally allow this? This whole move to Singapore has been a long drawn out process (6months to be exact) and has been stressful and emotional being in limbo. I would just like some time here with friends and family and for my ds to finish of his year at nursery.

So many questions sorry.

Xxxx

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laptopwieldingharpy · 20/03/2012 12:01

Singapore school terms are different in Singapore.
There is a term commencing end of june running through to end August.
Next term starts mid-september.

Most nurseries will follow that calendar with intakes anytime depending on availability.

Fewer run along the International school holidays and that's were places are tight.
what are you looking for?
A pre-prep style feeder for international school or any nursery even local ones.

Its really really hard to point you in the right direction if you do not know where you are going to live.

Do you have a relocation agent?

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laptopwieldingharpy · 20/03/2012 12:12

Singapore school terms are different in Singapore.
There is a term commencing end of june running through to end August.
Next term starts mid-september.

Most nurseries will follow that calendar with intakes anytime depending on availability.

Fewer run along the International school holidays and that's were places are tight.
what are you looking for?
A pre-prep style feeder for international school or any nursery even local ones.

Its really really hard to point you in the right direction if you do not know where you are going to live.

Do you have a relocation agent?

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papooshka · 20/03/2012 13:02

I can give you a few names of where my kids go and where friends kids go but like laptop says above its difficult if you are not sure where u will be living.

My kids nursery is actually full time in that they only shut at Xmas for 2 weeks but you can choose half days, 3/4 days or full days and also go for 2,3,4 or 5 days.

Others will only accept 5 mornings for example.

Here are a few names anyway

The Children's Place (my kids go)
Preparatory place
White lodge
Eton house
Pats schoolhouse
Blue house nursery

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Kingyfam · 20/03/2012 14:32

Thanks for nursery tips. I'm presuming friends are happy with where their kids go.
We like the look of these areas but again I'm open to any advice or recommendations
Tanglin/Holland/Bukit Timah Area & east coast area. Got this info of a website.

Just looking for a nursery. Doesn't have to part of an international school as to be honest I don't think we will be around for when ds starts primary as I don't think unless get good pay rise we will be able to afford it.

As far as I know don't have a relocation agent but haven't heard from hr yet with regards to what happens next so may do.

Do you guys like it there? Easy to make friends?

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papooshka · 21/03/2012 11:57

It's a great place to live and yes easy to meet people as there are so many expats, lots of sahm's so lots of playdates etc.

We've been here years and yes love it but still miss family and friends loads.

Have a look back at the threads cos there are quite a few about living in Sing and the pro's and con's.

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picklesrule · 21/03/2012 12:10

As mentioned above many of the places run to different timetables. My daughters current preschool has 4 terms other have 3 and holiday dates seem to vary a fair bit. I wouldn't worry about starting in the middle of a term I think that happens a fair bit here as people come and go frequently..
Your best bet is to wait until you've found your preferred area as traffic is bad at school run times so you don't want to be trekking too far!
We live off orchard abd love being so central but there are loads of nice places. Holland is lovely v expat friendly and I have a lot of friends in serangoon where you definately get more for your money. Some friends in lovely condos on west coast too. Don't know about easy coast sorry..

Lots of friendly people here and good playgroups have a look on meetup.com search for Singapore and toddlers or similar there are tons of meets going on all the time..
Good luck!

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Kingyfam · 21/03/2012 21:27

Thanks for all the tips all really helpful my dh & now just have to agree on when we leave the uk. I'm sure I will be back again to ask more questions soon.

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Ukmum77 · 24/06/2013 20:51

Hi

I realise this is about a year later in the chain of conversation, but new to this and don't know how to start new chain!

Me and my family are moving to Sinapore from London in September and we have a 4 yr old and 20 month. Just looking for preschools for 4yr old before hopefully starting one of the international schools next year. Does anyone have any recommendations please? I have been looking at the following:

Swallows and Amazons (on first appearance looks very tempting, though not visited)

Blue House (visited it and lovely, however not entirely convinced by the child led teaching, but probably most promising in layout etc)

Little Oaks (recommended to us however having difficulty getting through to them)

Preparatory Place - just found it, along with White Lodge and Odessey.

Again, REALLY grateful for any advice as it is a minefield out there :-)

Thanks v much!

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butterfliesinmytummy · 25/06/2013 06:53

Blue House! My dd went there (changed from another nursery that's not on your list). I know the British lady who runs it - she set it up because she couldn't find anywhere she wanted to send her own kids to (she has childcare / parenting advisory background). It's more expensive than other schools but we loved the child-led teaching.

Example: The 3 year olds wanted to have a fish tank in their class. Teacher asked how they could get hold of one.
Kids said "buy one".
Teacher said "how?".
Kids said "with money".
Teacher said "how do we get money?".
Kids said "sell stuff".
Teacher said "what stuff?"
They ended up setting up a pop up cafe, mums donated cupcakes and cookies, kids made some in class too, school donated milk, we all visited the "Fish Cafe" at pick up time and they raised enough money for their fish tank through their own ideas and discussions.

My dd's classmate went to the aquarium and they all ended up making a 3m long shark out of papier mache and chicken wire based on a postcard that was brought into school, because the children wanted to. The children are all totally engaged because they instigate the learning so all have buy in. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Everyone has a favourite though, I know one family very happy with Swallows and Amazons, another that goes to Pibo's etc

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