Visit to Honey Tree

The day before and yesterday, Mummy and Yi Yi went to visit Honey Tree @ Siglap & Bedok. The centre at Siglap is nearer to Ah Ma House. Ah Ma can walk to the centre to pick Janelle in the evening if Janelle is enrolled there. But Mummy and Yi Yi felt that the centre seems to be a bit small. Mummy and Yi Yi was thinking how can they accomodate 8 toddlers in 1 room! But hygiene was generally good. Mummy was thinking that maybe the timing during the visit @ about 5pm+, the cleaners had already cleaned up and disinfected the place.

Mummy asked the principal whether phonics lesson is conducted in this centre. The principal mentioned that phonics is conducted as an enrichment class, meaning that parents got to pay an extra $50 every month in order for the toddler to attend the lesson once every week. Phonics will only be introduced in Nursery 2. Mummy felt that it might seems a bit too late. The teacher ratio to children in Honey Tree is 1:8. Wow, Mummy felt that it's a bit too high. Mummy wants teacher ratio to children of at least 1:6. Mummy thinks that Janelle needs more attention as Mummy decided to enroll Janelle once Janelle reach 18 months old.

The curriculum provided by Honey Tree is as follows:
Playgroup & Nursery One
(18 Months to 3 Years)
- Language Immersion (English & Mandarin)
- Moral Values
- Story Time
- Nursery Rhymes
- Sensory Experiences
- Art & Craft
- Dramatization
- Indoor Exercises
- Outdoor Activities
- Music & Movement
- Water Play
- Dough Play

The fee at Honey Tree is cheaper than Zee Juniors alot. But the issue is the curriculum is total different. Mummy mentioned that will visit another 2-3 more centres to know more details and make the final decision. But Daddy and Yi Yi said that seems like 80% Mummy wants Janelle to be enroll into Zee Juniors. Haha. Well, there are alot of factors that Mummy has to consider. If Janelle goes to Zee Juniors, Mummy doesn't have to worry too much about Janelle being ill-treat by teachers etc as Sharon Yi Yi is there. If Janelle is attending school at Zee Juniors, Mummy don't need to spend extra money on bus transport as either Sharon Yi Yi or Small Grand Auntie/Uncle can help to send Janelle back to Ah Ma house after class.

Mummy knew that Zee Juniors fee is still the most expensive compared with the others child care centre that Mummy had shortlisted. But if Mummy find that the curriculum at other child care centre such as Our Junior Schoolhouse is good, the bus transport and fee along might cost almost the same as the fee of Zee Juniors!

Well, Mummy had arranged to visit Capre Diem @ Bedok Reservior, Our Junior Schoolhouse @ Simpang Bedok and Zee Juniors @ Dunman Road on next week! After next week, Mummy will do her firm evaluation on the child care centre that Janelle will be enrolled.