Well, currently my kids and I are busy adjusting to this new kindy and I thought I might share some researches and opinion in kindergarten searching. I believe new mums and dads are quite concern now, since we only have few kids and more demanding. So, last month had been a busy month visiting and surveying the kindergartens around Bandar Utama, Mutiara Damansara and Taman Tun Dr Ismail, and I had also listed a few criterias:-
1) Location and neighbourhood - good accessibility
2) Building Site and Facilities - well kept
3) Programme and Cost - Interesting (not conventional type)
Finally I had shortlisted 3 kindergartens:-
1) Peter and Jane at Mutiara Damansara http://www.musikgarten.biz/AMC_PeternJane.htm
A very impressive site but slightly congested on accessibility. Anyway parking is easy and this specially built kindergarten is rather friendly for pick-up/drop-off. Security is good as the main office is located exactly at the entrance and the entrance is quite control.
The staffs were friendly and actually brought us around the kindy. There's definately a lot of children and the open concept classrooms make the whole interiors happening. Teaching aids which applied montessary system was neatly arranged and appeared aplenty.
I quite like the atmosphere but the prices are definately very pricey. For a half day session, it cost nearly RM600 per month for just the tuition fees. Mandarin is only introduced in K1 (5 years old) and for additional mandarin, there will be 2/3 sessions a week (the fees is nearly RM800). These exclude trips, art material, uniform, lunch etc.
2) Fungates at Mutiara Damansara
I heard a lot of good feedbacks on fungates kindy since it was established by a Malaysian and it definately meets the needs of our cultures here. However, the location and site of this kindy is quite small - 3 and 4 years old at a corner linkhouse while the 5 and 6 years at the shoplots. Those kids who go for daycare will be transported to the linkhouse in the afternoon session.
Programme was quite interesting with a lot of different exploration and it has its own inhouse materials. Children will be exposed to some Christian songs and story which me and my husband was quite reluctant on this matter. Fees are cheep, at approximately RM300++ per month for half-day. Mandarin is taught in 4 years old classes and quite detail. Will actually considered this if not for the facilities and the Christian Song and stories.
3) Diyana, Taman Tun Dr Ismail
This is the biggest and most established kindy. Overall it look like a mini school which I guest my kids will not have problem to adjust to primary school environment. It has a big field, cafe, library, computer center, science corner, garden etc. The classrooms are separated but a little disdvantages as it is quite scattered and can get lost if you are not familiar as the compound is too big. I am quite worried of this especially on security issues.
The programme is montessori cum thematic which I think was quite fine. Teachers appeared friendly and there's really a lot of staffs helping out especially during the first week (both my kids are there now). The fees are slightly expensive but still I find it cheaper than P&J. What attracts us is basically a full Mandarin lesson in the afternoon.After enrolling for a week, I noticed that one of the main issue is the traffic to the site. Rather difficult as parents had to park and bring the children to their respective classrooms. But on the positive aspect, parents get to meet with the teacher direcly everyday!
Parents can check up the website at http://www.tadikadiyana.com.my/.
