DMK or Sunshine House Kindergarten in Discovery Bay?

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cathryn

Registered User
I am moving to DB in May so I am now trying to decide which kindergarten to sign my son up to. It is between DMK or Sunshine House. I am leaning towards Sunshine House just because they can offer me morning sessions which I would prefer.

But if anyone can tell me any good and bad points on both, any experiences you have had that would be great.

Thanks alot
 
Hi Cathryn. Welcome to DB!!! My son is going to dmk in sep. The reason that we chose dmk is they offer bilingual class(eng&mandarin 50/50) while sunshine house only has 20 mins per day mandarin time. Also heard from my friends that dmk more focus on the knowledge learning than sunshine house. As well, when we visited these two places , we had better feeling in dmk than the other one. So we chose dmk although only pm.
Hope this would help you somehow. Good luck !!
Joyce
 
Sunshine House always has problems with staff turnover - and while this is endemic in HK KG classes, I would suggest you find out how long each staff member has been at that particular campus.
Also, the fact that Sunshine House can give you am classes should tell you something - that DMK is more in demand.
I would second everything the PP said: I would go for DMK.
 
I have no experience with DB but my oldest went to Sunshine elsewhere (I wanted primarily English for her) and just wanted to say that Sunshine seems to have good relationships with ESF if that would matter to you. Not sure if it's the same at DB. Also no major staff issues at our school. Still same teachers in my daughters old class 2-3 years later. Very smooth transition into ESF (very well prepared).
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My son is going to DMK in August. He is at the DMK Playgroup and I really like their teaching style and structure. Have done the tour at DMK kindy and looks ok (Coastline location a bit incovenient for us but they have a bus). They do have a reputation for being more academic which is a downside for me with kids this young (just want them to have fun) so will have to see how it does but am happy with our choice at this stage.
 
Thanks everyone for your comments and although DMK does seem like it might be better I just dont think I can do it to my son at the moment, he still needs a sleep every day and I would just feel guilty taking that away from him. So I think I will start him at Sunshine and then maybe change him later on when he isnt needing the sleep so much.
 
I can completely understand. I was hanging out for a morning class too as my son still has a lunchtime nap. Have you tried the new Montessori school at DB North? They may still have a morning class free. I was not keen on the style for my son when he was 2.5 (I wanted him to have cars and toys to play with - not just wooden puzzles) but would probably be ok for an older child of kindy age.
 
Have had children at both Sunshine House and DMK. WE initially chose Sunshine House when moved to DB 2 years ago as had attended in Pokfulam and it was excellent. However in DB was awful. Huge classes, high turn over of teaching staff (my 3 year old had 3 different teachers and 3 different support teachers in 9 months!!) as well as children. Neither boy enjoyed the environment or experience and we switched them to DMK biligual initially in afternoon and then in mornings. Much happier. Is quiet environment, same staff, smaller classes with less changes in students. Academically is much stronger as were well behind coming from Sunshune House. Always had the feeling at Sunshine that was about money rather than kids. My eldest now in K3 as no P1 school place and have option for P2 as well which is a P1/P2 standard British curriculum unlike Sunshine House. Would strongly recommend DMK once you have a place compatible with sleeping. You could keep him on the morning waiting list at DMK just in case.
 
Starbucks - I did consider it, but my son is not yet 3 either. Plus when we move to DB this weekend we are moving to Serene which meant Sunshine was alot more convenient or if not there then DMK. When I went to view DMK and Sunshine I found them both to be pretty academic, in classroom like situations which is very different to back in the UK where there were lots of toys and it was generally about playing.

Anyway he will start next week so I'll just see how it goes, fingers crossed he will like it. When I asked him which one he preferred he said Sunshine, I said why and he said because they were having snacks!! Typical its all about the food!

It would be great to meet up for a coffee now that we are moving there (not sure if you remember me but you have helped in several matters on where to live, what schools etc etc!)

x
 
Hi Walnut,
Thanks for the info, you have definitely make me re-think and I am not happy with him having changes of teachers constantly as my son is shy initially so takes him a while to get to know people. I am going to ask them if he can go on a wait list for mornings and if not maybe he could start the next term (which I presume will be next Jan) rather than this August, by which time he will be coming up to 4 in the May so fingers crossed he wont need the sleep so much.

I just know what he is like when he hasn't slept, he doesn't listen, wont do what I say, is very stubborn and will eventually just crash out wherever he is, so i don't want him to be like that at the kindergarten.

Only downside doing this is that he will probably get used to Sunshine and I'll take him out plus I'll have to buy the uniform for only 1 term!
 
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
 
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
 
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
 
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
 
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
 
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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
 
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