montessori versus traditional prep school

S

shahirakk

Registered User
started looking at schools and been really impressed with woodlands group - I wonder what you all think about montessori versus traditional methods of teaching? Have any of you got children going to 98 Repulse Bay, Repulse Bay/Tai Tam montessoris and what do you think about these places. Be really eager to hear your experiences WARTS and all!!!

Then, how do you decide on schools/ when is a good time to start getting yoru child's name down?

Be really useful to hear your ideas on this
 
My little guy started at a Montessori playgroup at around 2, and we moved him to ESF kindy at 3.5. IMO, I don't see a difference in the method of teaching between the two. Most pre-schools have adopted a "learning through play" curriculum. Also have a look at Tutor Time in Tai Tam.
 
My son went to Woodlands Montessori at 98 Repulse Bay for a few months last year, and took the bus to-from school. We chose it because it was close to our house and offered English/Putonghua. In reality, DS's Putonghua was much more advanced than the other students, and the Putonghua-speaking teacher, while pleasant was not the lead teacher so DS did not get much reinforcement of his language skills. But that is not the complaint.

His class had only 12 or so students and 4 teachers; in theory this is excellent. In reality, he came home three times with a cut lip, bruises or scratches, and although I asked the bus monitors (in person), and the teachers, no one was able to explain what happened. While I accept children have accidents and certainly don't blame anyone for that, I do expect that the adults in charge be somewhat aware of what the children are up to.

I visited and spent the better part of a morning with the class and saw that although there were four teachers, they could not even direct the children to the tables for special snacks. There were sharp voices and snatching (by the teacher!) DS was in a Montessori centre before we came to Hong Kong with a higher student:teacher ratio but a much more organised and calm environment. On the whole, I believe the philosophy is good, but what I have learned is not all Montessori classrooms are the same, and it depends very much on the teacher, much more so than in a 'traditional' classroom.

Also, a number of times, on other matters, I called and left messages that were not returned. We moved DS to a different, traditional school that is much more professionally run. To top it all off, it has been over a year, and Woodlands still owe us money.

YMMV
 
My daughter was in Woodland (Happy Valley) over the last summer school. The administrative part was screwed up i.e. you don't get notified on the school bus schedule until the very lastminuste before u start school, return call was always overdue and like lkho said if they owe you money (big or small) it will take forever to get it back.

The homeroom teacher was great but eventually she left for holiday after 2 weeks of teaching... Anyway, my DD didn't like that school so we continue her in the local school. Anyway, just some bad experience that I and my friend had encountered over the last summer.
 
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i had a trial session of playgroup at woodland montessori repulse bay when JY was 12 mths. the teacher was snappy & not very nice & didn't like the child roaming around at cirlce time, she said, "it's be easier for all of us if you hold her". i thought it was JY's first time in a new environment i'd rather let her explore & not force her with circle time. so i never went back. and then although we were suppose to take of our shoes in that area, the school staff was walking around the play area on in shoes.
 
Montessori is fairly well implemented in all good early childhood setting's these days. Most places talk about using the Montessori Method in thier parent blurb! A friend of mine in Australia had an issue whereby the Montessori school she had her son at for three years, did not have a propper montessori trained teacher. If teacher's are snapping and asking you to restain your child during circle time, I would seriously question qualifications to ensure you are getting the Montessori education that you are supposedly paying for! Unfortunately titles get splashed on things to make them seem better than they really are sometimes, the precise same thing is happening with all the schools jumping on the IB bandwagon at present. They use the words because it makes them look pro active and they can get more dollars for them!
 
Lkho,

We had a similar experience. My son was at a small Montessori playgroup, with only six kids. The teacher told me he wasn't socializing w/others and also gave me a list of things he wasn't able to do (which I knew he could) cos he asked for help. Later realised he was being bullied and the other kids were leaving him out. Hence, he was often found playing on his own. And when he asked for help, he may just have needed a bit of attention or someone to talk to.

Anyway, the whole experience was an eye-opener. Now I know, I should trust my own instincts.
 
iklho - would you mind if I PM you? Interesting to hear about the bilingual not making that much difference - is there enough bilingual? Has anyone got any experience of the TAI TAM woodlands school. I know it is fairly new but really liked the lead teacher there.
 
Hi

Anyone has any experience with the International Montessori at Wanchai? Understand that they have eng/putonghua, so planning to send my girl when she 3yr old.

Tks,
 
i have a friend who put her 3 yr old at the Woodlands in Tai Tam and she said it was HORRIBLE! the teacher clearly had no patience and many a times my friend would pop in 5-10 mins earlier than his pick up time so she cud stay outside the class and observe him and she said the teacher was rude and snappy! she even complained to the principal abt it and was shocked that the response she got to that was 'i know, we hv recd that compaint b4 and we r working on it.' she pulled her son out immidiately. cos it was clear they had no interest and just wanted to make money! she had the same issue of them owing her money after repeated reminders she called them one day and threatened to file legal action and she got her cheque in one week!!!

not sure why they have become so uninterested in the system. maybe all they r really interested is the money making aspect cos its clearly not cheap!!!!
 
schools - esf / similar

:alien: that sounds awful - I have been on hols so not had a chance to check the messages here. I have heard better things about 98 Repulse Bay so may stick with that & do the mandarin separately.Wha are others doing?

Has anyone got any ideas about schools - would like to follow british system.Which are the best esfs? I know you have to go to the one in your area but has anyone got experiences to share.
 
just thought I would do an update. Very happy with 98 Repulse Bay for the playgroup but son is now ready for stepping stones class but I have some reservations. I really want to do a morning class as this works better for my son. The nearest place is Woodlands Tai Tam. Anyone got children in the stepping stones class/ anywhere not too far away from The Repulse Bay that they are happy with. Being in playgroup is one thing but am quite anxious about leaving my 2 year old and want him to get one-on-one time with the teacher. Additionally, as he is just starting to say words I do want him to be interacting with someone whose English is clear and precise. Any ideas gratefully received.
 
if you are having a problem getting moneys owed to you, threaten to contact the education dept. and take legal action. they could get into serious trouble for not refunding what is due to you.
 
woodland Tai Tam

I have very good experiences with the woodland montessori tai tam. My youngest son is in steppingstones (will be going to pre-school in Jan.) and my oldest son is in pre-school. At first they weren both going to the Sunshine House but that was a disaster. I still don't know why my son hated it so much. Maybe the fact he had homework at age 3,3 years did not help. And the fact there is more learning and less playing in that school. Anyway we were at a point that my son was crying every day, not wanting to go to school and my youngest son did not like the playgroup so I had to carry him in the school cause he refused to go in by himself. Then in the middele of the year I moved them both to Woodland Montessori Tai Tam. What a difference! They are both very happy to go to school.
The teachers are nice and the headteacher is always open for anything. For instance: they really look at the child when it is ready to go to stepping stones or pre-school. My son is almost 3 years and still he is in stepping stones because he is not ready for pre-school. Other kids are 2,5 when they start pre-school, it reallly depents on the child rather then age.

Anyway, if you have anymore questions I am happy to answer them.
 
Oh regarding lanquage; the steppingstones teacher was american but now there is a new teacher and she is Italian. So not native english speaking. If you want more one on one time then I suggest you do the 11-13 class since that is a small class (around 4 children). Morning class is more popular around 10 children. I started with my son in the 11 am class because of the size of the class. After a few months I transferred him to the morning class.
 
Woodlands?

We just moved from the US where my 19-month old son was involved with lots of classes at different venues. Now in Hong Kong I understand that a formal playgroup is a good way to go to prepare them for preschool. Douglas is very social, loves to play, knows his colors, numbers, and letters, and right now really misses interacting with other kids. We move into our new apartment in Pokfulam at Bel-Air in a few weeks. I have heard good things about the Woodlands playgroups, but the best one seems to be in Repulse Bay (Tai Tam sounds good too, but a little too far). Would anyone at this time recommend the Woodlands Repulse Bay (not Montessori one) or should I try something in Pokfulam? I appreciate any advice!
 
you could try the Woodlands Montessori in Mid-Levels (Caine Rd), my 3yr old attends the pre-school and loves it. They have playgroup for 18mth plus.
 
NYCMom - heard from a Belair Mom that a number of kids go to Sunshine House in Pok Fu Lam. Also worth a visit.
 
Woodland Montessori in Tai Tam

met_74 said:
I have very good experiences with the woodland montessori tai tam. My youngest son is in steppingstones (will be going to pre-school in Jan.) and my oldest son is in pre-school. At first they weren both going to the Sunshine House but that was a disaster. I still don't know why my son hated it so much. Maybe the fact he had homework at age 3,3 years did not help. And the fact there is more learning and less playing in that school. Anyway we were at a point that my son was crying every day, not wanting to go to school and my youngest son did not like the playgroup so I had to carry him in the school cause he refused to go in by himself. Then in the middele of the year I moved them both to Woodland Montessori Tai Tam. What a difference! They are both very happy to go to school.
The teachers are nice and the headteacher is always open for anything. For instance: they really look at the child when it is ready to go to stepping stones or pre-school. My son is almost 3 years and still he is in stepping stones because he is not ready for pre-school. Other kids are 2,5 when they start pre-school, it reallly depents on the child rather then age.

Anyway, if you have anymore questions I am happy to answer them.
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I am thinking about moving my 3-year old from the Montessori School for Children in STanley to the Woodlands MOntessori school in Tai Tam/Redhill Plaza.
What are you thoughts on it now?
Have they changed?
It's now 2008 and I had a tour recently and the facility is new and nice, the space on rooftop is great for running around, however, I am hesitant as the reviews and rumors around town have really made the woodlands group a scare! They are also very expensive and seemed a bit money-oriented? You even have to pay for the summer when you are not here? Wow!
20 kids with 2 teachers and need to be potty-trained? My little one is about 75% there in the daytime.
The ratio seems high and the teachers seem okay, however, a bit strict and high maintenance. I can't see them soil their hands even once to change a soiled underwear (i.e.).
Do they truly get enough Mandarin to make a difference?
What about the statements on children being neglected by the teacher etc?
Thanks I appreciate your candid comments!
 
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