Sunshine House International - the Peak

[Cinabon]

My son started attending attending the Mother Goose Class (for Toddlers) at sunshinie House the Peak campus since Sept 2009. I like the schoo curriculum very much but I am just so disappointed at the high staff turnover - first the teacher who used to teach the toddlers class left and a new teacher was hired for term 1 (Sep09) and 2 weeks after the start of the term, they moved her to another class and hired a new one - which turned out not working and they had to replaced her after 3 weeks. This one turned out to be very good and all the children liked her but she resigned after term 1 and now we got another teacher - whom personally I feel not as good as the previous one and the children are not thrilled to see her and had little or no response in the class. Just within 4 months , we had 3 new teachers !!! It's just not good for the children.
Though I really like their program and the things they teach there, I am seriously thinking of withdrewing my son from the class and I am thinking of applying to either Highgate, Woodland or Tutortime .

I would really appreciate if anyone can give me some advise as to which of these 3 have the curriculum similar to Sunshine or they are all similar. Also which campus would you recommend ?

[Portia]

Cinabon
My LO has been to both Sunshine House playgroup and Highgate House playgroup. The curriculum is completely different. Highgate House has a Waldorf Steiner approach so you won't find any emphasis on formal learning like at Sunshine House. You should try to visit Highgate House if you want to find out more.

[Neha]

Cinabon

That has been big issue with Sunshine in general- high turnover of teachers. One of the reasons that we didnt put our son there.

[Cinabon]

Portia
thanks how did you find both ? Just wanted to get an idea of what to expect as sometimes even if you go and pay a visit, this is still so superficial. It's so hard to find a good playgroup.
I was hoping to find a place where he will attend playgroup, then pre-nursery and kindergarten...I don't like to idea of switching around every now and then. Is this a realistic expectation ? Sorry for so many question as I really desperate to get him out of Sunshine.

[Portia]

My LO attended the playgroup and is now in the kindergarten at Highgate. For 2 years olds, there is a choice of nursery (attend alone) or accompanied playgroup. He can stay at Highgate until he starts primary school.

I liked certain things better about Sunshine House, eg the Mandarin teaching. But I had to move my LO as he was definitely not ready to attend nursery alone at 2 years (give or take a few months) which is essentially a requirement at Sunshine House. The Waldorf Steiner approach is quite different so you need to think if Highgate House is for your child. There is no formal teaching of alphabet or phonics or numbers or Mandarin, so some parents may rule it out as insufficient preparation for primary school. It is a very gentle introduction to pre-school, with a lot of emphasis on play and socialisation.

[Cinabon]

Portia

thanks very much !

[Melody97]

Does anyone have any information about the music programme at Highgate House HK? The website says they do music and movement but no other details. How does the music teaching there differ from other kindergartens in the region? Please offer your thoughts and any information. I would like to nuture my daughter's musical talent. She is showing interest in music already! She is 3 years old.

Thanks!

[instantnoodle]

My daughter goes to Highgate and they do lots of songs and my daughter loves it. The school prints the lyrics on the handbook which returns to the parents once a week.