DMK vs DMS
- 09-28-2016, 12:34 PM #1Registered User
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DMK vs DMS
Hello!
I would like to read some opinions about Discovery Mind Kindergarten vs Discovery Montessori School in Discovery Bay.
Thanks heaps
- 08-21-2017, 11:44 PM #2Registered User
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Hi cetice
Just wondering if you decided between DMK and DMS in the end and the reasons why? Have a 13 mth old and looking to put her in playgroup. At her age it doesn't really matter much but don't want to move her (if possible) when she gets to 2 yo for example. Appreciate if you could share your experience. Thx!
- 08-22-2017, 01:20 AM #3Registered User
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None, but let me explain you the whole story first as we were exploring this 2 option mostly to do the enrollment from K1 to forever as both are right there from home, but.... No always convenience means quality. My apologies if it end up too long...
Our daughter was in DMS, playgroup and Little Casa, but got completely bored because the activities are the same the whole year around and the system itself doesn't allow the kids to socialize between them or to share activities because it suppose to promote the independent thinking/work, sitting all the time, but my daughter loves to socialised and jump jump jump!. Then we went to the open house in DMA, which is the elementary school, it looks amazing but it's the same system since playgroup with activities a tiny bit more academic in content yet not challenging at all for the mind. Also high fee and high non refundable debenture.
In DMK, we did the trial for the Playgroup but it felt more like an storage for kids, also we met many parents that were dissapointing by the way they simply overcrowded the classrooms also overboarding the same teachers as they didn't expand space neither hired more staff. Then we had the tour for K1 but it is way too academic, they have to sit in front of a digital board to follow a magistral class and send homework, we didn't feel a 3 years old needs something like that... Low fees and no debenture.
So... we decided to knock the door in ESF Tung Chung, 30-40 min ride from home but it was the best we could do. They don't do interview, just play session with parents, then they invite you to an open day during a normal school dau. It was an amazing experience, my daughter cried both days when it was time to leave because she wanted to stay. The principal is a lady who is really passionate for her job, actually she designed the infrastructure and you can tell she did it from the heart. The teachers are lovely and very capable, with a few exceptions of course, yet a very professional staff. The spaces are so open, all the classrooms merge to share activities with all, sometimes they build real life situations, so I remember once they made a child size cardboard Chinese restaurant, with tables and chairs and menu and pretending good, and some kids were the waiters, others the chef, at last some are the customers, they are having some much fun recreating real life! And the library it's so perfect with bing bangs and sofas and lamp like s cosy studio. It's so much to describe in a blog, please set a visit and fall in love, the Playgroup I know by reference that parents and kids love it, it's so much singing and getting messy. My daughter just started K1 and every night she's so excited"are we going to the new school tomorrow? I want to go to the new school!" Hahaha!. Because of the distance we enrolled her in the school bus but were sceptical about this decision as she's just nearly 3yo!, however this morning was the first day in the bus, zero drama and very safe, the driver has a huge smile, the auntie mother is pure love Grandma, and the bus has aircons and seat belts. In the afternoon "Mama a like the yellow bus!, let's go again!". Not mentioning the extensive network around HK of all the ESF primary and high school, IB curriculum and international recognitions. The fees are a bit high for KG (and a low refundable debenture), then the fees are the lowest for primary and high school.
Hope to be helpful!
- 08-22-2017, 08:44 AM #4Registered User
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thanks cetice, very very helpful! I feel like our considerations are exactly the same.
would you say it doesn't make a difference before K1 where she went to for playgroup? i am also considering ESF TC but wondering if necessary to put her there even before K1 (purely for consistency) as i know they run playgroups?
and do you know what is the % of students in ESF TC that live in DB? the ability to hang out after school with friends near home is also a consideration.
- 08-22-2017, 08:48 AM #5Registered User
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one other question. by any chance did you look at any local kindergarden's?
i'm also considering that as an option for language reasons (i speak cantonese but not great and dont write) but would love for her to pick up the language and a friend told me putting her in local school at the start then moving to ESF later on would do wonders. thanks again for your time!
- 08-22-2017, 11:26 AM #6Registered User
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We thought about it but as we are expats we wouldn't be able to communicate with the teachers, and the system it's believe to be very estrict, however I met once this expat 9yo boy, born and raise in HK, the mom told me he always has been in the local school from KG, now is completely proficiency in Cantonese and happy with in his school, the just downside is that they have to spend some extra money in private tutors as they (the parents) don't speak cantonese.
The closest KG for this area is in Tung Chung as well, quite close to ESF actually, like 5-7 min walk distance one from the other.
I know some teachers from DC, as all ESF schools have Mandarin (no Cantonese) as a elective second language, they all agree that without a chinese background at home or an everyday course/tutor, children won't speak the language, so with no mean to sound rude, but I'm not sure how ESF KG can assist in any language other than english, as they just have 15min of Mandarin a day.
- 08-22-2017, 11:31 AM #7Registered User
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It might not make great difference but personally I regretted not knowing of ESF playgroup before, for consistency, habit and definitely quality, as it would have save me some money in uniforms as now I have from both schools, hahahaha! So if you of someone interested in buying a second hand set from DMS, please do not hesitate to message me...
Just from the door of the School bus I saw 5 + my boss... sorry daughter, but maybe there were more at the back as we are not the last stop in DB, so it could be a Lot more, plus those that don't use the service
- 08-22-2017, 03:47 PM #8Registered User
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Thx so much cetice, really appreciate the time you took to respond on this