kinder and pre-confusion

[engee]

Hai

I am really confused.
We are interested in the Singapore InternationalSchool.When i chkd the site of SIS the K1 takes kids only when they r 4.

can someone help out?

Do most kindergartens start at 4yrs? Starters for one takes kids at 3yrs.
age 2 to 3yrs comes under preschool?
do u think its wise to put him in preschool at 2yrs till he is 4 then in SIS for K1 and K2?Wont it be a waste being in preschool for 2yrs?

Any suggestions?
Thanx a lot for ur time.
engee

[rani]

Engee,

Kindergartens start at 3yrs and at 5 they move up to primary school. However, there are a few primary schools like SIS and HKIS that have a reception class and take kids at 4.

IMO preschool is not a waste. Kids need the social interaction. For D he's defintiely more confident and independent since he started kindy.

[engee]

thanx for the response.
Do kids need 2yrs of preschool?
We wud like to send him to SIS.
IMO is international Montessori?
i presume it has a long waiting list.

[engee]

Montessori also takes kids from age 3 onwards.is it not?
iam so confused.
i dono if i shud sent my son to preschool for 2yrs before starting kindergaten at age 4 in SIS.
I amnot sure we are on the right track.
Can someone suugest somethn?

Thanku somuch.
engee

[kara23]

My son is going to SIS now, he will be in P1 when the new school year starts. Yes, he had 2 years of preschool at Victoria Kindergarten before entering SIS at age 4. Many moms from overseas would think it is ridiculous to send kids to school when they are only 2+ but here in HK, it is more the norm. Of course you can always homeschool your kids until they enter kindergarten but by then all the other kids would have learnt social interaction and other stuff at preschool. I also think 4 years of preschool+kindergarten is too much (almost like uni!!) but if everyone else is doing it here, why not?

[carang]

sorry, i don't agree.. unless you keep your child chained to the door of your house so he/she never gets out...

personally, i think that there is absolutely NO NEED to send to pre-school when they are 2... that doesn't mean that i don't think that the kids should stay home all the time.

i think a couple of good playgroups, trips to ocean park, playdates at others' homes, playdates at your own home, going to the playground or to the beach... these are the best things for kids to learn from. Talking to your child, no matter how mundane it seems, is how your child is going to learn.

i have a 17 month old son and another one on the way, and i have absolutely no intention of sending my kids to school until they are much closer to 4 years old....

again, just my opinion.

[engee]

Hey Kara,

thanx a lot for ur reply.
I was lookn out for that response.
I have sent u a pm.Pls do get back if u can.

Thanx again
engee

[engee]

Thanx carang for ur reply.
But i have read kids learn better when they r tiny.

U r right abt talking to ur baby and taking him to the park etc.but social interaction matters esp if u don really know many people around.

engee