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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Montessori Pre-school Mont Kiara / Sri Hartamas

My first son is turning 4 years old this year and it's time to seriously scout for his kindergarten, we are a bit late as the year has already begun but we were busy settling the house since we moved just before Christmas and couldn't get a lot of things done fast due to the festive season.

When we were at Taman Tun Dr Ismail previously, we were spoilt for choice since there are a number of kindergartens there and Mont Kiara and Sri Hartamas are also nearby. In Sentul though, it's getting a bit difficult finding information regarding Montessori Pre-schools around the area or at least good kindergartens. So, for a start, we went to look around at some Montessori Pre-school at Mont Kiara and Sri Hartamas to see the facilities, program outline and fee structure. 

There are a few kindergartens at Sri Hartamas, I found Sparkles Montessori, Montessori Kidz Studio, Casa Montessori, Summer Fields Pre-school and Kinderland




We went to see Summer Fields Pre-school just to gauge the traveling distance and traffic conditions between Sentul and Sri Hartamas. 

I love Summer Fields huge out door area as I think that kids need to have some outdoor play time so that they will not be bored indoors. The kids play ground is sufficient for the number of students that they take in and I don't think that the kids need to scramble with others for a chance to play. The school is also spacious as it's actually two connecting houses and the principal said that they move the classes around each year. 

Curriculum focus on language and literacy, numeracy and mathematics, knowledge and understanding of the world, personal and social development, physical development and creative development. 

Summer Fields Pre-school programme runs from 8.30am - 12.30 am for Nursery 1 & 2 and 8.30 am - 1.00pm for Kindergarten 1 & 2, Extended programme is also available till 3.30pm or 5.30pm

Fees are pretty affordable at RM600 per month (till 12.30pm or 1.00 pm) RM750 (till 3.30pm) RM850 (till 5.30pm) There is lunch fee of RM60 for the extended programme and if you would like to sign up for the extra curriculum activities, additional fees apply; Mandarin RM200 per month, Music & Movement RM 120, Gymnastics RM120, Speech and Drama RM150. I figured if I take the extended programe one and take additional Music & Movement and Gymnastic classed for my kid it will cost me RM1050 for my son's schooling per month. Other considerations include; food constraint for my Muslim son and transportation is not provided outside Mont Kiara and Sri Hartamas area. 



Next, we decided to look at Montessori Pre-schools at Mont Kiara. We narrowed down to Children's Discovery House (kind of knew it's going to be expensive but we just want to see what the place offers in comparison with other Montessori Pre-schools), Lil House Montessori, HanaSuria Montessori and San Lorenzo Montessori at Publika, Solaris Dutamas. 

In the end, we only managed to see Children Discovery House today since Lil House Montessori's visiting hours are only around 11.00 am - 12.00 pm and HanaSuria Montessori at Solaris Mont Kiara needs appointment and visiting hours are 4.00pm onwards. 

We went to Children's Discovery House at I-Zen II Mont Kiara (though they have another branch  at Seni Mont Kiara too) and my kids really love the place, it was colorful, cheerful, and surprisingly spacious for a Pre-school that is inside a condominium compound. No worries about kids getting bored indoors here, the school compound itself is like an indoor playground waiting to be explored. They also have an indoor play area with artificial grass and playground that makes the kids feel as though as they are on a field outdoors (without the heat).  I also love the fact that meals are prepared by Muslim ladies and that there are a number of Muslim teachers/ caregivers too. Apart from Montessori Curriculum, Music, Gymnastics and Taekwondo are also offered at no additional fees. The drawback? Again no transportation to Sentul and the high fees. Maybe if I am enrolling only my first son, we might consider this place but to enrol two is too much of a stretch financially. RM 1350 per month for Morning programme (9.00am - 12.30pm) and RM1813 per month for extended prgramme (9.00 am-3.15pm). 

Next, we drop by HanaSuria Montessori since it's really difficult to find information about this place online. HanaSuria Montessori is at Block B. 15-2 & 15-3, Jalan Solaris 1, Solaris Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. You can call them up at 03 6203 7508 to make an appointment. They take in kids from 18 months to 6 years old and offer Creative Arts, Mandarin, Geography, Music & Movement, Speech & Drama among other stuffs. Fees are also quite reasonable at RM530 per month (9.00am-1.00pm) and RM820 per month (9.00am-3.00pm) We didn't get a chance to go inside since we didn't make an appointment and when I called up they are busy till this Friday and when I raised my concern regarding play area in the school and enquired how big is their space, the guy over the phone responded that their place is not really that big. So, I might not go over to see the place. But from the outside it does look nicely maintained and cheerful. 

After these visits, we were too tired to check out the Montessori and Gymboree at Publika. Will update this post again after my visit to Lil House Montessori tomorrow :) 

If you would like to consider Bukit Damansara area, I think InsightKids Preschool and Brighton School House are also worth checking out though we didn't venture there as my husband said that the distance is too far away. 

It was a tiring day today and tomorrow I have some kindergartens scouting lined up at Jalan Kuching and Jalan Ipoh area too. Hopefully, there will be one that is about the same standard as Summer Fields so that I won't have to travel that far to send my kids to a pre-school.

18 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Hi Nur

      I am pinning down on Summerfields preschool for my daughter. As I like it as it's set up is similar to my school here. I would like to enroll her for Music and Gymnastics. I am looking for a ballet class for her. So till I find one I think it's better if she starts with Gymnastics. I checked Living arts and Karen barnes but again not much info on ballet was mentioned on their site.

      I am very thank you for all your input. Infact its become a ritual for me to check your blog everyday.

      keep up the excellent work

      Chao
      Deepti

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    2. Hi Nur

      I am emailing Summerfields to know about how they accept kids and when their term begins, fees and other legalities. Will let you know once I hear from them. Have you identified the preschool for your son.

      Chao

      Deepti

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    3. Hi Deepti,

      Sorry, I didn't reply your email earlier, I just checked my inbox this morning, whereas I check my blog everyday :) Am a bit slow in updating at the moment as my MIL and her sister are staying with us for a bit and my kids just started the trial class at HanaSuria. Today is their second day and I think everything went pretty well. They both said that they love school but the smaller one will cry for a while when we first reach there. Sigh.. Summerfields is nice and big with lots of space for the kids to go about. Sadly, it's a bit far for me. I'm monitoring my kids progress for a while and maybe improve my driving skills first before deciding if I need to change pre-school. Will e-mail you my mobile no soon. When are you coming down to KL again? Or are you already here?

      Regards,
      Nur

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    5. Hi Nur,

      How's Hana Suria, does it have a nice outdoor playarea. I like children doing lot of outdoor activities. Is Hana Suria close to Publika mall, we live be living around the towers there.
      Sorry to ask you so many questions, but I am soo clueless about KL preschools. Ur my guiding angel.
      Do they charge extra fees for their extra activities. If u get a chance and they allow you, could put some pictures of Hana Suria just so that I could have a look at it.
      We'll be there by 1st week April.
      I am doing some Early years courses in March over here.

      Regards

      Deepti

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    6. Hi Deepti,

      HanaSuria is located on the 2nd storey of a shophouse near solaris dutamas ( about 3 minutes drive from Publika Mall) it doesn't have any outdoor area but I am kind of stuck with Mont Kiara area as hubby said the other areas are a bit too far for daily commute. Today is my son's fourth trial day and I am not too sure of the place, we decided to give it a go as all Montessori materials are there and the lady whom I thought is the principal (Ms Sharon) and plays an active role in the daily routine is actually not in the clasroom most of the time, she is in charge of curriculum development and so far all I see is a helper, one chinese teacher who looked quite young and an assistant teacher. I'm kind of having second thoughts about this place. But my sons are adapting well and I don't want to break the routine.

      Publika Mall has two centres, San Lorenzo Montessori and the other is a Singapore chain child care called Cherie Hearts though they have nursery and kindergarten programmes as well, I might check it out next week. Honestly speaking, I might also just try HanaSuria for 3 months and if there is no significant improvements in my child, I might recalculate my finances and try Lil Ones Montessori at Gateway Kiaramas instead.

      Will update you soon yeah as I am off for a short trip for the (extended) weekend.

      Regards,
      Nur

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    7. Hi Nur

      Sorry for the late reply, it was the weekend(fri, sat n extended sun.Today was my class picnic and have training for two days.
      How was your trip, which place did you visit.Was it kids friendly. Could you give places to visit in and around Kl,week end over night stays, lil later when I am settled. More over kids friendly, that I totally trust your opinion. I am now quite excited and looking forward to the move. Initially was anxious.

      How is Cherie Hearts. I was thinking of it cause I won't be mobile for the 1st 2months,till I get my car.
      So Cherie Hearts will be close, till I get my bearings and road sense to drive to Summer fields.

      Regards
      Deepti

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    8. Hi Nur

      Looked on the net for some info on cherie hearts. Cherie Hearts has a parent site linked to its main Singapore branch and only lists the Kuala Lumpur branches. So the Publika and other branches in Kl have no website giving any info. Is it a good preschool

      How did the boys enjoy their 2nd week at the preschool?

      Thanks again

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    9. Hi Deepti,

      I have sent u an e-mail :)

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    10. Hi Nur

      How you coping?

      My husband told me that we can convert our license to the Malaysian. I guess you could do the same if you have an Singaporean license. That way you can avoid the test. Can you do that?

      Did u get my whts app msg, i think it's delivered to you. reply me whenever ur free.

      Regards
      Deepti

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  2. Hi Nur,

    I am so glad to see your blog! Thanks for blogging your experience on Montesorri school scouting down here, I live in KL yet when I wanted to search for such information on the world wide web yours is the best piece of info that I could get, good that you came to KL! :)

    I followed on to read your other blogs, I am going to try out some of your salad recipe too.

    On the pre-school, may I know which school are your kids going to now? How are they coping? I am searching now for my 3-yo and will start visiting those that you mentioned here, actually my neighbourhood has a couple of good ones, well at least good from the look and facility wisebut they aren't Montesorri. Btw, do you know Desa Parkcity? It is not far from TTDI, maybe 10 mins drive, I think you should pay a visit here, bring your kids as well there is a lake and park here and safety is by far the safest I found.

    Clare

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    1. Hi Clare,

      Sorry for the late reply, been quite a hectic June holidays with the kids being sick and families coming down for visits :)

      My information are based on my scoutings but I am sure there are lots more good Montessori schools out there :) I do also like InsightKids, REAL Kids, Peter & Jane and Brighton Schoolhouse too but they can't accept my 2 year old together with my 4 year old. Currently, my kids are going to Ilham Montessori at Jln PJU 7/12 as it meets my specific concerns in addition to being Montessori (though not full Montessori - I think). So, far I'm quite satisfied with my kids progress.

      I have heard of Desa Parkcity but has yet have the pleasure of going there, will try to check it out one of these weekends :)

      Btw, if you have any good schools that you have checked out, maybe you would like to mention it here so that others can take note too?

      Thanks Clare!

      Regards,
      Nur

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  3. Hi Nur,

    Thank you so much for writing about the Montessori's and your journey to discovering KL.

    I am a Malaysian and have been living in Selangor since 2007. I will be moving to Solaris Dutamas soon and was looking around for a suitable preschool/Montessori for my son who is 18 months old. I am hoping to start him off young so that he will learn something extra besides whatever he has been learning at home. I will definitely check out the places you have mentioned and if I do have any extra information, I will gladly share it with you. In the meantime do take care.

    Rgds, Michelle

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  4. hi....i be moving to Kl in June 2013...n currently browsing for sch for my 4 yr old girl n 3 year old boy....was think of MMI....any opinion...appreciated..tks Hanny

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    1. Hi Hanny Hannachi,

      Thank you for dropping by, my posts were based on my scoutings earlier this year for my 4 year old and 2 yr old sons which are around the distance that I am prepared to go to send them to school, you may have other options based on where you are gg to stay in KL later, there are alot of good (and expensive) montessori kindy at Bangsar, Ampang ,Sri Hartamas, TTDI and Bandar Utama and there are also a lot good kindies catering for the locals (easier on your wallet) but still montessori based at areas like cheras, wangsa maju and what nots (err..straying into unfamiliar territories for me here). Have you any idea where you will be staying in KL?

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  5. Hi Nur,

    Thanks for sharing your experiences...very helpful information:) My 3 yo is attending Brighton Schoolhouse - she loves it :))) and I am scouting around for reliable day care centres around solaris dutamas for my 1 yo. A friend recommended Cherie Hearts. Any comments on that one?

    Thanks
    Amy

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  6. Dear Sir / Madam

    I am looking for a part time job in the vicinity of Mont Kiara. Currently I am working as an English teacher to children . my job usually finishes around 3:20, therefore I am planning to get a part time job afterward as an English teacher to kids. I do appreciate if you could let me know if you have any available job vacancies that I can apply for.
    Thank you

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