何文田 Victoria Playgroup, Pre-Nursery & Kindergarten

eunicepoon

我Oct 4, 06 上第一課 playgroup,

eunicepoon

ok

cissyc

My daughter started the 1st lession today, it was quite the same as those "ordinary playgroup", like singing songs, doing some exercises. But I was abit surprised that the Chinese teacher didn't care much for the children. It's happened when she was demonstrating some little toys, then 2 children rushed to her front and tried to get the toys, and she just pulled them back which made them fell down. Despite that there is mat, her action really surprised me. It happened not only once, but several times. Another thing I don't like is that the lesson lasts for 2 hrs, and I was told that half will be conducted in English, and half will be in Cantonese (normally you will think of 1 hr Eng, 1 hr Cantonese), but the 1st half hr is free play, (what they called as Exploration Play) it's guided by the cantonese teacher; then followed by half hr singing session, also guided by the cantonese teacher. Then 20 min snack time, by the same teacher again. Finally it came to the English teacher, but she just song few songs, followed by a sensory exercise (touching of the tomato beans), and suddently disappeared, not even saying goodbye. The session was ended by 10 min. free play at the playground, but guided by the canotonese teacher again. So you can imagine that the english teacher seemed quite busy that she only showed up for 15 min.
Well, I'll be observing at the moment coz I heard quite some +ve comments on Victoria, and I may change to Tutor Time later when my daughter is 18 mths old.

cissyc

I was told that the ratio is 1:8, but there are only like 9 children in the class, that's why only 1 teacher at a time.

My daughter is 14 mths now, she enrolls for 2 days week, starting yesterday. I remeber I submitted the form in Aug, but I was told that the queue is quite long that they were processing those application submitted in March (i.e. 5 mths in advance), and they told me that I will be contacted once there's vacancy. Soon then in Sept, I was told seat is available coz I'm enrolling the class with less applicants.

Quite frankly, all the playgroups are the same, I've attended Kindyroo, Tots and toddlers, and baby sky, they are quite similar except the one organized by 香港基督教服務處, which is quite good in teaching parents to explore children's capability, even though it's conducted in cantonese.

I'll continue to let my daughter to attend Victoria for 1 - 2 mths to see how it'll be.

sa2005

hi cissyc
so funny, my boy also joined Victoria PG and the one of 香港基督教服務處, he's born in Aug, i'm totally agree with your viewpoints.  to me, i think Vic's PG is too long, cos babies will be tired very soon, and for the "exploration free play", i don't think the teacher gives any guide, it's our parents' "interactive time" actually!!  and the reason why i joined is for "billingual", the reason why i quitted is for "it's not really billingual as what i expected".  The Eng teacher to me is not very professional and not very fond of children, I think the girls in my musik box is more fonding of children.

cissyc

haha..we may have met...

I personally have a good feeling for Tutortime but of course I will have to attend class before giving actual comment.

mrs_snoopy

me too
4/10 first time play gp.
today, extremelly tired

chacha99

I totally agree with sa2005. I also think that the teachers were not too enthusiastic.  My son attended the PG for a few mths.  The English teacher was OK, but the chinese teacher was too strict and rigid by PG standard.  They are babies after all. Why stop the child from dancing when the music plays? Anyway, my child enjoys Musik box and Gymboree a lot more. Just sharing.

cissyc

Hi Bernice's mom,

I have a friend's gal who is studying at the Tai Koo Shing (or nearby?) Victoria playgroup, she said it was started up with -ve comments, but then she found it quite ok that she continue to let her gal studying there.

For myself, I will observe for another lesson to see if there's improvement. Else, I'll quit and try TT.

muichub

I have sent my son to PG at HMT Victoria too for a few months now.   We are doing the Sat PG.

The cantonese teacher is ok and she does show her passion.   However, the English teacher is really too cool to be a kindergarten tutor.   What she usually says is "Hi, good morning", "you want this", "No ..." and the worst thing is she is mubbling all the time.   

The main reason why I keep joining it is because the whole 2-hr lesson is very comprehensive.  You can find phyiscal time, cognitive part, social part, art, etc.   Also, they do have many different types of toys and props for kids to explore.   Also, it is clean and hygenic too.  

大吉

我想問下，我聽有d家長講，Playgroup係同其他學生share個課室(用木門分格)!我問下 咁咪好嘈law?會唔會聽到佢地d學生係到嘈架?仲有好似話平日PG的小朋友要入去佢地個課室到先可以洗手，咁咪好煩LAW?咁人地上緊堂咪好似唔係咁好? 我囡囡就快1歲，我都想知多D?請你地幫幫手

mrs_snoopy

um yes we need to enter their classroom for cleansing hand..... But not so clumpsy. as too Near. and they organised the timeing so "good" every time u wash hand. the nursery will go out for their physical training............