Gold Coast playgroup/kindergarten

Posted by marist (737 days ago)

I have just moved to the area and am desperately looking for a kindergarten/playgroup for my children. Can anyone recommend one that is not too far away. I have seen a few advertised but wanted to get some recommendations before I go and have a look. Many thanks

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Posted by Ridgeback (735 days ago)

Sorry - double post

Posted by Ridgeback (735 days ago)

Marist - didn't you mention a number of months ago that you were going to start up your own Kindergarten in August in the Gold Coast area?
Are you not going ahead with that?

Posted by oj (730 days ago)

Yes i note that you have indeed posted a thread MARIST advising that you are to open your own playgroup/kindergarten!
Any news?

Posted by Bizeemama (730 days ago)

Best playgroup in the area is by far Miss Janes operated in the Gold Coast phase 2 club house. My children thoroughly enjoy going - Jane is a natural with children and they love her.
Only problem is that she is always fully booked and you need to go on a waitlist. She has opened another class but I think that is full as well.

Posted by oj (728 days ago)

Miss Jane's is fantastic, education and most importantly, fun!
I have friends that have been to others in the area, and i believe a new one has opened nearby, and all have said that none are on a par with Miss Jane's, so kudos to her!

Posted by Ridgeback (725 days ago)

Marist - I'm on the hunt for a good kindy too so I'm really interested if you're going to be opening your own soon?

Posted by HK_Newbie (724 days ago)

Does anyone know how to get on Miss Jane's waitlist?

Posted by ohdear (724 days ago)

I have also heard of Miss Jane’s. A friend of mines son used to go, I know she was quite pleased and thought everyone was very friendly. On the down side, the facilities are poor. It is a very small room, not really set up for a playgroup. There is also Oscars, however I did here that it maybe closing. They don't really have a play-based curriculum and are formal. Another option is Creativity-Supposed to have a lovely outdoor area and I know it is popular with people on the Gold Coast. I have also heard that a new group has opened in Tuen Mun and a teacher who lives on the Gold Coast runs it. (I know that she also teaches baby swimming) It only opened a week ago but have heard positive feedback. Sorry cannot think of the name. Hope that is of some help. Just think you only have to get the kindergarten sorted out and then before you know it, it’s the panic of where to send to primary school. Even less choices on that front! Good Luck

Posted by ohdear (724 days ago)

I have also heard of Miss Jane’s. A friend of mines son used to go, I know she was quite pleased and thought everyone was very friendly. On the down side, the facilities are poor. It is a very small room, not really set up for a playgroup. There is also Oscars, however I did here that it maybe closing. They don't really have a play-based curriculum and are formal. Another option is Creativity-Supposed to have a lovely outdoor area and I know it is popular with people on the Gold Coast. I have also heard that a new group has opened in Tuen Mun and a teacher who lives on the Gold Coast runs it. (I know that she also teaches baby swimming) It only opened a week ago but have heard positive feedback. Sorry cannot think of the name. Hope that is of some help. Just think you only have to get the kindergarten sorted out and then before you know it, it’s the panic of where to send to primary school. Even less choices on that front! Good Luck

Posted by oj (723 days ago)

Creativity used to be really good, however i pulled my youngest out of there at the beginning of this year as i thought the standard of 'teaching' and the english was not up to how it was when my eldest was there.

Options are Learning Habitat in Tsing Yi (bilingual, very play focused) and Oscars have closed down. As for the new 'kindergarten' i have heard various reports ranging from very good to i'll find somewhere else, so i suppose it's down to personal choice.

As for Miss Jane's, just go along to the club house and out your name down, and no the facilities are poor but then they only go up to 20 months and Miss Jane has plenty of equipment they use such as tunnels, bouncy castle, cars, block, puzzles which is more than enough for them. Plus she has them painting, sticking and learning all through play.

Posted by Bizeemama (723 days ago)

Oscars have re opened and it is now called New Generation or something like that. It seems quite a few children in the area are going to it, I have no personal experience though.

Posted by oranges & lemons (721 days ago)

I'm currently living at the Gold Coast and my daughter has started attending Jing Jing International Kindergarten (it has only been open a few days) The kindergarten is just past Tuen Mun Town Centre.I went to their open evening in June & met the Headmistress, Kathryn. She herself lives at the Gold Coast and has 20+ years of early years teaching. I was extremely impressed by both Mrs McHugh & her kindergarten, & am confident my daughter will have a great learning experience. She has had a fantastic first week and with Kathryns caring and sensible approach has settled into her new routine.
Something to bear in mind when looking for a playgroup/kindergarten is the qualifications of staff. When I checked with various places I found out most did not have appropriate qualifications and in fact where only employered because they were native English speakers!
They also offer sessions of 'mums & tots' playgroups in the afternoons.

Posted by oj (721 days ago)

"Unqualified" teachers means what...no degree?

Some of the best kindergarten teachers i know are ones that do not have degrees but are mothers themselves, with children going through, or have gone through kindergarten and they have a vast knowledge, and years of teaching experience with expertise in childcare, what's interesting to the child and what makes them tick. Just because you have a degree does not mean that you are good at the job, sometimes hands on training can be the best expereince in the world. It's called the University of Life.

Nowadays a degree isn't the be all and end all.

Posted by oranges & lemons (720 days ago)

I totally agree with you oj on the degree front. I think Hong Kong is a real ‘degree driven’ society. When I went to visit a Kindergarten in my local area the Head Teacher proudly informed me that all her teachers had degrees. After further inquiry it turns out that one had a degree in Business Studies and the other in Environmental Studies (Fantastic, but not much use in Early Years!) And yes I also agree that parents are their child’s first educators and have a vast knowledge of their own child. At the same time I do think it is important that we value the role of well-trained Early Years Educators. I am not saying I think it is vital to have a degree, but I do think it is essential to have some sort of early years training. Someone who knows how to, and has the experience in planning a well-balanced play-based curriculum. Someone who knows what stage my child is at and how to move them on to the next level when they are ready. Someone who can work with me in giving my child the best possible start. Someone that knows that Play is a child’s Work, a concept that seems alien to Chinese culture.

Posted by jennyp (699 days ago)

Yes, the University of Life is a wonderful thing. But on the other hand would you send your child to a primary school where the teachers were not trained, but had their own children and seemed to have alot of experience! Just because it is Kindergarten or Playgroup we should not under value the role a good teacher plays. In fact at this stage in a childs development it is even more important that the people working with our children have knowledge of child development and education. Get it wrong at this stage and it can take years to put right.

Posted by jennyp (699 days ago)

Yes, the University of Life is a wonderful thing. But on the other hand would you send your child to a primary school where the teachers were not trained, but had their own children and seemed to have alot of experience! Just because it is Kindergarten or Playgroup we should not under value the role a good teacher plays. In fact at this stage in a childs development it is even more important that the people working with our children have knowledge of child development and education. Get it wrong at this stage and it can take years to put right.