MMI Tampines (Modern Montesorri International)

This school came into my radar while looking around for (any) alternatives for WB2’s education. “Montesorri” is a much marketed teaching method for preschoolers. And since there’s one just in the neighbourhood, I thought it’ll be good to take a look. Better still, they were having an Open House, just last weekend. So I quickly signed up for it.

MMI Tampines spans across 2 sections at the void deck of Blk 939.

Main Entrance of the School

There’s a outdoor playground just in front of the school. Convenient for any outdoor place as the kids won’t have to walk far for outdoor play.

Playground just outside the school

              

A Montesorri-trained teacher was assigned to give us an orientation of the place. What sets them apart from a non-montesorri themed school is that everyday, there will be almost 2 hours set aside for Montesorri-based activity. Some of these activities include:

1. Feeling an object blindfolded and being able to tell what it is (eg, sphere, prism, etc)
2. From a bowl of colored rice, children will be asked to scoop (using a spoon to train their fine motor skills) equal amount into 2 other separate bowls.
   Once WB2 discovered the bowl of colored rice, he’s hooked. He pours it (with or without the spoon) into any container he can find. Of course, much of it landed on the floor instead.
3. Similar to activity 2, they can be asked to pour a small jar of water into another bowl, up to a certain volume as marked on the bowl.
4. Cutting with a scissors following the outline drawn on paper. Starting with straight lines then progressing to curvy lines.
   Math will also be taught using beads and abacus. Writing will be trained by first doing sand tracing. Phonics is taught and the child will learn to read 3-lettered and later 4-lettered words. The principal is a little pushy though. She wanted to enroll us right after the orientation.

Montessori seems to be too much for WB3. He totally knockout from the visit.

Here's WB3, totally knocked out. 

Pros: A child schooled here will definitely be well prepared for Primary 1. The price it commands is not considered expansive for a “Montesorri” labeled preschool. Place is non air-con, playground in proximity. It is also a childcare so it looks after the child full day, including feeding and bathing him.

Cons: Since it was Open House, there were no children so we were not able to see how the teachers interact with them. It’s a distance from where we stay (read: not within walking distance) so it’s not so convenient.  Besides uniform, they are required to purchase PE attire. Uniform will be worn in the morning, and PE attire in the afternoon. Also, nap time is sleeping on mattress and we’re required to wash the mattress cover daily. (Currently WB2’s childcare uses the net kind so not necessary to purchase additional cover). This translates to more cost and also more laundry every evening!

Conclusion: If you’re looking for a place to do everything for you (teach your child, look after him, etc), this is a place to consider.  More expansive than mainstream childcare but one of the cheaper “Montesorri” school I’ve come across. However, if you do have spare time for your child, most of the training can actually be replicated at home.

For me: it’ll be KIV first.