Surveying kindergarten for a toddler

I was keen to send my children to a Montessori or Waldorf school but staying in this part of the world make it almost impossible unless we were willing to make her travel everyday. Reluctantly, I send JY to a very academic kindergarten nearby after her babysitter suggesting her to go. The baby sitter was occupied with one baby and one ill mother in law aside from her busy house chores and hence could not cope with taking care of 2 years plus JY anymore.

I only realized I was unintentionally being brought up by a nearly Waldorf way until I became a parent and read about Waldorf. I  went to kindergarten at the age of 6. Before that, I grew up on the hill with my grandmother and my uncle's family. The first time I learned ABC was in kindergarten as my grandmother was illiterate. And I do think that the first 6 years of playing on the hill was one of the best memories of my life.

After comparing a few famous kindergarten nearby namely Q-dees, Smart Reader and MRC, at first I wanted to choose MRC as the school principle has the same view with me that children need sunlight and thereby let all the students playing under the sun before school program formally started each day.Unfortunately, it was fully booked when I found the school. Finally, we selected Q-dees as it was located in semi-D rather than shop lot, hoping that she will still get some sunlight from the window. Q-dees at BPP became JY's first school of her life.

JY cried for 2 weeks after going to school. She refused to wear her uniform everyday. I followed the principle's suggestion of letting her there for a full day program as a start (instead of a half day program before converting into full day) but regret after that. JY was not being well taken cared of at school (I guess the teachers are expecting her to take care of herself). At the age of 2 years 5 months, she still wear a pampers and do not clean herself up properly. Two weeks later, I withdrew her from full day program and found her another baby sitter. She went to kindergarten from 8am -12pm and went to her new baby sitter after that.

It has been almost 2 months since JY went to Qdees. Unfortunately, she still has not begin to like going to school. When I asked her if she likes school, her answer is still no. :( I guess I still have to look for a Waldorf school for her. Any recommendation on Waldorf school near Serdang or Seri Kembangan, Selangor? I will really appreciate your suggestion.

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I have finally withdrawed JY from Q-Dees after 2 months. She had developed sinus due to unknown reason. Her nose blocked seriously with bloody mucus excreted when she sneezed. After consulting the pediatrician, Dr. Lee from Kids Specialist Clinic several times to treat it, doctor advised that I tentatively withdrawed her from school. Due to this circumstance, the principal of Q-Dees at Seri Kembangan agreed with my decision.

At the age of 2 years 7 months, JY was sent back to a baby sitter (full day from 8am to 7pm) again. Her new baby sitter was very stern and successfully potty-trained her in 4 days! I was amazed with the result as the former baby sitter always told me that it wasn't time to start training her yet. I only re-sent JY to nursery when she approached the age of 3 this time. I found that she was really ready to go to school again this time. Sadly, JY's sensitive nose was not able to be cured completely. She often sneezes and developed runny nose especially in the morning and at night. I felt sorry to her that I have challenged her immune system at a young age by sending her to a crowded school. I wish that I could turned back the clock and redo what have been done.

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I was introduced to this nursery namely Tadika Kristal Cahaya by a neighbor who was a full time mother of 4. After meeting the principal, Ms. Jenny Beh, I decided to send JY to the nursery last August, 2015. This time JY happily attended school everyday. There are only 3 students of 3 years old in the class. Hence, the nursery had arranged to teach them together with those of 4 years old. The school fees was very much cheaper compared to Q-Dees and the school was not crowded. It was located in a corner lot of a double-storey house, which allowed children to run and play around everyday before school starts. School starts formerly at 8.30am but there was a one to one ready session, teaching the children to read "Key Words" book namely Peter and Jane series from 8 to 8.30am. JY learned to read the first book by herself after 3 months in the nursery and this was not something I expect her to do, but rather a bonus. I think the nursery suits her as it was not too academic driven and less crowded.

When selecting a nursery for your young child (3-4 years old), I would suggest that at least these considerations being made:

1. Distance of school from home (young children get tired of travelling to and fro if the journey was very long. Transportation can be a problem too.)
2. Teachers' quality (for example, I prefer teacher who speak non-broken English in my context. Teachers who look friendly, loving and patient would attract kids to like going to school).
3. Curriculum or program (Some people who prefer those academic oriented school should really consider Q-Dees from my opinion. I personally prefer school with simple syllabus for the kids at such a young age. I believe what Waldorf taught about how too early intellectual development would hinder growth forces on physical body.)
4. Cost (might be a concern if you have many kids)
5. Environment ( I prefer school with space for children to run around and get some sunshine before school started.
6. Numbers of students ( Consider teacher to students ratio and also how big is the space to occupied how many students. A small room cramped with too many students and teachers is definitely not comfortable making the kids get sick easily)

What else do you think that is important which I have missed out? Please enlighten me :).