Makati Preschool and Nursery: Saint Vincent Center

I'm very excited and looking forward to my son's preschool graduation next week. For moms looking for a preschool in Makati, do check out the Saint Vincent Center during your school hunt. Its a very small school, mind you, but the teachers here are really BIG on teaching and caring for the kids.

Saint Vincent Center
Lower Ground Unit 11
Cityland Pasong Tamo Tower, Makati City
Phone number: 894-4498 / 0916 493 8554

Levels:

• Pre-Nursery - 2 to 3 years old
• Nursery - 3 to 4 years old
• Junior Casa - 4 to 5 years old
• Advance Casa - 5 to 6 years old

Class Schedule:

• 7:30 am to 10am
• 10:30 am to 1 pm
• 1:30 pm to 4pm

Requirements:
Two 1x1 pictures
Photocopy of Birth Certificate
They accept transferees and late enrollees all-year round especially kids coming in from abroad

Administrative office:
Open from 9am to 7pm
Saturdays by appointment

Ideal for parents working in the Legaspi Village area and Pasong Tamo area. The preschool is situated inside Cityland Pasong Tamo tower, its in front of Don Bosco Makati and near Waltermart Supermarket.

There's a small teacher-to-student ratio per class; bilingual environment; teaching methods involves worksheets, singing, dancing and playing.

My son's social skills really improved here and he's learn to share and take turns when playing with kids his age. They have annual field trips too, this year we went to the Zoobic Safari.

One Big Smile for MommyCow

At my son's school, the teachers are putting up student pictures for their birthday board. He's quite excited about it, Cow likes to anticipate birthday parties.

Cow was quite fussy and won't go still for me during the photoshoot at home. He just lost his tooth recently and he's a bit shy about smiling.

We had Daddycow choose the photo he liked best. The next day Cow gave it to his teacher at St. Vincent's. They called him "Pogi!" Haha which means handsome in Filipino.

Prima Day Care and Play School: A Fun Learning Facility in Makati

Prima Day Care and Play School is situated inside a hotel called the Ascott which is part of the Glorietta Mall. 

I am considering enrolling my son in their arts & crafts summer program. I like their day care facility and how accessible it is. I see their place as an alternative learning venue for my son besides his regular preschool (which is more academic oriented than play oriented because there is so much pressure to enter children these days in what we call the student-selective Big schools).  But that's another story. My son likes doing crafty things with his hands and I know Cow would enjoy this daycare.

 

The Prima Day Care and Play School program is ideal for parents, local and expatriates, who would like to send their children to a learning center on a full school year or for a short period of time.

The Prima Day Care and Activity Center is open from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Enrollment is open all year round to children aged 2 to 5.5 years old. Day care rates average at Three hundred pesos (P300) for one hour. You may refer to their website for their complete and package fees. 

Click to Enlarge Map to Prima Day Care and Play School

Prima Day Care and Play School Philosophy
"We believe that every child has an innate drive to learn; 
that teachers are co-learners because in teaching kids we learn, in learning we teach; and that continuous learning unlocks a child’s potential through a happy balance of the 4 Rs namely, Reading, Writing, ‘Rithmetic, Rhythm."

Prima Day Care and Play School
6/F Ascott Makati, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Makati City 1224
Telephone numbers: +632-7558118 to 19
Email: teacher@primaplayschool.com
http://www.primaplayschool.com

Looking for the Most Suitable Preschool

February seems to be the right month to make the rounds of Preschool visits.

I am hoping to find a good school for my son, one that would further inspire his curiosity and encourage him to be sociable with kids his age. Too idealistic perhaps?

My sister during her nursery days in the 80s, my niece in playschool 2008

My main concern would be an availability of an enrollment slot for my child at his appropriate learning level. My other concerns would be the school curriculum, teaching methods, tuition fees, facilities and the travel time from home. Well, its my first time to enroll my child so I'm practically a newbie and believe me, the whole scenario is so overwhelming for me and its not even the first day of school yet.

My son Enzo is 5 years old. He's bright, smart, playful and cheerful. My son can read on his own. He can write his full name and the rest of the alphabet. He can count, but he can't do addition yet; It doesn't interest him right now. He loves to sing and draw people in blue crayon. He's not shy to approach other kids, but he still can't handle being turned down very well. He doesn't have play mates his age where we live, the kids at our building are mostly gradeschoolers, tweens or babies. So I'm hoping on a social level, a preschool can help my son interact and get used to being around other kids.So far, the schools I went to have been very accomodating. Thank God no one was rude (or masunget). I remember 'horror stories' about school searches which end up with the mom in tears.

So right now, I am on the prowl for the most suitable Preschool. I wish I could say I'm looking for the best one- but I think the best ones are beyond my reach, the progressive ones I like are in Quezon City and not in Makati where we live. The exclusive ones in Makati, may have the best facilities (their own playground, a huge playroom) but are beyond my price range. So what's left out there that is suitable?

My target is a preschool with good teaching methods, within my financial means, and the one with the closest proximity to my home.  I did my research, asking moms around the neighborhood (and the online mommy forums) about their kids' schools and the feedback I got from these moms has been invaluable.

I'm going to check out another school in the neighborhood tomorrow. Ayayay! Wish me luck.