Joyhouse Montessori Playgroup--Sucks Big Time!

Mama is gonna stop my playgroup class already even though the programme is only ending on 21 Dec. Firstly, teachers are not caring and attentive. Only look after their regular kids and totally ignore the holiday programme kids. We had to sit facing the wall during snack while the regualr kids sit in the centre of the place.

Mama was told by the lady boss that there shouldn't be adult accompany after the 1st week and let teachers settle them. So happily, she thought Nai Nai could finally have 1 1/2 hours per day to do her grocery shopping or rest. But Nai Nai was asked to leave me after the 3rd day, never mind. Then I cried badly and the lady boss called Mama at work. Told her for holiday programme kids, "try not to scare the kids." So poor Nai Nai gotta run back to the school.

Upon reaching, she saw another mother hugging me, not the teachers! The mother told Nai Nai I only wanted her (guess that mother was the nicest person in class?!) Never mind. Then yesterday, Mama received a letter for excursion for next Wednesday. Got to pay and must have an adult accompany. Boring place---veggie farm. Instantly, Mama knew trouble is coming. She knew that that day will most probably have no classes because all the teachers will be out with the kids, right?! And she wasn't informed of this before signed up! So what if Mama doesn't want me to go. Nai Nai will be tired out. So no class, no refund?!

She went to ask the class teacher, and that shabby and untidy looking teacher looked awkwardly away and simply pointed to the lady boss, "Ask my supervisor." Mama felt like strangling her for her foul attitude. In the end, Mama didn't ask anyone else. She has decided to do something more because she realised it's useless even arguing about it. It wasn't money but a matter of principle.

If she was explained about the excursion, she won't feel so cheated. Never mind, again. Then today. Mama went to class with me. Upon arrival, no one, bothered to check me. (Health check). The teachers were around walking in and out of the classroom but didn't even bother to acknowledge us. Never mind, too.

So Mama took me to wash hands and when we came out of the toilet, another new girl came and was immediately attended to by that shabby looking teacher! (Prior to that, she saw Mama and I walked in and merely stared away!) I must say Mama was nice already. During her first session there, she was the only mother that made me hugged and said "Thank you" to the teacher before we left. None of the kids did that! Guess the teachers couldn't wait for them to go off anyway! Never mind.

The ultimate was this. Mama was busy attending to me during snack time. Gotta squeezed because the place was like less than 1 adult standing space. Yes, we holiday programme kids are left to "take care" of yourselves. If their parents left them there, too bad! So she left 2 pieces of tissues on the table and forgot to throw them away. After snack, she brought me back to the classroom after washing my hands. Inside the classroom with door still opened, she heard the lady boss sarcastically said aloud, "Who left the tissues here hah!? Children(The other older kids), can you do that?! ("No!" The kids replied)Ya, cannot do that!" And she kept repeating it for a good 2 to 3 times! Mama was so mad and if not for me clinging onto her! She wanted to storm out and give her piece of her mind!

She already didn't complain that teachers didn't look after me and made the parents do it already. So what's her problem!??? This, Mama said, "Cannot never mind!" It's personal attack! Think Mama is going to the forum soon!

And the teachers are so racist and biased. There was a new Indian boy who sat in the class by himself. While watching TV, kids being kids, he was excited and kept imitating the characters. The teachers scolded him for being noisy! And the whole time the teachers were sitting behind, tying hair for the other! And a granny was chit chatting loudly with them. Mama was tempted to tell her to shut up! Cos they were just next to her. I was distracted and kept looking at them, not watching TV.

During the boring Phonics activity (boring, because we had to sit with legs corssed throughout the session while the actitvity was singing!), the teacher sang, 'Jellybeans jumping, j j j..." So I stood up and started doing light jumping (no space). The teacher immediately told me to sit down! I was like, "Ok". But my peeved Mama whispered to me, "Well done, Lia. That should be the way. It's jumping jellybeans anyways!" HAhahaha...my Mama is a rebel!

All in all, Mama felt it's lesson learnt with painful separation of some money. Sometimes, somethings are really worth the money spent. She has learnt well. "So cheap, must be something wrong" is very apt for this school! But actually, not SO cheap!

And some people ought to think hard before starting a biz with kids. We're not just your typical mean of earning big bucks, like with grown women and their retail theraphy. We are fragile humans with delicate mind and souls. Sacarsm and all, not a very good moral value to teach young children like me. HER biz may last, but impacting lives, Mama back to differ.