How much are tuitions fees in preparatory schools nowadays?

[iceebaby]

@picpauboom, I do agree that an expensive preschool does not always necessarily translate to a superb education.  However, most books about children's development state that a child's golden years for learning is from ages 0-7.  This was confirmed by my sons' developmental pedia.  That's why I believe that the choice of a preschool is critical.  What I looked for in a preschool was a place where social skills, discipline, respect for others and self-reliance were considered as important as academics and where teachers do not dictate the lessons and adopt a "one lesson fits all" approach but would let the children explore, play, be curious, interact with classmates, think and discover for themselves.

I totally agree with you sis on this.    A lot of parents are stressed when the school or teacher of their child tells them the kid is not coping or a "slow-learner". 

Sharing this article about what kids should know: http://www.magicalchildhood.com/articles/4yo.htm

But, just to get into the topic, I have scouted dozens of pre-school in the south and just to give you an idea of my top picks with their estimated tuition:

The Bridge School - 90-100k
Mindbuilder's Pre School - 70k
OB Montessori - 80k
Mulberry Hills - 70k
DLSZ - 120k
Prep Camp - 80-90k

[marose17]

Sa South, Maria Montessori in Merville and Ayala Alabang are also good schools, I heard.

[simplykristine08]

^ sis, may idea ka po ba sa tuition nila? And progrtessive ba ang way of teaching nila? Thanks!

[marose17]

^ No idea as to the tuition.  These schools apply the Montessori method.

[simplykristine08]

Thanks sis Marose!
Almost same lang po ba ang montessori and progressive? Laking traditional kasi ako, and yun ang usual kaya yun lang ang alam ko. Thanks ulit

[marose17]

^ Magkaiba sila in the sense that a Montessori school (a real Montessori school, not just a Montessori-named school) adheres to the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. Typically, a Montessori classroom has a directress/teacher who is trained in the method, children of mixed ages (in preschool, from 3-6 years old) and Montessori materials for the children to work on. Montessori is experiential and practical life skills are given as much importance as the 3Rs (reading, writing and arithmetic).  Walang "grades" and exams. What we parents get are narrative reports on what our children did and accomplished during a two-week period.  The progress of the child is narrated in the reports and parents give comments or feedback as to what happens at home by writing back to the teacher.  If there is something in the report which is not clear to the parent, the parent can ask the teacher in writing or by giving a call or by meeting the teacher. There is a lot of communication and interaction between parents and teachers.  My children go to a Montessori school.

Similar in the sense that in both Montessori and progressive classroom, the approach is child-centered rather than teacher-centered.  Hindi "one size fits all" ang lesson and the teacher does not "lecture" in front of the class at nakaupo at makikinig na lang ang students.  Rather, learning happens through experience and the teacher is there to guide (rather than command or say to the student what needs to be done) the student according to his or her readiness to absorb the material or lesson.

You might find Teacher Tina's blog on what is a progressive school helpful:  http://teachertinasblog.wordpress.com

You may also check the site of www.montessori.edu for more info on the Montessori method.

[simplykristine08]

Thanks so much sis Marose sa pagexplain. Naiintindihan ko na ngayon. Yung Maria Montessori sis, is it a real montessori ba? Will check the sites you gave. Thanks so much!

[marose17]

^ I think MM is authentic Montessori kasi ang tagal na niyan dito.  Pioneer yata siya ng Montessori education dito sa Manila. 

Check mo rin ang different approaches ng preschools and the background of the teachers.  Yung iba kasi sinasabi progressive raw pero kung i-analyze mo, more on traditional sila.  Nothing wrong with the traditional method ha pero dapat school owners should be honest in "marketing" their school.

[simplykristine08]

^ yes, i understand sis. yan din karaniwang comment ang naririnig ko. they put montessori sa name ng school pero hindi ganun ang approach ng pagtuturo. hmm, ill inquire nga din dito sa MM. sa Merville to sis noh? so medyo malapit samin. thanks sobra sis Marose

[helencons]

Just to give an update on preschools in the south:

Maria Montessori inside Ayala Alabang-Casa Level
Tuition P 108,000
Misc.        20,000
CDF         30,000 (this is a one time fee, refundable when the child leaves school)

The Learning Child (inside Ayala, Alabang)-Preschool tuition is around P 127,000

Esteban Early Development Center (now Australian International School)-recognized international school- around P 100,000+ (i'll update once i get hold of my notes)

As for the Bridge School, for their Younger Preschool level, tuition and other fees cost around P 82,000.00 (this is for the current year, so they'll probably increase it next school year).Here's the breakdown:
Tuition   P62,375
Misc          9,500
CDF          9,500

[simplykristine08]

^ thanks sis. Grabe, ang mahal pala sa Maria Montessori.

[purplelime]

My son is turning 2 pa lang this June, but I'm starting to save up and scout for good toddler/pre-school places for next year.

I did a bit of backreading and I'd like to ask the mommies here if you know of any good, affordable schools in the Manila area? We live in Tondo, Manila and Im looking at a budget of 50k max, all in. I want to enroll him in a progressive-style school sana.

Thanks in advance sisses!

[simplykristine08]

^ same here sis. as early as now nagscout ako ng preschool na pasok sa budget, so mga 50k lang din kaya namin. then we'll save nalang the rest para naman sa gs, hs and college pa syempre. sobrang mahal na ng tuition fees ngayon eh. but i know sa time ng baby ko, baka kulang na ang 50k, pero yung value nya sa ngayon, hanggang dyan lang din ang kaya. hmm, any schools near better living, pque and taguig na progressive method sana ang gamit for teaching? thanks sisses!

[guerzman]

^pareho tayo area sis...
I was eyeing Int'l Christian School sana for my son this coming school yr 2011-2012 (kinder). Kaya lang pag-compute ko tuition fee and other expenses, malabo pa sa sabaw ng pusit na kayanin namin..
Maganda kasi feedback ng ICA, sabi ng SIL ko...
Na-try mo na inquire sa IMC-bonifacio...Hindi nga lang yata progressive kasi sobra naman mga lectures nila. My friend's son studies there. JC1 pa lang (nursery) ha may computer subject na- As in what part of keyboard etc tanong...
Meron pa aral continents, 10-15-20, spelling 3 letter words, anyong lupa, anyong tubig...stressed sa parents at lalo na sa 3yr old

[simplykristine08]

^ magkano sis sa ICA? And how much din dun sis sa school kung san nagschool anak ng friend mo? Grabe taas ng tuition fees! What more sa time ni baby, eh mag 1yo palang sya. Kalowka!

[beabrielle]

hi sis, feedback pls on CCE (center for childhood learning). the one inside corinthian gardens. is it good ba? im looking for a school for my 2 year old daughter. she'll be 2.5 na sa pasukan. pls advise. thanks!

[lenieliam]

got the tuition fee list of gymboree yesterday for SY 2011-2012.  nursery is 67k, pre-kinder and kinder is 83k.  there's an assessment fee of 500 for new students also.  if you want to reserve a slot, you have to pay them 10k.  deadline for the reservation is march 31.

payment schems are cash, semi-annual, and quarterly:

a.  nursery semi-annual : 41.7k downpayment, balance pdc of 27.8k dated nov 1, 2011
b.  nursery quarterly: 36k dp, balance 3 pdcs of 12k each dated august, november and january 2012
c.  pre-kinder and kinder - 51.3k dp, balance 34.2k pdc dated nov 2011
d.  pre-kinder and kinder quarterly - 43k dp, balance 3 pdcs of 15k each dated august, november and january 2012

[Mai]

^what is the sched of the nursery? ilang hours a day? did you go to trinoma? baka ikaw yung mommy na nakasalubong ko dun na me dalang price lists/brochures.

[grace24]

sana may mag suggest naman dito ng mura...masyado naman mahal yung mga nababasa ko...

[lenieliam]

mommy mai, for nursery it's 3x a week.  there are two schedules available: 830am to 1130am or 130pm to 330pm.  for the pre-k and kinder, it's everyday na.  i have not asked for the schedule of the pre-k and the kinder, kasi i don't want my son to attend an everyday class pa even if he can qualify for a pre-k or kinder class na because of his age.

i was there yesterday to inquire and to get their tuition fee list.  i was there between 330pm and 4pm :-)