We chat to parents of little ones at Tanglin Nursery to see why they love it!
Getting a little one started at school is a daunting prospect for any parent, and choosing the right nursery is just the first step. We asked a few parents from Tanglin Nursery to tell us about their experiences with the school. Here’s what they had to say…
It’s a big school that feels beautifully small
Sure, Tanglin is a big school. But that just means an even bigger welcome! Helen Barker, whose four-year-old attends Tanglin, told us: “When I first looked at the school I was concerned about the size. However, I don’t think for a moment that this has a negative effect on the children. In fact, being part of this community allows them to develop a really broad range of friendships and to develop their individuality in the context of a large group. The nursery is a very welcoming place and despite its large size, it always feels very personal and friendly.” The school is now reducing class sizes to 20 students, making for an even friendlier community spirit, and extending the hours offered to 9am–1.50pm. More time to make friends sounds good to us!
Parents – and grandparents! – are just as important as kids
Starting your kiddo at ‘big school’ can be a scary time for parents, but the Tanglin Nursery team is great at making parents feel very involved in their child’s school experience, giving them the option to volunteer in the classroom and maintaining a “door is always open” attitude. Carla Macksey, mum of a four-year-old Tanglin Nursery child says: “having the opportunity to be involved in my son’s day-to-day school life is extremely important to me. I love being able to witness the activities that the class is enjoying and also to see how my son engages with his teachers and friends. It’s been so wonderful to see his confidence grow.”
Helen Barker has even taken the opportunity to invite her son’s grandparents to join cooking classes and library reading during their visits to Singapore, saying “When they live so far away, the connection is really special.”
Communication eases the mind
Tanglin knows that happy parents mean happy kids, so they provide as many opportunities as possible to keep communication flowing between parents and teachers. The school fields lots of questions from mums and dads about anything from bedtime routines to behaviour at school and at home, and helper relationships. Helen Barker says: “I find that the teachers are very open to a quick chat in the mornings and will often tell me about what my little one has been up to. There is often a photo or two in the school bag at the end of the day, and the open mornings each term allow parents to get a more in-depth look at what’s been going on.”
Tulika Raj, whose four-year-old goes to Tanglin, feels the same, telling us: “The open door and drop-in policy at Nursery is something I particularly like. Victoria Thomas (Head of Nursery) is always very helpful with advice, feedback and practical ideas if you approach her with a particular issue or concern.”
Carla Macksey says she loves the Interactive Learning Diary that she and her husband “can access anytime online to see photos of the children captured by the teachers during class time.”
Kids love it!
Most importantly, what do the little ones think? We asked our Tanglin mums exactly what their kids love about the nursery:
“So many things! Both my boys have loved the outdoor play area and the red bikes are always a winner. They thrive on the combination of structure and flexible schedule, and the variety of things they get exposed to from such a young age is fantastic.” – Helen Barker
“He loves going to school each day and in particular loves his teachers and outdoor play. He also loves the fabulous themes that they do in the classroom (police, space, endangered animals) and endlessly talks about all of the things he has learned.” – Carla Macksey
“My son loves going to school every day ‘to play with my friends, Mummy’. Clearly at this stage the emphasis is on learning through play and I see him picking up basic phonics and numbers concepts through this approach.” – Tulika Raj
“There’s always something new and breakfast is filled with questions as he wonders, ‘what’s going to be at school today?’. It’s great seeing him race into class, and I know from the teachers how much thought has gone into each new activity and how it’s going to help each child reach their full potential.” – Caroline Pemberton
See for yourself
If this little taster feels like a warm welcome, Tanglin would like to invite you to pop in for a chat and a tour at the Introduction to Nursery Open Morning on 28 April from 9.15am until 10.45am.
Tanglin Trust School, 95 Portsdown Rd, Singapore 139299
This post is sponsored by Tanglin Nursery.