Parents' Orientation Meeting

Tonight we attended the Parents Orientation organised by Superfun. Basically it's to tell us what to expect, what parents need to prepare and do on the first week. Children were not allowed to the orientation so we left Valerie at grandma's house.

At the start of the orientation, there was a brief overview of what Fungates was all about. They practiced open class room concept,  3 classes running concurrently, so as to train multi-tasks children. They have theme-based teaching and also field trips to enhance children's learing. I can't comment more on this until I see for myself how the system works. But overall it looks pretty 'fun' (I hope).

The most daunting part was the list of things to prepare for Valerie. When we were shown 4yo need a schoolbag that can fit A4 size books, I could see parents glancing at each other. Then a 5-6yo need an even bigger bag! Gosh, how is Valerie gonna carry such a big bag. Nevertheless, the teachers sounded very experience and they seemed to be very sure of what they were asking.

They said most of their books are A4 size and we need a big bag to ensure can put everything in. Here are the list of things:
1. A set of cleaned clothes including undies in case of emergencies
2. Wet hanky or wet wipes to be placed on side pocket
3. Water tumble to be placed on the other side pocket
4. Food container for snacks
5. Front compartment to put apron
6. Dry hanky to be placed in the uniform side pocket

Everything is to be labeled with the kid's name to avoid confusion. Even the food container cover. There would be 2 homework a day where parents need to help kids to complete. A message book will be used to convey any messages from teachers to parents and vice versa. At this point, Ivan gave me a nudge and asked if I'm sure about this.. we can still ask for refund if we have second thots... I'm so ignoring him....

Later there was the traffic control route, where we need to follow the one way traffic to drop of kids and leave. And punctuality is important, reach 5 mins before 8.30am. Ivan again gave me a funny look... I know I know... Valerie is still sleeping at 11+ at night and waking up at 9+ in the morning. :P

For the first week of orientation, parents are to stay with the 4yo kids for first 2 days and then accessed if more days are required. The classes will also end half and hour earlier. So this looks less scary for mommy and daddy. At least we won't need to disappear suddenly. Hopefully Valerie could cope.

At the end of the orientation, there was a Q&A session. Normally Ivan would pester me to leave, but because one daddy questioned on the fire drill security, he stayed on. I guess guys know how to ask guys questions. Seems they got everything covered. They have fire exit routes and drill routines on and off with the children.

So we left after an hour. There was a further briefing for parents who are extending their kids to daycare. Since we are still sending Valerie back to nanny's place, this is not our concern. I left the kindi, feeling a little apprehensive now. What if Ivan is right and Valerie is really not ready for this?

Valerie Speaking in Phrases

Valerie's vocab has been increasing rapidly in the last few months. She now could express herself in phrases and even argue with you. I find she mostly speaks in English when we are around, and Mandarin at nanny's place.

Because she speaks in English more, grandma and grandpa couldn't really catch what she's talking about and said she's talking gibberish. Comparing with her cousin brother, they still called her a late speaker. Oh well, I've resorted to ignore their comments :P



Here are some of the incidents which I could remember...

Scene 1:
Daddy driving and stopped at traffic light. After a few times of observation...

Valerie: Mommy, red is stop!
Mommy: Yes, Well Done... and green is go...
Valerie: (*repeats after mommy*) Green is Go!

The next time we stop at traffic light...
Valerie: Mommy... Red is Stop!

*When the traffic light turns green*
Valerie: Green is go arr??

Scene 2
Whenever Valerie wanted something from us, I always enforced her to say 'Please mommy' or 'Please daddy' instead of screaming to get her way through. It's a way to calm her down n teach her politeness.

One day, I needed Valerie to help get me a tissue...

Mommy: Valerie, get mommy a tissue from the table
Valerie: Ok....

*Valerie walked to the table and then looked back*

Valerie: Say please baby...
Mommy: Ok, please baby, get mommy a tissue

*Valerie took a tissue for me and smiled*


Scene 3
She was doing an activity but struggling...

Mommy: Come, let mommy help you.
Valerie: Come, let baby help you. (pushed mommy away)


Scene 4
Playing an activity together.

Daddy: Ok, it's daddy's turn. Let daddy play.
Valerie: No, let baby play.

Scene 5
In the car with her 10 years old cousin bro, Joshua and daddy stopped at red light.

Valerie: Mommy, red is stop! Green is go! Yellow is go faster! (The yellow is taught by her naughty uncle)
Joshua: No... Valerie, yellow is go slower...
Valerie: Yellow is go faster!
Joshua: No... listen.. yellow.. is... go.. slower...

Not happy, Valerie turned to mommy.

Valerie: Mommy... Yellow is go faster...
Mommy: Errr.....well....

Just then the left turn traffic light turned yellow and a car zoomed past....

Valerie: Mommy... look.. yellow is go faster!! (pointing to the car)
Mommy: Errrm... yes... yellow is go faster......

Oopsss.. :P