Monday 9 May 2016

9th Avenue School in BGC

I've seen 9th Avenue School whenever I went to Urban Ashram Manila for my Fertility Yoga every weekend when we were trying to conceive. I was intrigued with the happy faces of the little ones who rode the elevator with me, so I made sure I was gonna check 9th Avenue School when the time is right.
Learning ABC's is fun with this creative wall display 
Now, that our family is scouting for a playschool for Baby Charley (she's 16 months now), 9th Avenue School is at the top of our list of schools to visit. 



Approach
9th Avenue School uses play and sound child development principles and practices.
The hallway 
Its holistic curriculum is highly individualised and child-centred where children socialise, learn, and discover a lot of things without feeling pressured.

Socialising with classmates


Children are grouped together according to their age, and the activities and materials given to them are developmentally appropriate. There are Block and Half (18 - 23 months; yaya or at least 1 parent required to be in class), Avenue 2's, Avenue 3's, Avenue 4's, Avenue 5's (kindergarten), and Mid Avenue (2 - 4 years old).

One of the centres in the classroom
Founders of 9th Avenue School are very active in the campus. Also, they pioneered the practice of developmentally appropriate education in the Philippines. All of them are educators themselves who trained and taught here and abroad.


What We Love About 9th Avenue School 
* Spacious for kids to run around 
The whole campus of 9th Avenue is spacious, and each class, Block & a Half, 2's, and 3's have their own classrooms. 
The classroom for the bigger ones are large enough for them to move around 

Play Area













Washrooms made just for the little ones

Since Block & a Half classes include toddlers and their guardians, the room could be a little congested. Thankfully, 9th Avenue limits the number of students per class.


Charley's classroom 

* Close Parent-School Relationship 
9th Avenue is proud of its tight and healthy relationship with its parents. At least one parent, or a yaya, is requested to attend Block & a Half classes with the toddler. Yayas are taught of proper child care and reinforcement activities they could do with their toddlers at home.

Toddlers and their parents enjoy roasting some marshmallows
Some parents are also requested to lead activities or give a talk in school. 

When a student is not fetched right away, communication is sent to the parents. Kids often do not mind being fetched late since they will not get bored waiting while they are at the spacious play area.

The spacious Play Area gives an opportunity for kids from all classes to bond and play together 
* Thematic Activities
Besides being play-based, we also love that the babies in Block and a Half enjoy daily activities based on the day's set theme.

One of the decorations in the classroom 
For example, since it was Camping Day, the songs, art, and other activities about the great outdoors were prepared by the teacher for the tots to enjoy.
Real logs to set the mood for Camping Day 
The teacher showed digital pictures of what camping is like. 


Art time was also about camping.


Camping will not be complete without a lighting a campfire and roasting some mallows.

Singing our camping song
There was even a tent waiting for the tots when they went to the Play Area for their active play!


Fees & Schedule 
Tuition fees are based on your child's class and chosen schedule. This already includes the materials that your little ones will use (and eat just like the mallows today!) during their stay.

There are Morning and Afternoon schedules you and your little ones can choose from.


Location & Contacts 
M/F Active Fun Bldg., 9th AVe cor 28th Street
Bonficaio Global City, Taguig
0917.801.PLAY
(02) 856.1478
play@9thavenueschool
www.9thavenueschool.com 


Overall 
Baby Charley enjoyed her day at the 9th Avenue School. She specifically liked feeding Pascal the turtle, which is a literal class pet of Block & a Half kids. I think having him around gives the tots, as young as they are, a sense of responsibility as they take turns feeding him.

Feeding Pascal the Turtle 


It's also very convenient that 9th Avenue School is very accessible to both private and public transpo - BGC bus passes through the 28th Street. It's also near the park, Fully Booked, and restos in BGC.

BGC 
My Little OC - Baby Charley fixed the chairs without being told 
Finally, as a parent, I truly appreciate the regular evaluation and assessment of my child and the school's honest and objective recommendation of what big school is appropriate for her. 

I think 9th Avenue School is a good choice for playschool for our little ones before they enter our chosen big school. 




12 comments:

  1. Good play schools are a bit hard to find. Good your found this place sis. This will be very helpful to moms looking for a playschool for their first timer kiddos.

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    1. Thank you. Looking for a playschool could be fun but exhausting. I do wish to help mommies who are scouting for a playschool for their little ones. :)

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  2. What a nice playschool? I love that that the kids have a lot of space to roam around and explore. How much does it cost to enroll here?

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    1. Tuition fees vary according to your child's age and your preferred schedule. You may call Teacher Aina of 9th Avenue for the exact figures. :)

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  3. Such a nice playschool I just hope its near our place so I could also try it for my son. But having second thoughts din kasi I saw how you rate the tuition fees. ihihih

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    1. I understand. I'm just being objective here. One educator I have talked to before told me that one cannot really give a price for a quality well-deserved education. :) The same is true for 9th Avenue, you will surely get your money's worth here, that I can promise. :)

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  4. The progressive approach in education is the only way to do it (in preschool), IMHO. I am glad that more and more parents have discovered the beauty of play-based, holistic learning.

    My son's former teacher used to teach there. She was awesome! :)

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    1. I talked to Teacher Aina during our visit, and she was such a dear. She's objective and she really knows the ins and outs of developmentally appropriate education :)

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  5. I love that this place is interactive. Your kid can learn and at the same time, bond with you as well.

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    1. Yes. I think that's one of the highlights of 9th Avenue - really closer relationship with the parents. :)

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  6. Hi Charleys Mommy! 😉 Nice review. Checking out your blog now. PM me naman tuition fee of 9th Avenue if possible. Thanks!

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  7. My daughter went here! I loved the teachers and the school, as they really encourage creativity and development through play.

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I would love to hear your thoughts!