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.