Progressive Preschools Down South

My baby is only 1 year old, but as early as now, this excited mommy here is already scouting and comparing schools for her when the time comes. Choosing the perfect preschool is never easy, as I am aware how the choice would greatly impact her formative years, and how she would view school and studying moving forward.  Right now, I'm thinking of enrolling her in a progressive school because of its student-centered approach to learning and the fact that subjects are integrated. There's immediate application of lessons learned, and the class size is smaller compared to traditional schools (1:12 teacher-student ratio or less).

I've done my research on progressive preschools down south, and these are the ones that top my list for Lia.

Toddlers Unlimited

Festival Mall, Filinvest, Alabang

Email: alabang@toddlersunlimited.com
Telephone No: 850-4064


Toddlers Unlimited calls itself “the premiere progressive nursery school” in Manila. They believe that children have an unlimited potential to exceed adults’ expectations and society’s imagination.

It offers classes for as young as 3-6 months old up to 5 years old. Schedules depend on the child’s age.  I inquired about the rates for toddlers (1-2yo), and I’m sharing it below. Fees are inclusive of all learning materials. Children will only need to bring their snacks and a set of extra clothes to school.

Toddlers Unlimited also have Saturday classes for 1-3 year olds, but schedules and rates may vary. The fee is P4,000 for 5 Saturdays and P4,800 for 6 Saturdays. Each session is one and a half hours long. 

The Little Apprentice

Aspen Tower, Parkway cor. Corporate Avenue, Filinvest, Alabang

Email: tlapreschool@yahoo.com
Telephone No: 659-4168

The Little Apprentice Preschool believes that education is not only about reading, writing and math. It is also about creatively nurturing and developing the whole child.  They believe that true learning happens when the curriculum meets their developmental needs and that a strong support system between home and school is important.

These are their rates for a 5x a week schedule.

Cambridge Child Development Center

Alabang Town Center, Alabang
Email: alabang@cambridge.com.ph
Telephone Nos: 659-1387; 659-1406

The philosophy of Cambridge Child Development Center is that each child is a unique individual who has the potential to be the best that he can be.

Below are their class schedules and fees.

Mindbuilders Preschool

BF International, Las Pinas City
Email: mindbuilderspreschool@yahoo.com 

Mindbuilders Preschool is all about developing each child's multiple intelligences.  From the way its classes are named, it looks like music is an integral part of the kids' day to day activities! :)

The miscellaneous fees above include two sets of uniforms, a school bag, all art and classroom materials, student's field trip fee, and basic accident insurance. :)

Mindbuilders also offer Kindermusik classes! The classes below are 45 minutes each.

The Little Gym
Madrigal Business Park, Alabang
Email: thelittlegym.alabang@gmail.com
Telephone Nos: 850-4060, 850-4061

The Little Gym is a franchised children's fitness and development center where motor skills development, recreational gymnastics, sports skills development, martial arts, and dance classes are provided in a safe, non-competitive environment. Their curriculum-based physical, social and cognitive development programs are designed by child development experts in the United States. The Little Gym believes in three-dimensional learning as described below.

The Little Gym has a parent-child motor development class for kids 6 months to 2.11 years old.  The class is only 45 minutes per session, and fees include  the following:

• Annual Membership Fee - PhP1,960
• Tuition Full Term (13 sessions) - PhP 13,680

The school also has a program for toddlers 2 to 3 years old called Terrific Tots.  This has a play-based curriculum that meets 2 to 3 times a week.  The first hour is in the gym and the next hour and a half is in the classroom.  Tuition fees are as follows:

• Registration Fee: PhP6000 (good for one school year; payable upon first payment; non-refundable)
• Deposit: PhP10,000 (payable upon first payment; refundable upon enrollment in the 3rd trimester; waived if paying full year fee) 
• FULL YEAR (one payment): 2x/ week - PhP105,000
• 1st Trimester: PhP41,000
• 2nd Trimester: PhP43,000
• 3rd Trimester: PhP31,000

A-Plus International School

Festival Mall, Filinvest, Alabang

Email: marketing@aplus-is.com 
Telephone Nos: 772-1662 to 63

A-Plus International School is committed to mold young minds in preparation for academics in the primary school. Bound by its Multiple Intelligences curriculum, A-Plus International School aims to provide a fully integrated and comprehensive preschool program that would cater to the individual needs and “intelligences” of students, and provide them with a safe and nurturing learning environment.  In addition, A-Plus specializes in language, so if you want your kids to learn Mandarin and Spanish aside from English, this school is a good choice.

As for the tuition fees:

• 5x a week - PhP 81,312 (annual); PhP 42,689 (semi-annual); PhP 22,361 (quarterly)
• 3x a week - PhP 60,984 (annual); PhP 32,017 (semi-annual); PhP 16,771 (quarterly)

Then add the basic fees below on top of the tuition:

• Program fee - PhP 1,000 (toddler & pre-nursery, nursery, and kinder)
• Learning materials - PhP 2,900 (toddler & pre-nursery, nursery, and kinder)
• Art materials - PhP 4,000 (toddler & pre-nursery); PhP 3,000 (nursery and kinder)
• Activity workbook/ abacus/ mandarin - PhP 5,100 (toddler & pre-nursery); PhP 8,300 (nursery); and PhP 10,800 (kinder)

A-Plus also offers Saturday playschool, 2 hours per session, and that's PhP 3,900 per month. :)

Kencare Learning Center

BF Resort Village, Las Pinas
Email: kencare94@gmail.com
Telephone Nos: 875-3683, 403-9723

Kencare does not have a website, but they are frequently mentioned in forums as a progressive school. I gave them a call to confirm, and they said yes, they are progressive. However, they call their teaching style “eclectic,” since it’s a combination of Montessori and traditional. That got me confused, but I listed them here, nonetheless. 

Kencare’s annual tuition fee is P36,875 for a one-time payment. For monthly payments, the amount is P39,875, but a downpayment of P15,875 has to be made upon enrolment. Classes run 5x a week, 2 hours per day. They don’t offer Saturdays-only classes.

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As of today, I have not been to any of these schools to actually observe classes, but that is my next step.  I do not believe in basing one's choice solely on the tuition fees, because education is NOT a commodity.  Parents have to go to the school itself, scrutinize the curriculum, and observe how classes are done and the teaching methods of the faculty.  The hubby and I are thinking of enrolling Lia when she turns two, so I still have plenty of time left to schedule appointments with each school. I am excited! :)



Cheers,

Taking the Leap to Lose

2012.  The year I got married. 92 pounds.
2013.  Honeymoon stage. No baby.  104-108 pounds.
2014.  I got pregnant. 113 pounds right before I knew there's a bun in my oven.
2015.  I gave birth. 148 shocking pounds before delivery.
2016.  My baby's already 1. And I'm stuck at 123 pounds.

They say the last few pounds are the hardest to lose, and I know that firsthand.  Even harder if you're not doing anything at all to actually lose them, like myself. =P I am not obsessed with losing weight because I'm okay with how I am, I mean, I still feel good about myself! :) However, convenience-wise, there's a lot to gain if I lose.  I'd get to wear all my old clothes that don't fit anymore, I could carry Lia around without getting tired too easily and give Rolly and the nanny a break, I could go up and down the stairs over and over without getting hingal! Hehe. So yes, I've finally admitted to myself that I need to lose these overstaying post-pregnancy kilos, and maybe some more.

People who know me well would know that I'm not a big eater, I like sweets a lot though. I eat rice in small quantities, and I eat frequently.  They would also know that I hate exercise of any form (Hate is such a strong word, true, but I mean it). I never liked running, doing sports, or even walking!  I do, very rarely, only out of compliance or obligation.  Hehe. Hindi ako maarte, but I don't like the feeling of me perspiring. In this very humid country like ours, the last thing that I want is for me to turn into a sweaty pig, even for just a few minutes!  Sweat, whether good or bad sweat, is all bad to me.  That's why I never considered going to the gym until two weeks ago.

The hubby and I had dinner at Westgate Alabang, and while I was parking (we went there separately), Fitness First caught my eye.  I remembered the chitchat I had with my office mates earlier that day about how exercise makes them feel good as it releases brain chemicals called endorphins, inducing feelings of well-being.  I told Rolly about it, and said I could give exercise a chance (as if it needs me and not the other way around! Hehe).  We inquired, and I was satisfied with how my discussion with the trainer went. The facilities are high-end, the ambiance is nice. I found the rates too high though.  Fitness First at Westgate is a platinum club, not a regular one like the other branches.

The flyer the trainer gave me after our talk. :)

If I'd sign up for a 12-month membership, that's PhP3,750 a month.  Not a come-on for someone who's only pushing herself to at least try to make her fats cry.  Hehe.

There's also a 360 Fitness Club at Westgate, so we checked it out as well.  The front desk officer was all smiles when we entered, and we were entertained right away.

Photos from Google Images. :)

The moment I looked around, however, I knew it wasn't for me.  I saw some club members doing their thing, and they were all super serious!  All of them looked like athletes to me, I instantly felt I didn't belong! It's not that I just want to play and not take working out seriously.  It's just that I feel I'd get motivated more if I see other members who are just like me --- normal people who want to try being fit.  A little bit of small talk with others while exercising would be nice, too. :)  However, for those who want real training without any flare, I think Club 360 is the perfect choice.  These are their rates.

Pardon the photo quality. =P

The last that we checked was Gold's Gym in Molito, Alabang. I talked to an Account Officer and got the fees. I was surprised that membership at Gold's is super affordable!  I was able to speak with a personal trainer, too, and I told him my fitness goals.  He assured me that it can be done, but ultimately, it will all depend on me. Waaah.

From Google Images.

The facilities at Gold's are all really good, too, but not as high-end as those at Fitness First.  This also explains why Gold's rates are relatively lower.

Reasonable rates! :)

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So these three were my options.  I slept on it and made sure I was really ready to take this leap to stretch my muscles a little, hehe.  Two days after, I made up my mind and signed up at Gold's. :) Was it divine intervention? Perhaps. :)

On my first session, I was 'assessed' and I learned that 33% of my total body weight is all FAT! Waaaaah!  What a way to motivate a newbie!  Hahaha! Let's see how it goes from here. I hope I could cross from fat to fit! :)

Cheers,

ExpoMom 2016: The Motherhood Journey

It's ExpoMom time once again, hooray!  The theme for this year is "The Motherhood Journey," as Mommy Mundo commits to be present at every stage of this lifelong career called mommy-hood.  I like the theme a lot, it just feels good to have a go-to community for every mother like myself, whether you're an expectant mom, a mom of a baby or a toddler, or even already experienced moms.  Thanks, Mommy Mundo! :)

And because Belo Baby is now here, we won't let this trade expo for modern moms pass without the new product line joining the fun. :)  Yesterday and today formed the first leg of ExpoMom 2016, and it was held at Glorietta Activity Center.

As expected, there were a lot of product booths offering exciting discounts and freebies for moms, moms-to-be, and the whole family! I myself felt giddy while I was going around, I left no corner unturned, hehe. =P The photo below was taken early in the morning, it doesn't show how full of people it actually was for the most part of the two-day fair.

Photo courtesy of my friend and colleague, Jem! :)

Here's the super adorable Belo Baby booth!  I looooove the rocking sheep and elephant, they were a hit among little kids! :)

And of course I took a photo of my Lia at the pretty teepee tent!  I brought her and the hubby today. :)

Playing with Belo Baby products! :)

Certified Belo Babies! :)

One of the day's segments was done by Nicole Hernandez, the lovely ambassador for Belo Baby. She talked about how unique and delicate baby's skin is, and why all-natural products are what's best for it.  She also did a short game, and all the mommy winner and non-winners took home 100% natural Belo Baby products.

She said she was so nervous, but she didn't look like she was at all! Good job, Nicole! :)

The moms had to 'shop' for ten good things for their baby's skin among all the good and bad stuff mixed together in the crates.

And that's it! :)  It was a fun, fun fair!  The schedule of the succeeding ExpoMom legs is below, just in case you weren't able to catch it at Glorietta.

• June 18 - Cebu
• June 25 - Bacolod
• July 2 - Alabang Town Center
• July 16 to 17 - Trinoma
• August 6 - Davao
• October 15 - Cagayan de Oro

Just wait for more details Mommy Mundo is sure to release as each leg comes near. If you plan to visit, don't forget to drop by the Belo Baby booth for attractive offers for your baby and the whole family. :)

Cheers,

My Newfound Love: Pandora

In Greek mythology, Pandora's box is an artifact from where all the evils flew out the moment it was opened.  In this day and age however, the complete opposite is what's true.  In my case, the first time I opened a box of Pandora, Cupid flew out and made me fall in love. Haha, cheeeesy! =P

What's so special about Pandora? For one, the concept is very unique.  Pandora allows us women to express our personal style, celebrate life's precious moments, or show the values that make us who we are.  Every Pandora bracelet tells a story, and this is what made me want to own one. I fell in love with the fact that I could personalize it --- I can choose charms that represent things that I value most or those that would remind me of my life's milestones. 

Because I am a newbie, I only have three charms at the moment.  First and center is a sterling silver cross with cubic zirconia - a charm named "Symbol of Faith," my lovely piece that symbolizes God.  Next to it is the translucent violet enamel charm "In My Heart," this one represents my husband whom I love very much. :) And to the left of the cross is the sterling silver charm "Baby Carriage," which obviously stands for Lia, our precious little baby.  

I can't wait to add more charms but I have to restrain myself!  Hehe. I guess know priority has to be given to Lia's milk and food and clothes! Hahaha! :) 

Showing here lovely Pandora pieces I saw on the internet for inspiration.:)  Everything is soooo beautiful!

If you wanna learn or see more, visit http://www.pandora.net/en-ph. Come get your own Pandora bracelet now and like me, tell your story. :)


Cheers,