Preschool searching

The search for a pre school is on!  For the past week, I have been researching for preschools in Marikina and Antipolo.  I shared in a previous post here that we wanted to enroll our son in I.S.Y.C. for SY 2014-2015 after his summer school experience.  I received a text message from the Directress that they were opening their slots last January.  When I called after two days, both the morning and mid-morning classes were already closed.  The only class that is open is the afternoon class which will run from 1:30pm to 4pm.  As much as I wanted my son to go to I.S.Y.C., the afternoon class will interfere with his nap time.  He is just two years old and I do not want to stress him out at an early age and deprive him of his nap time.  I did not realize that the slots will run out that fast, lesson learned.

I resorted back to the Internet to search for possible schools in our area.  Female Network has been a very helpful resource in getting feedback.  It is also important that you also take time to visit the school and observe a class to help with your decision.

In narrowing down on what schools I will visit, my criteria is as follows:

1.  Proximity - I prefer schools near Marcos Hi-way and Marikina Sports Complex
2. Teacher to student ratio - A small teacher to student ratio is ideal, but with a montessori set up, their ideal class size is at 20 since it's a mixed level class
3. Tuition - Maximum fee at P75K.
4. Facility - I prefer that the school has its own facility and not a house converted into a school.  However, this may change because it will really depend on the layout of the school.
5.  Teachers - I don't think I really need to elaborate on this.  But of course other than being able to properly teach my kid, the teacher/s also need to look pleasant and has a very good command on the English language.

Here is my short list and a little background of each school:

Integrated School for Young Children (I.S.Y.C.)
-located in Marikina
-Tuition for SY 2013-2014 is at P75K

-Max of 10 per class 

-3 options to choose from for the classes: am, mid am and afternoon

-5x a week, 2.5 hrs

-Facilities:  a 2 storey building, outdoor playgound, air conditioned Multi-purpose hall, Kitchen
-Teachers: Teachers are very pleasant and speak English well, a lot of the teachers are graduates of Miriam college
-My son attended the Summer camp last 2013 (see my review here)

Montessori at Kent
-located inside Filinvest East, Antipolo and is quite a travel from the village's entrance
-Tuition is around P50K+
-max 20 per class, mixed level

-Morning class only from 8-11am

-5x a week, 3 hours

-Facilities: a house which was converted into a school, small outdoor playground

-I was able to speak directly to the School Directress/owner who was very accommodating and explained to me the Montessori Curriculum

Kidstech Learning Center

- located in Lark St., Marikina, just across the Sports Center

-Tution :approximately 52k

-Morning class is from 8:30am-10am, mid morning class is from 10:30am-12nn

-5x a week

-Max 10 per class, 1 teacher and 1teacher aide

-Facilities : 1storey, small outdoor playground on the side

Kids on focus (now managed by Family montessori preschool of Loyola)

-located at Pine St., Marikina

-Tuition : 60k + 10k miscellaneous fee (no uniform, exclusive of snacks and field trips, etc), snacks are billed on a monthly basis (P400/month)

- morning class: 8-11am or 9am-12nn

-5x a week, 3 hrs

-max 20 per class (with 1 head teacher, 1 assistant teacher, 2 aides)

-Facilities : newly renovated school since they took over KOF last year, clean classroom, new materials, small covered area outside the classroom where kids have snack, read books, etc, tiny outdoor playground, with security guard

-Head Teacher was well versed with the Montessori curriculum and very accomodating. She has also been with the school for 7 years

-I visited the school during class hours to observe and was immediately impressed at how the kids were well behaved and were independently doing their respective work.
-*** Update: They now also have a 4 hour program.  Tuition for SY 2014-2015 for this program is at P80K exclusive of snacks and field trip fees

The next question is, where will my son finally go?