For the coming weeks, we will be highlighting local and international schools around Beijing from our upcoming 2014-2015 School Choice Guide, which comes out in early February 2014. Scroll down for more information on how to participate in our annual school choice fair in March 2014.

Recognized as a model kindergarten by the Chaoyang Ministry of Education, The Family Learning House is a virtues-based, bilingual pre-school dedicated to acquiring knowledge and good character for the purpose of serving humanity. In addition to its ‘Virtues in Us’ character education program, the school aims to provide an academically stimulating Montessori and Chinese curriculum. The Family Learning House includes a petting farm, organic produce and a child-directed recycling program, additionally the curriculum places strong emphasis on art and music, offering daily piano lessons for all 4.5-6 year old children. Students also participate in monthly educational outings, community service projects, and multicultural celebrations. The school seeks to foster a learning community involving students, teachers, ayis and families.  

Founding Date: 2002

School type: Bilingual "Virtues-based" Montessori kindergarten

Registered with the Ministry of Education: Yes

Tuition fees (2014-2015 academic Year):
Full-day session RMB 95,000 per year
Lunch fee: Included in the tuition fee. 

Age range: 2-6 years

Number of students: 200

Nationality of students: Mixed nationalities.

Local Chinese students accepted? Yes

Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes

Primary teaching languages: Chinese and English

Languages taught: English and Chinese

Class size: 21-30 (primary); 20 (toddler)

Teacher/student ratio: 1:5

School hours: 8.30am-4pm

School facilities: Montessori classrooms with child-size kitchen, and library. Certified Montessori learning materials. Piano in each classroom. Two outdoor playgrounds with vegetable garden and petting farm. art room and multi-purpose room and parents’ coffee lounge.

Total area of campus: 2,100 sqm

School nurse: Yes

Lunch offered: Yes. Nutritionally balanced Chinese and Western meals are served with many vegetarian options.

Contacts:
Beside Bldg 14, Jianwai SOHO West Area, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District (5869 7540 ext 800 reception/801 office, info@thefamilylearninghouse.com) www.thefamilylearninghouse.com
朝阳区东三环中路39号建外SOHO西区14号楼旁

Word from a Parent:

“The Family Learning House has been a haven for our daughter – a place that integrates virtues based Montessori education with the joy and magic of early childhood. During our three years at the school we have witnessed our daughter and her classmates as well as teachers, staff and diverse families all continue to learn and grow together. We feel blessed to have found in TFLH a welcoming, nurturing and healthful environment where there is genuine concern for the needs of the children.” – Michael Cherney (US), father of Autumn (age 5)

For more information on the 2014-2015 School Choice Guide e-mail editor@beijing-kids.com and click here to view the 2013-2014 School Choice Guide on ISSUU. For more information on our upcoming School Choice Fair on March 1-2, 2014, please e-mail schoolchoicefair@truerun.com

For the coming weeks, we will be highlighting local and international schools around Beijing from our upcoming 2014-2015 School Choice Guide, which comes out in early February 2014. Scroll down for more information on how to participate in our annual school choice fair in March 2014.

Young Starters Academy (YSA) is an international bilingual preschool for children aged 2 to 6 with two campuses centrally located within Chaoyang District.  Founded by Singaporean educators Joyce Lim and Kristin Koh, the YSA offers bilingual curriculum, individualized learning program and diverse after-school activities. Based on the tenet that every child develops at her own pace, portions of the curriculum are taught on a one-on-one basis, including music/piano, reading and brain training. In addition, the YSA has a new Bridging Class for 5 years old upwards to prepare them academically for Grade One, and all of the teachers undergo bi-weekly training session as well as the Parent Effectiveness Training Program (P.E.T.) to help them work more closely with parents on the developmental needs of their child.

Founding date: 2010

School type: International Preschool academy

Grades offered: Kindergarten

Is the school registered with the Ministry of Education? No

Tution fees (2014-2015 Academic Year):
Application fee: RMB 1,000
One-year tuition: RMB 53,000 (half day), RMB 75,000 (full day)

Lunch fee: Organic lunch RMB 30/day. Organic produced prepared by Thermomix.

Age range: 2-6

Number of students: 45

Nationality of students: Singapore, Malaysia, USA, Australia and Europe.

Foreign passport holders accepted? Yes

Local Chinese students accepted? Yes

Primary teaching language: English

Languages taught: English and Chinese

Class size: 6-10

Teacher/student ratio: 1:6

School hours: 9.30am-12.30pm (half day), 9.30am-4.30pm (full day)
After school activities: Art, kung fu, reading, cooking, science, paper folding, “happy reading”

School facilities: Music room/dance studio, indoor play area

Total area of campus: 300sqm (Mixion Campus), 150sqm (Upper East Side Campus)

School nurse: The school is staffed with first aid-trained teachers.

Contact:
1) Young Starters@Upper East Side: Rm 101, Unit 5, Block 5, Area 2, Upper East Side Apartments, 6 Dongsihuan Beilu, Chaoyang District (186 0004 9065 Joyce, 135 2256 3767 Kris, theyoungstarters@gmail.com) www.theyoungstarters.com 朝阳区东四环北路6号二区阳光上东5号楼5单元101室;

2) Young Starters@Mixion: Unit 4 Apt 102, Tower 6, Jin Dui Hui Mixion Apartments, 9 Maizidian Xilu (near Nuren Jie), Chaoyang District (186 0004 9065 Joyce, 135 2256 3767 Kris, theyoungstarters@gmail.com) www.theyoungstarters.com 麦子店西街9号华远九都汇6号楼4单元102室邮编100125

Word from a Parent:

“Kristin and Joyce have watched Dylan grow from the time when he couldn’t speak to now – today, he just can’t stop talking in both English and Chinese. They’ve got a pretty neat bilingual program. Dylan has benefited tremendously from his first schooling experience. Everyday when I pick him up from school, I ask him, “What did you learn today?" And he’ll always say “I don’t know…" But at the most opportune times he will display surprising skills and knowledge like writing his own name, doing simple addition, and putting his toys away.  One of the best things about being in YSA is that not only does Dylan get a lot of attention, I also feel valued as a parent. Through regular interaction with Kristin, Joyce and his teachers, I understand my child better and as a result I can also become a better parent to him. This level of attention from principals is a rarity.” –    Stella Antakusuma (Singapore), Mom of Dylan Ng, age 4

For more information on the 2014-2015 School Choice Guide e-mail editor@beijing-kids.com and click here to view the 2013-2014 School Choice Guide on ISSUU. For more information on our upcoming School Choice Fair on March 1-2, 2014, please e-mail schoolchoicefair@truerun.com