My baby A is turning three this December and by next school year, we are planning to enroll her for preschool. I was super excited to go preschool hopping and see how my daughter will fare compared to kids her age. At the same time, I want to see how she interacts with other kids and if she will listen to the teacher or not.
I started our preschool-hopping last February. (Read my review about the Gymboree Preschool here). The truth is at that time, my daughter was agitated and was not paying attention that much to the teacher. She just turned two that time and I told myself, she’s not yet ready.
Anyway, I was looking for another preschool when I saw Gingerbread House of Learning along Congressional Avenue in Quezon City. My neighbor’s daughter went there and recommended the school because of the facilities and progressive method of teaching. Since my daughter is two years, nine months as of this writing, I thought this can be a good time to try out another school.
Gingerbread Preschool
According to their website, Gingerbread aims to “create learning opportunities and develop exceptional group environment wherein each child can flourish in every aspect of development.”
The class starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 11:15 AM. For two hours, the kids will learn new concepts and new words, which are presented in the most appealing manner. Once the class starts, the teacher will pull out one student at a time and teach him / her new skills and review learned concepts such as letters or colors, while the other kids play around. I was so surprised with the kids’ willingness to learn, partly because they’ve been doing this for months already. As soon as the teacher is done with the last student, they will form a circle for some songs and storytelling. 
On that day, the kids learned about the concept of parade. The teacher read them a book about it and the things they can find in a parade. A video clip was also shown to the students on how an actual parade looks like. Yes mommies, there is a computer inside the classroom. How cool is that?
After storytelling, they made a drum and stick different shapes into it. A was so happy pasting the shapes on her drum and to my surprise, she even let the teacher helped her, which is a good sign. 
After their activities, it’s snack time. I had issue on this one because A wanted to play and didn’t even bother touching her food while all the kids are busy eating. She was overwhelmed with the new toys, she would rather play than eat the snack I prepared for her. I even shaped the breads into a person and sadly, it’s toys over food.
After that, it was time for their Chinese lessons. My daughter wasn’t participating on this one, mainly because she didn’t understand what the teacher is saying. They were singing songs and telling stories and A was like, “what are you talking about?” At least she was sitting down. Then it was time for goodbye. The teacher did a recap of what they learned that day and of course, sang their goodbye song.
The Plus Factors
- The classrooms. The first thing I noticed when I enter the classroom is that it is spacious enough to accommodate 12 kids (although they are only six at that time). There were lots of colors, which can be really appealing to the kids’ eyes. At the same time, the classroom was strategically designed to encourage learning. I think the classroom setting was one of the reasons why A was participating and very enthusiastic, even if I left the room.
The classroom
- Children’s waiting area. I wasn’t able to take a picture of the entire waiting area but it has books and toys which kids will absolutely love. Outside, there were even Little Tykes slides where kids are busy playing. And if you think your child is left unsupervised, then worry no more. There are two (or more) to look after the kids and make sure everyone is focused on the toys alone, sans the fighting.
- Disciplined kids. I was surprised to see how disciplined the students are, even the young kids who just turned two. The kids are taught to wash their hands before every meal, brush their teeth after eating, the manner of sitting, etc. In other words, they were able to teach a new habit without forcing the kid too much to do this or do that. And I think that’s what A needs because she doesn’t listen to me.
The Not-So-Good Factors
- Tuition fee. I don’t know if it’s the trend for preschools these days but P90,000 tuition fee can be too much for me. Of course, that includes everything the child needs, but still, it’s P90K. They accept a monthly-basis payment of P20,000 in case you feel your child is not ready for a whole school year.
- Chinese lessons. Based on the curriculum and where most students and teachers are Chinese, it is safe to say that Gingerbread is a Chinese school. They even have Chinese time incorporated in the daily schedule where they read stories in Chinese and teach kids some Chinese words. Since we’re not Chinese, I think this won’t be useful for my kid.
- Parking. It was a good thing my husband was there to drop us in Gingerbread. There are not much parking spaces, which can spell problem for me since I’m not comfortable leaving my car anywhere.
I don’t know if I will enroll A here next year since I’m still looking for other preschools but I’m seriously considering Gingerbread. A obviously loved it there and she was listening and giddy – in a good way – the entire time. Overall, Gingerbread House of Learning is a preschool I would recommend. It gives you a real school setting, which I think is a good training ground to prepare kids as they transition to bigger schools. So if you are in the QC – Congressional area, check out Gingerbread. They offer one-day preview classes for free 🙂
To know more about Gingerbread, please click on the link to check out their website.
Ayi is a stay-at-home mom of two. When her kids are in their best state, she keeps up with chores, work, and ensuring that her sanity is intact. Join her as she navigates through this rollercoaster ride called motherhood.
Wow! Php 90k for Tuition fee! I can’t believe ganyan na kamahal ang scholl for toddlers. OMG! But I guess you made the right decision, mukhang okay naman yung facilities eh like the classroom.
Yes. I don’t know if expensive lang ang natatanungan ko since Gymboree Preschool is at P93K or talagang trend na sa preschool these days na mahal ang tuition fee. Of course it includes everything but still, 90K is still 90K.
This post makes me reminisce my two daughters’ preschool years. They’re 12 and 11 years old now. Those were fun times. However, for our 3rd child, who’s now 3 years old, we’ve decided to try homeschooling him during his preschool years. He seems to be doing well. 🙂 Good luck on your search!
Thanks!
Though I would like to ask, how exactly does homeschooling work? Like do you still follow a curriculum from an online-based preschool? The truth is homeschooling is a foreign concept for me since I never really considered the idea 🙂
Woah, the tuition fee is quite hefty! My son is turning 3 next year and I was hunting for Montessori preschools here in Davao, too, but we didn’t pursue it because nasasayangan ako sa tuition fee. So we’re homeschooling next year instead. 🙂
Diba mommy? Expensive talaga, though I was told na ganun na ata ang trend these days. Still, it is expensive.
I wanna ask, how does homeschooling work? I mean do you follow a certain curriculum pa or it’s up to you nalang? You’ll just buy educational materials lang? I’m not sure how homeschooling works eh 🙂
I hate sounding like I’m promoting, but really, I blog about home schooling to help out newbies in this area. Why don’t you try going through my home school posts? The last 4 are down on the basics. 🙂
Hi Mommy May!
It’s okay, I don’t mind you promoting about homeschooling 🙂 I really have no idea how it works actually so I would love to read about that 🙂
I’m still trying out other schools but I’m definitely not closing my doors on anything 🙂
To be honest, I have yet to start pa! Though I did research na on curricula. I know a lot of homeschooling moms prefer to homeschool preschoolers freestyle eh, but for me and my son, we’re both sticklers for schedule so I think a curriculum would work best for us!
So you’ll just follow an online curriculum? Do preschools have that?
I don’t know if I can homeschool my kids since they are super hyper but I am also considering the idea 🙂 My husband is against it, though.
That depends on you talaga. My partner kasi is a fan of my teaching (hahaha), but even though the elders are against it, I did some research to convince them. We’re taking one level at a time 🙂
Well, yeah, it’s a trend among progressive schools to charge that much. This is the first time I’ve heard of a progressive preschool,though.
The idea of getting the children out one by one to concentrate on each of them is a nice idea. Preschool tuition fees are really sooo hefty and so scary! Makes me want to home school my kids!
Hi there mommy!
I am also considering that idea but my husband is so against it. He prefers traditional schooling since kids get to interact with other people. I still have to look for “cheaper” preschools but I guess that 90K something tuition fee (or less, hopefully) is something I can’t avoid 🙂
I think 90k is the average fee for preschool these days. Mas mahal nga lang sa college tuition fee ko na 4k per sem noon lol
xoxo
MrsMartinez
I think so too, Mommy. Though there are cheaper preschools and by cheaper, around 80K lang so ganun din. Lol!
Mommy yan ba yung sa harap ng Q-mart? Across KFC?
Hi Mommy!
I think John Dewey yung sinasabi mo 🙂 Gingerbread is near John Dewey, although mas mauuna ito madaanan if galing ka from North – Munoz 🙂
oh yikes.. if preschool charge that much (or something within that area), that means i need to work doubly hard in the next two years… 🙁
It’s really expensive 🙁 Sabi nga nila, “mahal magka-anak.”
true that!
I hope they have a branch in Makati!
Hi Mommy!
That I’m not sure. Ang alam ko lang they have one in QC lang 🙂
Oh, no! That’s really high for me! 90K! Whoah! Good for me there are available schools within our vicinity offering much, much lower tuition fees! 🙂 but, of course, I can’t compare it in terms of facilities. 🙂
It is really expensive. I’m still looking for “cheaper” alternatives actually but of course, I’m hoping okay ang facilities.
I also want a progressive school for my daughter but the nearest PS here is like 20 to 30mins travel time. Okay lang sana ang biyahe kaso we would need to ride a jeepney na lumilipad! Hindi naman pwede ihatid kami lagi ni hubby dahil may work din siya. 🙁
Did you homeschool nalang your daughter?
90K??? I almost fell when I read that! I think that’s too much for pre-school. I’m sure you’ll find similar, if not better schools, at a lower cost 🙂
Ang mahal noh? My husband said it’s too expensive daw since feeling niya meron mas cheaper pa. But of course, we have to check first the facilities, the manner of teaching, the teachers, etc.
Looks like a nice school but the tuition fee is really pricey!
Well, with great service comes great prices! But of course we want the best for our children right?
I like the school because it emphasizes both learning and play, which is good for kids development. The tuition,yeah, pre-school can really be expensive. 😀
90k for a TF! wow!! pero OK ang marketing strategy nila ah, pay 20K on a monthly basis kung hindi pa ready ang bagets, that’s 200k for the whole year!
Hi!try Integrated School for The Young near New Plaza in congressional(mercury st.) and Early Achievers beside BDO bldng in congressional ung malapit sa visayas ave. I’m planning to transfer my daughter sa Gingerbread on June kung wala na kami makitang iba.Regarding sa Chinese lesson ng kids tingin ko kailangan rin nila sa panahon ngayon.Halos lahat na kasi ng preschool may ganun & mas madali sila matuto habang bata pa.kapag grade school kasi may chinese din sila like sa ibang school(ICA,Jubillee,Life Academy)so hindi na sila mangangapa pagdating ng grade school. ☺
I saw those schools mommy 🙂 I wasn’t able to inquire lang with Early Achievers. I noticed nga na most preschools near our area has Chinese lessons. We’re not Chinese naman kaya I don’t think it is useful. Still, no harm naman if our kids learn the language, diba? 🙂
Thanks for dropping by!
hi mommy! any update with your baby A’s school?
Hi Angie 🙂 Thanks for dropping by! I didn’t enroll her in Gingerbread for personal reasons. I enrolled her in Gymboree instead and I’m glad I made the right choice 🙂
Hi Mommy,
Where is Gingerbread? Please tell me more about it. Im scouting also school for my 3-year old son and im eyeing John Dewey kaya lang mahal din 🙁
Hi 🙂
It’s along Congressional din, near Congressional Village. If you’re coming from Munoz, mauuna ang Gingerbread then John Dewey 🙂
Hi 😊
Natry nyo ba mg inquire sa Mariah montessori?along visayas ave lng sya,.mas cheaper sya kesa sa gingerbread,
Hi! No eh. I enrolled my daughter in another school 🙂 It’s the first time I heard of Mariah Montessori too 🙂
Hi again,.
Nag inquire kc kmi dun sa Maria Montesorri just yesterday,nsa 63k lang sya,kso wala na slot sa umaga,kya sa ginger bread kmi siguro mg eenroll,kya nakita ko tong review mo sa gingerbread,.
last year, the tuition fee is P93K 🙂 This year, I’m not sure. My neighbor’s son goes there and okay naman ang turo 🙂
Wow! So glad I stumbled on your post. I am actually looking for a school already and the tuition fee is just too much for us. Thank you for you posting about this.
I think the school is pretty much good but it depends if you have the lifestyle to support it. Haha!
Hi Iza,
Thanks for checking out the blog! Tuition fee is one of the biggest considerations when looking for a school. Sadly, most of the best schools have expensive tuition fees. Ipon talaga :))