My child turns 5 this year, and will be moving out of ECA only because... they don't offer…read moreKindergarten. If they did, we would have probably stayed. He has been in ECA for over 2 yrs and we've loved how much he's grown at his time here.
I have two kids, and older one was sent to a different Daycare as ECA was not available at his time, and I can truly say that ECA has exceeded our expectations on what a daycare can and should provide your little one during their prime years.
My son at ECA has learned how to take care of himself, clean up after himself, manners, and properly greeting etiquette. We do not speak mandarin at home, so seeing him be able to pick up so much from school has been so heart warming and amazing. We feel that ECA has done much more, along the lines of controlled learning. Not does he only have free play, but they really do believe that learning about the outside world is just as important. He's learned about continents, the 5 oceans, the solar system. And not only does he learn them in English, he's learned them in Mandarin as well. He has been given the ability to practice his cutting, pasting, writing letters, and number... but he's also been given the experience to learn how to make dumplings, and moon cake with his peers. The art that they do is also tied in to the subjects they are learning... which is how it should be done. They get to see, hear, and do.. which is essential in active learning.
We don't speak mandarin at home. And being able to watch my child read mandarin words, sing mandarin songs, and reply to his teachers in mandarin... has been amazing. I can truly say that he speaks better mandarin than I can now. I've added a video to my review as a small sample of how much my son has learned reading Chinese at ECA.
Also, once they are in pre-k, there are some days, where your kid gets to bring home, homework (not mandatory). Haha if that's your thing. My child loved it. And was proud to do the work "all by himself".
I truly believe my little one has been able to grow a lot from ECA. And we're really happy about the staff, and the head school, Jenny. They have less turn over rates than our prior daycare, and the staff really seem to enjoy their time with the kids. The cameras are also always a nice touch to ease any parent's anxiety.
Thank you ECA!