Goodbye Toddlers Unlimited! Hello Community of Learners!

It is official. Elle Marie is definitely transferring to Community of Learners School for Children next school year. We completed the school visit; Noy and I attended the Parent's orientation; and Elle Marie passed the entrance assessment. We paid the P2,000 reservation fee and are now just waiting for the final schedule of school fees.

The idea of transferring Elle Marie to another school is actually not new. Noy and I already did an initial scanning of pre-schools in Makati City last year but still ended up with Toddlers Unlimited. However this year, we had no choice but to transfer Elle Marie considering that my new work is in Manila, we kept on losing our yayas; and Papa gave me a new car.

Our primary considerations were location; student-teacher ratio; and after-school programs. Our initial choices were Colegio de San Agustin, Assumption-Makati and St Scholastica’s College. However, given that on average their student-teacher ratio is 25-1 we took them out of our list.

I surveyed pre-schools near Malacang where my new office is. I listed St. Jude and Little Presidents. I thought, maybe after class, Elle Marie can stay with me. However, what if I am out of the office for a meeting or field work? What will happen to Elle Marie?

Good thing I met Upeng. Upeng is the wife of Noy’s friend Dodgie. We met one afternoon in a party organized by the Nemenzo’s. We were exchanging notes about child rearing and family life when she suggested that I consider Community of Learners for Elle Marie. But she cautioned me that it is not a “fancy school” in terms of facilities. I said, I’ll think about it.

I found myself falling in love with Community of Learners the moment I visited their website. I totally relate with their student handbook. I saw myself and my daughter growing and evolving with Community of Learners.

Then I had a discussion with my bestfriend and Elle Marie’s godmother, Irene. She told me that Community of Learners is like the “UP” of pre-schools. “Mura”, di fancy and facilities pero quality education talaga. Of course, my eyes twinkled upon hearing those descriptions about COLF… And, that discussion was followed by another discussion with my colleague Haydee whose children grew up with COLF! She mentioned that the “after school” program of COLF has greatly helped her survived motherhood with a career on the other side.

I look forward to a fruitful year with COLF. For now, all I had to do is learn how to drive... familiarize myself with the San Juan route...