Ms. Carol Cheng - Director
 

Working with children has been a life long passion of mine.  I graduated from Claremont McKenna College with a BA in Economics and Psychology, and while I went on to work in a bank, I always had one eye on a career in early childhood education.  Eventually, I made a commitment to pursue this dream, and obtained a Masters in Child Development at London's Institute of Education.  While in London, I experienced my first taste of the Montessori method in a Montessori kindergarten, and was amazed at the self-discipline, independence and concentration demonstrated by the children there.  Since then, I have observed and worked in several different-styled kindergartens and schools, Montessori and otherwise, both in Singapore and London, and am truly convinced of the efficacy and merit of Dr. Montessori's method.  I took a course at Montessori Centre International, and continue to learn more about the method by reading as much as I can about her work as well as current publications on modern research and refinements of the method.
While I believe in the adherence to the true Montessori philosophies as espoused by Dr. Montessori, I also feel that the system can be enhanced for the modern context, and that schools should be ready to adapt and enrich their methods at all times.  I was therefore delighted when I was afforded a chance to be part of Buttercups Montessori Kindergarten, which was founded by Ms. Christina Tang-Lien in 2000.  Christina and I share very similar views towards childhood education, and in Buttercups, Christina has successfully integrated a Montessori curriculum with the demands of an academic-based program.  Christina has allowed me the privilege to continue her good work, and with great pride and joy, I took over Buttercups Montessori Kindergarten in June 2006.

OUR STAFF

We have a good team of people who work together with complementary skills and qualifications to run the school.  They help to create a loving, nurturing and supportive learning environment.

Ms. Yeo Ek Kian - Principal

After 18 years of work as an architect, I felt the need to change my profession.  I completed my diploma as a Montessori teacher with St. Nicholas Montessori Centre, London and joined Buttercups in March 2002 to take care of the Starters 2 class.  Teaching children has become my passion, and I take pride in being a part of and contributing to their development and learning process.  
I completed a specialist diploma for teaching and leadership in 2005, and plan to continue enriching and educating myself with more courses in the future.  In my free time away from my 2 grown boys, I enjoy ceramic and folk art painting, as well as reading.

Ms Jasmine Ng 

After graduating from Shatec with a Diploma in Pastry and Baking, I decided that the hotel industry was not for me. Thus, I decided to pursue my second passion, teaching children. I took up a Montessori course in the London Montessori Centre along Pasir Panjang road in 1996 and upon graduation in early 1998, I started my career as a Montessori teacher.
I worked in 3 other Montessori Preschools before joining Buttercups in July 2005. I had the opportunity last year to take a full time course for a certificate in preschool teaching from Learning Capital, and I intend to take my Diploma in the near future. The joys and rewards that come from teaching the little ones are incomparable and I am truly enjoying my profession.
During my free time I enjoy baking, reading, traveling, cycling and swimming.

 
Ms. Nani Mohthar

I have always believed that children can learn anything, anywhere and at anytime, whether observing or participating, passively or actively. Each child is an exceptional individual, and the mind is constantly at work without him/her realizing it. 
I graduated from Temasek Polytechnic with a Diploma in Business - accounting and finance.  Upon graduation, I worked in the accounting line for 6 years and decided the job was not for me.  I tried teaching in a primary school before finding true job satisfaction in a Montessori school.  I spent 10 years at a Montessori center, and successfully worked on a program that integrated Montessori Mathematics with the local primary school curriculum.  I joined Buttercups Montessori Kindergarten in January 2008, and as the saying goes, learning never stops and education never ends

 
Ms Tammy Decosta-Cheng

I had been working for 7 years in the entertainment industry, performing and representing Singapore in various art festivals in Asian countries. My school tours and shows opened the opportunity for me to interact with kids. It was because of the simple pleasure and joy that I was able to brighten up their faces that I decided to make a change in my career. I was really impressed with the independence demonstrated by the children in some Montessori schools, so I took the leap to do my diploma in Arizona (American Montessori Internationale - AMI). During that time, I also had the golden opportunity to work with the children there.
I strongly believe in a Montessori education, whether it is at home or in school. I have used the Montessori method to teach all my three children, and they have benefited from it..... Believe in your child's abilities and capabilities.... they will EXCEL as INDIVIDUALS.

 
Ms. Tracey Khalil

Since as far back as I can remember, I am the happiest when I am around children.  Hence, it was no accident that I landed my first job as an events organiser for children activities with one of Singapore's foremost town clubs.  I enjoyed every bit of the work, and moved on only when my Aunt Connie propositioned me with a teaching post in her Montessori school.  I took up the Assistant Teacher appointment, and loved what I was experiencing on the job with the children.  I knew this to be my vocation calling... my career!
After 4 years at this job, I went on to enroll for a diploma with MMI in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2004, and while studying, I continued to teach in a school in there.  After graduating with a MMI diploma, I returned to Singapore and joined Buttercups.  
I love everything that I am doing right now.  As a teacher and an educator, I help to facilitate the children's learning process, and aim to stretch their faculties to develop into their fullest potential, and to be the best that they can and want to be.

Ms. Lin Ya Sheng

My love for children led me to my decision in becoming a preschool teacher.  After graduating from Fu Jian Institute of Early Childhood in 1996, I went on to complete a course on Preschool Teaching from the Fu Jian Teacher University.  
I have been working as a preschool teacher in both Singapore and China since 1999.  I enjoy my work with the children thoroughly, and look forward to challenging their minds and scaffolding their learning process.  
Apart from teaching, I like to spend my free time dancing, listening to music, doing yoga and travelling.  

Ms. Liu Yi

I came from China's Jiangsu province, and graduated from Wuxi Teacher Training Institution. After 3 years formal training, I spent another 6 years as a teacher in one of the local primary schools.  I took up the Certificate in Early Childhood Education after I came to Singapore as teaching has always been my passion and because I like children.
I joined Buttercups in January 2003 as a Chinese teacher. I have enjoyed teaching here, and realize the importance of early childhood education. I shall continue my work with enthusiasm so as to ensure that the children will be most happy while learning Chinese and to build a good foundation for their future.
 

Ms. Wei Xiao Qin
 

Ever since I graduated from Fuzhou Kindergarten Teaching School in China 10 years ago, I have been working as a kindergarten teacher, both in China and in Singapore.  During this time, I also obtained a diploma in Education Management from Fu Jian Teacher University in 2001, as well as a diploma in Early Childhood Education from KLC School of Education in 2004.  
I believe that education is an ever-changing and self-renewal process, and I will continue to upgrade myself in order to better serve the children, and to help them build a strong foundation for their future development.
During my free time, I enjoy singing, playing the piano, reading, as well as traveling around the world to learn about different cultures.

Ms. Zhang Rongshun 

I graduated with a diploma in English education and worked as a primary school teacher for 10 years in Harbin, China.  In 2000, I moved to Singapore with my family, and continued my career as a preschool teacher in a local kindergarten.  I found my experience with the children extremely rewarding, and decided to take up courses at Learning Capital to further enrich myself in this field.  I obtained a diploma in preschool education in 2006.
I joined the Buttercups family in 2004, and am truly amazed at the Montessori method.  In the same way that the method instills a love for learning, I hope to be able to generate the same interest in learning the Chinese language.  
In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, swimming and travelling and learning languages (I have recently started learning Korean!)).