Comments from Parents
Parents of Olive have shared their comments.
After Searching Many Kindergartens Without Compromise
"Now a True Olive Family"
My daughter started attending Olive Kindergarten from the age of four, and it has been almost a year now. We began looking for a kindergarten when she was three and visited over twenty places. Because we had a strict selection process, finding the perfect kindergarten for her was challenging, and I thought we might have to comprise. However, we found Olive Kindergarten. The enthusiasm and patience of the teachers, along with the dedication of the other children, convinced us immediately. We attended the pre-kindergarten program for six months before officially enrolling. Every time, the other children would come to the entrance to welcome my daughter. Even when the students were focused on something, they would always take my daughter by the hand and bring her inside every week. I was impressed by the high level of guidance provided by the teachers and their ability to educate the children, which made us feel like we were becoming part of the Olive family each time we met. Now, we are completely like a family. The teachers always say, “Let’s raise the children together, with the support of both the teachers and the parents. It’s not enough with just the kindergarten’s strength or just the family’s strength.” Perhaps because everyone is involved with the children according to these words, I find all the children at Olive Kindergarten to be loving, not just my own child. When my daughter is unwell, not only the teachers but also the other mothers worry and think together about how to improve her condition, which is very reassuring. I consult the teachers about any issues related to my child or the kindergarten immediately. The teachers also seek input from other mothers about the future of the kindergarten. The strong desire to make the kindergarten better together is very apparent, and I think this is something that is not seen in other kindergartens.
Remarkable Changes in Children
‘I’m Glad We Enrolled!’
I have five children, with the fourth (a girl) and the fifth (a boy) attending the senior and junior kindergarten classes, respectively. We learned about Olive Kindergarten in the fall of the first year after moving to Sapporo due to my husband's transfer. We were attracted by the cute newspaper flyer featuring “Montessori Education” and the fact that it was a new opening, so we immediately applied for a school tour. The children were very interested in the English songs and activities, saying, “I want to come again.”
Actually, we had participated in other preschools before, and the older child used to have tantrums if she couldn’t do origami or crafts well, even swiping things off the table. Even if she wanted to get along with other children, no one would come to our table at the next session. In contrast, the younger child was extremely shy, unable to sing or dance in front of others, and wouldn’t leave my side. During the school tour at Olive Kindergarten, perhaps due to the small class size, the older child happily moved to the rhythm of the songs, listened attentively to English for the first time (even though she's never had English lessons before), and enjoyed the games. The younger child, though not participating in singing or dancing, showed interest in the Montessori puzzles and worked on them quietly. Seeing the positive responses from both, we began considering enrollment. We decided on Olive Kindergarten because, besides the kindness of the teachers, the homely feeling was reassuring, and most of all, the strong desire of the headmaster to create the kindergarten from scratch with the parents was evident. Before the opening, the headmaster talked directly to us about the small number of enrollees and asked what we wanted to do. The honesty in discussing what could be seen as a downside was very touching. We had seen our children enjoying themselves, so we decided to enroll despite the small number.
Now, two years have passed. T
here are countless remarkable changes in my children’s growth. Honestly, I’m very glad we enrolled! The older child, who used to have tantrums and throw herself on the floor when frustrated, began to change around the second month of enrollment. Now she can express her feelings in words, and her writing is already at an elementary school level. She is close to finishing a first-grade workbook in math and numbers, which she approached with interest and a desire to do it on her own, not something imposed by us. This is amazing! Internally, through worship, she learned moral aspects, understanding when friends feel sad or hurt, and is now able to sincerely say “I’m sorry.” Her language use has improved, and she is attentive to her younger sibling.
The younger child has become energetic and playful. He jokes and laughs a lot, and at the Kitara Concert, he sang and danced confidently without being shy. He can now read picture books smoothly on his own and has developed the concentration to work patiently on math problems, which he initially struggled with. I’m surprised that he now talks to new children at preschool.
Also, I’m happy that both children cleared the Bronze level of the Junior English Proficiency Test in less than a year of learning English for the first time. There are so many things I want to convey, it’s hard to fit them all in. Listing only the good things might seem suspicious, but there were challenges too. In the first year of the kindergarten, everything was new, and both parents and teachers often didn’t know how to proceed with events until we tried them. With no large kindergarten bus, we carpooled with other parents for the spring family excursion to the zoo. The spring mini sports festival was combined with a church event, which started with an outdoor worship service and was quite a culture shock for me (as our family is not Christian). Additionally, the parking space was narrow and particularly challenging in winter.
Raising five children, my honest opinion is that “children change with their environment.” Until the first three children were in elementary school, I was working, and balancing work and parenting was quite tough. Looking back, I didn’t have the luxury to think about what the children did each day or how they felt, and I’m sure I wasn’t interacting with them with a smile. I was overwhelmed with my own issues and couldn’t engage with my children cheerfully.
When I became pregnant with the fourth child and quit my job, stress decreased, and I gained more mental space. I wanted to raise my children in a way that I wouldn’t regret. My husband’s transfer was a perfect opportunity for me to spend two or three years focusing on the children. I enjoy preparing lunchboxes four times a week, chatting in the car during drop-offs and pick-ups, meeting the teachers to discuss the children’s progress, and actively participating in events to enjoy them even more than the children. Witnessing the children’s growth, I feel I was able to make the most of this opportunity at Olive Kindergarten.
Currently, not working has made things financially challenging, but I’m managing and wanting to stay close to my children. I’m very excited to see how the two children will develop after graduating from Olive Kindergarten. I’m grateful for the support from many people at the church, which helped us get this far with events like the sports festival, Kitara Concert, and Christmas performance. I believe children grow up richly surrounded by many gazes and smiles. I’m fortunate to have met other moms, sharing parenting concerns and laughing together in casual conversations. I’m also enjoying the kindergarten life myself. Please come and visit the preschool once. I believe your child will feel the joy of it.
Benefits of Small Class Size and Attraction to English Education
'Attention Towards Each Individual Child'
Thinking back, about a year ago around this time, I began searching for a kindergarten where I could send my child. So, I participated in several preschools and observing the surroundings.
When I first visited Olive Kindergarten, my impression wasn’t entirely positive. The classrooms seemed small, and I wondered if there was no playground.
However, regardless of my impressions, my child became engrossed in the Montessori materials. The world map puzzle and the beautiful "transferring objects" allowed her to work at her own pace and do as much as she wanted. This made me realize that for young children, having a rich invisible world might be more important than a large visible classroom. Perhaps the desire to develop latent abilities is an instinctive, unconscious wish.
Even though there was no playground, I heard that if the weather was good, the children would go to the nearby Yoshida River Park almost every day, which made me reconsider and think that this might provide better outdoor play opportunities. I initially thought it was a disadvantage not to be able to go outside freely, but realized how much children want to go out on their own. Yoshida River Park is an outstanding environment, unmatched by any other kindergarten.
I also felt that there were benefits to the small class size. In a large kindergarten, it would be uncertain which teacher would be in charge. But here, knowing that a specific teacher would be responsible was a deciding factor for me. They truly provide individualized attention with love, yet with clear guidance. They did not see my child’s reaction to not wearing the uniform as mere stubbornness, but rather as having some reason behind it, even if it couldn’t be explained. They respect the child’s opinions and actions as if they were respecting a person. I am truly grateful for this.
What impressed my husband was Olive Kindergarten’s Bilingual education. As English became essential for his work, he was moved by the daily English programs provided. A dedicated English teacher energetically speaks to the children in English even outside of English time, and it’s amusing to hear the children say things like “Oops!” or “Ouch!” at home.
Initially, we were overwhelmed by the large number of people and the enthusiasm at the joint events held four times a year with the church. However, I believe that presenting in front of a crowd, an experience not available in a small kindergarten, helped develop presentation skills and courage. Now, we look forward to meeting the kind church members and enjoying the Korean buffet they generously provide as a family.
The summer church camp and the winter Kitara concert have created many rich and warm memories. Words cannot fully express my gratitude... Even so, I hope that some of my feelings are conveyed through this message. Thank you very, very much.
Want to Become a Teacher at Olive Kindergarten When I Grow Up…
'Daily Growth for Both Parents and Children'
For two years, my daughter spent time at Olive Kindergarten in the senior and junior classes. During the first year, everything was new to her, and she spent many days feeling nervous and crying. However, from the latter half of the junior year, every day became enjoyable and full of smiles. She gained confidence in various activities and came to love her teachers and friends, spending fulfilling days.
Comparing her from the junior year to now, there has been a truly significant change, and her growth is remarkable. Initially, my daughter struggled with separation anxiety and was too shy to eat lunch with friends or use the toilet at kindergarten. However, thanks to the teachers who continued to empathize with her feelings and help her express her strengths, we began to see gradual improvements. From that time, she would bring home craft projects from Montessori work and happily talk about her time at kindergarten. I also looked forward to seeing her creations.
Knowing my daughter’s sensitivity, when choosing a kindergarten, I focused on finding a place with a small class size and attentive teachers who could provide motherly care, even if my daughter struggled with certain things. Since my daughter loves to focus and work with her hands, I hoped to find an environment that would inspire her imagination, which Olive Kindergarten’s materials perfectly provided.
The biggest change in my daughter is her increased emotional strength, allowing her to handle minor stresses better. The Montessori materials exceeded our expectations. Although sewing with needles, which might seem risky and troublesome for kindergarten teachers, was initially daunting, the teachers’ careful supervision allowed her to handle tasks like sewing buttons and fixing clothes with enthusiasm. She always enjoyed having a variety of fabrics and threads available at the kindergarten.
Additionally, she loves math work, enthusiastically engaging in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division on her own. I was surprised to see her mastering these skills through the Montessori work without needing me to teach her. The Montessori education style, where she selects her own materials and continues until she is satisfied, has fostered a learning style where she eagerly participates. Since I never pressured her, she pursued these activities voluntarily. Since she started the senior year, I have had no worries about parenting, as she loves Olive Kindergarten and has had fulfilling days.
Towards the end of the junior year, when my daughter shyly told me, “I want to be a teacher at Olive Kindergarten when I grow up,” I was moved to tears. It showed the strong trust and love she has for the teachers and friends at Olive Kindergarten.
We were truly fortunate to entrust our daughter to such dedicated teachers at Olive Kindergarten. Parenting has its limits when relying solely on parental strength. During her time at kindergarten, I was able to confidently rely on the teachers. With the consistent exposure to English education, she unknowingly improved her English skills, able to read signs in English and achieve high scores in all levels of the Junior English Proficiency Test. Olive Kindergarten has a solid educational policy, and even when facing uncertainties and worries in parenting, the teachers and other mothers provide heartfelt support. I have also learned to trust in my child’s growth and feel that I have grown as well. I feel empowered knowing that the teachers will be available for consultation even after graduation.
"Changes in My Daughter After Starting Elementary School"
Actually, I had a strong interest in Montessori education when Olive Kindergarten opened and always thought about visiting. I am truly grateful that my daughter, who attended another nursery until the junior year, was able to spend a year at Olive Kindergarten. I believe my daughter has experienced and grown a lot this year. Regarding English, she had no exposure to it before enrolling, but within just nine months, she passed the Junior English Proficiency Test at the Silver level, which was astonishing to us as parents. Thanks to the thorough English education and daily Montessori activities, she developed strong concentration and comprehension skills.
My daughter’s changes were especially evident after starting elementary school. She now confidently expresses her opinions and even approaches the principal to discuss her ideas. Her ability to propose solutions to problems in class and have them adopted surprised us. It is remarkable to see how she, who was once shy and unable to voice her opinions, now confidently advocates for her thoughts. Teachers at her school have asked us about her early education, and we share the experiences of Montessori education and Olive Kindergarten.
I am deeply grateful that my daughter could spend her unique early childhood in such an excellent environment. Thank you very much for the past year.
"Montessori Education That Unlocked My Daughter’s Potential"
Supported by the always cheerful and smiling teachers, my once small daughter was able to graduate safely. I am truly grateful for the unforgettable memories the teachers have created. The children learned and grew a lot at Olive Kindergarten. The importance of following rules in group life, the value of effort, and kindness to friends are lessons that will support them throughout their lives as they grow.
When my daughter first enrolled, she was always anxious and cried a lot. However, with the support of the teachers, she changed significantly. Over the three years, she was cared for by older friends and treated kindly. Now, she has grown into a child who takes care of younger friends and helps those in need. Through Olive Kindergarten’s activities, we discovered talents in our child that we hadn’t noticed before. Especially through hip-hop dance and concerts, my daughter has developed a love for dancing. She now attends a dance class and participates in recitals. I am deeply thankful that this education, possible only in a small class setting, allowed her to fully express her talents.
Through Montessori education, she developed focus, comprehension, and reading skills that we couldn’t have taught at home. As she approaches elementary school, she has acquired a solid foundation of basic learning skills, and I am very confident as a parent. I am full of gratitude for the teachers who cared for the children with love, sometimes strictness, and deep care. I am truly happy that we chose Olive Kindergarten for our child.