Just a school VS a brand school

My mil's been telling us that Timo's current kindergarten's (no names here, lest dafamatory) not too good (so she hears from the grapevine). His current teacher, Ms Chow, is the only good teacher in the school (her own observation). She also heard from the neighbourhood folks, that this other school (no names again) is good. The two schools are not brand schools, but decent schools in church compounds.

Personally, I do not think it matters that much at kindergarten level. But since I was on leave, I thought I'd may as well check out this school that she's been asking me to place Timo in. Well, the environment looks better, but then again, this is a newer premise. I'm not too particular, but since my mil's the primary care-giver when I am at work, I respect her judgement and decision. I've paid up the fees, & Timo will be attending this school next year. Fee's pretty decent, $1,600 per year.

This whole issue of `good school' is very curious. Just the other night, Agnes and I were on this topic. Danielle's in a brand school. Fees are 10x more. I know Agnes. She is not a snob when it came to such matters. She belives in the fact that this school hires expatriate teachers, who are highly qualified in early childhood education, and that she has seen the tremendrous difference that it made when 1 of our nephews (Bryan) was enrolled in the speech & drama class. She is also receptive to the idea of transferring Danielle to the new school that Timo will be enrolled in. She will decide on when she's done her groundwork on this school.

Bryan initially attended a local, neighbourhood school. He didn't like school one bit, & often feigned illness & headache (yes, headache, even though he didn't quite know what it meant). In addition to that, he could not speak properly - very much like speech impediment. After about a month at this brand school, I could actually make out what he was trying to say to me. Wow! I thought that was money well spent!

On the other hand, I know of a friend's nephew who attended 1 of the top kindergarten in the country. The school fee is madness. For over $10K a year, he could very have graduated with a Bachelor degree. I had the opportunity to observe him, & to interact with him. I know this is brutal to his parents, but I must say, I was not too impressed. They should have saved the $.

So, with these examples, what can I conclude? Do brand kindergartens matter? Will that make the world of difference? Will a non-brand, standard school affect a child's foundation in his education, and character?

A big part of me do not subscribe to that. I think, to a great extent, much has to do with his/her family background - the relationship he/she has with family members, the kind of nurturing provided, the standard of language, morals, and education enshrined in the child from home. This, coupled with a decent school, should suffice. I could be wrong. I do not know. Timo looks like he's doing just fine, and I can only hope that I am right.