PCF/PAP Kindergartens

[tamarind]

insider,

I am not going force my boy to spell at home. But if his kindergarten has spelling tests, I will make him write those words as many times as it takes for him to remember the spelling.

To be honest I agree with you, that pre-school children should not be made to memorize the spelling of words. However, we have no choice if we want our children go to primary schools in Singapore, where children are required to know how to read and write in sentences, both English and Chinese, before they enter primary 1. The primary school I planned to send him to, requires students to write compositions in primary 1. For an average child, we have no choice but to drill him. If he only knows how to spell "cake" at the end of K2, that will be too late. He must know enough words to write in sentences before entering P1.

Have you ever met a child who is able to write sentences without having to memorize the spelling of any words ? A child like that is a very intelligent child and belongs to the minority.

My son knows phonics well enough, he knows the silent "e". But there are many words in English which are not phonetic. Like "one", "two", "", etc. There are just too many exceptions. My girl completed the 11 month course at the Montessori phonics class when she was 4 years old, but at that time she still could not read fluently. I have let her read the Ladybird keyword series where she learns the sight words. Now at 5 years old, she has almost finished reading Charlotte’s Web. At home, she likes to create "books", where she will draw a picture on every page, then write sentences to describe those drawings. I have never taught her to do it. I attribute it to the good environment of her PCF kindergarten. I don’t mean that they force the children to memorize spelling everyday. In fact, they only need to spell 4 words every 2 weeks. In her class, the teacher teaches them creative writing, where children are encouraged to draw and write sentences to describe their drawings with the teacher’s help.

[luvmum]

[Moderator's note: Topics merged.]


Any mummies who send their children to the above PCF can comment on the teachers, environment and curriculum? They do have a N1 for 30mths onwards which I'm thinking of placing my child there next year.

But puzzled why the price so steep. $172/month, 5x 2hrs. Tot PCF school fee is less than $100? :love:

[headachemum]

[Moderator's note: Topics merged.]


Hi..I'm currently residing in Jurong West(near Jurong Point). I'll like to know if the PAP kindergartens ard here are ok? Cos I've heard alot of comments abt PAP kindergarten... not as good as bef. Any comments?

[kaitlynangelica]

headachemum:

Hi..I'm currently residing in Jurong West(near Jurong Point). I'll like to know if the PAP kindergartens ard here are ok? Cos I've heard alot of comments abt PAP kindergarten... not as good as bef. Any comments?

Hi headachmum,

the standards of PAP varies quite a bit and hence the difference in fees. Tamarind has good reviews on the PAP over there. If you don't mind a little further to Jurong Calvary Kindergarten at Taman Jurong, heard pretty good reviews about the place. Also heard good reviews about Galilee Kindergarten down at Pandan loop.

[Champion]

headachemum:

Hi..I'm currently residing in Jurong West(near Jurong Point). I'll like to know if the PAP kindergartens ard here are ok? Cos I've heard alot of comments abt PAP kindergarten... not as good as bef. Any comments?

Hi Headachemum,
I am also staying near Jurong Point (at Jurong West Central 1). My yonger girl is currently with PAP Blk 262 Boon Lay Avenue. As now is only the end of 2nd week, I can't comment much of the standard but yest the teacher gave a list of the curriculum that will be covered during the 1st term. I can't remember all but I can email me if you are interested...my email address is samhui@yahoo.com.sg - maybe you can drop me a mail so I can revert back to you soon.

Hope it will be helpful to you.

Regards.

[tamarind]

My girl goes to the PCF kindergarten at Blk 662B opposite Jurong Point. Their academic standard is very high. Kids will be very well prepared for primary school. The kids are already writing in sentences in K1. There is both english spelling tests and Chinese 听写 since the beginning of K1.


This is a premium PCF that charges about $250 a month. They include cooking, poetry appreciation, junior writing, speech and drama, etc. They have 1 hour of Chinese lessons everyday, in addition to that, there are 2 extra hours of Chinese enrichment every week.

[buds]

Heyya tamarind,


Sounds like a great centre there being a
PCF centre. Good deal! Glad your child
is being cared for nicely there…

Your girl seems on a good track at K1 level,
having writing and spelling. Plus your efforts
with home reinforcement, she’ll be A* student
for sure!

[tamarind]

buds,

Thanks I just don't want my girl or boy to be too stressed when they enter P1. So it is best to prepare them well.

[tamarind]

Hi all,

I have included a number photos of the teaching materials in my girl's PCF kindergarten, for English, Chinese, Maths and Science. Please feel free to view.

http://tamarindvillage.blogspot.com/2009/01/pcf-kindergarten.html

Please note that every PCF centre is different. Check with the PCF kindergarten near your place to know more about their syllabus.

[buds]

Heyya tamarind,


You're lucky to have a good school to send your kids to
that helps prepare them well. From your posts and blog,
lessons at the centre seems interesting! Good for them.
Good for you!

Btw, my kiddie's use the 3-liner kinda exercise book to
assist them in neat handwriting in K1. She can start
journal writing if she likes. Can be as simple as, what she
does in school daily and what she ate for snack... As she
loves drawing, she can draw the snacks she ate or even
the activities she did in school. If a child does not understand
what a journal or diary is, you can tell them that its like a
story book of their lives.. And when they grow older and read
them, it will be lotsa fun. Decorate the book with drawings,
glitters, diamante or colourful confetti... with her name on it.

I shared with my girl that when she gets married and has her
own children, she can read to them about her life stories. This
way she'll never forget. And her children can know/learn what
were the goings-on in her life as a kid.. At that my kiddies smiled
and both has been writing journals eversince. When they get older
you can purchase those hardcover pieces with lock and key...
Girls especially love it! Its like a secret diary... that..... only she
and mummy can both read ( cos i help her with the spelling and
grammar mah - bo pian! ) and she likes the idea. Like girlfriends
keeping secrets together.

Then, one day.... she asked me.

Mum, can i read your diary?

Errrmmm...
I dunno where mine is, sweetie...
See... thats why we must learn to keep all our things properly.