[Bedok/Katong/Marine Parade/Siglap] Preschools

[Mishasha]

ChiefKiasu,


Tks! Since your kid is with School House by the Bay, would you care to provide me more info about the school? Cos read mixed comments from this forum. My gal was from PMI, so looking for a preschool that is more creative in their teaching.

[pea]

[Moderator's note: Topics merged.]


Hi all! Discovered this forum while looking for a preschool in the Fort Road area for my 2.5 year old boy (I live close by). This forum is very informative and enjoyable to read, kudos to all! From the tips that I got from this forum, as well as my own visits to numerous schools, I have shortlisted 2 schools. Hope that parents who have had experience with these schools can give me more feedback. Thanks!

1. Schoolhouse by the Bay: Liked the school facilities and one-way mirrors (great for anxious mommies!).I was taken around by an administrator (nice lady) and so didn't meet the principal or any teachers, so couldn't get a feel about the teaching staff. Chief, read that your girl was studying here. Is she still here? Would like to hear your comments about the teachers and curriculum. Is their K1 and K2 work good? Fun as well as prepares sufficiently for Pri 1? I prefer not to change schools once my boy is settled in, so must look ahead.

2.Odyssey Creative Learning Centre@Wilkinson (formerly Learning Vision): Newly renovated school with lovely classrooms, friendly principal and teachers, low child to teacher ratio. Their approach is mainly project-based, which I think that someone mentioned in this forum is the ideal method? But so expensive - I think half day is $1200, full day is $1500 (per month, before GST and MCYS subsidy). If I send the kid here, will need to scrimp on other expenses. So I want to be very sure that it's worth the high fees. Any feedback?

[eothian]

Hello everyone


I chanced upon this website when I was seaching for childcare centre because my 21-month boy is getting on his mummy’s nerves with his excitement to learn things at home so much so that she cannot take it anymore ! Time to send him packing to Childcare centres where he has his playmates and teachers to spend time with.

I’m searching for childcare centres around Katong / Mountbatten / Fort Road area which is near my workplace so I can drop him off before class and pick him up after work. I chose this arrangement because it will never work if we are to choose a centre near our home. I will be super late and I guess teachers wouldn’t like it !

So having read so many comments and remarks, I guess I might like to visit Schoolhouse by the Bay. To be frank, I cannot afford to send my kid off to Pat’s or Eton because that is hell lot of money involved ! I hope Schoolhouse can meet my budget and expectations. Any other similiar centres you guys like to recommend for a first-time father myself ?

There’s a lot of work to be done and kudos to all of you who have made it this far ! Thanks a million !

[Mishasha]

Hi,


I called up School House n they said full day fee (inclusive of enrichment activities in the afternoon) should be $785 after subsidy for FTWM.

As for other childcare centres, you must check out what are the \"additional fees\" for activities in the afternoon. They usually will ask your child to take part, of course need to pay. End up quite costly. I previously pd $1200 pm for childcare - after subsidy pd $900 pm, but have to add in another $300+ for 2 enrichment classes in the afternoon. Was hesitant but the whole class signed up, so no choice but to let my gal join, otherwise she would be left alone. Paying almost like Pat's School House's fee! :faint:

[eothian]

Mishasha:

Hi,


I called up School House n they said full day fee (inclusive of enrichment activities in the afternoon) should be $785 after subsidy for FTWM.

As for other childcare centres, you must check out what are the \"additional fees\" for activities in the afternoon. They usually will ask your child to take part, of course need to pay. End up quite costly. I previously pd $1200 pm for childcare - after subsidy pd $900 pm, but have to add in another $300+ for 2 enrichment classes in the afternoon. Was hesitant but the whole class signed up, so no choice but to let my gal join, otherwise she would be left alone. Paying almost like Pat's School House's fee! :faint:

Thanks for your info. I called up SchoolHouse by the Bay this morning and the lady told me they don't have any full-day course for my 21-month old kid. The only course for full day they have is for 4 years old and above. My child can only attend half day course for his age.

So I called a couple of other centres; Shaw and Pat. Shaw is fully booked and the next enrolment is Oct. My wife will go crazy if she is going to wait that long ! Pat is planning another full-day course in June but the fee is S$1,337.50 per month before subsidies ! This is mind-blowing !!!

[Mishasha]

Hi,


I think they have full day childcare from 18mths above. You should check again. Not kindergarten. Kindergarten is for 3hrs daily programme, 2.5yrs old above. :?

[eothian]

Mishasha:

Hi,


I think they have full day childcare from 18mths above. You should check again. Not kindergarten. Kindergarten is for 3hrs daily programme, 2.5yrs old above. :?

Which school are you referring ? Sorry, I'm first time parent here so I'm a little confused over pre-nursery, nursery and kindergarten. :oops:

[Mishasha]

I am referring to School House by the Bay. They offer both childcare and kindergarten programmes.


Kindergarten offers 3 hrs daily programme - Nursery 1, Nursery 2, K1 & K2. As for childcare, they start from 18mths - 7yrs old. Most of them would offer Pre-nursery (for your kid's age gp), N1, N2, K1, K2 classes in the morining. For those who are under childcare scheme, they would have lunch and nap in the afternoon while the others go home.

The children have lessons / activities after their nap. Some of the centres would require you to pay for some enrichment classes such as keyboard lesson, painitng, swimming etc.

http://www.schoolhouse.org.sg/programme.htm

[eothian]

Thanks Mishasha ! I called them up again and the lady told me that they have this half day thingy for my 21 months toddler, not a full day.

[newM]

Hi mummies,


After reading all that posting i can understand hw it like when u r looking 4 a gd child care centre. Me myself work in a childcare centre and that y i m very fussy. I kw hw its like in the school. few of the sch that was mention earlier ( the expensive one i mean) wasnt as gd as u think like Pxx, Etxxhse, schhse xxx etc etc.

When i look around for my son tat time i almost comb all pre-sch in e east. I was like e rest of the mumies dun mind paying but wanted a centre that is clean and with staff that has passion in teaching. Hv curriculum preparing them for P1 and food that is health.

Finally i found this one. "Tot n kids" behind katong shopping centre. A small chilcare centre.

Nw my son is in K2 and my girl in N1. They are even giving away disc for sibling. Fees not expensive too.They belong to e middle range. $700 for fullday. The only thing that i m not too happy with is the class no is abit high. Like my girl who is in N1 there r 18 kids in her class. So for those who is looking for pre-sch can go n take a look