PCF/PAP Kindergartens

[mrswongtuition]

Imp75, based on my personal observations comparing kids who do not have any form of enrichment and family background almost the same, only difference is the kindies they attend, those who come from private kindies do tend to do better than P1-P2. But those who come from PCF kindies, if they work hard (got tuition as extra help), they usually catch up by P3.


But it’s quite hard to compare cos most parents choose PCF cos of their cheap prices and their family background would be quite different from kids who come from ‘branded kindies’.

Kids who perform well and studied in PCF usually have strong parent support from home like Tamarind. Tamarind really enforces learning at home and going to any kindy won’t really matter cos her kids are independant learners already!

I personally believe school plays an impt role, but how parents nurture at home is also impt!

[Imp75]

Thanks Mrs Wong for your reply. Btw, are u a current Primary School teacher?


Maybe I should provide more colour, what I am trying to say is, bearing all things equal, why would a child coming from a private kindie do better than from PCF? Are we then saying that the curriculum offered by private kindie or childcare is better?

Perhaps I should share the reason why I am asking, I am a FTWM and unfortunately do not have much time to teach my kids and out of convenience, I have placed them in PCF rather than private kindie (none near my place). Weekends are really precious time for us and we do not want to send our kids to enrichment when they already have 5 days of school during weekdays. I am really worried if my gals would be prepared for P1 (cos they are in PCF) and contemplating putting them in CC centre (which I dont really need cos I have nanny + maid). So the qn of CC over PCF for me really boils down to "which is the better one to nurture my kids" and whether is there a need for me to change their existing school to a full day CC?

Appreciate advice from mummies too who have encountered this thanks

[mrswongtuition]

Imp75, I think different PCF are run by different principals and have different teachers, therefore, it also depends on which ‘branch’ you send them to.


At private centres, they are usually ‘franchises’ of certain well-known and established curriculums/pedagogy. With established curriculum in place, children usually tend to do better as the teachers would be able to guide them better.

That’s my dilemma too. PCF or Private?

My hb & I decided to send my boy to both private and PCF kindy. Reason being the private kindy we are considering offers a different curriculum from PCF and we think it’s good for him to be exposed to both. And my son has endless energy. He is currently in full day childcare with loads of indoor and outdoor activities which I find are very engaging and stimulating but he still has loads of energy to unload at home! Putting him in 2 different 3-hour sessions will definitely still leave him with tonnes of energy.

Finances-wise we just need to work harder for him. Logistics-wise I have a trustworthy maid and my parents/siblings are always ever ready to help, plus my hb’s work is quite flexible to ferry my boy ard if need be.

Btw, my weekends are spent teaching my boy. I’m trying to keep all his upcoming enrichments to weekdays so that weekends will be purely family time.

[sleepy]

My girl attended PCF in K1, private kindy in K2.

To me, work load & syllabus not much difference. Only difference is private kindy fees more steep.

My only complaint about PCF is watching cartoon during class time. I don't mind if it's educational DVDs. However, I can't figure out how would cartoons like 'Tom & Jerry' be educational?

Both private kindy teacher & PCF teacher are good although my girl prefers her PCF teacher. Perhaps PCF teacher recognised her leadership capablities whilst her private kindy teacher was more interested in asking her to hand in homework on time

[jedamum]

sleepy:

Both private kindy teacher & PCF teacher are good although my girl prefers her PCF teacher. Perhaps PCF teacher recognised her leadership capablities whilst her private kindy teacher was more interested in asking her to hand in homework on time

No matter the curriculum, teachers play a big part.
I get to catch a glimpse of how some teachers handle the kindergarten students in my ds2's school this week while hanging around waiting for his dismissal. One class is pretty well behaved. One class is pretty out of control - i saw a boy hitting another kid and the teacher is not in sight.
The main difference i 'sense' between pupils in this kindie and that of regular pcf (not premium) is that the kids in the former seems more vocal/agressive, while kids from pcf (from my ds1's class) are more quiet/docile. Is it a case of 'better' discipline at the latter, or more opportunities of self-exploration/expression in the former? :? I don't know.

[tamarind]

mrswongtuition:

Kids who perform well and studied in PCF usually have strong parent support from home like Tamarind. Tamarind really enforces learning at home and going to any kindy won't really matter cos her kids are independant learners already!

I personally believe school plays an impt role, but how parents nurture at home is also impt!

mrswongtuition,
Yes you are right In fact, I put my boy in the normal PCF instead of the \"premium\" PCF my girl is in, because I don't see the point in paying more school fees. I sent him there purely for the social interaction with other kids the same age.

My girl's \"premium\" PCF kindergarten does prepare the kids very well for P1. Kids without strong parent support will still learn a lot from the PCF kindergarten she is attending. My boy's normal PCF has a lower standard, but kids will still be reasonably prepared for P1. But I have heard of other PCF kindergarten which are not good at all.

Actually, to be fair to PCF teachers, they may have tried their best, perhaps some kids just simply cannot absorb what the teachers taught. Parents should make sure that their kids are well prepared for P1, and should not simply put all responsibilities on the teachers.

Actually even for kids attending private kindergarten, parent support is still important. I have an ex-colleague who spent about $2000 a month on his daughter's expensive pre-school and enrichment classes. He complained about her performance, because both he and his wife spend very little time with her, their maid looks after her all the time.

[tranquil]

mrswongtuition:

303A is my block


It's opp Punggol Grove (blk 290+, the ones with security gate at the lift lobby).
It's at the junction of Punggol Central & Punggol Road (5min walk from MRT).

You can take bus 136, 82, 83, 85, 34 to the bus stop directly in front. Or take any bus to the interchange and walk over (from MRT you will see brown blocks still under construction, tt is Coralinus 2, 303A is at Coralinus 1).

I've lost faith in PCF. I'll be registering my son at private kindy but will consider 303A's PCF if they are really using Jolly Phonics and if their feedback is good. Maybe morning let my son go to the private kindy and afternoon go to PCF.

Thanks mrswongtuition for the direction!
Wd u hv the tel no. for that PCF? Cant find the no. on their website.

Hi buds, thanks for the advice once again.
I do agree must be consistent.. that I must work harder. :oops:

[doobom]

Hi Mummies…


I am a FTWM and new to this thread, very interested with the PCF topic that is going on here. My boy is going two this Sept.

Any recommendations to better prepare for Nursery/K1/K2?

I have enrolled my boy to full day childcare for Jan 2010. However, still in dilema if should full-day or half-day or playgroup is better.

How should I expect when he start his full day childcare next year?

Thanks

[buds]

tranquil:

mrswongtuition:

303A is my block


It's opp Punggol Grove (blk 290+, the ones with security gate at the lift lobby).It's at the junction of Punggol Central & Punggol Road (5min walk from MRT).

You can take bus 136, 82, 83, 85, 34 to the bus stop directly in front. Or take any bus to the interchange and walk over (from MRT you will see brown blocks still under construction, tt is Coralinus 2, 303A is at Coralinus 1).

I've lost faith in PCF. I'll be registering my son at private kindy but will consider 303A's PCF if they are really using Jolly Phonics and if their feedback is good. Maybe morning let my son go to the private kindy and afternoon go to PCF.

Thanks mrswongtuition for the direction!
Wd u hv the tel no. for that PCF? Cant find the no. on their website.

Hi buds, thanks for the advice once again.
I do agree must be consistent.. that I must work harder. :oops:

Hey, i missed this post tranquil. Sowie! :oops:
Oh yeah, you can reach the Supervisor,
lovely lady Mrs Wan @ 6556-2747.

It's a beautiful place she has there & cool
programmes too. Hope this helps.

Cheerios.

[mrswongtuition]

They don’t have Pre-N for this centre. Which means I’ll register my son elsewhere.