Criteria for a Good Student Care Service (BASC)

[e3nity]

oic. I thought its operated by the school itself.

[Fuzz]

My friend was just complaining about the standard of student care centres. Her son is in P1 and she has been trying to find a suitable place for the past month.


Apparently student care centres don’t need to be licensed by government, unlike childcare centres which come under MCYS and kindys are under MOE.

So some of them operate a bit cowboy style and basically do what they want. Some don’t have qualified teachers or experienced tutors to teach the kids, and hire housewives and random people. It’s fine if they are educated and do a good job. But my friend was telling me that some couldn’t speak proper English and their websites had many grammatical errors! I’ve told her to check out this forum to try and get more feedback.

From reading this thread, it seems there are a few big players, Pro teach and Little professors? But I must agree with what someone said here, that big names don’t necessarily mean better standards since many of them are run by franchisees. One centre may be excellent but another may be really badly run. I actually prefer standalone or smaller operators as I feel they are more personalised and not so busy making money that they forget about what’s most important.

[Leoleo18]

Hi


I am seeking for a student care to, so far I seen some student care but don’t like the enviroment.
Previously my boy was in child care centre during his preschool year, if you compared a child care centre to a student care, child care centre are much better in term of enviroment and hygience.

As what Fuzz had mentioned, they are not under MCYS, so their standards are really in question. Even though some of the centres provide assessment materials, I doubt if they are of any good.

Now I am looking at those child care centres that provide After school care.

[Fuzz]

I know that some childcare centres provide before/after school care, but not many do. Also it depends on the teachers who handle these older kids. Are they preschool teachers? If so, they may not be adequately trained. Primary school work these days is more difficult than our time!


To me, it’s important to have teachers who have some experience teaching at primary level, regardless whether they taught in schools or tuition centres. If they can’t help much with the schoolwork, then I’d prefer to just have private/group tuition once or twice a week.

[pinkapple]

Any1 care to share about the charges of student care centres?


also, do they provide beds for the children to rest?

what is the demand for student care aka basc centres like?

[Shoe]

Hi all, I am looking for a BASC somewhere in the East... near Katong. I don't know where to begin looking. Would appreciate some inputs :).

[snow123]

hi Shoe


Most childcare centre should hv service for student care. And there are PAP student care centres just solely for student care. I personally prefer those centre solely for student care instead of ‘mixing’ the childcare and student care cos the younger kids in the childcare can be ‘distracting’ to the older students for the before after school care.

[snow123]

hi Shoe


Most childcare centre should hv service for student care. And there are PAP student care centres just solely for student care. I personally prefer those centre solely for student care instead of ‘mixing’ the childcare and student care cos the younger kids in the childcare can be ‘distracting’ to the older students for the before after school care.

[doterraMom]

Leoleo18:

Hi


I am seeking for a student care to, so far I seen some student care but don't like the enviroment.
Previously my boy was in child care centre during his preschool year, if you compared a child care centre to a student care, child care centre are much better in term of enviroment and hygience.

As what Fuzz had mentioned, they are not under MCYS, so their standards are really in question. Even though some of the centres provide assessment materials, I doubt if they are of any good.

Now I am looking at those child care centres that provide After school care.

hi,

Student care centres have to register under MCYS and they can be found under MCYS websites.
However, there isn't that much regulations to comply for an operator. Thus the different standards. It will depend on the dedication of the operators to the service.

Here's some tips I will suggest to choosing a centre
=================================
(A) When choosing a student care centre, it will be great to speak to the director of the centre to understand how she / he works. Notice the interaction with the students.

And does she/he speak proper english? I would not like my kids to speak improper english. And, how the management speak may indicate how the rest of staff speak.

I used to run a student care centre. I will correct the students' language whenever I hear it. It is a good habit to correct them when they are still developing proper speech. And I thrive to be a disciplinarian and yet a caring motherly figure in the centre. The kids will show me respect when I walked around the centre. When they are troubled, they will come to me for advice. It was a great balance.

(B)
Ask for the timetable of the centre. How much time is spent on school work, how much time is spent on play? Personally, I prefer that a centre spent more than half the time on school work with the students. So, the kids can go back home to enjoy family time.
I don't think nap time is practical. No kids will sleep with their friends surrounding them.
Furthermore, schools are beginning to slot in afternoon activities after school so students have to get used to no afternoon nap anyway.

(C)
With most schools going single session, there tend to be more after school activities. eg. supplementary classes, cca, etc etc. Check on the arrangement to fetch the students back to centre.

(D)
Ask about the teachers, their qualifications. Most A-level graduates will do a great job.
They are familiar with the primary school syllabus and they are young and energetic to befriend the students. I didn't feel a teachers's certificate means that person will do a better job
It is all about personality.

(E)
Neat and tidy centre definitely helps. A clean environment actually shows the dedication of the centre management to the care of your kids.

hope this helps

[doterraMom]

pinkapple:

Any1 care to share about the charges of student care centres?


also, do they provide beds for the children to rest?

what is the demand for student care aka basc centres like?

The charges for student care service is about $250 to $300 dependent on area.
Most centres do not have beds for students to nap. The parents will buy a mat for their kids.
Some centres may not have nap time in the time table at all actually

With the increasing school workload, there is barely time to finish the homework + revision.
Afternoon naps may not be feasible, especially for the older kids.

Demand for student care service?
It is necessary for parents if
* they work
* they want their children to have discipline
* they don't trust their children to stay at home with the maid
* they are unable to help with their children school work
* There is a greater demand from younger students (P1 to P3). The older students are more independent and will tend to refuse to go to a student care.