knowledge universe preschools - Pat's, LV, Odyssey, Brighton

[magiccastle]

Under KU, any child care centre that didn't generate a certain rate of return will be close down. I remember their enrichment centre learning horizon n or child care centre at AMK or Yio chu Kang was shut down suddenly. I cannot remember the details but it was on the newspaper. More of LV centers will be shutting down including those at the ministries n statutory boards. Some of the centers have been operating there for more than 15 years. What a shame! The mgt really don't even give face to our Government. It is very typical of Amercian style. Branding , packaging , restructuring , generating a x % of return , no compromising , cannot hit the target rate-> then retrench staff n move out . Totally ignore the human factor. This is very irresponsible . Closing a centre will not just affect their own staff but the children(eg 100 of them) will be worst hit in term of adjusting to environment , emotional feeling n the progress of their learning . Parents will be stressed .Need to take leave sourcing for new childcare centre, taking care of the children if couldnt get a centre during the interim

period :nailbite:

Here we are talking about Education of our young children in Singapore and not a retail shop that is not making $$$ , then pack n close down n then open another one.
It is totally not ethical . MCYS must step in to regulate.Otherwise , more Singaporeans ( children, parents n the employers )

Why are we allowing Americans to take over a major chain of child care centers in Singapore n operate like a $ making tool n let the Singaporeans
Suffer. Emotion, $$$ n the education of our young children

[kboon2009]

Just my 2 cents here. I used to also go after these premium childcare centres, thinking that expensive = quality. I placed my DD in a childcare chain near my house while she was young and kept looking out for vacancy in these branded schools. Through the years, however my DD’s CC has proven to me that there are people who are in this business because they love children and not all profit driven. the teachers are caring and constantly surprise me with their dedication. the fact that i see the branded CCs kept increasing their fees also knocked some sense into me. My DD’s CC did not increase our fees since we enrolled her more than 2.5 years ago, and only recently they told us that they really cannot sustain anymore as the rental has gone up to 3 times. i’m happy to pay them the increase in fee, which they have promised will not exceed 10%. so parents, stop going after brandnames blindly. open your eyes to other mid tier CCs near your home and you may be surprised by what you find.

[Mummyppp]

Hi James,

I just read about the petition today.
I wished I had read it earlier but this s my first bit to this website.

May I know how many nam dd you collected?.

I know this is a real concern to many parents who have children in childcare and kindergarten but not many of us know what to do when put in suituation as such. Given a choice they will be more then willing to sign the petition to get the attention of our government .

Can we have another round of petition with more proactive action such as getting prent to forward the petition email.

Mummyppp

[Laisee]

Pats Graduation concert costs 60 per ticket, 180 for photos n 130 for child’s costumes.


Broadway shows are cheaper …

[GLORYmum]

PSH has asked existing students to confirm their placement for next year as early as August which I feel is ultra KS.


If few objection voices are heard, they will collect this additional one month deposit as early as June in the future.

Is this ok? Do other centres practise the same ??

[Mylittlegirl]

Nobody practise that. Most ask in sept/oct and collect n nov. you should refuse to pay…

[dardar63]

read that pat’s increasing fees yearly

[jrose]

Hi James,

Thank you so much for the very insightful info about KU pre-schools. I was actually thinking of viewing the classes at PSH or LV for my daughter for N1. I am disappointed with the exorbitant fees and reading that they will further increase their fees really makes me think twice! As a "new" mummy, I am shocked at the very high price of educating our young ones. I find it ridiculous.
I totally support the petition on MCYS regulating the pre-school fees.
I am still in search of a suitable pre school for my daughter. I’ve scheduled a visit at one of the PSH next week. Curious to see what they have to say.

[angmotan]

Hi all, I have received many PMs since my last post but I wasn’t notify due to my email account issue. I have replied to all today, and my apologies for responding so late. My email is working now so do PM me if you need more info!

[footix]

Is PSH the only one under the KU chain to include a new policy of 2 months’ deposit for parents paying the fees by cash/cheque (not using GIRO)?


Any issues with that?

Isn’t cash is king? Seemed like it’s not the case with PSH/KU.