Little Skool House

[gfkid]

hi notksmum, i dint know that Little Skool House is under NTUc, i know My First Skool is… i called up the main line for my first skool and was told waiting list is like 90+ and 60+ (usually 6 mths-1 year wait) at 2 of the centres in Tampines (OMG) i’m still sourcing for 1 around my in-laws place and i’m telling u, chances are so slim… sigh

[Notksmum]

hi gfkid,


which part of Tampines do you stay? My boy is currently with Kiddyark Childcare at Blk 727. He's at the PN Class. http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=42303&start=10

No complaints so far. They have improved quite a bit and I am rather happy for now.

[gfkid]

hi notksmum, i’m at st 43 and my in-laws at st 24…

i’m trying to make time to go down to blk 273 and 112 (under PAP) for a look… may also check out Safra Nuturestars (but its a bit far )
there’s actually one right below my in-laws block but my mil (who used to be a kindergarten teacher) said that one does not meet regulations (had a photocopier machine in the class room with teacher-student ration 1:10… no wonder i cant find the centre in MCYS or the preschool guide)

[Notksmum]

hi gfkid,


oic. how abt Cambridge at St 34 where Tampines Mart is? I heard its not bad. Alternatively, mindchamps at tampines point?

[gfkid]

hi notksmum, Mindchamps is ex and my husband will never spend that kind of $$ besides he’s skeptical of ‘private’ cc …

as for Cambridge i read some posts in ksforum and thats for blk 241… may not consider that…

[Notksmum]

gfkid - ok. Am reviewing mindchamps because of gd reviews from friends whose kids are there.

[realist]

honestly.my opinion is tat parents nowadays spoil their kids n cant control their kids themselves…they dont respect teachers n cant accept the fact that their child hav flaws eg behavioral issues…just because they pay money …they feel tat teachers r their servant…honestly…its a waste to please such parents because they r never gona appreciate anyway…their kids r so spoilt tat their character stinks…even parents contradict themselves…horrible

[realist]

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=76&t=49307


honestly.my opinion is tat parents nowadays spoil their kids n cant control their kids themselves..they dont respect teachers n cant accept the fact that their child hav flaws eg behavioral issues..just because they pay money ..they feel tat teachers r their servant..honestly..its a waste to please such parents because they r never gona appreciate anyway...their kids r so spoilt tat their character stinks...even parents contradict themselves...horrible

[nlimm]

Notksmum:

Hi gfkid,


I visited LSH, nice premises. Big bright and airy. Great toilets etc. While I was there, i did notice a few things that I did not fancy.

1. Quite a number of teachers were still under training (as on the board)
2. I read that the curriculum is mainly inquiry-based etc. Then when I asked the lady who brought us around what reading programs or phonics structure taught - her reply was - we read big books. [Had a concern whether the teaching will be sufficient to prepare for P1].
3. Noticed the teachers are relatively young.
4. I saw the meal menu - so-so only.
5. When I was there, the indoor playground was closed due to HFMD. (I did ask what was the sick policy etc, the lady just replied we will contact parents).
6. Last but not least - poor feedback on hygiene and attitude of teachers raised in this thread.

In terms of my criteria, these are my thoughts and assessment in order of importance:
1.\tCaring Teachers (not really there based on this threa's feedback)
2.\tPremises – Clean Bright, hygienic, facilities, toys => contribute to learning experience (good but I did not see much display of works in the classrooms)
3.\tStrong Curriculum (not exactly what I am looking for; noted there were quite a number of circle time/integration time)
4.\tFood (so-so prepared in-house not catered from catering companies so shld be safe; was afraid after the Pat's schoolhouse food poisoning incident in the news)
5.\tLocation (convenient)

The other two I am looking at are Pat's Schoolhouse at Siglap and Mindchamps (either Changi Biz Park or Tampines Central). For Pat's and Changi Biz Park - my son would have to take the school bus home.

I have friends whose kids are with Mindchamps and they feel the curriculum is very comprehensive etc despite the lack of outdoor facilities and they like the teachers (other branches). I was told that Mindchamps has a number of excursions in the year. In terms of curriculum - pretty std cos set by HQ but its the teaching delivery that makes the ultimate difference (it will contribute to whether the kids like learning and school). The real test will come when my friends kids in Mindchamps go P1 next year so I am still monitoring as I only plan to put my son in either one from 2014 onwards when he turns 3. Now he is at the cc down my block for PG/PN (cheap and convenient).

Hope the above will help you.

Hi Notksmum

May I know which LSH branch u referring to?
Coz I just withdrew my boy fr mIndchamps and considering LSH coz the teachers of the branch I visited r all of few yrs experiences & I let my boy sit in the class for 1/2 a day last wk, it's definitely better then the 'experienced teacher' tt my boy got in mindchamp( their exp is fresh grad with 200hrs inhouse training thats the exp cher that the p promised me!)which I decided to withdrew after 5 days there & few observations totally failed in classroom management

[Notksmum]

nlimm, its the tampines branch.