shn:

Imp75:

I am not sure if preschool is a major contributor to kids coping well in P1. I had this conversation with my hubby several years ago when my gal was in PCF and there was no homework, no projects, no feedback and I don't even know what she learned or did. We discussed about changing preschools like what all kiasu parents would have thought of but due to convenience (maybe we are not so kiasu after all) we decided to continue her in PCF but we made sure she had enrichments like phonics and Chinese. we also made her read voraciously. Now that she just started P1 in CFS, I am glad to see that she can do her maths without coaching and English spelling with one try. although she is not as good in Chinese, that is within my expectations because of our environment. What I am trying to say is, preschool is not all that matters. A lot of how kids are coping in P1 is also dependent on how attentive they are in class and whether they can understand or absorb what the teacher taught?

I had jus discuss with my fren whom is a teacher in primary
School ! According to her, she says that kids grad from PCF,
St Hilda / Bethesda / other strong academic base kids really
Can cope better in P1! They can understand what the primary
School teacher will expect them to do ! While those learn thru
Play can't handle it as well as those from strong academic base!
But learn thru play are better in verbal, presentation, dare to speak type.
As p1 &2 exam includes both written work as well as speaking,
So both are also important now! But presentation only takes
20%[ depending on diff schools] But in long term, they are equally good!

Hello shn,

Thank you for sharing.
I will search for more information on the mentioned schools.

Thank you. :idea:

Hello Mummies,


Need some advice, my son is K1 this year at Carpe Diem but last day is end of Feb'11.
I have visted MindChamps Preschool and now comparing with Cambridge or alternatives.

Cambridge @ SengKang:
-I have called up, like the friendly and knowleagable principle,
-School fees is reasonable, but there is one big problem No School Bus Service from Tampines.

Total School fees + School Bus Service (if any) will add up to approximately S$800/ month.
On top of this; there will be additional enrichment classes for my son.
Therewith; total expenese for education is S$1000 to 1100/ month.


Otherwise I have to look for other alternatives:

Option 1

-To find a childcare centre/ preschool with school fees (inclusive of subsidy) + school bus (if any) in total of not more than S$600.

-Add Speech & Drama enrichment S$120/ month.
-Add FasTracKids S$170/ month.

Total for option 1 is S$900/ mth.





Option 2


-Just sign up for MindChamps preschool for S$1000/ month (after subsidy).,
But not enrichment classes.


I really like MindChamps as it's just walking distance from my home, but the schools fees are cut throat for me as I could not afford to have any additional enrichment programmes for my boy.


Hope you could give some sugguestions..
:?: :?:

phankao:

golfer:

currently , i m spending $600 / mth for my kindergarten children. hope when they enter primary level , the expenses will reduce?

Should be reduced, lah.

Our 2yo ds has 1 music play class and 1 chinese playgroup for abt a total of S$250pm.

But our 3 older kids(pri/sec) total only S$1000 and not much classes!
dd - zero classes
ds1 - violin + chinese tuition
ds2 - science tuition + 2 chinese music instrument lessons.

And school fees so cheap. Sec only like s$20pm, and pri even cheaper, right?

Oh, I almost forgot. All 3 have Karate, but that's only S$60 for 10 weeks for each child. Not expensive lah.

Hello GrandMasterII,

Need some advice from you, my son is K1 this year at Carpe Diem but last day is end of Feb'11.
I have the following calculations:

Option 1

-To find a childcare centre/ preschool with school fees (inclusive of subsidy) + school bus (if any) in total of not more than S$600.

-Add Speech & Drama enrichment S$120/ month.
-Add FasTracKids S$170/ month.

Total for option 1 is S$900/ mth.





Option 2


-Just sign up for MindChamps preschool for S$1000/ month (after subsidy).,
But not enrichment classes.


I really like MindChamps as it's just walking distance from my home, but the schools fees are cut throat for me as I could not afford to have any additional enrichment programmes for my boy.


Hope you could give some sugguestions..
:?:



Mummies here in this topic are welcome to share your experience with me too. Appreciated.

suidoken77:

Hi anyone, care to share their experience or opinion on Cambridge Child Development Centre @ Tampines St 21? Intend to send my girl to the PlayGroup.

Hello Suidoken77,

Have you found a school for your girl yet? My son is K1 this year; am searching one for him too.

My friend ask me to find out about Mindchamps preschool @ Tampines, and Cambridge. Any advice is appreciated.

Timtams:

Hi, any feedback on little skoolhouse @ mountbatten?

Hello Timtams,

You might want to look at the link below, there is one of the page on your query:
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=355210#355210

toddles:

welcome.


It's the simei one... the private house along the road under the MRT track right?

Yes, it's near the MRT track. The principle and teachers are friendly, but guess I visit the place at the wrong timing. The kids were about to nap, so unable to know if their programme is good..

My friend ask me to find out about Mindchamps, and Cambridge. So am still searching.

Hello Parents,


I have headache looking for a well-balanced in play and academic school.

Vsited:
1) Pat's School House @ Meyer
2) Learning Vision @ Changi Business Park
3) Kinderland @ Serangoon & Marine Parade
4) Star Learners @ Simei
5) The Little Skoolhouse @ Tampines Junction & Fidello


To be honest; I feel more confident with Pat's Schoolhouse, but after adding the school fees and school bus, it's a sad thing that I have to opt for alternative..
All others above did not give me any confident in them to deliver their mentioned curriculum.

Looking through reviews here for more ideas, but read about Schoolhouse By The Bay at the following gives me doubts:
http://www.expatsingapore.com/forum/index.php/topic,51609.0.html


I am staying in Tampines, do not mind to travel a little; example Pasir Ris, Simei, Siglap, or Katong. Any recommendations, please..

KSP:

I sent my dd to a academic based private pre-school where they have spelling, project based work and class presentation etc during K1/K2. My dd can cope with her P1/P2 work with no problem. With the current education system in SG and most parents' mindset, going to P1 is no longer to learn from scratch and gets marginal marks but to score with flying colours!!!


Building a strong foundation during K1/K2 is very important to prepare them for P1/P2. When they can do well during P1/P2 they feel motivated and a sense of achievement. This motivation is priceless and critical when they move up further. I hope this motivation will continue in her upper primary.

I don't see any reason why we should leave this to chance and play catch up later on. A child may be demotivated because of lack of preparation and this might lead to lose of interest in school work.

Hello KaisuGrand MasterII,

Wouls you mind to share which preschool did your children went? Beceause I am facing problem finding a well-balanced preschool.

Appreciate it.

toddles:

I visited LSH in tampines when it was quite newly opened. impressed with the space and newness of it all, but subsequently heard forum reviews that the 'software' part was not so good. Think you can look around 'alternative views'.


I know someone with a kid at Star Learners. They only have good things to say abt the place. Think the charges are reasonable, the place is clean.

Which one is more convenient, location-wise for you? I think that plays a big role.

Hello Toddles,

Thank you for the tip!

I lived in Tampines, the school bus fees is S$130-140 for two way trips from my house to Simei then back again.

By the way, your friend's child is in Star Learners at Simei or other branch? Because the environment and education do varies one one branch to another.

Hello Parents,


Need some advice if you have sent your child to either The Little Skool House @ Fidelio or The Little Skool House @ Tampines, and Star Learners @ Simei? I have visited the schools with the following comments:
1) The Little Skool House @ Fidello
-Read about the branch on their website; I prefer the preschool to be in a house than in a centre.
-the house supposed to be a more interesting place, as they have a little out door corner, but the place did not look as interesting as what I have thought.

2) The Little Skool House @ Tampines
-the place surprised me with it's cleaniness and space.
-Teachers looked quite experienced.
-Students looked quite happy.
-Overall I do like the Tampines branch better after visiting two different branches.
-math is introduce through story books.

3) Star Learners @ Simei
-the place looks quite spacious, cleaniness is alright,
-the teachers looked friendly and polite.
-Went at the wrong timing (nap time)!
So unable to see the children in action.
-the centre is using a little mixture of Montessori method for math.

All the three centers are welcoming, teachers and principle are friendly and polite.

I would like to pick one from these but is struggling which one to enroll my son to. Any kind advice is appreciated.

With many thanks.