Enrichment programmes

Have been reading up a lot on enrichment programmes in Singapore. There are a lot of programmes and we are really spoilt for choices. I wish there were more reviews available online which would help me in decision making.

After researching online, I have shortlisted the following centers:

1) Our Music Studio Rhymthic Tots programme (http://www.ourmusicstudio.com.sg/schedule/)
Found some of their videos on youtube fy viewing pleasure (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB5Hc6ZzkNLLJMUJTSmpHrA)
I signed up free member at Seriousaboutpreschool which has vouchers in their welcome pack.The trial class was at $10 instead of $35. You can book 2 trial sessions on consecutive weeks.

Verdict: We went for Sunday morning class and the teacher was Jane. She sang beautifully. There was balls all over the room before the class for free play, and when the class is starting, Teacher Jane has asked the children to help put away the balls.

The lesson started with hello song, following which scarves, musical instruments like shakers, bells were used in class. There was also bubbles play and rainbow parachute on another week. The class ended off with "sleeping time" where the teacher will read a story. At the end of the class, the teacher will stamp on the children. A point to note is Teacher Jane used very positive language eg "Thank you for helping" (when clearing the toys) and "Thank you for waiting" (while my girl was waiting for her turn to be stamped).

At 18months, my girl quite enjoyed the class. At home, she will show us the moves taught in class.


Price: Individual drop- ins is @$40. Term12lessons ($420) which works out $35 for one class. One time registration fees of $50 applies. Class duration is 45mins.

2) Bibinogs (http://bibinogs.com/programmes)
We enrolled our girl in Bilingual Tots but on that day, we realised she's the only toddler. The other student is a regular and usually she comes in late. One of our objective is that she mix with other kids. Hence, we switch her to Mandarin Tots that day.

Verdict: The programme is very structured. As we mainly speak English at home, our girl doesn't seem to understand when I read Chinese story books to her. Hence, we wanted to immerse her in a Mandarin environment. 

The class started off with some singing, self introduction eg name, I am girl/ boy. I quite like that the teacher taught them body parts and even though my girl wondered off, the teacher try to get her participation. The theme was fish on that day, they were taught 2 Chinese words (鱼 and 游). There was some craft work (fish using crepe paper) and snacks provided. They also learn hanyu pinyin and finished off with a story about whale. I find that the programme duration of 1.25hrs is too long. My girl didn't seem interested in the class at all. Hence, we will KIV this class for now.

Price: 
Weekday fees - Trial fee: $50 per class

Once a week: $455

2 times a week: $745

*Weekend fees - Trial fee: $55 per class

Once a week: $485

2 times a week: $775

I used the Serious About Preschool vouchers, the trial class was at 50% discount. 


3) Jiggle Wigs (https://www.facebook.com/jiggle.wigs/)
We attended Saturday class at Bove Suntec City. Teacher Debbie uses pre-recorded music. The class started off with hello song, Drive My Car song by Laurie Berkner, Wheels on the Bus, Head Shoulders knees and toes. There are a lot of free play eg scarves, bean bags, balls and little rubber loops, bubbles time. The class ended with sleeping time with the song "The Lion Sleep Tonight" and goodbye song.

Verdict: My girl love the programme. She was able to follow the Teacher's instructions and play with other kids, she didn't stick to us most of the time.  My girl seem to enjoy Jiggle Wigs more compared to Our Music Studio. The class is 50% cheaper, hence we decided to sign her up for 5 sessions.



Schedule:
Monday 10am Astrid Meadows
Monday 3:00 Tresalveo Marymount- D20
Tuesday 9:30 Valley Park Condo - D9
Tuesday 3:00 Park Infinia, Dance Studio- D11
Wednesday 9:30 & 10:45 Aspen Heights
Thursday 10:15 Polliwogs, Suntec City tower 4 - D1
Friday 9:30 Tanglin Park
Friday 2:30 The Coast, Sentosa
Saturday 11am Bove, Suntec City Tower 4, Level 2

Price: 
Class duration is 45mins.  
Condo classes- $15 per class, $50 for 5 classes
Polliwogs- $20 per class including free play
Sentosa- $20 per class, $75 for 5 classes
Saturday Bove - $25 per class, $100 for 5 classes

All packages have no expiry date
All condo classes are per family

4) Kidmando (http://www.kidmando.com/)
Will be signing our girl up for trial class this week. Keep a lookout on my next post.

Hope you find this post useful. 

Love,
Sherlyn

 
 

Reviews of Preschools at West Coast Singapore, Part 2

So, we decided to visit more preschools to ensure that we have found the perfect one for our girl. You can read about our earlier reviews here

1) Star Kidscampus

Blk 509 West Coast Drive, S(120509) 

Half day, $650 before subsidy

This is the first childcare located in HDB we visited. The husband was a bit receptive upon arrival. We visited slightly before 9am and the children were having breakfast. From 9-9.30am, they assembled for National anthem, reciting of pledge and singing and dancing activities before breaking out into their respective classroom. Our girl enjoyed herself during the singing activity.

Environment is very clean and neat, airy and non air conditioned. The principal Yan Qin mentioned she used to work at MindChamps and Cambridge. She gave us a very assuring feeling that our girl will be in good hands. Hence, this center is in our shortlist.

2) YWCA
Blk 510 West Coast Drive #01-315 Singapore 120510
Half day $555 (YWCA member), $560 (non-member) before subsidy. Membership is $25/yr. The Senior teacher wasn't around when we visited as they have an excursion. We were allowed in to view the premise.The toilet is very spacious, with 2 shower facilities and many cubicles similar to MindChamps and Little Skool House at Kent Vale. However, the toilet is a little stinky. We also noted there is a library for the children and the children will sleep in air conditioned room for their nap.

When we passed by the center on another day, we noted that the children were a little rowdy compared to Star Kidscampus.

3) Modern Montessori
12 West Coast Walk, #1-05 West Coast Recreation Center, Singapore 127157
Half day $1230.50 
Center is clean but their fees are on the higher range.
 
4) Amar Kidz
8 Jln Lempeng, Singapore 128796
Center is a bit messy when we visited.


After visiting so many centers, we feel that we have to be realistic about our expectations. These are the criteria we looked out for when choosing a preschool:

1) Proximity to home or workplace. It must be convenient for us to pick our girl up.

2) Budget.

3) Clean and tidy. Safety is important to us.

4) Welcoming and friendly environment. Look out for any children who cry excessively, are the children rowdy and the teachers are unable to control them etc

5) Students: Teacher ratio

6) Comfort level with principal and teachers

You can also read this link for the preschool landscape in Singapore.


Love,
Sherlyn   

Reviews of Preschools at West Coast Singapore

Our girl will be turning 18months and we have been researching about preschools near Clementi/ West Coast. The husband and I have conflicting views on sending our girl early to childcare as he felt children tend to fall sick more often in childcare and our girl will be in better care under the grandparents' supervision. I feel that starting early will be beneficial to our girl as she can interact with other kids, learn to be independent and pick up soft skills etc. There were not much reviews except at Kiasuparents, singaporemotherhood forum. First, we shortlist the centres within walking distance to our home via https://www.childcarelink.gov.sg/ccls/home/CCLS_Home.jsp. We shortlist those centres with 24months license tenure.

We have visited the following childcares:

1) Pat's Schoolhouse, Jubilee Park (http://www.patschoolhouse.com/centres/pats-schoolhouse-jubilee-park)
31 Jubilee Road. Singapore 128583
$1391

This is the first center we visited and leaves us a very good impression. This also set a high benchmark when we were shortlisting other preschools. We visited on their Open Day and the staff were very welcoming, they encourage us to participate in the activities eg balloon flour stress balls, rainbow parachute game. Pat's Schoolhouse uses letterland approach in their curriculum.The place seem a bit rundown and their fees is very high for the small teacher: student ratio.

2) Mindchamps @ West Coast Plaza (https://www.mindchamps.org/preschool/westcoastplaza/)
$1904.60 Full day, $1690.60 Half day

Quite impressed with this center too. They have a gym room and high tech attendance taking machine. Teacher: student ratio is small too and there were a lot of cubicles in the toilet and shower facilities is good too. Outdoor play is @ nearby Clementi Woods Park.

3) Town for Kids Preschool (http://www.town4kids.com/sg_preschool_locations.htm)
338A, West Coast Road, Singapore 127393
$1000 for half day before subsidy

As my in law place are nearby, we noted that the principal is usually at the center most of the time whenever I passed by the center. They are using Montessori approach. The center looks clean but a little run down. We observed one of the Chinese lesson in progress, the teacher spoke very faintly. Hence, we were not really impressed with the quality of teaching. However, there were a lot of kids at the center and the kids look happy.

4) Posso Preschool (http://www.possopreschool.com/visit-us/)
30 West Coast Rise, Singapore 127473
$1400 for half day before $150 subsidy less $250 for no Saturdays, less $50 for GIRO deduction and less $50 for regular social media posting.

The center looks a little run down from outside. However, when we were in, the place seem to have undergone recent renovation, it also looks clean and neat. There's a Trampoline which I think the kids will love it. Uniform looks nice too but it's very expensive @$60/set and we also need to purchase PE attire. 

We noticed that one of the teachers change a kid's diaper in front of the class instead of going to the toilet. The older class were having baking lesson. The Chinese (PRC) teacher has a very negative behavior as she kept asking the children to sit properly in their seats. Some of the kids forgot to bring their food containers and she told them repeatedly they will be the last to take the cookies. We also overheard her telling the class that she hope they will do well for next week Chinese test. This deters us from considering to place our girl there. Other than these signs, the environment seem good.

5) Little FootPrints (http://littlefootprints.com.sg/)
6 Jubilee Rd (S) 128531
$700 before subsidy  

We tried to call the center to arrange for a center visit over 2days. However,  nobody answered the call and left voicemails were not returned. We decided to pop in without appointment. We felt unwelcome as the principal did not allow us to explore anywhere beyond the office and front of classroom. 

6) Genesis Child Care Pte Ltd (http://genesisgroup.sg/)
2A Jubilee Rd, Singapore 128524
$610 after $150 subsidy

Center looks a little run down and the place seem small. There is only 1 small toilet. They have been in the industry for more than 27years and it is mainly through word of mouth recommendations. The mattress looks old and we were shocked that we need to pay $38 for mattress, $13 for the mattress cover. Think I can get 3 seahorse foldable mattress at this price.

7) Big Foot Preschool (http://www.bigfootpreschool.com/)
196 West Coast Rd, Singapore 127375
$700 before subsidy

This center was taken over in late 2015. Center is managed by Rai and we felt comfortable talking to Rai as she seem very passionate and knowledgeable. The center is a little run down and we noted that the stairs is painted dark brown, this might pose as a safety concern. We visited around late afternoon when the children were having afternoon tea. We noticed that one of the children was crying when we first arrived till the time we left. The teachers just let him cry. Hence, this puts us off slightly as we felt that the teacher could have taken the child aside to calm him instead of letting him cry excessively. There is currently 1 child in the toddler class and he is joining the older children. We felt that this arrangement is not good as they are of different learning pace.

8) Little Skool House @Kent Vale (http://www.littleskoolhouse.com/workplace-centres/the-little-skool-house-at-kent-vale)
101B Clementi Road, Kent Vale Staff Housing, 129798
$813.20 before subsidy
 
This is a workplace childcare. The center is really huge and the teacher :student ratio is large too. Outdoor play area is also big and they have a lot of good tricycles. Center is managed by Xueting and she seem very passionate and knowledgeable. She was taking the children's temperature herself on arrival where she could have asked her staff to do it. The husband seem to be pleased with this center but they were in the news for highest HFMD outbreak in May 2016.Only deterring factor is that they only have full day care and it is not near our home or our in law place. Hence, fetching our girl before 6pm will be challenge. 

Hope you find this post useful.

Love,
Sherlyn