Yes yes, we've yet to view Kinderland(serangoon branch, a pre-school) premise as it's now school holiday(only childcare centres are still operating this period but we do not want her to be in a childcare environment) and we prefer to see the school teachers 'at work' when sessions are in place.
Renee's now still sleeping cos she slept late last nite @11pm and her daddy's on his way to the airport now(I slept at 2am+ and I've been up since 7am+, to boil water/make him coffee and I cant go back to sleep as the cleaner is coming over anytime now arrghhh) - yeah, I'm not going this time, too short a trip(he'll be back on 1/1/08 early AM) and I'm just too sian to go along this time hehehe. Hopefully, by the time he returns and get his deal's matters settled, we can have a little more time to prepare for CNY!
I've been reading this guide(by youngparents) since end last year and am still flipping through it now occasionally(as am looking for a pre-sch now). Here are some guidelines gathered from the various schools'(the good/strong and the 'norm') principals' advices that I personally find very useful and important and after speaking/discussing with some mommies during the last few PG sessions, I thought it'd be good to share here since some mommies also hv no clues as to what to look out for:
1) Is the environment bright, cheerful and fill with children's artwork?
2) What are the teachers' experiences and qualifications?
3) How does the school prepare the child for Primary I?
4) Teacher and child ratio(to ensure your child receives maximum attention) but not just that alone, ensure a constant main teacher is assigned to the child for his/her long-term benefit, instead of him/her being 'looked after' by assistant/floating teachers
5) 1 benefit of yr child in a PCF kindergarten is that he/she will learn to socialise with other children from all backgrounds but 1 concern is : there is only a relatively small proportion of PCF teachers equiped for this new and demanding role of play-based schooling and according to reports published in the S.T., less than 25% of PCF teachers have diplomas, compared to 70% in pte kindergartens(personally, after having gone to view and talk to the people at so many schools/centres, I think this also applies to most of those ard HDB area/void-decks?)
6) Curriculums should not be too stressful(this is what I myself will look out for - not too academically inclined). Some programmes cost lesser and some more, the difference, of course, is in the quality of teachers and the programmes offered. Some of the higher-end centres can offer very specialised programmes and invest in good magterials
One mother interviewed, remarked "although basic literacy and numeracy are essential, I don't want to stress my child out. To me, the most important thing si that she receives stimulation, so I'm willing to pay extra for teacher quality" - I cant agree more on this :)
Personally, I would prefer that the premise has a large playfield of its own(usually the pre-schools/childcare centres on stand-alone premise wld hv) 'cos in today's walled-in urban environment, there are not many opportunities and space for children to run free and easy.
*Okies, that's all for now, if I continue re-flipping the book and see anything worth mentioning, I'll put here, so tune back if u wish(if possible, I'll try cos there're simply just too many in the book)
2) What are the teachers' experiences and qualifications?
3) How does the school prepare the child for Primary I?
4) Teacher and child ratio(to ensure your child receives maximum attention) but not just that alone, ensure a constant main teacher is assigned to the child for his/her long-term benefit, instead of him/her being 'looked after' by assistant/floating teachers
5) 1 benefit of yr child in a PCF kindergarten is that he/she will learn to socialise with other children from all backgrounds but 1 concern is : there is only a relatively small proportion of PCF teachers equiped for this new and demanding role of play-based schooling and according to reports published in the S.T., less than 25% of PCF teachers have diplomas, compared to 70% in pte kindergartens(personally, after having gone to view and talk to the people at so many schools/centres, I think this also applies to most of those ard HDB area/void-decks?)
6) Curriculums should not be too stressful(this is what I myself will look out for - not too academically inclined). Some programmes cost lesser and some more, the difference, of course, is in the quality of teachers and the programmes offered. Some of the higher-end centres can offer very specialised programmes and invest in good magterials
One mother interviewed, remarked "although basic literacy and numeracy are essential, I don't want to stress my child out. To me, the most important thing si that she receives stimulation, so I'm willing to pay extra for teacher quality" - I cant agree more on this :)
Personally, I would prefer that the premise has a large playfield of its own(usually the pre-schools/childcare centres on stand-alone premise wld hv) 'cos in today's walled-in urban environment, there are not many opportunities and space for children to run free and easy.
*Okies, that's all for now, if I continue re-flipping the book and see anything worth mentioning, I'll put here, so tune back if u wish(if possible, I'll try cos there're simply just too many in the book)
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