Pat's Schoolhouse

[arielle08]

Hi,


I heard that there is this term break period, something like school holiday whereby the kids will go there to play and no lesson is conducted.
Isst true?

If so, can we opt out of that period?
Since the fees is on the high side, i would prefer to opt out, if possible.

Also, i have enquire abt the school bus service and was told tat for 1 way transport ( i will be bringing her to school but need someone to send her bac)
it will cost $200.

i am surprise tat the bus fees is so high.
Is this the norm or its because this is a branded school…

[Busymom]

After term 4 ends (which is around 3rd week of Nov), the school would have what they call Holiday Program. There are still lessons proper (albeit at a more relaxed pace?), and for those who are on extended program in the afternoon, the lessons continue as well. The holiday program would end around 2 weeks before year-end. From then on, it’s just childcare service that they provide. Officially, the childcare service should be available till end of the year. Usually however, we are told by the teachers to avoid sending our kids to the school during the last week, as there would be spring cleaning and what-nots, which may not be very nice for the children if they are there. Also, during this last 2 weeks, all the children who still go to the school would be grouped together (as there are probably not many) and looked after by a couple of teachers.


For the June holidays, the pure childcare period is just during the last week. There is no break for March and Sept period.

Note also that the school bus stops its service once the holiday program ends, but you would still need to pay for the entire month.

I used to do the 1-way school bus arrangement too, as we were able to drop DD off in the morning when we went to work. It’s true that there is not much difference between the 1-way and 2-way bus fare. So by opting for 1-way, the bus fee is relatively more expensive. As we stayed rather near to the school, coupled with the fact that we needed some flexibility with the pickup time, we eventually got our maid to fetch her instead. I think the cab fare is probably $5+ per trip as compared to the monthly bus fare of $140 or $150.

[arielle08]

Hi Busymom,


Any idea if we can pull out from the holiday program and save 1 month of school fees?

Thanks so glad for highlighting on the bus services payment.
I am also deciding if i should just ask my caregiver to pick her by cab or via bus service.
Guess i am more decided now, better take cab
At least when she is not attending school for the last mth, she dont have to pay for the bus services.

I am glad there is no term break for mar / sep
i have enquire some other preschools, was told they have 1 wk \"school holiday\" in Mar. So i thought that is the norm.

Any idea if there is any forum or links for pat's parents which i can join?
It will be great to have such forum where Pat's parents can voice out their concern and update each other about the recent happenings.

[dfstan]

after reading this thread on Pat’s Schoolhouse, wondering how are the teachers at halifax as some posts mentioned the good ones has left. Anyone whose kids currently in Pat’s at Halifax can comment on the teacher capability and quality please?


thanks!

[first time mum]

Can anybody provide feedback/experience with Pat’s School at Mount Emily? Am thinking of sending my kid there soon. Thanks

[supermom]

hi,

i understand pat’s schoolhouse at whitley branch is newly opened. any feedback so far on the teachers there?
thanks !

[sparkie0209]

hi parents,


any experience with pat’s at jubilee park?

thanks.

[pebblez]

Hi there,


This is the first time I am posting since it is only recently that we began our frantic kindy search.

With Pat’s I was initially impressed with the loads of comments I hear and was really excited and am almost prepared to send my daughter there till I went to the Meyer Road branch and had all my expectations smashed.

Pat’s has many branches, and I really can’t say for sure that all the branches churn out or follow the same set of curriculum, the Meyer Road one for sure were one of the branch with a couple of inadequacies- if all the teachers there were like the one they had to lead ‘d story club’ for toddlers… i got no idea how and where the raves came about… the teacher allocated to us had to constantly refer to the songs on the wall, does not seem to really understand how toddlers work and behave, repeatedly saying that she is new and works with older kids more so need some time to settle in… the snacks they were given were the Kelloggs honey stars and milkmaid UHT milk (if you had ever been to JG, you would know our kids were given organic foods, fruits and juices) so daughter had to choke on the food and vomited all her milk and lunch… bad experience…

plus the toys at the centre were worn out, and some wheels broken, some had spikes sticking out… not the best for young dash around kiddos…the school floor was not exactly clean and had hair strands on the mat even before we started the class… :S

I compared this with Julia Gab… Pat’s nothing close… Sorry to say that…

[autumnbronze]

pebblez:

Hi there,


This is the first time I am posting since it is only recently that we began our frantic kindy search.

With Pat's I was initially impressed with the loads of comments I hear and was really excited and am almost prepared to send my daughter there till I went to the Meyer Road branch and had all my expectations smashed.

Pat's has many branches, and I really can't say for sure that all the branches churn out or follow the same set of curriculum, the Meyer Road one for sure were one of the branch with a couple of inadequacies- if all the teachers there were like the one they had to lead 'd story club' for toddlers... i got no idea how and where the raves came about.. the teacher allocated to us had to constantly refer to the songs on the wall, does not seem to really understand how toddlers work and behave, repeatedly saying that she is new and works with older kids more so need some time to settle in.. the snacks they were given were the Kelloggs honey stars and milkmaid UHT milk (if you had ever been to JG, you would know our kids were given organic foods, fruits and juices) so daughter had to choke on the food and vomited all her milk and lunch... bad experience..

plus the toys at the centre were worn out, and some wheels broken, some had spikes sticking out.. not the best for young dash around kiddos..the school floor was not exactly clean and had hair strands on the mat even before we started the class.. :S

I compared this with Julia Gab.. Pat's nothing close.. Sorry to say that..

Hi pebblez,

Interesting observation (highlighted in red). If you don't mind me asking, how did you arrive at this conclusion?

[empressplace]

D’Story Club is probably not the main focus of Pat’s but if you have any complaints about their services, you should write in as Patricia Koh is surprisingly responsive.


I have my doubts that JG could provide organic milk and juices as these are very expensive. Organic snacks like biscuits - possible. I wouldn’t know as I have no experience with JG.

Is your daughter allergic to non organic food? I am surprised that it causes such distress to her.