Pat's Schoolhouse
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thank you keendaddy and foreverj.
Yeah, it does sound stupid at first. really m asking as the facilities at some Pat School house looks so old with limited space. the low partition open concept make the schools very noisy too. Tho I find the teachers very pleasant.
The curriculum at Pat’s is certainly more superior since it’s been around for 20 odd yrs. But is it already implementing the new project concept that MOE hopes to implement from the preschool level?
I was all for Pat’s until i visited a few branches and compared it with Mindchamp. Whilst Mindchamp’s curriculum is still fairly fresh, there seems to be some credibility because of the advisory/curriculum development team.
Therefore, m torn. Was hoping to give the best to my only one child. -
hi izu
as parents, we may be attracted by brand new facilities at first glance. but at the very heart of a good cc, are actually the teachers, the curriculum and the beliefs and values of the owner which surprisingly does permeate thru the teachers to the students.
i have not been to the facilities of Pat’s. but to me, so long as they are safe and provides the basic things like space to run and cycle, sand pit, water play - mainly for the younger ones like toddlers, it is sufficient. i believe pat’s curriculum should require amenities for these basic stuff.
MOE may be implementing new project concept but do understand what MOE implements wil likely filter to the kindergarten and for cc, they wil likely start with govt-related cc like ntuc childcare (my first skool). pat’s is a private school and can jolly well choose not to follow suit. in any case, MOE usually gives a very general guideline and its very much up to the various schools (with their own curriculum specialists n teachers) to come up with their own unique curriculum.
understand mindchamps is great at advertising and marketing themselves. the team of specialists they have also come with credible background. but they r new n teachers take time to fine-tune the curriculum and lessons. for new teachers, worse, they need time to gain experience at what they do. ultimately remember teachers r the ones who r most in contact with your kids.
ultimately u need to listen to your heart and gut in deciding which school is the most suitable for your child. even after u enrol, continue to monitor. u can always change subsequently if u feel the school is not what it appears to be. -
Have been a silent reader for a long long time
Hi DC Mummy
My child is also at Lim Ah Pin Branch attending the Playgroup. Haiz.. he's also almost sick every other few weeks or so and spreading the virus/es to his baby sister (8mths old). But I am not blaming the school. I mean, these kids are in so close contact with one another, holding hands and such. It's inevitable that viruses spread easily. It's only up to the civic conscious parents to remove their kids if they are having flu and let them rest at home. Hahaha having said that, i usually let him rest 1 or 2 days at home onli :P.
Yes, I also love the big compound and rustic feel of the whole place. When I first visited the school 2years back, I was quite disappointed comparing with the newer facilities. But after settling him in the D-story club, I am starting to love the big old place, as compared to the crampy bungalow houses that most other cc/preschools are in. -
I know it’s common for kids to fall sick when starting preschool. However I wonder if the preschools could do something more to prevent the spread. For example, how often do they wash the toys? Is there any air sterilizer in the enclosed airconditioned classroom? Do they segregate kids as soon as they show symptoms?
As parents, I think we need to demand more from the preschools especially premium ones rather than to accept the frequent illnesses as a given. Little kids may have lower immunity to germs but there is no reason to expose children unnecessarily and this requires the vigilance of the childcare teachers.
Just as there are guidelines on student teacher ratio in childcare centres, there are also guidelines for infection control. If the premium schools charge more and provide lower student teacher ratio than the minimum specified by the government, I think they should also implement stricter and better infection control methods above the minimum. I have so far not received the answers to the questions I posed to the branch my son is attending on this issue of infection control.
No matter how good the school is, if the kid is not attending, no benefit can be gained! In addition, frequent use of synthetic medication may not be good for the child’s health in the long run. -
hi, saw this thread and just wanted to comment on the school. my daughter has been in pats arena for a couple of years now. we visited a few daycare in the west and pat’s was the best. the ratio was like 1:3 at the time. the principal back then (think christina) was quite nice too. pretty laid back and don’t come on as a money minded person. it has changed a lot since then. now, the new principal (chen) tells me that she is planning a ratio of 1:10 for the toddlers. she is pretty talkative (sometimes over talkative) and she sounds to me more like a business woman than a kindergarten principal. the teachers behaviour have also deteriorated (think they can’t cope with so many students) and my daughter has had few ‘accidents’ at the playground. everyday she comes home with bruises to her legs and one time the teacher even dared to ask me what happened to her leg (implicating i hit my own daughter). my daughter is still at pats but i am now thinking whether it is worth it to send my toddler as well.
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bees:
hi, saw this thread and just wanted to comment on the school. my daughter has been in pats arena for a couple of years now. we visited a few daycare in the west and pat's was the best. the ratio was like 1:3 at the time. the principal back then (think christina) was quite nice too. pretty laid back and don't come on as a money minded person. it has changed a lot since then. now, the new principal (chen) tells me that she is planning a ratio of 1:10 for the toddlers. she is pretty talkative (sometimes over talkative) and she sounds to me more like a business woman than a kindergarten principal. the teachers behaviour have also deteriorated (think they can't cope with so many students) and my daughter has had few 'accidents' at the playground. everyday she comes home with bruises to her legs and one time the teacher even dared to ask me what happened to her leg (implicating i hit my own daughter). my daughter is still at pats but i am now thinking whether it is worth it to send my toddler as well.
Yah, somehow the impression I get from cc franchises is that some owners are more concerned with profits than education...
thanks for sharing... -
foreverj:
Thx for sharing. shall certainly take note.hi izu
as parents, we may be attracted by brand new facilities at first glance. but at the very heart of a good cc, are actually the teachers, the curriculum and the beliefs and values of the owner which surprisingly does permeate thru the teachers to the students.
i have not been to the facilities of Pat's alth my dd attends an associate school. but to me, so long as they are safe and provides the basic things like space to run and cycle, sand pit, water play - mainly for the younger ones like toddlers, it is sufficient. i believe pat's curriculum should require amenities for these basic stuff.
MOE may be implementing new project concept but do understand what MOE implements wil likely filter to the kindergarten and for cc, they wil likely start with govt-related cc like ntuc childcare (my first skool). pat's is a private school and can jolly well choose not to follow suit. in any case, MOE usually gives a very general guideline and its very much up to the various schools (with their own curriculum specialists n teachers) to come up with their own unique curriculum.
understand mindchamps is great at advertising and marketing themselves. the team of specialists they have also come with credible background. but they r new n teachers take time to fine-tune the curriculum and lessons. for new teachers, worse, they need time to gain experience at what they do. ultimately remember teachers r the ones who r most in contact with your kids.
ultimately u need to listen to your heart and gut in deciding which school is the most suitable for your child. even after u enrol, continue to monitor. u can always change subsequently if u feel the school is not what it appears to be. -
Full Day timetable
any mummies who put their kiddos in Pat’s Full day, would you please share with me their full day timetable?
There was a sudden change of plan and i will be putting my boy there full day, starting in april. HB talked with teacher this morning, teacher okay, principal okay. Teacher even said can start tomorow.
What do I need to bring for full day? How many sets of clothes? Bed sheets? Diapers?
Argghh… suddenly soo sudden. -
hi smurfy
how old is your son? for very young kids like toddlers, maybe bring two sets of clothes - one for after outdoor (in case they play with water) and one for after bath. bedsheets - school should have. but u need to pay for it. diapers- maybe three or four if your child is stil young? bring more never mind.
anyway good for u to be in touch with the school to discuss your questions and concerns. anyway u wil be paying them their full fees plus registration and insurance etc b4 starting. -
forever
he's 3 this year.. in the play group. he's currently with their half day morning.. i usually bring in one extra set of clothes (used onli when there is water play on wed)
kekkee how to ask the teacher when the teacher say can start tomorow?
how long is the nap time? they bath then nap? napping wear what? and where?
me thinkinig of lettin him go in on wednesday. :P...
still must pay registration fees for full day? i tot just top up from the half day's payment?
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