PCF/PAP Kindergartens

[Imp75]

Hi Tamarind or any other mummies who place their kids in PCF,


I placed my 3 kids in a PCF near my nanny’s place for the obvious reason. In recent times, I have began to get worried as I heard that some PCFs are pretty initiative and would keep the parents updated on the children’s progress on a daily basis in the Communication Book. In that way, the parents would be informed of what the children have been doing in class, what they have learned and what needed to be improved/worked on.

When I talked to the principal asking for a similar request, I was appalled that my request was rejected, reason being "the centre does not have the habit of doing that and the children’s progress would only be communicated to the parents twice a year during the M-T-P sessions."

Do you ladies ever have regular feedback from the PCF teachers on your children’s progress? Is this an exception or the norm?

[KingRascal]

Hi all,


Before I continue I have to qualify that I agree we should not label all pcf centres as inadequate. Likewise children from "branded" preschools may also not be that well prepared, if other factors are missing from the equation…

Besides the ability of the teachers, the preschools are also bounded by the range of academic curriculum they are set out to be. Sometimes it is beyond the teacher’s control. However I must say that from the feedback I have received from many of my friends with primary schooling children, there seem to be a higher percentage of those children from pcfs, who are unable to read well when they enter primary 1. Alot of primary schools do a quick assessment in Nov/Dec before school starts in Jan, to assess a child’s reading ability and to offer advice is a child needs to work harder on the skill before school starts. It was noted that there tend to be a higher percentage of them coming from pcf preschools. Some of them who came from pcfs but with good reading skills had extra enrichment lessons elsewhere…

I think the important thing to do here is to check on our child’s skill level, talk to other parents to find out more, if your child is well prepared. Do this well before Jan as I have seen how some children suffer when they enter primary 1 and were not able to read the worksheets’ instructions well. I know of a child in my son’s class who struggles with his school work, including math as he does not understand how to read of the instructions!

[raisintan]

Hi all,


I’m one of the many mummies who has benefitted from Tamarind’s postings and sharings. And of course some of the other mummies who have spent time and effort to write and share tips in this forum. A BIG THANK YOU to all of you!

My child is attending the same PCF centre (thanks to Tamarind after her postings caught my attention). While I do share some of the observations as Tamarind and had my initial reservations, I’m now quite happy with the school overall. Definitely value for money and most importantly, my child doesn’t need to travel.

Indeed the standard is high. At Nursery, there is weekly homework (1 worksheet to be completed over the weekend). They’re doing a set of readers and barely 2 months into the school term, they are given a list of ~10 words to recognise/ read. These are words from the readers and are given 2 weeks for parents to reinforce learning/ teaching at home. Thereafter, the teacher will go through with them individually to see how much they’ve learnt. They have excursions too…

The current teacher is an ang moh. Whilst I’m aware that some ang mohs are not qualified in this industry (I dunno if this teacher is) but I can see that she’s doing her job well and at least she speaks good and proper English. The Chinese teacher is the passionate and energetic type who can connect with kids. Having said that, not all teachers are good as in most pre-schools. The teacher we had in 2nd half of last year was not very good I must say…

[jedamum]

Imp75:

Do you ladies ever have regular feedback from the PCF teachers on your children's progress? Is this an exception or the norm?

My boy's pcf only has half yearly MTP sessions - each only lasting min for me.
I am ok, cos I communicate with my boy well enough to know how he is progressing in school, academically or socially.
Alternatively, if you get to fetch/send your kid to school, you can just take a few minutes to chat with the teacher to find out your kid's progress.

[jedamum]

japhys:

there seem to be a higher percentage of those children from pcfs, who are unable to read well when they enter primary 1.


It was noted that there tend to be a higher percentage of them coming from pcf preschools. Some of them who came from pcfs but with good reading skills had extra enrichment lessons elsewhere...

Normal Pcf is pretty much a 'heartlanders'' preschool catering to the middle and lower income group, with most of the students whose parents do not speak english at all. Some of those who came from pcfs but with good reading skills had either have extra enrichment or come from english speaking family background.

[magg]

After reading through this thread, I’m quite glad that my husband and I have decided to put our N2 boy into full day care. I knew about the high standards in Pri 1 but did not realise that pre-school’s curriculum can be so "advanced" (in my view of course!)


I visited Sparkletots Telok Blangah as I heard good reviews from a friend. The principle seemed passionate about her work and communicated that she demands the same passion from her teachers. The teachers (and even the aunties) there were friendly and caring. What held me back was when I asked about their teaching methods and curriculum, I was given the reply "We follow MOE syllabus." Erm… I can imagine how tiring it can be answering this kind of question from every visitng parent. Being a concerned mum, how the school teaches the kids is veryimportant to me. Though I am no expert, the PCF that Tamarind mentioned seemed to have done it very right.

Would greatly appreciate it if any one can share review on this PCF in Telok Blangah. (Mincy: Thanks for the isights on commonwealth)

I have since enrolled my son in Agape Little Uni at One North, had mix feelings about the centre but decided to give it a try over Sparkletots at Telok Blangah.

Now reading this thread, may consider Sparkletots again when my boy reaches K1 or 2. More finanically viable too!

[winth]

Imp75:

Do you ladies ever have regular feedback from the PCF teachers on your children's progress? Is this an exception or the norm?

Hi, my DS2 is with Commonwealth SparkleTots and yes they do provide regular feedback in their communication booklet.

Not on a daily basis lar... but it's more like to inform you should the child meet with some challenges in school.

Was shocked when they even tell you where he knocked himself (accidentally) against, how it happened and what type of medication was applied to him. I wouldn't even have noticed the small bum on his forehead if it hadn't been for the booklet.

Once, he bit one of his classmates' finger when they were snatching some toys, they will also inform you how it all happened and what has been done etc.

Since the class, DS2 is well, according to the teachers, very well-behaved and guai in class. He's in toddlers class so I don't really expect any curriculum in his class. It's more like learning to socialise and be live together in a group.

[allseasons]

Hi all.


Does anyone know a good premium PCF kindergarten near Bukit Batok / Bukit Panjang / Bukit Timah area? Hopefully as good as the one Tamarind DD'sa attends...

TIA..

[hugeclaw]

Hi all


Can anyone recommand a good PCF at serangoon area? How do I find out which one is a ‘premium’ PCF? My son is in K2 and is currently with a childcare center…but the school is not very academically inclined, so far, they have no plans to let the children have spelling or tingxie. Guess their focus is ‘teach less, learn more’. But I must say that the children are very well exposed to current affairs and environmental issues, in fact, they have bi-weekly projects to submit based on different topics. Well, guess you can’t have the best of both worlds, due to budget constraint, need to pull him out and put him into a kindergarden.

[kaitlynangelica]

allseasons:

Hi all.


Does anyone know a good premium PCF kindergarten near Bukit Batok / Bukit Panjang / Bukit Timah area? Hopefully as good as the one Tamarind DD'sa attends...

TIA..

Heard the Toh Yi one is not bad. You can try that one. But the person whom I know sends her daughter there also supplements with Zoo phonics and Berries alongside other enrichment like ballet and art.

You can take a visit to that place to check it out.

HTH.