Pat's Schoolhouse

[DC Mummy]

Compared to some other preschools, I noticed that Pat’s nursery classroom seems provide very little colourful posters, letters, pictures and even fewer toys. Any parents share the same sentiment?


I have seen some franchise preschools with very vibrant and colourful picture, words, letterland pasted on the wall. Also, they provide more variety types of toys…

[DesertWind]

DC Mummy:

Compared to some other preschools, I noticed that Pat's nursery classroom seems provide very little colourful posters, letters, pictures and even fewer toys. Any parents share the same sentiment?


I have seen some franchise preschools with very vibrant and colourful picture, words, letterland pasted on the wall. Also, they provide more variety types of toys.......

Hi DC Mummy!

Yes, I too noticed that there were very little toys, blocks etc. inside the classes itself although there were quite a number of outdoor toys like scooters, tricycles, cars etc. I was visiting one other branch and asked the principal about it. She replied that it was because it wasn't play time hence there were no toys around. Sounds reasonable to me I suppose because they were having lessons and teachers were teaching them from books or from the board I saw. Perhaps to prevent the kids from being distracted.

I visited one branch of Learning Vision and noticed quite a number of toys, wooden bricks etc. on the wooden shelves surrounding the class and I asked the teacher what happens if during lesson time the kid got distracted and started playing with those toys/games? She said the teacher will have a way of telling the kid that it is not time for toys / games and redirect them to the present activity the class is doing. Well....not sure which is better....
:?

Cheers!
Gina :celebrate:

[DC Mummy]

Hi DesertWind


That’s quite true. Thinking back, my DS used to attend a weekly playgroup (with parent accompanied) when he was 2 years old in one of the franchise CC, I remembered there were many toys on shelves in the class. So, he was quite distracted and tend to play on his own. Same applied to other children in the same weekly class…

Earlier, I didn’t think about them being distracted by the toys / posters surrounded, I thought they were probably being too young to sit through the programme. It came to my mind to raise this topic when comparing other preschool classroom layout to Pat’s, esp when I have seen some preschool with very nice colourful surrounding, so it makes me feel that Pat’s classroom sort of boring…

Yes, I agree that there are tricyles, cars, playground for outdoor activities in the pat’s school. Come to think about it again, it is still better for them to enjoy outdoor activities, get some fresh air than just playing the toys indoor alone …

[butterwaffles]

I'll be viewing the one at Arena soon as i live at the Jurong West extension area. After reading all the comments here, i'm now worried :slapshead: Will feedback here when i'm done viewing the place. The fees are really very expensive so my expectations are higher too.

[mtdt]

I shd be starting at Pats whitley in july 2010 for their new nursery class (2006kid). now tat I read windie post, starts to get paranoid again!

Windie - Pls also PM me on your comments for Whitley centre in particular. Thanks.

one observation:
the new pricipal seems to have not much planning… few questions I post to her all came back with a "I do not know yet" as answer! so fustrating!

Question 1:
As my son wld be joining a new nursery class of 6-7kids, thus I asked her wld she be starting all the kids on 1st July or staggered them?
Ans: I do not know yet

Question 2:
As tis is a "small" class of 8kids max with 1 teacher (Usual class is 16kids with one eng tr /one chinese tr). What would happen when comes to K1?
(Ultimately I still hope my boy be a normal size class with 1eng tr and 1chi tr, I do believe strongly in the bilingual exposure).
Ans: 1 do not know yet.

ARGH!!!

And also principal is also teaching during the day. Wonder how much time does she really have to oversee the centre/admin etc.

[windie]

mtdt:

I shd be starting at Pats whitley in july 2010 for their new nursery class (2006kid). now tat I read windie post, starts to get paranoid again!

Windie - Pls also PM me on your comments for Whitley centre in particular. Thanks.

one observation:
the new pricipal seems to have not much planning.... few questions I post to her all came back with a \"I do not know yet\" as answer! so fustrating!

Question 1:
As my son wld be joining a new nursery class of 6-7kids, thus I asked her wld she be starting all the kids on 1st July or staggered them?
Ans: I do not know yet

Question 2:
As tis is a \"small\" class of 8kids max with 1 teacher (Usual class is 16kids with one eng tr /one chinese tr). What would happen when comes to K1?
(Ultimately I still hope my boy be a normal size class with 1eng tr and 1chi tr, I do believe strongly in the bilingual exposure).
Ans: 1 do not know yet.

ARGH!!!

And also principal is also teaching during the day. Wonder how much time does she really have to oversee the centre/admin etc.

Your observation is quite an accurate reflection of the situation

[myWQ]

I’m considering Pat’s, and realised they take quite some time to reply to my emails. When I called, I didn’t even get to speak to the Principal. Are they so popular that they don’t have time to entertain new enquires?

[DesertWind]

myWQ:

I'm considering Pat's, and realised they take quite some time to reply to my emails. When I called, I didn't even get to speak to the Principal. Are they so popular that they don't have time to entertain new enquires?

Hi myWQ,

I sent emails to quite a number of other CCC and found that NONE replied to my emails! For Pat's, you need to decide which centre you are interested in and call the centre principal herself to enquire. Best time to call seems to be about 2 or 3 pm ie. when most children on half-day has left and staff finished lunch break! Some centres told me straightaway they don't have vacancies for my kid's age group hence need to call other centres and keep trying!

Best regards!
:celebrate:

[myWQ]

DesertWind:

myWQ:

I'm considering Pat's, and realised they take quite some time to reply to my emails. When I called, I didn't even get to speak to the Principal. Are they so popular that they don't have time to entertain new enquires?

Hi myWQ,

I sent emails to quite a number of other CCC and found that NONE replied to my emails! For Pat's, you need to decide which centre you are interested in and call the centre principal herself to enquire. Best time to call seems to be about 2 or 3 pm ie. when most children on half-day has left and staff finished lunch break! Some centres told me straightaway they don't have vacancies for my kid's age group hence need to call other centres and keep trying!

Best regards!
:celebrate:

Hi Desertwind,

Thanks for your feedback. Yes I called the centre I'm interested in directly to enquire. Called them on a few separate occasions and everytime it was either the Principal was not available, on leave, or that she will call me back but never did. Either I very suay or not fated with the principal :lol:

[DesertWind]

myWQ:

Thanks for your feedback. Yes I called the centre I'm interested in directly to enquire. Called them on a few separate occasions and everytime it was either the Principal was not available, on leave, or that she will call me back but never did. Either I very suay or not fated with the principal :lol:

Hi myWQ!
Never say that you are \"suay\", it is the centre that is very \"suay\" to have missed your business! heh...heh... :roll:
Another suggestion, try to call on Saturday morning to talk to the teacher on duty! Do not give up if you are really keen. But having said that, I do believe if really, really, things do not go smoothly, it may be God hinting that this is not the right one so not point \"zhuang ciang\". :stupid:

Go look and shortlist some other CCCs as well and see which one ultimately \"opens up\" to you!

:celebrate: