[Alexandra/Bukit Merah/Queenstown/Tiong Bahru] Preschools

[Shin Yan]

Hi all,


I am new to this forum, had just start searching a pre school for my boy for next year enrolment into play group. I would like to check if anyone had more info on Arts Kids @ Tiong Bahru CC lately (ie in May)? The good reviews i read are till Mar and i know they applied for the MYCS licence and got approved in Apr. There is a bad comment on their admin part in the other forum, due to the subsidies issue, apparently they are limiting the subsidies to local parents. So i am not too sure if i still want to look into this sch although i find that their program is good. Any comments?

[lu_meihua]

Hi, i’m staying at alexandra view, and wish to find out what are the child care centres near to me. would anyone help? much thanks.

[mycheh]

Hi,


I am looking for reviews on Faith prenursery at commonwealth.

Thanks.

[vicki]

I have 3 kids all in CC. 1 at MMI Bukit Merah (Surbana) and 2 at Cherie Hearts at Harbourfront.


Why we spiltthe CC? Started the older one at MMI first. Later when i needed infant care for no.2, had to go to CH - but the good thing is that they close at 8pm (so picking kiddo up after work is so much less stressful). Then no. 3 came along - so again - infantcare at CH.

Now since all 3 are adjusted into their CC and the teachers at the 2 CCs are relatively ok - just continue with the schedule lor!

[happydaddy]

vicki:

I have 3 kids all in CC. 1 at MMI Bukit Merah (Surbana) and 2 at Cherie Hearts at Harbourfront.


Why we spiltthe CC? Started the older one at MMI first. Later when i needed infant care for no.2, had to go to CH - but the good thing is that they close at 8pm (so picking kiddo up after work is so much less stressful). Then no. 3 came along - so again - infantcare at CH.

Now since all 3 are adjusted into their CC and the teachers at the 2 CCs are relatively ok - just continue with the schedule lor!

U may want to transfer them to Cherie Hearts at Bukit Purmei or Cherie Hearts at Depot or any CC at Bukit Merah nearer to yr MMI?

And most importantly, they are so much cheaper compare to harhourfront. It does not make sense to pay so much for CC.

My advise is, put all of them in same CC lah. save $$ and time once they are out of infant!

[vicki]

happydaddy:

vicki:

I have 3 kids all in CC. 1 at MMI Bukit Merah (Surbana) and 2 at Cherie Hearts at Harbourfront.


Why we spiltthe CC? Started the older one at MMI first. Later when i needed infant care for no.2, had to go to CH - but the good thing is that they close at 8pm (so picking kiddo up after work is so much less stressful). Then no. 3 came along - so again - infantcare at CH.

Now since all 3 are adjusted into their CC and the teachers at the 2 CCs are relatively ok - just continue with the schedule lor!

U may want to transfer them to Cherie Hearts at Bukit Purmei or Cherie Hearts at Depot or any CC at Bukit Merah nearer to yr MMI?

And most importantly, they are so much cheaper compare to harhourfront. It does not make sense to pay so much for CC.

My advise is, put all of them in same CC lah. save $$ and time once they are out of infant!

The CH at harbourfront closes at 8pm lah -- and it is really a great benefit cos i usually knock off work at 715 (shenton way) so plus transportation time - reach there about 740pm - just nice.

So is a matter of no choice! I think the pxs are more or less the same so its more of the \"timing\" that is impt for me

[lonerunner]

Hi all,


Had dropped by ArtsKidz for a visit last month as part of my search for a CC in the area.

School fees (Monthly)
* Half day (until 1230): $850 nett before subsidies
* Full day (until 1530 only despite the school's with MCYS): $ 950 nett before subsidies
+ School bus service (2 ways) abt $200 if live nearby.

Likes abt the place:
+ Safety: doors to stairs are latched (not locked) from the other side of gateway out of reach from kids.
+ Clean environment and washrooms
+ per teacher to child ratio: 1 to 6. Some classes have even lower ratio like 1 to 4
+ Has indoor/outdoor play area
+ Well vendilated with fans. Aircon for music room only. Class areas/nap zone/ art n craft zone/ meals zone etc are all in open area and non aircon.
+ Attentive teachers and orderly classes. Kids are well behaved.
+ Classes are conducted in English only. Mandrain/Japanese are spoken only during Mandrain/Japanese classes by the teachers. (English teachers on duty at the time are mostly westerners)
+ Variety of meals served in bland taste/low salt. Teachers share the same menu as the kids. (See their website for more details)
+ Structure timetable for exercises \"Yoga\" class /outdoor play/ music \"Violin\" class
+ Socialise with kids from different race/nationalities. 70% of the kids are Japanese. 30% are locals.
+ Was told that it's mostly free play/learn thru play activities there. Definately not the PCF worksheets and worksheets type of place.

Dislikes abt the place:
- Unable to view/review the curriculum while I was there. The person in charge is not quite sure on this aspect so I cant get a feel what normally is being taught in class
- Required to purchase a violin despite that kids will not be taught how to play on a violin but just to hold onto the violin during music \"violin\" class. (Waste of money. Why purchase something that is for show only? )
- Full day is only until 3.30pm. (Mostly foreigners and SAHM send their kids there. Got the impression that they are quite 'upclass'?) So this means that I made a wasted trip there. Nothing was informed by the person in charge on this aspect before I go down. I also did not confirm on this aspect as I have found this school thru MCYS website and saw that opening hours is listed as 7am to 7pm. Still thinking if I shld inform MCYS to update their website info for this school :idea:

[vicki]

I am under the impression that all CC under MCYS has to abide by his hours of operation aka 7am to 7pm. Wonder if it is legal to classify themselves as CC when they close so early.

[vicki]

Child care operating hours requirement per MCYS


http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg/ccls/uploads/CCC_Guide.pdf

Look at Pg 7 - says 7am to 7pm (Mon to Fri) and 7am to 2pm (Sat)

How did the CC circumvent the above?? :?

[pierrecheng]

Hi All,


I am very new in here, As i have a 17mths old ger ger, I am hoping to get her a good child care with a nice enviroment for her.

Would really need your help to advise me some of the nice child care centre near my area(tiong Bahru).

Hope to hear from you soon.

Cheers
[email protected]