How much $$$ do you spend on your Pre-schooler?
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Need some advice from you, my son is K1 this year at Carpe Diem but last day is end of Feb'11.
I have the following calculations:
Option 1
-To find a childcare centre/ preschool with school fees (inclusive of subsidy) + school bus (if any) in total of not more than S$600.
-Add Speech & Drama enrichment S$120/ month.
-Add FasTracKids S$170/ month.
Total for option 1 is S$900/ mth.
Option 2
-Just sign up for MindChamps preschool for S$1000/ month (after subsidy).,
But not enrichment classes.
I really like MindChamps as it's just walking distance from my home, but the schools fees are cut throat for me as I could not afford to have any additional enrichment programmes for my boy.
Hope you could give some sugguestions..
:?:
Mummies here in this topic are welcome to share your experience with me too. Appreciated.
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Hi Darkcoco,
It seems to me that both options will probably cost you about the same amount per month once you consider the transportation and parking costs into it.
For me, I'll choose option 2.
Assume the quality of teachers at both are the same, the reasons are..
1) close distant to your house - safe time and transportation cost (Happy & relax kid = happy learner)
2) Assume, you and your spouse working - All enrichment classes'll have to be arranged during the weekend (less time spending together)
3) 5 different enrichments included at Mindchamps full-day program 'll probably cost you additional $500/ month (5 x $100-150/ subject).
4) Small child is generally more difficult to settle at new environment. Until they settle in, they won't learn much. (Imagine, you've to go through it 5 times at 5 different enrichment centers)
Good luck school hunting! -
Hello Chacha2008, Keendaddy, & Michollh,
Thank you for the sharing your thoughts here.
All of you are right, and it is kind of challenging to make decisions. I will need to make the decision by next week, as my boy's last day with his school is end of Feb'11. After settling down a few months, I will share with you the outcome.
With many thanks, and have a great weekend!
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My DS is attending Cherie Hearts Childcare
School Fees $540 (aft subsidy)
School Bus $80
English theatrical + Whiz Kids (Computer Lesson) + Lego Rebotic Class $215
Additional: KRTC I Can Read Programme $120
I spend a total of $955 on DS education monthly. -
Guess I don't qualify as a kiasu parent. :lol:
My K1 dd only attends a 3.5hr church kindy programme
$660 per term
+$40 per term gym class during kindy time
Only intend to start her on swimming lessons later this yr or next yr. My older kids (P2 and P4) also didnt attend any other classes during their preschool years. All I did was to make sure they knew how to read by the end of K2. Both are doing fine in primary school. -
mintcc:
Hi All, I have 2 boys aged 5 & 2Okay, lets start the debate going. Since most of us have limited funds, will you rather spent on expensive and branded ones or save the money for books, toys, enrichment.
And KPO abit, how much you spent per month on education. To start the ball rolling:
1. Age of kid: 2.5 yrs
2. Childcare/Preschool/Kindergarten: about $350 (full day)
3 Enrichment programme 1: Shichida. about $270
4 Enrichment programme 2: Seimpi. about $120
5. Books/Toys/Teaching Materials. Avg $30
Total per month: $770
1st Son age 5
Full Day Childcare after Subsidy - $300
Childcare Enrichment - $200
British Council Enrichment - $220
Total Monthly $720
2nd Son age 2
Full day childcare after subsidy - $380
Shichida - $285
total monthly $665 -
patlee1990:
My boy ( now age 5) is attending carpe diem and also charge for lots of things for past 3 yrs;Hi all,
I just want to make comparison and comment that is this school is overcharged?
My kid is attending Montessori Pre-school. The school charges everything, nothing is free.
1)\tSchool charged $80 for kid concert held in auditorium includes 1 CD, buffet and transportation for all kids to auditorium
2)\tConcert costume at $50/- per kid. I can see some are ready made i.e.bought from M’sia. some are made to order. (all costumes are very common, my sis told me her son also wore the same costume before and my neighbour also told me his son school also have such costume during her kid concert in school and the costume price they paid to school only $20+
3)\tPhoto took during full dress rehearsal concert per pc sold at $2.50 5R size.
4)\tI also noted that their stationary etc bought from m’sia that ok but the
exercise book use is malay word written for name, subject, class on the cover page. Why they do this when this is a English and Chinese speaking
school with 99% Chinese kids. Kid need to recongise the english word not malay!!!
5)\tEnrichment class – speech and drama @ $250 per term (12 lessons) what I found and heard from other friends are -$200, $170 and one even
only $120 per term.
6)\tSchool class photo taking plus Passport size - $50 per kid – one class group photo & portrait both in A4 cardboard stand. 1 pc portrait appox 5r
size and 4 pcs passport size photos. Developed with fuji print. What I found and heard from others kid in their school are – 1 pc group class in cardboard
stand $8 and another friend's kid, same 1 pc class group photo with stand
plus 4 pcs passport photos only $16/-. (my friend use it to make her kid
passport)
7)\tNeed to contribute food or goodies for moon cake festival, x’mas, Chinese NY, Even for Children day.
Can anyone feedback what your child get in their school and prices paid for above or any other event.
I know nothing is free in this world but they really seem overcharged. Also upon graduate do you pay for taking graduate photo, rent the hat and
clothes? I heard this school needs to pay but I yet to find out. Also we do
pay for school excursion like to the farm, fishing etc at approx $25 each,
And about the photo my kid took, passport size photo taken but cannot be
use for Passport cos is blue back ground. When they said passport size isn’t
we straight away think is meant for doing passport? I questioned about it, but the principle argues that it said passport size it does not said for passport. I feel is really waste of money to do a passport size and cannot be use it for passport, Cos is total $50 for this package. Can anyone help how can I fight for my right?
Of course am thinking changing school too but not so soon cos no child care nearby. I just need general comment what you mother think.
1. Annual graduation concert - $50 for costume, $25 per ticket, concert disc for $30 (optional)
2. Photo taking - $35 for a 6r and 4r class photo
3. Enrichment class conduct by external parties ranging from $180 to $990 if u take up all
4. Excursion/ Outing - $25 min. -
ryssac:
My boy ( now age 5) is attending carpe diem and also charge for lots of things for past 3 yrs;patlee1990:
Hi all,
I just want to make comparison and comment that is this school is overcharged?
My kid is attending Montessori Pre-school. The school charges everything, nothing is free.
1)\tSchool charged $80 for kid concert held in auditorium includes 1 CD, buffet and transportation for all kids to auditorium
2)\tConcert costume at $50/- per kid. I can see some are ready made i.e.bought from M’sia. some are made to order. (all costumes are very common, my sis told me her son also wore the same costume before and my neighbour also told me his son school also have such costume during her kid concert in school and the costume price they paid to school only $20+
3)\tPhoto took during full dress rehearsal concert per pc sold at $2.50 5R size.
4)\tI also noted that their stationary etc bought from m’sia that ok but the
exercise book use is malay word written for name, subject, class on the cover page. Why they do this when this is a English and Chinese speaking
school with 99% Chinese kids. Kid need to recongise the english word not malay!!!
5)\tEnrichment class – speech and drama @ $250 per term (12 lessons) what I found and heard from other friends are -$200, $170 and one even
only $120 per term.
6)\tSchool class photo taking plus Passport size - $50 per kid – one class group photo & portrait both in A4 cardboard stand. 1 pc portrait appox 5r
size and 4 pcs passport size photos. Developed with fuji print. What I found and heard from others kid in their school are – 1 pc group class in cardboard
stand $8 and another friend's kid, same 1 pc class group photo with stand
plus 4 pcs passport photos only $16/-. (my friend use it to make her kid
passport)
7)\tNeed to contribute food or goodies for moon cake festival, x’mas, Chinese NY, Even for Children day.
Can anyone feedback what your child get in their school and prices paid for above or any other event.
I know nothing is free in this world but they really seem overcharged. Also upon graduate do you pay for taking graduate photo, rent the hat and
clothes? I heard this school needs to pay but I yet to find out. Also we do
pay for school excursion like to the farm, fishing etc at approx $25 each,
And about the photo my kid took, passport size photo taken but cannot be
use for Passport cos is blue back ground. When they said passport size isn’t
we straight away think is meant for doing passport? I questioned about it, but the principle argues that it said passport size it does not said for passport. I feel is really waste of money to do a passport size and cannot be use it for passport, Cos is total $50 for this package. Can anyone help how can I fight for my right?
Of course am thinking changing school too but not so soon cos no child care nearby. I just need general comment what you mother think.
1. Annual graduation concert - $50 for costume, $25 per ticket, concert disc for $30 (optional)
2. Photo taking - $35 for a 6r and 4r class photo
3. Enrichment class conduct by external parties ranging from $180 to $990 if u take up all
4. Excursion/ Outing - $25 min.
You have left out another
5. Fresh milk orders or bring your own - estimated S$1 to S$1.5 per bottle.
Yes, I also agreed. That's why I have withdraw my son from the school.
After doing my calculations, it seems like I am paying for an upper class kindergatden school.
Are the enrichment classes really conduct by outside providers? :? I remember asking the teacher and to my understanding it is by the internal teachers instead.
While shopping for a new preschool for my son, I have found the following:
-Schools with built-in enrichment classes, fees: S$1280 to S$2000 (before subsidy)
-Other preschool with optional enrichment classes, school fees: S$750 to S$1200,
-Enrichment classes price range from S$70 to S$180 per term.
-Carpe Diem's enrichment classes price range from S$180 to S$250 per term. (TOO EXPENSIVE)
-
ryssac:
Children's day celebration food, we don't mind to contribute but must contribute goodies bag is too much. Concert we paid also like $80 with CD and buffet but food not nice and not enough. Enrichment is by 3rd party (name never hear before) per term $250. I rather paid $100 more to other more reputated one. My friend enrolled her girl to a very reputated in U.Sq She speaks very good Eng and very confidently. Mine was like soft and speak only one little short sentences during her concert.
My boy ( now age 5) is attending carpe diem and also charge for lots of things for past 3 yrs;patlee1990:
Hi all,
I just want to make comparison and comment that is this school is overcharged?
My kid is attending Montessori Pre-school. The school charges everything, nothing is free.
1)\tSchool charged $80 for kid concert held in auditorium includes 1 CD, buffet and transportation for all kids to auditorium
2)\tConcert costume at $50/- per kid. I can see some are ready made i.e.bought from M’sia. some are made to order. (all costumes are very common, my sis told me her son also wore the same costume before and my neighbour also told me his son school also have such costume during her kid concert in school and the costume price they paid to school only $20+
3)\tPhoto took during full dress rehearsal concert per pc sold at $2.50 5R size.
4)\tI also noted that their stationary etc bought from m’sia that ok but the
exercise book use is malay word written for name, subject, class on the cover page. Why they do this when this is a English and Chinese speaking
school with 99% Chinese kids. Kid need to recongise the english word not malay!!!
5)\tEnrichment class – speech and drama @ $250 per term (12 lessons) what I found and heard from other friends are -$200, $170 and one even
only $120 per term.
6)\tSchool class photo taking plus Passport size - $50 per kid – one class group photo & portrait both in A4 cardboard stand. 1 pc portrait appox 5r
size and 4 pcs passport size photos. Developed with fuji print. What I found and heard from others kid in their school are – 1 pc group class in cardboard
stand $8 and another friend's kid, same 1 pc class group photo with stand
plus 4 pcs passport photos only $16/-. (my friend use it to make her kid
passport)
7)\tNeed to contribute food or goodies for moon cake festival, x’mas, Chinese NY, Even for Children day.
Can anyone feedback what your child get in their school and prices paid for above or any other event.
I know nothing is free in this world but they really seem overcharged. Also upon graduate do you pay for taking graduate photo, rent the hat and
clothes? I heard this school needs to pay but I yet to find out. Also we do
pay for school excursion like to the farm, fishing etc at approx $25 each,
And about the photo my kid took, passport size photo taken but cannot be
use for Passport cos is blue back ground. When they said passport size isn’t
we straight away think is meant for doing passport? I questioned about it, but the principle argues that it said passport size it does not said for passport. I feel is really waste of money to do a passport size and cannot be use it for passport, Cos is total $50 for this package. Can anyone help how can I fight for my right?
Of course am thinking changing school too but not so soon cos no child care nearby. I just need general comment what you mother think.
1. Annual graduation concert - $50 for costume, $25 per ticket, concert disc for $30 (optional)
2. Photo taking - $35 for a 6r and 4r class photo
3. Enrichment class conduct by external parties ranging from $180 to $990 if u take up all
4. Excursion/ Outing - $25 min.
-
my update:
DS - P5
Tennis - $140 per month since Feb 2011 - initiated by him when a friend asked him to join
DD1 - P3
Piano - $140 per month since P1 - initiated by her since 5yo but only started in P1 as we wanted to be sure that she is serious about it.
DD2 - 26 months
$0
Next year - 3-hr kindy prog $250 per month paid by Baby Bonus
History
DS -
3 - 4yo : Full day childcare - $400 per month after subsidy
5 - 6yo : PCF kindergarten - $80 (k1) & $120 (k2) per month
7 - 8yo : Swimming - $60 per month
P3 : Tony Buzan powercamp - $500
DD1 -
N2 : PCF kindergarten - $80 per month
K1 - K2: Kindergarten - $200 per month
6 - 7yo : Swimming - $60 per month
P1 : Tony Buzan powercamp - $500
No enrichment during pre-school because DH does not believe in having headstart and we were and still are too lazy to drive them around for enrichment classes.
DS knew only 20% of the words from storybooks of his age at end K2. Worry? Of cause! I was stressed because of the advice from friends with regards to P1 preparation. DS scored mostly Band 2 for all his subjects in P1 but came back one day at year end telling me that he wanted to be the top 3 in the class in P2 because he wanted the trophy
He asked me for help and he got 2nd in class in P2. From then on, his results have been fine.
I was worried about DD1 as she was a very shy girl and easily stressed out by fierce teachers which would affect her learning. But it turned out that her results were much better than her brother in terms of grades.
Both refused to go for enrichment programmes since young. Tuition? A big NO especially for DS though I have been trying to get them to attend Chinese classes. They don't mind holiday programmes though and I am thinking of snding them to superkids by Adam Khoo or Smartkid by Earnest Wong. Any feedback of these 2 programmes?
If you asked me, I actually like to expose them to different things but
guess they have our genes - do not like long term commitment and routine :oops:
Do I regret for not sending them for enrichment or tuition? I am not sure but I hope I won't. Sometimes I do think they would propably do much better if they were stretched further by teachers with expertise, instead of being coached by me as a half-past-six teacher
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