Criteria for a Good Childcare Centre

[hugeclaw]

Thanks insider…for the excellent advice! Today my friend is going to bring the doctor’s report to mcys and seek for action. She’s hoping that with this backup, the school will waive the one month’s notice for withdrawal.

[RRMummy]

hugeclaw:

...who's being traumatised by being asked by the teacher to show her private part to a boy.

:!: :rant: :siao: that teacher should definitely have his/her face posted on the newspaper!

insider:

teacher involved is really guilty, then she may get blacklisted as a preschool teacher forever.

I think the blacklist should extend to primary school since the lower primary students are still very vulnerable!

[hairuliza]

I'm appalled to read what had happened!

Sounds like sexual abuse to me.
Isn't it required by law to report abuse?
If it's not, then it should be made so.

Anyway, MCYS has a booklet on child abuse that parents can refer to: http://www.mcys.gov.sg/MCDSFiles/Resource/Materials/Prevent_Child_Abuse.pdf

Also wanted to share what I read about additional precautions parents can take to help prevent their children from becoming victims of abuse.
Here are the pointers that I picked up from my reading:

* Give your child plenty of love, attention & healthy affection.
Children who are most likely to be abused - or who are most likely to suffer abuse in silence - are those who feel as though they aren't receiving enough love at home.
Children who feel well loved are also more likely to have a stronger sense of self & higher self-esteem, and are less likely to be emotionally needy; such neediness can make a child more vulnerable to the advances of child abusers.

* Keep privates private.
For the toddler, the time right around toilet training is often 1 of heightened interest in genitals - their own & others.
Take this opportunity to introduce your toddler to the concept of body ownership: that the private parts of the body are one's own to touch & one's own to control.

* Ask your child to tell you if someone does something hurtful / that makes him/her feel bad.
Always investigate such reports, no matter how farfetched they may seem.

* Avoid authoritarian discipline.
Children who are rigidly controlled by domineering parents - who are taught to comply with authority without question - are more liable to accept an adult caregiver's sexual / physical abuse without question.
Giving children plenty of opportunities to think for themselves & make their own decisions can help them speak up in such a situation.

[hugeclaw]

hi insider, just a quick update on the case which has finally been settled. After all the drama, the cc has been given a warning letter by MCYS and has paid back my friend 1.5 mth of school fees. Thanks for all of your advice!

[penglee]

in order or priority


1. principal who is open to feedback
2. passionate teachers
3. medium-size school so when teachers leave, there are standby teachers around

Parent should set Realistic expectations. It is ok to be KS, but some parents expects sky-high service, but only wants to pay peanuts :shock:

[JHJC]

Sent my twins to a childcare last week. It was easy for them to settle down, there were no seperation anxiety (more anxiety from me than from them). They are very happy children at 22mths and know how to play with one another. Anyway, today when i picked them, i discover during shower, one of them has 2x stroke of blue black on his thigh. I was shocked!! i took pictures and video of it and have called the director of the schoold to meet me at school tomorrow to discuss this.

Its not a scratch, its not a knock. Its those mark when i have when my mum cane me when i was young!

I am really hoping its not one of them abusing my kids. Will hear their explanation. Its suppose to be a reputable preshcool. SIGH!

[JHJC]

the teacher told me today… the other twins is very naughty today, by that she meant he was walking around exploring at things etc.

I personally NEVER use negative words like naughty boy, mischevious etc. I am going to write down in coms book and share with the teacher not to use those words on him again. I not very demanding right?

[buds]

NO! You're definitely not demanding, JHJC!


A teacher should be give positive encouragements lah..
I can understand how you feel, dear... :hugs:

[apple79]

Hi,


I think I have read somewhere in the forum that someone highlighted that a CC that is granted 24mths license is better than those 12 mths one? Can someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks.

[Funz]

apple79:

Hi,


I think I have read somewhere in the forum that someone highlighted that a CC that is granted 24mths license is better than those 12 mths one? Can someone shed some light on this for me? Thanks.

Logically speaking yes.

Criterias for 24mth license include, hygiene, physical environment, curriculum, learning materials, teachers' qualifications and teacher student ratio. Things that are mainly quantifiable. So if a centre meets all these criterias on paper, then it will be awarded 24mths license. Based on that, one can assume that such a centre will be better.

Practically speaking, a centre with 12mths license may not be a bad centre as most centres that are newly established be it by experienced operators or newbies, will be accorded only a max of 12mths license.

But avoid centres with only 6mths license as MCYS usually do not issue only 6mths unless the centre is really lacking in key areas like teacher's qualifications or hygiene.

At the end of the day, do not base solely on a piece of paper to make your decision. It can be a part of your decision making but the main deciding factor should be what you get to see and the response of the people that you speak to at the centre and of course the kind of feedback or comments that you get from the people with children who are there already. But bear in mind, every parent has a different expectation so what might be good for one may not be good for another.