Pre-school fees

[DesertWind]

I read in the newspapers a couple of time already that some parents were putting their kids into a very popular and expensive (about SGD1.5K per month) pre-school but during the interview told the reporter that they were really feeling the pinch. Each month they were so tempted to withdraw due to their tight budget but for the sake of their child/children each month they doggedly persevere.


My question is Why? My heart actually breaks for such parents because they love their kids so much that they put them into a very expensive pre-school which they can ill-afford. I feel they should just find one good and affordable pre-school and be done. It is so early in the education journey yet.

But who am I to judge or comment since we are all kiasu (that's why we are here! :>) and at some point or the other would probably go crazy (and irrational?) when it comes to P1 registration to the school of choice.....

[phtthp]

you dun need to pay $1, 500 per month pre-school education for your child. $1.5 per month is very ex!


it is not right to think that by paying $1, 500 per month to attend this type of elite kindergarten - it can give your child an early good headstart at P1. In fact, the owners of these expensive pre-schools are preying and playing on the mindset of such parents.

by paying so much, naturally the expectations of the parents are high !

the first thing to ask for - is to see a copy of their daily timetable schedule. Ask to find out everyday - how much hands on montessori exposure is your child being exposed to - per subject, per child for English, Maths ?

another thing. Although Chinese is a non montessori subject, also ask - how much Chinese your child is exposed to, everyday ? if the reply says - Oh well! only 2 times per week, and each time is 45 mins per duration, definitely you know it is not enough. Out of 5 times per week so long from Monday - Friday, you your child get to learn Chinese only twice a week ? That's very little ! Furthermore if you hardly speak to your child at home in Mandarin or expose child to Chinese at home, make it even worse, right ? When comes to language(s), minimum exposure must be 45 mins to 1 hour everyday, not alternate days kind of stuff. Because it is in the kindergarten that foundation must be set properly, esp. where language(s) are concerned.

for young kids - learning languages, absorbing vocabulary naturally everyday is like eating meals. Can your child stop eating meals for one day ? No, can't. Thus, learning English & Chinese has to be an everyday affair.

actually, there are some good montessori kindergarten charging around $450 - $600 per month (ie. half price of $1.5k) that can prepare your child well ready for P1. For those that practise good montessori teaching methods (not the 'fake' pre-schools), if the school feels that your child is advanced learner, they won't just stop at K2. They'll go beyond K2 - into P1. Because for montessori teaching method concept which is different from traditional classroom teaching method, the child doesn't stop learning.

besides pre-school attendance, another important factor is conducive, warm & supportive home environment.

[auntieM]

Sometimes parents put their kids in ‘elite’ pre-school just to keep up with the Joneses… …

[phtthp]

hi auntieM,


Yes, you’re right! That can also be one of the reasons.

sometimes people just want social status - to be associated & mix with the rich, upper income class & famous, where > three quarters kids tend to stay in pte, landed property or pte condominium.

if people ask - so, which kindergarten is your child studying ? It makes them feel good if they can reply - Oh well! my child is in such & such named… elite, expensive pre-school.

[kboon2009]

I think parents also feel less guilty if they send to elite school, as they cannot spend time with their children. Everyday work hard to cope with the inflation…

[Musings]

I just heard about a family from China who send their kid to Eton Preschool. The kid is about to enter P1 next year in the same school as my DS. However, the kid only knows very rudimentary English and will clearly have difficulties coping in P1.


I was shocked that Eton Preschool could not have done more for this kid given the exorbitant fees they charged. I feel sorry for the family who clearly entrusted their child’s education to what is considered a ‘top’ school and yet find their child ill prepared.

So paying higher fees does not necessarily guarantee success.

[auntieM]

Among the ‘elites’… …EtonHouse seems to be catered mainly for the FTs/expats…

My DS spent ore than 2 years in the Mountbatten branch and I really don’t have much good things to say…
Heard from friends they are ‘worse’ now… …

[keenDaddy]

I also do not believe in paying through the roof in sending your kids to elite schools esp if you do not have the means. The money saved and carefully grown could serve well for their tetiary education in the future. There are still many value-for-money mid-range CCCs if you do not wish to consider the PCF and NTUC childcares. NTUC also has its premium child care centres, in its "Little Skool House". Many equate expensive=better, which is not definitely so.


I agreed that fellow forumers that some of the reasons why parents spent that kind of money are: the perceived social class, busy parents trying to feel better for not able to spend more time with their children OR they are rich in the first place.

[cherrygal]

Agree. My son was in a normal private childcare centre, paid about $390 after subsidy. He had warm, committed teachers, nice friends and enjoyed his pre-school years.


Don’t be pressured to give your kids the "best" during this phase of their education. What you should do is to give them your time. If you have to work later to earn that money to send them to the expensive pre-schools, it’s not going to be worth it.

[Sunshines11]

Hi... Can Anyone share with me wat is Montessori education? Isit very different from e traditional teaching?


Thks