Pat's Schoolhouse

[NoeNothinG]

Hi, I understand that PSH has programs like swimming, imaths, speech & drama etc and are all these at extra fees? Or all included since their school fee so high?

[mummy_et]

Hi,


How abt the extra programmes? Commence from toddler or nursery class?

[empressplace]

Normal half day morning ends around 12.30 p.m.


Extended half day ends at 3 p.m. and between 1 - 3, the kids have the extended programme which includes English Speech and Drama, Chinese Speech & Drama, I-maths, ABC Music and Fastrackids. One programme per day. Extended half day will not be offered to new students anymore. There are no extra charges other than the books for I-Maths and the homekit for ABC music. Extended programme only starts in Nursery year (year kid turns 4). Playgroup kids on extended day programme just nap.

Full day ends at 5 p.m. Includes the extended day programme till 3 p.m. and between 3- 5p.m., you can add the bundled programme at about $160 plus material fees or go ala carte. Bundle includes swimming, Harmony Road keyboard class and cookery. This bundled programme only starts in K1 for Claymore and occurs on 3 days between 3 - 5 p.m.

[princesssze]

Hihi,


Need advise if I should put my son in pat’s schoolhouse from playgroup or nursery. My mom is taking care of him now and she’s teaching him well. Anyone knows what the children learn in playgroup? Is it necessary? I realized Pat’s schoolhouse serangoon doesn’t have N1. They have only 1 session of nursery and before that (3 years of age) will be playgroup. Will I miss out alot if my son only starts school at the age of 4?
In a dilemma now… not sure if I should put him from the age of 3 or 4.

Please share your experiences. Thanks!!

[empressplace]

I don’t think the child learns a lot in terms of academics in the Playgroup Year. The child would be learning the alphabet sounds which would be repeated again in the first half of Nursery Year (the year child turns 4). Even though PSH is a premium childcare, the pace of learning phonics is not that fast. Personally I didn’t see the need to repeat the phonic sounds for another half a year before blending in the second half of Nursery. But hey, I am not going to argue about this since I am not qualified in preschool education. I suppose it is also to cater to kids who join PSH in Nursery Year. Missing the Playgroup year therefore does not make much of a difference.


Knowing this, I still sent my second kid to Playgroup because he would be quite bored at home, he needs to learn to take instructions and behave in a group setting and I also want to keep the place.

If you don’t feel the strong need to send your kid to preschool in your particular circumstances, especially when your mum is doing a good job teaching him, and you are confident about getting a place in the session you want in Nursery Year, then by all means keep the child at home. There is less exposure to germs and you can save a significant sum!

[smurfy]

LAP branch closed for 10 days due to HFMD.

[dfstan]

it must be serious outbreak to cause lim ah pin to shut down for 10 days

[arielle08]

Hi Princess,

I have to agree with empressplace that the pace of learning is not v advance in Pat's.
As compared to children from massmarket childcare like MyFirstSkool, Pat's is even slower...in terms of writing, learning of numbers etc.
Was told that recent years, MyfirstSkool has turned academic, and has even surpass Pat's. I realise these when i was comparing the things my gal has learn vs my friends' children from various outlets of Myfirstskool. However, i believe Pat's is trying to build a strong foundation for our kids, as knowing number for example, may not means understanding what numbers are about. It may be just a symbol to the child. But Pat's will constantly reinforce the concept, and that may explain why its slower than the other childcare.

I also heard of another mum who transferred her gal to a school which will eventually be teaching Pri 3 work when her gal turn K2. She felt that Pat's is too \"slow\" for her gal.

Hence, it really depends on what u want for your kid.

But you are really lucky to have a mum who can teach your kid well. At home its one to one attention. So no matter what, i feel that it should be better than school environment academically. But socially, the kid may enjoy company from friends their age. To me, kids should be having fun now... academically, they will catch up eventually when they reach Pri 1. This is something i have learnt after talking to v experienced mummies. I used to be very kiasu too.

[arielle08]

oh yes, heard abt the 10days closure.

it should be contained by now but MCYS decided its safer to close the school.

[empressplace]

arielle08


It’s interesting that you mention that mass market preschools can teach even faster than PSH. So if that is the case, do you know why PSH still commands a premium? For me, I have to admit I did not research the market in great detail and just go by recommendation and logistics. Hopefully PSH knows how to balance the academic demands and the holistic development of the child. My kids are happy in school but whether it is worth paying more than average, I can’t say I know for sure.