Pat's Schoolhouse

[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.

[princesssze]

Hi Empress and Ariel,


Thank you for the advise! I feel more affirmed now in registering my son only in Nursery. Thank you so much for your precious advise!

[smurfy]

hi ariel and empress

agree that pat’s pace is slower, but the teachers are confident that their curriculum will make the kids ready for P1. one of the mums whom i spoke to, whose child was in the same class as my boy, never supplement w any enrichment classes (only CmA - abacus) Guess pat’s is more about learning through play, holistic learning… the kids are definitely happier there, though parents have alot of stress hahahahahhaaaaaaa

[arielle08]

Yes, i also agree Pats is about learning thru play and my child is always looking forward to school. A great contrast from the gal whom was sent to that preschool which teaches pri 3 work. Heard that the gal dreads going to school. To me, they still have an extremely long journey and this is the start. No point burning them out now.


However, there is always this misconception that base on Pats pricing, the children will be academically stronger than cheaper schools. This is not true. Pat’s had a lower student teacher ratio, that probably explains the higher cost. That preschool that taught Pri 3 work, was less than half the price of Pat’s!! But when i look at that gal, no doubt she knows so much more than mine, she look so unhappy and stress…

[CeciliaANG]

I would most likely be interested in putting my son into the playgroup at Pat’s Schoolhouse Tanglin next year.


May I know what is the school fees like now?

Also, what is the subsidy and how much is it?

[ptb7476]

ASIAONE NEWS SINGAPORE

Unusually high number of HFMD cases starts off 2012

Thursday, Feb 23, 2012
The number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases have gone past the usual 780-a-week mark, as some 815 children have been diagnosed with this viral infection since the beginning of the year. A total of 3.457 cases have been recorded up to last week in this year. This is up from 1,383 cases in the corresponding period last year.

According to the Straits Times, this marks the onset of an epidemic.

This comes after HFMD levels were kept below epidemic levels last year.

A number of childcare centres are not on the watchlist, including Cherie Hearts in Mountbatten, The Little Skool-House International in Tampines, Mulberry Learning Academy in Chua Chu Kang, PCS Ang Mo Kio Centre and Bright Kids School House in Lengkok Bahru.

Meanwhile, Pat's Schoolhouse in Serangoon was forced to close for 10 days from last Wednesday, when more than 16 children fell ill there.
Coming at the start of the year, this most recent outbreak is different from previous year's patterns, when HFMD cases usually peak nearer the school holidays, between March and May, and between August and December.

HFMD, which commonly affects children, can cause symptoms such as fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers and blisters on palms and feet. These last between four and five days, and a child will be well enough to return to school after nine days. There is no vaccine or medication to prevent or cure the viral infection.

However, a more dangerous strain, EV71, can cause serious illness. In 2008, it was reponsible for the death of a child.

However, the Ministry of Health said that its monitoring of hospiatls and clinics do not show this strain to be the cause of the current uptrend.

Parents and caregivers can help to keep up hygiene levels by encouraging children to wash their hands before meals, and not share food and utensils. They should also keep ill children at home to prevent spreading infection.

hmm... saw this on the net and quite disturbed by it. how come there is not proper control of the situation

[Shoe]

HFMD is very contagious and PSH being so popular caused the infection to spread like wildfire 'cos many kids in one place. HFMD is pretty mild though, if not the dangerous strain. Jmho.