PCF/PAP Kindergartens

[Champion]

Hi! Kabby :snuggles:

Yes, this queuing system is really crazy! :stompfeet: :frustrated:

4 years ago back in 2008, i went around 7.30am to queue for DD2 who was also registering for Nursery class. I was the 10th in the Queue! :faint: I admire and :salute: those grandma and grandpa in front of me - can't imagine what time they were there.

Coming Monday it will be history repeating itself again :sad: - but this time I task DH to do it! Told him,\" I did it 4 years ago for DD2 so now it is your turn to do it for DS!\" :evil: He asked, \"Why must Q? Why first-come-first-serve?\" To that, I just give him a :? :scratchhead: look

[Kabby]

haha, champs, you are smart.


I don't know if my Dh will do it. hehe. he hates queues.

[kay_liz]

Hi Kabalevsky, thanks for the info! I am also enrolling my girl at 662B for the N1 class.

We collected the registration form yesterday but didn’t have the notice like what Champion posted. I really hope we don’t have to queue way in advance!
I will just submit the forms within the timing.
I was thinking, the registration exercise is held over 2 days. Everyone definitely goes on Day 1, what’s the purpose of having a Day 2? By then already all slots taken up.

[Champion]

Champion:

http://i49.tinypic.com/2qm225z.jpg\">


For my case, it states in bold \"first-come-first-served basis\" :sad:
:siam:

Dear All,
Just a little update

I went for the registration this morning - was there around 7.45am after breakfast with DH. He was unable to go this year as he has a last minute meeting to attend.

7.45am and I was already 5th in the Queue! :shock: The 4 mummies before me are \"from same gang\" as they were chit-chatting among themselves. Blessing - the one queueing behind me is a chatty granny who speak very good English. We had a good time talking while waiting and thereafter were joined by another 2 Malay parents behind us.

But something pissed me off! :rant: :frustrated: when registering, I asked a casual question to the P (who is the registration officer),\" So what are my chances - I put 8am as 1st choice?\"

In which, she replied,\" Oh, Mrs. Sxxx - there are 49 vacancies for Nursery class and we will take in the 1st 49 registrant for the application. If all the 49 also put 8am class as 1st choice, then we have to go for balloting!\" :faint:

So, when they say \"1st-come-1st-serve\", it means they will serve all the applicants for the vacancies left for their centre, after which they will not entertain anymore registration! To which, I have a question - then why make the registration date to be 3 days - 21 to 23 May! :slapshead: :mad:

[Kabby]

Yes I live near where the PCF is and every year I see the same situation.


Though registration begins at 8.30am, parents queue way before that (when I send older kids to school), and the sign REGISTRATION CLOSED was placed outside the office at 9am when I was going out to buy groceries.

Since every year registration is over in just 30min, why they bother to still put more than 1 date? I also dunno…

This year, they changed, for the one where I live. No more first come first served. Cos last year’s situation became a bit too ridiculous and I think many parents wrote in to complain to various avenues including MP. That’s what I heard, because I wasn’t involved in last year’s registration.

[Champion]

kabalevsky:

This year, they changed, for the one where I live. No more first come first served.

I would think this will be a fairer and transparent system. Imagine parent applying leave; took time off just to go and queue for at least 1.5 hour; registration for 5 mins and only to get the answer\" Oh, we will notify you the outcome later. If balloting is required, we will keep you inform too!\" :stupid:

I am wondering should I call the centre this evening when the registration closed at 4pm? :sad:

[Kabby]

I see. Ya, I understand. Quite frustrating.

[kay_liz]

If I only want the 8am class, and end up after the balloting my child was given another time slot, can i reject and take back my deposit?

[kay_liz]

By the way, here is a feedback from my gd friend who is an ex- PAP teacher regarding PAP K+ centres. (the one at 662B)


\"PAP with K+ program I don't advise. To be frank, everything they have are not a full package, including curriculum.
They want to compete with childcare so they came up with this K+ programme. There is no actual curriculum for that but only enrichment, which is the extra cost.\"

Sigh... Now I'm lost! Anyway my child is only going N1 so it doesn't matter.
But if I find the school not up to my expectation when she goes K1 and I decide to withdraw her, it's going to be so difficult having to find a new school and the adapting phase starts all over again.

[kay_liz]

Despite what my friend said, i went ahead coz i stay in JW and not much choices around.

Since she is only going N1, I still have time to monitor her progress in school.

My hubby went to register my child today! Registration starts at 830am but at 8am when i walked past already a long queue.
For a moment i panicked coz I thought it is not a 1st come 1st serve basis, how come got queue? still he just submitted the documents 45 mins later.
We were told that if we do not receive any calls next month, means my child got in. But if they call us, then we have to go through balloting.
So overall, it was very systematic. Thank goodness we never queue in advance for nothing.