How much $$$ do you spend on your Pre-schooler?

[jedamum]

ChiefKiasu:

Hi mom2boys, academic enrichment programmes for pre-schoolers are mostly effective only if there is parental participation.

Totally agree!
All it takes is a bit of reinforcement at home.

mom2boys:

hihi,
my boy only started to attend pre-school in a church kindergarten early this early for 1term afterwhich i switched him to a full day CC. so compare to those started earlier from the same CC, he is behind time. from the way he hold the pencil to the way he write his name lor... :oops:

wait...started pre-school...do you mean around 4 yrs old?
for writing, when i was a FTWM, we spent 15-20min before bedtime doing some simple assessment books...involving matching, tracing and colouring etc etc. At 4 yrs old, i am not concerned much about writing nicely and focus more on 'knowledge' eg know how to read, how to write the word itself...no need to be very nice, can recognise patterns in matching etc. You can go and buy those small stamps (with inkpad) and stamp on the pages completed as a form of encouragement.

[mom2boys]

oh what i meant is my 4yr old boy only started his nursery this year..before that his daily activity is play and play plus attend GUG during weekends. I've stopped the GUG after my boy started his nursery.


as I'm a FTWM, it's very tough to spend quality time with my elder boy while my ds2 still clinging on me (as i'm still breastfeeding) :roll: to add-on, I'm staying with my 80plus MIL with the TV on at home almost 12hrs a day..so u can imagine the challenge :x

my hubby say it's esstential for boys to learn swimming so thought of getting the both to learn together. Called aquaducks to check but on waitlist liao.. :?

[JGMum]

To add data to the poll:


(I) Age of kid: 3
1. 3 hr Montessori based kindergarten: $420/mth
2. Enrichment 1: Shichida: $265/mth
3. Enrichment 2: Julia Gabriel: $145/mth
4. Enrichment 3: 1 hr violin lesson (1-to-1, home visit): $200/mth
5. Enrichment 4: thinking of something for physical devt, still researching for a suitable program.

(II) Age of kid: 1.5
1. Accompanied twice weekly gym/playgroup: $216/mth
2. Enrichment 1: Shichida-type activity: Free. DIY at home. Save money. :oops:
3. Enrichment 2: Music appreciation: Free. DIY.

TOTAL: $1,246/mth.

[tamarind]

1. Age of kid: 5 yrs

2. Kindergarten: $110
3 Enrichment programme 1: Berries $120
4. Books/Toys/Teaching Materials. Varies.


1. Age of kid: 4 yrs
2. Nursery 2 : $80
3 Enrichment programme 1: Berries $120
4. Books/Toys/Teaching Materials. Varies.

Total : $430 for 2 kids

The kindergarten, nursery fees are actually $220 and $160 respectively. I am using the CDA account to pay for the kindergarten, so it is 50% paid by the governnment.

[ChiefKiasu]

tamarind:

...Total : $430 for 2 kids...

Good job tamarind for managing to keep the cost for 2 kids under $500 per month. That's actually quite incredible. Have you ever thought about other kinds of enrichment such as physical (eg. swimming, sports) and aesthetics (eg. music, speech and drama, etc)? Those tend to require skills which not all parents will have.

[tamarind]

ChiefKiasu:

tamarind:

...Total : $430 for 2 kids...

Good job tamarind for managing to keep the cost for 2 kids under $500 per month. That's actually quite incredible. Have you ever thought about other kinds of enrichment such as physical (eg. swimming, sports) and aesthetics (eg. music, speech and drama, etc)? Those tend to require skills which not all parents will have.

I have arranged music and dance lessons for my kids before, but they refused to go. They are also not interested in speech and drama. I think my kids simply do not like \"performance arts\". I will only send them to a class if they are really interested in it, otherwise no point wasting money.

My hubby said he can teach the kids to swim, so I will let him try first. If not successful, I will send them to swimming classes. But now with HFMD, I will delay it till they are older.

My girl loves to draw, but I have not found a suitable arts class for her. She is good at drawing with pencils, and she draws with elaborate details. But most arts classes at her age only teach simple poster color painting. I will probably wait until she is older so that she can join the more interesting classes.

My boy simply loves to stay at home to play with his tons of lego, playmobil, train sets, and playing imaginary games with his dinosaurs, etc. Since he is only 4 years old, I will wait longer to see what his interests are. I plan to let him try out rock climbing ! Since he is born in the year of the monkey, should have talent in climbing :lol:

[mstan]

Me consider kiasu ?


My 6yo old daughter : -
1) Childcare - $220
2) Tuition at home - less than $200
3) Swimming - $50
4) Abacus in CC - $118
5) HYPY - $35 (Dec08 starts)

(Total est : more or less of $600)
Thinking of enrol in the phonics lesson for her - $200

My 4yo old daughter : -
1) Childcare - $220

(Total est : $220)

[JJParents]

hmm.. a good chance for me to calculate..

6 yr old
1. ChildCare : 300
2. Eng & Chinese Speech & Drama (during school) : 105
3. Swimming (during school): 40
4. I Can Read: ~ 130
5. Shichida: ~ 270

1.5 yr old
1. ChildCare: 700

wow.. tats a lot.. $1545

[ChiefKiasu]

JJParents:

...wow.. tats a lot.. $1545

Well, at least your distribution of resources between your 2 children is fair

[Mandie]

let me do mine as well


4 years old

half day Kinder (new school next year) : 210
I can read : about 170
Simepi : 110
English Speech & Drama (at home) : 40
Chinese enrichment : 180
Fine Art : 85
Dance : 40

Total $ 835 :x

Can not imaging if I continue her with NAFA next year which the school fee ifself is about $740 per month (with GST) for half day school only.... :roll: