PM Says new Stat Board to oversee pre-school education

[Apelove]

Hi, just my two cents worth…


I think this boils down to the vast disparity between the middle to higher end preschools vs the lower or more standard preschools. In fact, those who can afford to complain that the preschool is over teaching, I think you are very lucky. Do note that children who are well equipped early will suffer less in pri 1. I am very happy that LHL would be doing something about the preschool standard.

I have witnessed my own nephews who are currently in a ‘lower range’ fee structure childcare centre. One of them will be entering pri 1 next year but is unable to even read a standard Peter&Jane reader 2A, much less to say blend phonics properly.
The younger sibling is a year younger and attending a standard $90 per month pcf. He is currently in k1 but unable to sound phonics, nor recognize any words without the picture appearing beside it.
With such basics not well established in the child, they are very ill equipped to enter pri 1. I would not even dare to think about how they might cope in school. To these children, pri 1 would be extremely demanding. It is extremely shocking that the lower range childcare/preschool standard can be so lacking!

[Pen88n]

I think it depends on which level you are coming in from. Those parents of this forum are generally well-educated and able to guide their kids by cultivating reading, learning habits at home and enriching their experiences. However, there are some lowly educated parents out there who are unable to guide, or teach their kids. These are the kids who attend the lower end preschool, and are inadequately prepared for P1. They also have no external party (tutor / tuition centre) to turn to should they have problems with school work etc. These are the ones who really deserve the government’s attention and intervention to ensure they are given the opportunity through levelling the playing field for preschool.

[Lilac66]

Apelove:

Hi, just my two cents worth...


I think this boils down to the vast disparity between the middle to higher end preschools vs the lower or more standard preschools. In fact, those who can afford to complain that the preschool is over teaching, I think you are very lucky. Do note that children who are well equipped early will suffer less in pri 1. I am very happy that LHL would be doing something about the preschool standard.

I have witnessed my own nephews who are currently in a 'lower range' fee structure childcare centre. One of them will be entering pri 1 next year but is unable to even read a standard Peter&Jane reader 2A, much less to say blend phonics properly.
The younger sibling is a year younger and attending a standard $90 per month pcf. He is currently in k1 but unable to sound phonics, nor recognize any words without the picture appearing beside it.With such basics not well established in the child, they are very ill equipped to enter pri 1. I would not even dare to think about how they might cope in school. To these children, pri 1 would be extremely demanding. It is extremely shocking that the lower range childcare/preschool standard can be so lacking!

I observed there's quite a disparity in the preschools std,(as I mentioned in other threads), but now it;s really from the horse's mouth.Your own nephews' experience.

An article in ST some time ago painted the difference in the abilities of 2 preschoolers.
The girl from a lower end preschool could not string a proper sentence in K2 whereas the other one from a premium centre was much more articulate.

Raising the standards of these preschools is indeed the way to go ..

[corneyAmber]

Musings:

rinoa538:

PM Lee says, let your children have their childhood.


How to? The education system took away their childhood!
Take a look at Primary 1 textbook, no wonder parents are preparing kids before entering P1.

I don't agree with this. My first son is in P1 and the syllabus is v manageable. In fact on hindsight almost all preschool syllabus more than cover P1 work. in fact I just complain to my second son's preschool - which my elder son also attended that it is ridiculous to expect N2 kids to master addition within 20 when this is exactly what my older son is doing in first semester P1. I was told I was the oddball because all the parents want their kids to 'accelerate' and learn all these stuff in the name of preparation for P1. Such attitudes are what is taking away our children's childhood. I don't blame the preschool because they are responding to demands of parents.

For parents whose kids are not yet in primary school, it is easy to be swayed by hearsay about the many things kids need to know by P1 and go into an overdrive. It is not necessary. If the kids are keen on learning, by all means accelerate and give them more advanced stuff but it is not true P1 syllabus is that demanding. Now I know P1 is not the monster people make it out to be and I am taking it easy for second son - go with his interest and give him stuff when he is ready to learn. I do not want my son to look back and only recall his preschool years to be filled with endless classes and worksheets.

I later found out that people who find P1 tough are those who need to TOP the class or cohort... Different league.

[corneyAmber]

3Boys:

rinoa538:

PM Lee says, let your children have their childhood.


How to? The education system took away their childhood!
Take a look at Primary 1 textbook, no wonder parents are preparing kids before entering P1.

Some teaching in pre-school is useful preparation, but one does not need tuition or double session kindy's to manage. I have 3 kids, and all they do is 3 hours of preschool. They all enjoyed/enjoying the preschool, can't see how anyone can say that the education system has taken away their childhood. All down to parent's choices, in my view.

Same here, my child plays all her life, even now.

[Daddy D]

How come no1 :rahrah: for paternity leave?

[3Boys]

ksi:

Same here, my child plays all her life, even now.

Just noticed you have nice eyelashes (the better to see us with)

[corneyAmber]

3Boys:

ksi:

Same here, my child plays all her life, even now.

Just noticed you have nice eyelashes (the better to see us with)

Hoooowwwwwwwwwwl.....Think I have to live up to my WOLF name...

Having said this, my playful child cannot be the norm these days...so I will still support the motion of playschool.....I mean preschool giving the children some idea how to handle P1 even though my own child went to P1 quite blindly...with only Chinese best equipped.

[Snow Crystal]

Pen88n:

I think it depends on which level you are coming in from. Those parents of this forum are generally well-educated and able to guide their kids by cultivating reading, learning habits at home and enriching their experiences. However, there are some lowly educated parents out there who are unable to guide, or teach their kids. These are the kids who attend the lower end preschool, and are inadequately prepared for P1. They also have no external party (tutor / tuition centre) to turn to should they have problems with school work etc. These are the ones who really deserve the government's attention and intervention to ensure they are given the opportunity through levelling the playing field for preschool.

Agree. But, even after leveling the playing field for pre schools, when the kids enter into primary school, the field becomes unbalanced again :sad: Given the current disparity in primary school teaching standards (please don't say all primary schools are the same - obviously they are not...why put the Aaron maple leaf over the eyes :scratchhead:... Reminds me of 'The Emperor's New Clothes' story. Well, nebbermind), kids with well off parents can attend expensive, higher quality tuition to bridge the gap. So now most kids who attend the top few secondary schools tend to come from better off and more educated family backgrounds.

[corneyAmber]

Snow Crystal:

Pen88n:

I think it depends on which level you are coming in from. Those parents of this forum are generally well-educated and able to guide their kids by cultivating reading, learning habits at home and enriching their experiences. However, there are some lowly educated parents out there who are unable to guide, or teach their kids. These are the kids who attend the lower end preschool, and are inadequately prepared for P1. They also have no external party (tutor / tuition centre) to turn to should they have problems with school work etc. These are the ones who really deserve the government's attention and intervention to ensure they are given the opportunity through levelling the playing field for preschool.

Agree. But, even after leveling the playing field for pre schools, when the kids enter into primary school, the field becomes unbalanced again :sad: Given the current disparity in primary school teaching standards (please don't say all primary schools are the same - obviously they are not...why put the Aaron maple leaf over the eyes :scratchhead:... Reminds me of 'The Emperor's New Clothes' story. Well, nebbermind), kids with well off parents can attend expensive, higher quality tuition to bridge the gap. So now most kids who attend the top few secondary schools tend to come from better off and more educated family backgrounds.

All schools are not the same indeed, the neighbourhood ones are better.