Arlene3300:

My daughter is currently attending full time childcare at GB branch now, I am thinking of withdrawing her after our 12 months contract ends. I am worried that they will delay my deposit refund. Sign...

FrustratedParent:

Before any parent will wish to engage Stamford Education Pre-school for their services, I will like to share an unresolved refund issue I encountered with them which they still owe me $8k+ for few months and not cooperating in retuning the amount to me despite their centers/branches still in operation. And there is relation to Julius Peh and GeolLion Holdings as Stamford Education Pre-school is a subsidiary company under GeolLion (which I understand from Hardware Zone forum that the management team members are missing and promised returns to investors not done).


At the bottom, I will like to share advice to other parents when engaging services of Stamford Education Pre-school.

In Chorology order:
1.\t02 Jul 17: Paid 1 year school fee (~16k) for my 3 years old daughter and started school at the McDonald’s Branch near Plaza Sing. As there is a package that by paying 1 year, you will only be effectively paying 8mths while 4mths is free (discounted price).
2.\t23rd Aug 17, my wife requested to withdraw as she found the staff not friendly and my daughter cannot seem to gel in (cry everyday when going in and when fetching and teachers does not appear loving). Official reason we gave for withdrawal is due to logistics issue to avoid too much consultation etc meetings to convince us to stay. Requested to know the refundable amount after serving the 2months notice.
3.\tMid Sep 17, the entrance to the McDonald Branch of Stamford Education Pre-School center was locked up in chains without prior notice and arrangement was made to send the children to Toa Payoh Safra Stamford Branch (to mention, this branch has been closed down as well). This was lucky for me as we already registered for another Pre-School and only expedited us to send our daughter to the new childcare.
4.\tEarly Oct 17: Official Whatsapp message to Stamford Parents from McDonald Branch that the new branch was moved to GB Building Cecil Street, due to business reasons.
5.\t10 Dec 17: Finally after few email reminders, Stamford replied that the total refundable amount is $8k+ and cheque will be sent.
6.\t17 Jan 18: A meet-up was arranged by Stamford and this is where Julius Peh and “SZ Licensee” came into the picture. He stated he is representing Stamford for the repayment and that he is from “SZ Licensee”. To settle the matter in an amicable manner and to prevent legal settlement his advice is to sign a Case Settlement agreement as MacDonald House School of Stamford Education’s School is licensed by “SZ Licensee” promising 50% repayment by end of Mar18 and balance 50% by end of Jun18. I signed the agreement as Stamford is a reputable school which I believe will keep their end of the agreement (or so I thought at that point of time).
7.\tMid Mar 18: Received a call from Julius Peh at +6566815672 and he stated due to technical issues, payment will be delayed to end of Apr18 and to call him back through this number if there are query.
8.\t01 May 18: No cheque received and when called back to Julius Peh, an automated message “Im sorry” is all I can hear. Immediately emailed Stamford Education to inform them that I have yet to receive Payment and till now 04 May 18 no response.
9.\t02 May 18: As advised by Police, then CASE I understand other than engaging a lawyer the other option is to pursue this through small claims which requires me knowing a few information about Stamford Education.
10.\t02 May 18: Called Stamford Hotline (only 1 number given +65 65898888) and finally someone picked up the phone. In short informed him of my daughter’s name and issue at hand and that I will wish to pursue legal options to obtain back the refundable amount which Stamford owes me but till now no intention of returning and his response is “ok, I will ask the PIC Win to call you back at your mobile” (till date 04 May 18 no call back). Enquired where is the HQ, the official company name of Stamford Education (required when you apply claims through small claims) and Win’s contact number to meet up and his response is there is no HQ and they “Float around” and this is the only number and to await Win to call back.
11.\t02 May 18: Went to GB building Cecil Street Stamford Education Branch and a teacher greeted me when I enter. When I enquired the same thing, she stated she is not aware and most likely the PICs of such matter is in Punggol Safra branch and will ask Win (I believe should be the same person) to call me back. Again I do not know where is the HQ nor who to approach, as there are children and kids around thus I just left.
12.\t03 May 18: Through ACRA, I finally found the HQ and company name of Stamford Education (which I will share below) and realized there is no such registered company of SZ Licensee registered. Thanks to the posting here, I found Julius Peh details and GeolLion Holdings and realized that Julius Peh is a director of GeolLion Holdings and that Stamford Education is a subsidiary company under GeolLion Holdings. At this point, it almost seem like some sort of scam is going on.
13.\t04 May 18: Went to the HQ and registered address of Stamford Education to serve the court notice for small claims. Till now, not sure if I can get back the refundable amount which they owe me as they seem to not care or just trying to delay or act blur..
Some information to share for any other parent who will wish to pursue through small claims on amounts Stamford Education owes you (as I doubt I am the only Frustrated Parent from McDonald Branch).
For Stamford Education: Official Company name is: Stamford Education Group Pte Ltd, Registration no: 200922101E, Official Registered Office Address: 101 Beach Road, #02-01 The 101 at Singapore 189703. Do note that the official address is also a branch of their childcare center thus do note that children will be around.

Lastly I will like to advice parents engaging or considering to engage Stamford Education services by either placing your loved child at their childcare centers or to attend their enrichment programs, my advice is not to accept any discounted packages they offer which involved 1year or more advance payments (even if it stated refunds will be made accordingly if you withdraw) to avoid placing yourself in the same situation as I am facing now.

From: A Frustrated Parent who hopes to get back his hard earned money and hopefully prevent other Parents to fall into the same situation i am facing now.

starlyte:

Review of Stamford branch in Punggol Safra


I enrolled my child for a 1 week Kindergenius program as I wanted my child to be exposed to the \"whole brain\" training that Stamford offers. However, the program/ teachers is not up to expectations.
1. The class allows viewing of videos. This is a Kindergenius program with only 3hrs duration, not a child care with lots of free time to fill in. Viewing of videos is a big no to me no matter how educational it may be.
2. Students not allowed to talk even during break time. This will definitely stifle the child's socializing skills and creativity. These skills are as important as whole brain development.
3. No water breaks allowed except during allocated time slots.
4. Mixed age with children ranging from 3yrs to 5 yrs in the same class. This is not a Montessori school, how can children of different ages be doing the same activities?
5. Teachers are not patient. Caregiver not allowed to accompany child on first few days of school. My child cried for the 2nd and 3rd day. Teacher did not gently coax him into the class. Instead, my child was grabbed and pulled into class.
6. Teachers do not have diploma in early childhood education. Teachers were claimed to have experience with children but qualification is doubtful.
7. My child came home with bruises on his elbow today. Have yet to seek clarification with the school on this.

Overall not a good experience in Stamford @ Punggol. Highly not recommended. Do not be taken in by the whole brain training it advertise.

san20sg:

I find them very snobbish. Didn't bother to sign up.

starystarynite:

Charges are expensive compared with many others...one term for both phonics n maths is around 1k. 2 hours per session / per week.


Phonics has incorporate English primary school program like comprehension, composition, cloze passage, grammer etc...very difficult for my kid.