<![CDATA[Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children?]]>As I plan to return to work soon, but worry that my maid will not be able to handle 2 active toddlers plus a newborn baby at home, I have placed one of my older children in a nearby childcare centre to give him some time to adjust before I return to work. He would always return home unhappy, and always cry and struggle when I bring him there the next day. I thought it was just due to the adjustment phase. But after weeks of this behavior, I talked to the principal to allow someone familiar to accompany him there for a while until he gets used to the environment. They agreed and I got my maid to accompany him for a couple of days. What my maid reported to me unsettled me. She told me that some teachers there (including the teacher i/c of my child's group) yell and scold the children regularly for things like making a mess of the toys during play time or messing up during meal times. Some even use corporal punishment. Just today, she witnessed a child in the 18mths-2.5 year old group who was spanked twice by 2 teachers - once on the arms and once on the backside - for urinating on the floor while the teacher was changing her diapers. Needless to say, she was crying piteously for her mummy after that.

I will be withdrawing my child from that centre. Now I wonder if my child was spanked or yelled at during those weeks when my maid was not accompanying him. Childcare centres are really new to me. Is this the norm in other childcare centres? How do we know what happens behind closed doors as parents are usually not allowed to sit in after the orientation phase? Now I am not sure if I should consider other childcare centres (maybe a more expensive one will be staffed by more loving teachers??? My current centre costs $700/mth for full-day childcare) or simply reconsider my decision to return to work so soon. Sigh 😞

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/1826/are-childcare-centre-teachers-allowed-to-spank-the-childrenRSS for NodeThu, 25 Jun 2026 15:07:36 GMTFri, 16 Jan 2009 11:10:04 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:23:19 GMT]]>Have you guys read this? :!:


China teacher held after kids jabbed with syringe

AFP - Tuesday, October 27
=============================================================


[China teacher held after kids jabbed with syringe] China teacher held after kids jabbed with syringe

BEIJING (AFP) - – A 24-year-old female kindergarten teacher has been detained in southwest China after allegedly stabbing more than 20 children with a syringe to discipline them, state media reported Tuesday.

The woman, Sun Qiqi, was taken into custody at the weekend in Yunnan province after angry parents complained to police about the alleged abuse at the unlicensed school in Jianshui county, the China Daily reported.

One mother, Zhou Limei, said her four-year-old daughter had been stabbed multiple times last week, on the back of her left hand and on her bottom.

It was not immediately clear if the alleged syringe contained any hazardous materials. Children were given ultrasound examinations and HIV tests which were negative, the China Daily said.

\"Although the blood test shows the children are HIV-negative, I hope the government gives us proper compensation,\" Zhou told the paper.

The Global Times reported that Sun had confessed, saying she had pricked the children to \"tame\" them and that she was overwhelmed by the 37 three- and four-year-olds in her charge.

One three-year-old boy had eight needle wounds, and was allegedly punished for refusing to take a nap, the newspaper said.

School principal Bai Yali told the Global Times she knew nothing about the incident, and that Sun's performance had been \"good\".

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/68729https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/68729Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:23:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:43:39 GMT]]>

LittleLambie:
Hi buds and maisy,


My kiddo was 4 when the incident happened. I only noticed the bruise when we are home. She was the one who relate the whole incident to me. I asked her repeatedly many many times over that night to be very sure and she said the consistant story. Kids can't tell perfect lies everytime if it is not the truth.

I only started sending my kid to ccc when she was 4. To a lot of people, 4 seemed very late. But I am glad I didn't send in earlier cos I really wanted my kid to be able to communicate well before sending her to a ccc so that in case anything happens, she can relate back to me. I have a close friend who is a cc teacher and she told me horrible stories about how ccc are like behind closed doors. Hence, I do not want to take chances. My kid is doing well now in school despite she only started school at 4 as compared to her peers who may have started since 18 months. πŸ˜„
Hi LittleLambie
I'm glad your daughter is doing fine now and it was a good thing she was able to relate what happened if not you would never have known the truth. And i'm equally glad this incident didn't mar her impression of schools in general. Good good πŸ™‚
Yeah in this respect, i agree w you that if possible, sometimes sending your child to CC or even to any school at a later age has its advantages...ie the kid will be able to tell you what happened in school esp in the face of such situations and not forgetting bullies .... i almost nearly sent my kid to CCC but becos on the day of my visit, i happened to chance upon an unpleasant incident, i decided to delay and after some deliberation, i decided to enrol my child in kindy instead for next year πŸ™‚
but i guess to many other parents, they really have no choice but to send their kid in as early as 18months.. my colleague has no choice but to send her kid to infant care as early as 6 months old....
I'm surprised your fren in CCC is willing to share w you what goes on behind closed doors.... i know most CC teachers are not so candid about such things...and it can be a \"sensitive topic\" for themselves too.

i have an ex-classmate who is a CCC teacher-turned-owner, each time we have class gathering, she will tell us how tough life is for childcare teachers ( which i totally agree ) ... and how motivated they are but never on what goes on behind closed doors...hahahaha.... separately, another ex-classmate of ours shared with us that when she visited the centre, she heard one teacher screaming loudly (imagine as loud as some hawker centre or family dispute) at 1 student who dropped a basket of toys..... and yet another ex-classmate shared that when she visited, she saw 2 teachers quarrelling infront of the toddlers .... of course they never told our fren this as they thought it might be a sensitive topic πŸ™‚

I guess quarrels do happen everywhere ....the only difference is because they are educators and are handling the juveniles - ie the young & impressionables - hence they have to exercise even greater care in their disposition compared to people in other profession πŸ™‚ No choice lor....

As the French would say it..... C'est La Vie ! πŸ™‚

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/54154https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/54154Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:43:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:04:47 GMT]]>Hi buds and maisy,


My kiddo was 4 when the incident happened. I only noticed the bruise when we are home. She was the one who relate the whole incident to me. I asked her repeatedly many many times over that night to be very sure and she said the consistant story. Kids can't tell perfect lies everytime if it is not the truth.

I only started sending my kid to ccc when she was 4. To a lot of people, 4 seemed very late. But I am glad I didn't send in earlier cos I really wanted my kid to be able to communicate well before sending her to a ccc so that in case anything happens, she can relate back to me. I have a close friend who is a cc teacher and she told me horrible stories about how ccc are like behind closed doors. Hence, I do not want to take chances. My kid is doing well now in school despite she only started school at 4 as compared to her peers who may have started since 18 months. πŸ˜„

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53957https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53957Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:04:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:05:17 GMT]]>

buds:
Dear mods, apologies if the above topic is a wee bit

side-tracked but was just posting reply to maisy in
view of her post on the comparisons. πŸ˜‰

Do merge with another specific thread if deemed so. Tks.
Hi Buds
u are a kindergarten teacher?
i think u have misconstrued most if not all of what i have written ....

U said that tempers flare at any job .. and yet u said preschool teachers are trained in handling their wards ... but preschool teachers are also humans...surely there will be time they cannot control their temper.... if not, there won't be so many CCC stories.

my point is not whether they can or cannot lose their temper....my point is if they face so many noisy kids it is NOT surprising if they lose their temper. i can understand what they are going through...and hence instead of complaining about them spanking my kids..etc, i'd rather not send my kid in if i don't feel comfortable... and recent stories we hear do make me feel uncomfortable abt CCC

u said when parents wanna send their kids to preschool, they should be prepared to let go....i agree...but let go meaning we allow the teachers to guide & teach them... We are not prepared to have teachers spank them, rub chili on them.. these are incidents that make it hard for parents to let go of the child...it is also not a matter of us not trusting our selection of CCC...most of the time we select CCC out of convenience (ie proximity to office or home) so it is hard to ENSURE it is the right one... since distance is key. We just do not want any harm on our kids and later keep blaming ourselves for not making any wiser decision.

as for kindergarten teachers, i did not mean their job is not stressful ...i m saying their stress level is COMPARATIVELY lower compared to CCC (of course not every single case, just in general) reason being not all kindergarten teachers teaches both sessions....while most CCC i know teach full-day....even if they teach half-day, it is tiring enough for them...

Let's face it... kindergarten teachers will still bring the kids to toilet...and change them if they soil themselves...but in CCC, teachers have to BATHE them , towel dry them, change into different sets of clothes.... feed them their lunch for those who refuse to feed themselves...there is definitely a difference

U said CCC teachers get to rest when children are sleeping...truth is not every children sleep in CCC...my friend runs a CCC, i know it is very tiring cos some kids remain awake and u cannot just leave them alone...i m sure they can get to rest but not like what u hv mentioned.

You were saying some kindergarten teachers teaches 3 sessions straight ie for 9 hours... pardon me i m talking abt kindergartens in general...ie most kindergartens here have only 2 sessions.... i'm sure there will be some with 3 sessions..but i m not talking about those in minority...i m referring to majority of kindergartens and while some teachers teach both sessions...i know of at least 2 kindergartens where teachers only teach 1 session...

You also mentioned kindergarten teachers come in at 7am to chill the classrooms...again u might be referring to fully aircon kindergartens....the kindergarten i hv enrolled my boy in does not have aircon for the classrooms... teachers hence do not need to come in at 7am to chill the classroom...i know most of them , if not all, come in b4 8am for the 815 am session...and they have once a week meeting after school...

Also i made it very clear these are my personal opinion. My intention is really to share my thoughts with parents of similar concerns w.r.t CCC.... i m in no way making wild comparisons of kindergarten & CCC without context... my comparison only stems from the fact that if u have to choose between the 2 to enrol your kid, how would i choose and why ?

I also acknowledge the fact that some parents select CCC not out of choice but rather out of NO CHOICE....cos both parents working, don't feel at ease w maids, no grandparents support, no other CCC nearer home hence put in xxx CCC .... only to find out our kids got spanked, bruised ..... of course our kids can still get spanked in kindergarten but in recent news, most of those abuse cases surrounds CCC more than kindy..
I have no statistics to prove which has higher incidents...hence i m only sharing my personal opinion with like-minded parents ..that if they have concerns abt a CCC-setting, do consider a kindergarten instead.

I hope i have clarified myself. This is in no way a general comparison of kindy vs CCC, ..this is a PERSONAL preference on how i decide to put my son in Kindy vs CCC to be shared with like-minded parents. πŸ™‚

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53939https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53939Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:05:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:08:04 GMT]]>

LittleLambie:
Just want to add on to bad CCCs......


My dd was being hit on the arm by her CC teacher for no apparent reason. This NEW teacher of hers just doesn't like her since day one despite my dd was very well behaved. She came back with 4 obvious blue black finger marks. We confronted the school the very next day and as expected, everyone from the principal down to the teacher denied everything. We withdrew my dd immediately.

Subsequently, we heard from other parents who's kiddos are in the same CCC, that they served expired food to the kids to save cost. We were so disgusted and glad that we withdrew our dd out early enough before something even more major happens.

This is also a branded CCC, monthly school fees are close to $1,000 kind. πŸ˜›
Brings back memories to the Chili Padi incident last year ....

Come to think of it, most of these \"abuses\" reported in the press and discussed in forums are usually childcare centres (of course not all childcare centres are alike but the stories i heard so far is enough to put me off CCC ..... )

Have you since enrolled your child elsewhere?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53925https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53925Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:08:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:41:42 GMT]]>LittleLambie, how old was your child then and

was the hitting account witnessed by yourself
or an account from your child after you asked
about the bruises?

Thank goodness it’s all over!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53772https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53772Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:41:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:56:28 GMT]]>Hi buds and Busymom,


Thanks for your concerns, my kiddo is definately in a better ccc now. πŸ˜„

We took photos of the bruises immediately as proof in case it fades away (it was so bad that eventually, it took 1 week for the bruises to disappear). I even brought my kiddo to the doc but unfortunately, because bruises are harder to proof as abuse, unlike chilli padi, hence the doc could only write a note that bruises are found but can't proof as abuse case cos its just on a small part of the body and not all over. We didn't went to MCYS in the end cos 1) no solid basis to proof as abuse, 2) my kiddo changed from bubbly to quiet cos she was emotionally hurt by the whole episode. We didn't want her to go thru anymore confrontation/investigation.

Oh and that teacher.....the P told us she was being terminated. But later we found out from another parent that the teacher was merely being transferred to another branch.... :roll:

We had no idea why this new teacher (PRC) hated my kiddo so much. My kiddo had no problem with all the other teachers in school. In fact, her former teacher in charge doted her so much and keep praising my daughter to me everyday when I go and pick her. But this new teacher.....she is the sulky kind maybe she doesn't like my kiddo who is cheerful and bubbly? And no, she did not do anything naughty before the teacher hit her. She was merely sitting down and playing toys with her classmate during playtime. The teacher came over, said in chinese \"you not good\" and PIAK...!!!

:? :? :?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53699https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53699Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:56:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:41:43 GMT]]>LittleLambie


This is shocking! You should tell us which CCC this is so that parents would think twice about going to this particular CCC.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53636https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53636Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:41:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:50:12 GMT]]>LittleLambie, if it is true what you have shared here

the centre should not be spared. If you had pictures
taken of the abuse, gone for check up and followed
up with MCYS, the staff can be banned for life from
this industry. Just like the one who smothered chilli
padi on a student’s mouth sometime back, whether
done in what state of mind… is still a form of valid
physical abuse.

I sincerely hope your child is in a better environment
now, LittleLambie.

I can understand your frustration with regards to your
experience… Your poor innocent child. Can you share
why you think the teacher seemed to dislike your child
from the very beginning?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53581https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53581Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:50:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:43:00 GMT]]>Just want to add on to bad CCCs......


My dd was being hit on the arm by her CC teacher for no apparent reason. This NEW teacher of hers just doesn't like her since day one despite my dd was very well behaved. She came back with 4 obvious blue black finger marks. We confronted the school the very next day and as expected, everyone from the principal down to the teacher denied everything. We withdrew my dd immediately.

Subsequently, we heard from other parents who's kiddos are in the same CCC, that they served expired food to the kids to save cost. We were so disgusted and glad that we withdrew our dd out early enough before something even more major happens.

This is also a branded CCC, monthly school fees are close to $1,000 kind. πŸ˜›

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53397https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53397Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:43:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:00:01 GMT]]>

insider:

I see not much use in increasing subsidy coz the moment garment increases, fees usually will be up. if higher fees mean teachers getting higher pay still OK but the fact is most of this increment goes direct to owners' pockets and the situation of poorly paid teachers remain...
I agree with this. What would help will be a subsidy that goes directly into the teachers' pockets. Job satisfaction is important (in terms of loving the job & children), but reality plays a part too. How many families can survive on such low income? I know I can't! I know some older ones do it as a 'hobby' since they usually have a nice retirement savings to rely on or they have 'rich families' to support them. However, how many of such people can you find?

Even MOE is increasing the pay of teachers in mainstream schools, why not pre-schools?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53372https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53372Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:00:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:27:51 GMT]]>Buds, based on what you wrote, pre-school teachers are indeed underpaid for the hours they put in and the standard of care and teaching we parents expect. I can understand that quality teachers should command better pay, and higher pay is a very good motivator for teachers to stay. The kindergarten I send my children to has its fair share of attrition, some of them very good teachers too. And my son misses all of them.


I do feel bad for the principal, but the reality is we as parents simply can’t afford to have the fees increased anymore. I am looking forward to the day when my children enter Pri 1, because then, it would be a huge financial burden off our shoulders (ok, I am also hoping that my children are bright so I don’t have to spend on tuition, etc).

So how to get quality teachers while keeping fees affordable? It seems invariable that increased govt funding is needed. Another alternative (which I can see is happening) seems to be the import of cheaper foreign talents as teachers. Not that I have anything against FT’s (some of them can be very good too), but I do prefer the first alternative.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53356https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53356Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:27:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:39:52 GMT]]>High flying scholar i'm not.

But passionate i definitely am.
Can i apply at your centre?
3-mths wor... i oso want.

I'm the filial sort. Where boss
treats me well, is where i stay
very very long... πŸ˜‰

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53338https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53338Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:39:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:09:44 GMT]]>Dear mods, apologies if the above topic is a wee bit

side-tracked but was just posting reply to maisy in
view of her post on the comparisons. πŸ˜‰

Do merge with another specific thread if deemed so. Tks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53320https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53320Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:09:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:07:43 GMT]]>

maisy:
Just my personal opinion - i always have this feeling that a kindergarten would be \"more preferred\" to a childcare centre when it comes to selecting a preschool for my son simply because i feel that there is a lot of things going on behind \"closed doors\" in a CC setting.... of course i m not saying a kindergarten will not have any of these issues....

Most instituitions regardless of level ie. childcare, kindergarten, tuition
centre or even primary schools (etc) will have closed door policy. While
there will be places that have issues behind closed doors, there are many
that do not have any issues at all. By sending children to school(s), parents
are deemed ready to let go already lor.. That's why before ultimately
deciding on THE centre of choice, parents nowadays run their homework
on school history, curriculum, centre's approach to teaching (methodology),
teaching staff credentials, centre's rules and regulations, trial sessions (etc)...

Frankly, the longer a parent sticks around the child, the longer it takes
for the child to adapt to the new school environment chosen for him/her.
Closed door policy are generally to encourage independence in the children
and also prevent prolonged separation anxiety, for children and yes, also
for the parents too!

A child can sense when a parent is reluctant to leave them. So when
mummy is ready to say goodbye darling... see you later... leave and
don't look back with longing eyes... Instead, upon saying goodbye
always remember to put on a smile. πŸ˜„
maisy:
if i am allowed to compare, i would think it is least likely to happen in a kindergarten simply because teaching in a kindergarten is less stressful when compared to a CC ... u see, in a kindergarten a teacher teaches from 8-11 and then 11.30-2.30pm.... and i was told some of the teachers only teaches session 1, while some teaches only session 2... with only a handful teaching both sessions...
It IS NOT less stressful in kindergarten set-up at all. All jobs have their
own fair share of workload and fair share of stress. It is how we handle
that stress that matters. In the case of pre-school industries while it is
very easy to say that the teachers should ideally have passion for it, it
is not that easy to find one who will fall into our laps. Just like children,
teachers (especially new ones who come from different industries
previously...) need time to adapt. Supervisors and centre managers
need time to assess all new staff to see if they are cut for the job. We
have to give them a chance to prove their craft. While there will be
teachers who can show immediate flair for the job, there will be those
who need 2-3mths to display concrete performance with handling kiddies,
some administration knowledge and definitely in curriculum and planning
of lessons... then there is also the important aspect of the teaching
delivery itself.

Though kindergarten hours are 3-hourly or 4-hourly sessions, depending
on the centre itself... the teachers are still to arrive before teaching hours
begin. To chill the classrooms, to prepare the worksheets/books and
teaching aides for lessons, (etc)... Cannot prepare last minute as teachers
may have back to back lessons for the whole day, some lasting 3 sessions
till 5 or 5:30pm. They will take turns to eat, or eat with the children during
the children's snack time, again depending on individual centres' arrange-
ment.

Generally, kindy teachers also usually hafta arrive by 7am and be ready
to receive the children by 7:45am when the school bus arrives with the
1st batch of children..

Though most centres finish lessons by 5:30pm or 6pm including waiting
period for children who are picked up late by their parents, the teachers
also need to clear the classrooms, finish markings and stamp the home
work pages for the following day, and some centres where the cleaning
or pantry lady works only 3 quarter part of the day, the teachers hafta
vacuum the classes as well. So kindy teachers finish roughly the same
hours as the childcare teachers too.

That said, there are centres who employ part-time teachers too.
maisy:
However in a CC, a teacher has to be there from 730 or 8am all the way til 5pm, (with skeletal staff staying on til 7pm just to close the centre) and they are tasked w taking care of the child entirely, ranging from play time to education to changing them, washing them, feeding them ... u know facing the kids for long hours...what's more .. facing 15 kids at 1 stretch ... so naturally tempers will flare.. and God knows what follows on from there etc etc ...
Children attending kindy are usually already toilet trained or in the midst
of the routine. Kindy teachers hafta bring children for toileting as well...
For those who have cleaning ladies' help, children who soiled themselves
can go straight to auntie. If not the teachers do it themselves too.

Kindy teachers face more children at one sitting of 3 or 4 hours academic
time. Between 25 to 36 in one class depending on the classroom size...
N2 children attending kindy hours are mostly able to self feed but kindy
teachers do go round the class to ensure all of them finish what they bring
for home or what is provided by the centre.

Tempers flaring occurs in any job, not just in early childhood line IMO.
Childcare teachers get a short break when the full-day children nap for
the day at the centre and about a quarter would leave for home if they're
on half-day. The teachers either take turns to have their quick lunch and
freshening up... or they catch up on their assignment markings... A few
would sit down watching upon the sleeping children while also looking thru
resource books to gather interesting ideas to work with the children for
future lesson planning... Some would be preparing for the lessons after
the children awake... During this time, the teachers get a break away from
handling the children. Can be like 2hrs to 2.5 hours depending on centre
arrangement. In my humble opinion, it is really how we work our routine
and prioritize/plan our workload with all preparations in place, that
enables us to work efficiently regardless the profession. πŸ˜‰
maisy:
As for myself, if i spend 1 whole day with my son, sometimes i also start to spank him (hahaha) hence i m a bit concern how anyone can tolerate facing 15-20kids whole day and yet maintain their cool .... i'm pretty sure many can do that .. but i'm equally sure many can't πŸ™‚ Hence the decision to put my child in kindergarten instead of CC πŸ™‚
All pre-school teachers are to trained to teach and care for their wards, &
handle parents too. Whilst we do hear of the few who spoil market with
unbecoming behaviour towards young children, many are fantastic, patient
and loving towards children. Being in a pre-school set up comes with
routines and timetables. All set up to allocate what to do in which time
frame. And when children are nicely adapted into a routine as per the
school curriculum hours, most of them can switch from one period to
another with ease in 2 to 3mths time. Teachers also have less anxiety
over un-managed children or not managing children well with a timetable
in place.
maisy:
At least for kindergarten , some teachers only face the kids for 3hours ... while some 6 hours ... even for the 6 hours, it is not intensively 6 hours as there will be interval in between sessions...and also intervals in between lessons ... of cos kindergarten teachers also have to face with changing of kids but this is only when they soiled themselves whereas in a CC, it is a MUST to change the kids ...can u imagine changing out 15 kids...with a few putting up a struggle (as some kids don't like to be changed) can be quite a tough job...
Teachers who run 3 sessions work 9 hours straight, with an hour or so
break; in class with the children.
maisy:
Many parents have no choice as we have to work...hence CC is the only solution ... i very nearly sent my son in for CC too as i m a working mum without much family support apart from mere cursory glances for 1-2 hours a day .... so it was pretty much left to the maid 😞
Different parents have different needs. Different pre-school settings will
offer different options. We work round what works best for us and our
immediate family.

As for the comparison between childcare teachers and kindergarten ones,
it's like comparing one child to another. Both set ups are expected to
prepare the children for P1 education, develop the children holistically,
and still ensure the children enjoy what they have of their childhood with
lots of play too... And both set-ups usually have the lowest paid salary
range... While highly inspiring teachers may be rare, they are out there.
While most are truly great people with passion. While many think it is
easier to work with children than handle adults on a daily scale, pre-sch
teachers are responsible for the ground foundation for our future generation.

Pre-school teachers concrete a child's life with the early start to education
and growth development.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53318https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53318Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:07:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:12:16 GMT]]>

JGMum:
Thanks to all mums for their advice, especially Buds for the very detailed reply with loads of information. Timely reminder not to assume that all \"branded\", expensive CC are staffed with loving, qualified teachers.

You're very welcome, JGMum! πŸ˜‰
I've worked in both branded and non-branded centres,
so i can verify for both sides of the fence fortunately...
Yup, never assume. Best to see with your own eyes &
also the important factor on the \"feel\" of the place and
the working staff, especially those who will be in charge
of caring for your own children... should you decide to
enrol.
JGMum:
After much deliberation, I decided to postpone my working plans (anyway hunting for jobs in a recession is more difficult) and placed my older child in a kindergarten (3 hrs daily). This time I was more careful and sat in for 3 days, then observed outside the classroom (this time, thankfully, the kindergarten has classrooms with glass panes) for a week more. This is not a \"branded\" kindergarten, but I am surprised that the teachers were very warm and qualified and could speak well, unlike the last CC where most of the teachers are \"aunties\" who could not speak well, and have a \"can't be bothered\" attitude. It is probably due to the principal, who is very stringent about quality of teachers. I intend to place my 2nd child there too.
Yeaaiy! Very happy for you!
Glad that YOU are happy and
that YOUR KIDDIES are happy
there!

:celebrate:

As i work from home, kindergarten
was definitely my choice as compared
to a child care set up cause i can handle
the care part for my girls. The short hours
also mean they get enough rest at home and
also a lot of time for us to do stuff together at
home and have outdoor playtime in the afternoon.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53297https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53297Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:12:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:02:21 GMT]]>

JGMum:
Thanks to all mums for their advice, especially Buds for the very detailed reply with loads of information. Timely reminder not to assume that all \"branded\", expensive CC are staffed with loving, qualified teachers.


After much deliberation, I decided to postpone my working plans (anyway hunting for jobs in a recession is more difficult) and placed my older child in a kindergarten (3 hrs daily). This time I was more careful and sat in for 3 days, then observed outside the classroom (this time, thankfully, the kindergarten has classrooms with glass panes) for a week more. This is not a \"branded\" kindergarten, but I am surprised that the teachers were very warm and qualified and could speak well, unlike the last CC where most of the teachers are \"aunties\" who could not speak well, and have a \"can't be bothered\" attitude. It is probably due to the principal, who is very stringent about quality of teachers. I intend to place my 2nd child there too.
Hi JGmum
Sorry i couldn't offer any sound advice but I'm glad you've come to a decision and there is a solution now πŸ™‚

Just my personal opinion - i always have this feeling that a kindergarten would be \"more preferred\" to a childcare centre when it comes to selecting a preschool for my son simply because i feel that there is a lot of things going on behind \"closed doors\" in a CC setting.... of course i m not saying a kindergarten will not have any of these issues....

if i am allowed to compare, i would think it is least likely to happen in a kindergarten simply because teaching in a kindergarten is less stressful when compared to a CC ... u see, in a kindergarten a teacher teaches from 8-11 and then 11.30-2.30pm.... and i was told some of the teachers only teaches session 1, while some teaches only session 2... with only a handful teaching both sessions...

However in a CC, a teacher has to be there from 730 or 8am all the way til 5pm, (with skeletal staff staying on til 7pm just to close the centre) and they are tasked w taking care of the child entirely, ranging from play time to education to changing them, washing them, feeding them ... u know facing the kids for long hours...what's more .. facing 15 kids at 1 stretch ... so naturally tempers will flare.. and God knows what follows on from there etc etc ...

As for myself, if i spend 1 whole day with my son, sometimes i also start to spank him (hahaha) hence i m a bit concern how anyone can tolerate facing 15-20kids whole day and yet maintain their cool .... i'm pretty sure many can do that .. but i'm equally sure many can't πŸ™‚ Hence the decision to put my child in kindergarten instead of CC πŸ™‚

At least for kindergarten , some teachers only face the kids for 3hours ... while some 6 hours ... even for the 6 hours, it is not intensively 6 hours as there will be interval in between sessions...and also intervals in between lessons ... of cos kindergarten teachers also have to face with changing of kids but this is only when they soiled themselves whereas in a CC, it is a MUST to change the kids ...can u imagine changing out 15 kids...with a few putting up a struggle (as some kids don't like to be changed) can be quite a tough job...

Many parents have no choice as we have to work...hence CC is the only solution ... i very nearly sent my son in for CC too as i m a working mum without much family support apart from mere cursory glances for 1-2 hours a day .... so it was pretty much left to the maid 😞

But i have decided to stop work (soon hehe) so i can spend some time nurturing my son and send my son to a kindergarten instead of CC πŸ™‚

So, soon i will be like you ... not working but still contributing to the society...albeit in another manner lah .. πŸ™‚

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53089https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/53089Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:02:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:23:41 GMT]]>Thanks to all mums for their advice, especially Buds for the very detailed reply with loads of information. Timely reminder not to assume that all "branded", expensive CC are staffed with loving, qualified teachers.


After much deliberation, I decided to postpone my working plans (anyway hunting for jobs in a recession is more difficult) and placed my older child in a kindergarten (3 hrs daily). This time I was more careful and sat in for 3 days, then observed outside the classroom (this time, thankfully, the kindergarten has classrooms with glass panes) for a week more. This is not a "branded" kindergarten, but I am surprised that the teachers were very warm and qualified and could speak well, unlike the last CC where most of the teachers are "aunties" who could not speak well, and have a "can’t be bothered" attitude. It is probably due to the principal, who is very stringent about quality of teachers. I intend to place my 2nd child there too.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/52793https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/52793Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:23:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:52:42 GMT]]>wownice, even when a child’s vocabulary is limited, he/she can still re-enact the scene if it left an impression. I’m thinking that it left an impression on your girl or else she would not have mentioned it to you. Maybe you can ask her to show you what she did and what the teacher did because of her actions. Or can "role-play" with plush toys/dolls.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/52642https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/52642Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:52:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:46:26 GMT]]>The most effective way is to talk to the teacher in-charged as well as the principal of that centre so that you can have a bigger picture of whats going on. Alternatively, asking other parents whom children are with the same centre πŸ˜„

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/52592https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/52592Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:46:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:21:56 GMT]]>Thank you so much for your prompt replies.


I have talked to one nanny and she said that the child she takes care of also mentioned something about being spanked. I am not sure if she told the parents about it.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/51986https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/51986Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:21:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:00:38 GMT]]>I guess the most direct way is to ask the teacher or in charge.


Another alternative is to chat with other parents when you send or fetch your child. You may dig out more info or history :roll:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/51948https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/51948Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:00:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:59:29 GMT]]>I agreed with sysherlene. I think disciplne is very important. I can accept scolding, but not emotional abuse like calling the kids 'stupid, dumb, etc'.


My boy who is very mischievious like to beat his classmates, and if the teacher is not firm or strict, it's hard to control him. Another method the teacher uses is to praise the kids when they are good or to ask the kids to 'help' in the class to divert their attention. I think that is much better than to use the 'naughty chair'. I dun see any good in using the chair, it makes the kid more resentful and feels that he/she is unwanted and naughty. 😞

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/51947https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/51947Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:59:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Are childcare centre teachers allowed to spank the children? on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:46:11 GMT]]>

wownice:
my daughter goes to a 1.5 hr playgroup a few blocks from our place. she is 2 yrs and 3 months. the other day, she told me that she was 'spanked' in school. she isn't talking very well yet, i just asked her what she did in school. she usually says dance, etc but this time she said the word 'spank' and seemed to be upset about it.


my husband said i should talk to the teacher but i feel i do not know how to go about it. we are new in this country (arrived here in april) and she has been in the preschool for 1.5 months. she's still excited when going to school. should i take action? i haven't seen it with my own eyes and i can't rely on my daughter's limited vocabulary to tell the teacher what she said.
My advise is, if in doubt, just ask. Becos if u dun, u will never get the story straight.

I can accept childcare teachers being strict and scold my kids as long as it's justifiable, for e.g. they mess up toys and refuse to put them back. Becos I felt that's training to the kids to be responsible for mess created by them. But I can't accept physical punishment like hitting them on the head, which will cause concussion.

Whenever my kids came home & tell me they were scolded by the teachers, I will ask them for the reason, and then go back to the teachers the next day to verify the story.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/51941https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/51941Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:46:11 GMT