For enrichment, don’t need to overload them. Better to find something they actually enjoy and can stick with for long term. My daughter she loves art class so we keep that, but for academic tuition I only do English and Math. Science can wait until secondary school if needed lor.

One tip I learn: always try the free trial first before committing. My son went through like 3 tutors before we found one that click. Sometimes it’s not about the qualification but whether the tutor can connect with your child, mah.

Btw anyone tried online tutoring platform? I been hearing about OmniBox Tutor from a friend lah. Seems quite convenient cause you can match with tutors based on your child’s specific needs. Might be good for busy parents who don’t have time to travel to tuition centres. Anyone has experience with it? Would love to hear sia~

I think it highlights the long-term effects of our tuition (and enrichment) spending, especially if we’re not helping our kids to invest at the same time.

In my case, sometimes I was torn between wanting to help my kids develop their passions vs the reality here (e.g. the avenues for sports development are still limited, so the likelihood of progression e.g. to the Olympics is unlikely). But we didn’t want to say things like “oh there’s no future for you in gymnastics.”

It’s a balancing act!

https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/tuition-rates-in-singapore-home-tutors-vs-enrichment-centres

Wondering how many of you use a benchmark, such as the 50-30-20 rule, to cap tuition spending? (Something like 50% of income on needs, 30% on wants, 20% on savings?) And if so, is tuition a need or a want?

When our tuition + enrichment expenses for two kids started to cross the 2k/mth mark (in total, not per kid), I started to monitor the expense more closely, and it became a game of trade-offs.

Both my kids were interested in sports at one stage, where kids train with private coaches almost daily if they’re serious about school competitions, DSA or joining the national teams. Factor in additional costs for exposure, such as attending workshops by visiting coaches or travelling to join overseas events, and it’s a lot to think about.

I find that the household income needs to be above the national median, otherwise these costs quickly become burdensome and unsustainable.

Below are the current tuition expenses for my girls:
Maths - 2 hours a week, $220 x 2 for 4 lessons
Chinese - 2 hours a week, $325 x 2 for 5 lessons

Total costs $1,090 for my two girls.

1. English - $480
2. Science - $490
3. Math - $340
4. Chinese - $280
5. Guzheng - $320

Monthly - $1910

For 1 child
English, Math, Science at The Polished Word : $ 1860
Chinese at Wang Lao Shi: $350
Piano Private : $540
Karate Academy : $200
Total : nearly $3000

Science Ventures- $280/ month per kid (P6) $300/ month (lower Sec)
Mastery Science P6 - $490 (P6)
English - $350/month (P6) TLL
Chinese - $260/month (P6) Wang Learning
Private tuition Maths - $440/mth (P6)
Private tuition Chinese - $560/mth (lower sec)

Below are the current tuition expenses for my girls:
Maths - 2 hours a week, $220 x 2 for 4 lessons
Chinese - 2 hours a week, $325 x 2 for 5 lessons

Total costs $1,090 for my two girls.

My girl attending Mavis Sec 4 Math secondary $280/monthly
My boy attending Agrader P6 Math $280/4 sessions

This is what I’m spending currently:

• $100/1.5 hours Chinese tuition (Sec 3, in-person + occasional Zoom, same rates for both)

This is what I’ve spent in the past:

• $80/1.5hours (although the teacher often overran and refused to accept more) Chinese tuition (IB, Zoom)
• $50/hr Maths and Science tuition (P5 and 6)

Hope to hear from others!

ShaminiSangar\" post_id=\"2090254\" time=\"1669368306\" user_id=\"200088:

I try to go for tuition centres that have promotions haha...
especially this time, the tuition centre my daughter goes to has a $20 off if you refer someone. And there's not limit also. I referred 5 of my friends and got $100 off my first month fees. Quite good also

Terrydad\" post_id=\"2063970\" time=\"1649491787\" user_id=\"193857:

I suppose we count our blessings at the moment. Spending on these extra things is presently zero.

My oldest child has no enrichment or tuition in NYGH, but is coping well. I think her school gives a lot of appropriate work and projects. Her friend since young has gone for special math memory enrichment, now still having math tuition, but has the same or slightly poorer grades than her.

My toddler is less than 5 years old but has no enrichment. We teach him swimming ourselves on weekends. The preschool, just an ordinary govt-funded one, tells us he is meeting and exceeding the developmental milestones.

Canvas:

cherrygal:

For the non-essential like ballet / piano / art / abacus etc, I will expose them to it but if they show no real interest or aptitude for it, I take them out.


DS learnt piano for a month and said it was boring. I just withdrew him. Just don't buy the huge piano too soon. I was prepared and just borrowed a casiotone from his cousin. As for DD, she said she wanted ballet so badly so I signed her up for a free trial at Crestar. She found it boring as well and we didn't sign up for the actual classes.

Art classes, we sent DS to those at CCs so it was really cheap. We stopped once we needed the time for Chinese enrichment classes. We also stopped his English phonics classes once he could read reasonably well. Didn't want to overload him and we certainly did not want to be weekend chauffeurs.

I like that you take out/replace with another enrichment when your children show no interest etc. I try to be like that too. :hugs: DS learnt piano at Inspiration music school 3years ago and we realized that he learnt nothing much (maybe 2 kiddish tunes after a year) because the very young teacher played with him a lot and also because we are really not the sort who made him practice his piano. DD is asking for piano lessons but I am not sure how serious she is at 3yo so will wait and see. We don't have a piano too. I remember dh paid around $700 for a Yamaha keyboard that has similar \"feel\" and weight for the keys.

As for tuition other than mother tongue, I decided to continue helping him and if his mid year results show he needs help, then I get help. Too many enrichments will be a bit troublesome especially since I do not have a vehicle at my disposal and the road to my home isn't exactly that accessible (need to call for cabs every time!)

:xedfingers: all enrichments don't exceed $500 monthly this year!

Canvas:

As for tuition other than mother tongue, I decided to continue helping him and if his mid year results show he needs help, then I get help. Too many enrichments will be a bit troublesome especially since I do not have a vehicle at my disposal and the road to my home isn't exactly that accessible (need to call for cabs every time!)

:xedfingers: all enrichments don't exceed $500 monthly this year!

cherrygal:

For the non-essential like ballet / piano / art / abacus etc, I will expose them to it but if they show no real interest or aptitude for it, I take them out.


DS learnt piano for a month and said it was boring. I just withdrew him. Just don't buy the huge piano too soon. I was prepared and just borrowed a casiotone from his cousin. As for DD, she said she wanted ballet so badly so I signed her up for a free trial at Crestar. She found it boring as well and we didn't sign up for the actual classes.

Art classes, we sent DS to those at CCs so it was really cheap. We stopped once we needed the time for Chinese enrichment classes. We also stopped his English phonics classes once he could read reasonably well. Didn't want to overload him and we certainly did not want to be weekend chauffeurs.