Chrageable Program by Child Care Operator

[SAHM_TAN]

When dd1 was in childcare, there was additional chargeable programme. I let her attend becos otherwise she would be playing with other kids who opt out.


For my younger kids kiddy there are chargeable programme too. The classes are held before their normal classes and they will go kindy earlier if they are attend the programmes. Ds attend only 1 such programme. The fees is reasonable and the tr is good. I’m ok to pay for the programme becos the trs are not trained in carrying out those programmes.

[cancarrot]

Seem like chargeable program is a trend by child care operator. I asked around, most of the child care offered chargeable program during class hours.

[heyhoe]

Ds3 childcare offers external programmes which are chargeable too. This range from art class, latin dance, chinese speech and drama plus computer class. The class is held during the afternoon.


I didn’t sign Ds3 up partly because I do not think it is necessary. The the course fee is not cheap and the operator is not that I know of.

[cancarrot]

That’s quite a lot of external prog offered. DS childcare offered external prog which are chargeable during childcare hours.

I was wondering, shouldn’t the school fixed their school fees, and not offer chargeable external prog? If there is a need for the school to offer chargeable external prog, personally feel it should not be during childcare hours.
Having the feel of, the childcare are indirectly increasing the school fees. As mostly, most of the children will enroll into the external prog and those who did not enroll will do nothing or wonder why they are not with their friends in the classes.

[heyhoe]

Hi cancarrot,


Yes, I agree. In fact, some of the courses offered seem to prepare the kids for their Year End rehersal.

I know it is tough for my ds3 as most of his friends attend and he doesn’t. However, I don’t believe that he should attend for the sake of scared, being left out. I took the opportunity to explain to him that this is not necessary, as we’ve other enrichment for him that we feel are more important. Eg. swimming and piano which we reserved for him during the weekend.

We also encourage him to bring story book so that he can read to his friends, who didn’t attend the enrichment. This is with the teacher’s understanding of course.

Cheers,

[cancarrot]

Hi heyhoe,

Agreed with you. Just hope that it will not form as a trend in all childcare.

Just to share,
Checked with MSF, operator offering optional prog have a guideline to follow. Optional prog are only during 4-6pm. And for children who are not attending the prog, there should be teacher carrying out classes (as class schedule) as usual.
And the staffs from MSF mentioned, the daily prog offered by operator are comprehensive and thus optional prog are not necessary, but only an option for parents. Providing alternative, so parent can send children to one place and have all activities/courses under one roof.

[nms1]

I think it’s OK as long as it is at the end of the day and they are given something else to do if they opt out.


My childrens’ childcare used to have speech and drama as an optional programme but it was so popular they have now incorporated it into the main curriculum so I think they were using the optional classes as a testing ground. Now they have art classes as an optional programme.

[Imami]

My kid’s cc offers 4 external enrichment programs - 3 chargeable (eng speech and drama and 2 sports related prog) and 1 foc program (foc only for this year and it is a sports program). I enrol my kid in all of them - speech and drama at the request of hubby. The rest of the sports related program for my kid’s well being (as a channel to let him release his high energy level).

[nms1]

Despite what I said earlier I think four programmes is too much. For those who are not joining the teachers can’t cover an "real" work as the others would miss out so I’m sure most of the time they just end up playing.


I think once a week is enough.