Pat's Schoolhouse

[princesssze]

Hi Empress and Ariel,


Thank you for the advise! I feel more affirmed now in registering my son only in Nursery. Thank you so much for your precious advise!

[smurfy]

hi ariel and empress

agree that pat’s pace is slower, but the teachers are confident that their curriculum will make the kids ready for P1. one of the mums whom i spoke to, whose child was in the same class as my boy, never supplement w any enrichment classes (only CmA - abacus) Guess pat’s is more about learning through play, holistic learning… the kids are definitely happier there, though parents have alot of stress hahahahahhaaaaaaa

[arielle08]

Yes, i also agree Pats is about learning thru play and my child is always looking forward to school. A great contrast from the gal whom was sent to that preschool which teaches pri 3 work. Heard that the gal dreads going to school. To me, they still have an extremely long journey and this is the start. No point burning them out now.


However, there is always this misconception that base on Pats pricing, the children will be academically stronger than cheaper schools. This is not true. Pat’s had a lower student teacher ratio, that probably explains the higher cost. That preschool that taught Pri 3 work, was less than half the price of Pat’s!! But when i look at that gal, no doubt she knows so much more than mine, she look so unhappy and stress…

[CeciliaANG]

I would most likely be interested in putting my son into the playgroup at Pat’s Schoolhouse Tanglin next year.


May I know what is the school fees like now?

Also, what is the subsidy and how much is it?

[ptb7476]

ASIAONE NEWS SINGAPORE

Unusually high number of HFMD cases starts off 2012

Thursday, Feb 23, 2012
The number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases have gone past the usual 780-a-week mark, as some 815 children have been diagnosed with this viral infection since the beginning of the year. A total of 3.457 cases have been recorded up to last week in this year. This is up from 1,383 cases in the corresponding period last year.

According to the Straits Times, this marks the onset of an epidemic.

This comes after HFMD levels were kept below epidemic levels last year.

A number of childcare centres are not on the watchlist, including Cherie Hearts in Mountbatten, The Little Skool-House International in Tampines, Mulberry Learning Academy in Chua Chu Kang, PCS Ang Mo Kio Centre and Bright Kids School House in Lengkok Bahru.

Meanwhile, Pat's Schoolhouse in Serangoon was forced to close for 10 days from last Wednesday, when more than 16 children fell ill there.
Coming at the start of the year, this most recent outbreak is different from previous year's patterns, when HFMD cases usually peak nearer the school holidays, between March and May, and between August and December.

HFMD, which commonly affects children, can cause symptoms such as fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers and blisters on palms and feet. These last between four and five days, and a child will be well enough to return to school after nine days. There is no vaccine or medication to prevent or cure the viral infection.

However, a more dangerous strain, EV71, can cause serious illness. In 2008, it was reponsible for the death of a child.

However, the Ministry of Health said that its monitoring of hospiatls and clinics do not show this strain to be the cause of the current uptrend.

Parents and caregivers can help to keep up hygiene levels by encouraging children to wash their hands before meals, and not share food and utensils. They should also keep ill children at home to prevent spreading infection.

hmm... saw this on the net and quite disturbed by it. how come there is not proper control of the situation

[Shoe]

HFMD is very contagious and PSH being so popular caused the infection to spread like wildfire 'cos many kids in one place. HFMD is pretty mild though, if not the dangerous strain. Jmho.

[Busymom]

Koolmama:

Hi Busymom,


At least in your Halifax they are still keeping the original bundled programs... In my branch, they dropped the bundled programs without even telling us parents. All the while I thought my child was going to start Harmony Road and swimming last week, but there was no timetable given to us! When I asked, they said it was a last minute decision by the management to do away with the bundled programs. How can they make such an important decision re curriculum (1) at the very last minute (2) without informing or consulting the parents (3) on a purely business cost basis??!

In other words, Pat's Schoolhouse is becoming more and more business-centric (rather than child-centric) and this is starting to p*** me off... (dun mind my french please)

Hi Koolmama

Missed out this post of yours. Honestly, am not surprised by what you said, especially the part about (3) on a purely business cost basis. The bundled program, in my mind, is nothing more than just another means by which the school could milk more money out from the parents. It becomes an issue when you are part of the minority, regardless of whether you are interested in the bundled program or not.

Well, at least you will not be affected by the impending move of Halifax...

[Zeal mummy]

Hi parents, any feedback on tanglin branch for nursery? My girl turning 4 this year and I am thinking of putting her in pats from N-K2. Tia!

[mummy_et]

Hi all,


I would like to check on the enrichment programme from N2 to K2 onwards.
See from the website that the programme (optional) is from 1 to 3pm, what are the programme they provide and do we need to pay for the programme?

Please advise.

[empressplace]

See below with respect to Claymore Centre. But extended programme is not offered to newly enrolled children anymore and will be phased out to be replaced by half day or full day programme only.

empressplace:

Normal half day morning ends around 12.30 p.m.

Extended half day ends at 3 p.m. and between 1 - 3, the kids have the extended programme which includes English Speech and Drama, Chinese Speech & Drama, I-maths, ABC Music and Fastrackids. One programme per day. Extended half day will not be offered to new students anymore. There are no extra charges other than the books for I-Maths and the homekit for ABC music. Extended programme only starts in Nursery year (year kid turns 4). Playgroup kids on extended day programme just nap.

Full day ends at 5 p.m. Includes the extended day programme till 3 p.m. and between 3- 5p.m., you can add the bundled programme at about $160 plus material fees or go ala carte. Bundle includes swimming, Harmony Road keyboard class and cookery. This bundled programme only starts in K1 for Claymore and occurs on 3 days between 3 - 5 p.m.