Pat's Schoolhouse
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One parent is not enough. Any parent who is concerned about the price increase should raise their concerns with the school. Waiting for other parents to do it on behalf of others is not the way to go. I’m not advocating confrontations. But imagine if more parents just request to speak to the principal to understand the reasons behind the price increase and express their concerns, the feedback will go upwards.
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okay, i'm not waiting for others. just wanting to have an idea of what i can do. no need to get so worked up
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But rental increase and manpower costs increase is real right? Then what can we do? Lobby for government to give more subsidies?
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I spoke with my son’s school and expressed my concerns about the price increase as I may eventually put 3 kids at Pat’s.
Apparently, I’m one of the first few parents who called the school. So woodstock has a point, if parents are concerned, they are not letting the school know, as of now, at least.
The reasons given to me were:
1. Rental (this is the main reason for the difference in cost between branches. Centrally located branches like Claymore are more expensive than suburban branches for example).
2. Retention of teachers - they need to match the salaries paid to teachers as they are losing experienced teachers to their competitors.
3. Other operating costs like utilities and groceries are smaller factors but add to overall costs of running the branch.
When I told my friend I was going to call the school about the price increase, she told me not to as she was afraid the school may treat my child differently, ie. the child with the mum who likes to "complain". But I’m sure there is a way to do it without coming across as aggressive.
At the new fees, including $300 subsidy and 7% GST, I will be paying roughly $1250 per month or $15000 a year. Assuming each child goes to Pat’s for 4 years, without factoring future price increase, that is already $60,000 per child. I have 3 kids, so multiply that by 3? That is a scary sum.
Anyway, I think the point about letting the school know about concerns over price increase is very valid. I work in the consumer sector and whenever we attempt to increase price for our products, we consider the severity of the customer’s reactions and one of the way to gauge that is how they responded to the last price increase.
Just imagine if you are the management of Pat’s Schoolhouse considering the next fee increase, if there were not many negative response from the last increase, would they not think twice about the next fee increase? Ultimately they are a for-profit education business. However, if there were many parents who raised concerns, if the concerns are serious enough and made it to the press (hypothetically), if there are lots of noise in the internet forums resulting in potentially negative reputation of the school, would the school not think harder about the next fee increase? Collective action definitely helps.
Of course at every point, the price increase will result in parents seeking a cheaper alternative. For me, I’m at that crossroads, so I will be looking at cheaper alternatives either for my younger children or all 3 of them. -
I would like to seek comments on Pat’s Schoolhouse Buckley . Currently my son is at BRMCK and he dislikes it very much. After 5 months, with no sign of improvements, we decided it was time to change the school. Appreciate any feedback on Buckley Pat’s. Thanks
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Shoegirl:
I would like to seek comments on Pat's Schoolhouse Buckley . Currently my son is at BRMCK and he dislikes it very much. After 5 months, with no sign of improvements, we decided it was time to change the school. Appreciate any feedback on Buckley Pat's. Thanks
Buckley has a very good principal. Halifax is also a decent alternative as both places are very close. You should visit both.
Principals and teachers make the difference. -
pishako:
Claymore
which PSH is this? does diff PSH have different rates? I am paying 1417.75 before subsidy for 7am to 530pm. Anyway, the form teacher doesn't even come in till 8+am.empressplace:
2012 PSH fees
Full Day I (7 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.): $1364.25. Subsidy is $300 for working mothers. (fees after sub $1064.25). Increase of $294.50 in 2013.
Full Day II (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.):$ 1471.25. Subsidy is $300 for working mothers. (fees after sub $1171.25). Increase of $347.75 in 2013 -
Didn’t realize that the fees are different for different branches.
For Halifax, the 2013 fees are (before GST and childcare subsidy)
Full day (till 5.30) - $1450
Full day (till 6.30) - $1660
Half day morning - $1080
Half day afternoon - $850 -
The fees are different for different centres. I recall Pat’s Raffles is more expensive due to the location. Visited a few Pat’s centres and noted it.
By the way, anyone knows where Halifax is shifting to? -
zenith56:
There is definitely value in making a big fuss on the rather high fee increase. Mr James Tan already highlighted the issue with fee increases in another Knowledge Universe chain. Obviously one can understand that there could be increased costs in a business. It is PSH and Knowledge Universe's business decision that it can and will pass on the costs to the customers. Not every business has the pricing power to pass on costs. Childcare services may be one of those given the shortage of childcare places. We can all complain but what are the real alternatives in certain locales? MCYS has already made it clear that they will not intervene in any meaningful way, notwithstanding the nation's call to support families and increase birth rate. Any young couple considering whether to have children ought to consider the real costs of childcare in Singapore and the availability of good domestic help. If childcare services should be totally left to market forces, then how does one meaningfully support families with young kids?
Anyway, I think the point about letting the school know about concerns over price increase is very valid. I work in the consumer sector and whenever we attempt to increase price for our products, we consider the severity of the customer's reactions and one of the way to gauge that is how they responded to the last price increase.
Just imagine if you are the management of Pat's Schoolhouse considering the next fee increase, if there were not many negative response from the last increase, would they not think twice about the next fee increase? Ultimately they are a for-profit education business. However, if there were many parents who raised concerns, if the concerns are serious enough and made it to the press (hypothetically), if there are lots of noise in the internet forums resulting in potentially negative reputation of the school, would the school not think harder about the next fee increase? Collective action definitely helps.
As customers who may not have an alternative but to accept the fee hike in certain situations, there is still value in making unhappiness known especially as a matter of public interest.
In 2011, PSH made the news for mass food poisoning. In 2012, the focus would be the high fee hike for 2013.
Notice that PSH did not win any MCYS Childcare award in 2011 after winning several in 2010.
https://app.cdn.gov.sg/MCYSChildCareSeminar2012/MCYSChildCareAwards2012/PastAwardRecipients.aspx
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