Pat's Schoolhouse
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The reminder about payment and withdrawal policies (printed on blue paper on Knowledge Universe letterhead) was signed off by Monica de Silva Lim, Managing Director and the reminder about pick up times was in a separate, more casual small white slip signed off by the centre principal but pasted together with the first reminder into the communication book. I do not think the reminders are centre specific. At least the blue reminder looks to be meant for distribution to all parents of PSH.
HFMD and temperature checks by a teacher on duty occur at the entrance every morning. I am not sure of the practice for the afternoon kids.
In the past, we received paper bulletins about the week’s activities in English and Chinese. Now, there is a parents’ portal where such bulletins (under "Friday Feedback") are uploaded. There is definitely a fixed curriculum.
Teachers only meet with parents twice a year in June and December respectively to discuss the individual child and to give you a personalised scrapbook (now in electronic form) for the child. If you expect a more regular and detailed feedback about your child, it doesn’t happen on a formal basis unless you ask specifically or a particular teacher is more enthusiastic. I think some other preschools may provide more regular feedback than this.
Personally, I have not found PSH’s administration and parental communication to be very organised and it hasn’t quite improved even with the parents’ portal or with feedback given to them. Mommee - did PSH inform you of the parents’ portal?
Initially with the launch of the parents’ portal, there were a few PDFs or scrapbook pages done by class teachers showing photos of kids doing certain activities. Thereafter, no more! I don’t think PSH enforces such work among their teachers very strictly. A yearly or half yearly scrapbook is nice but generally parents like more timely feedback. It would have been nice if the teachers could show a couple of pictures of the kids for each outing or to highlight any particularly interesting class activity at least once a month. There is no need to spend too much time preparing a fancy write up. Is that too much to ask?!
As for connection with the teachers, it is the luck of the draw. I have experienced teachers who are very personable and able to communicate enthusiastically and effectively with the parents and some who are less so in PSH. With the latter, it makes you wonder how well the teacher knows and cares about the kid and how effective the teacher is in teaching a child to communicate and to help a child in character development. Ultimately good communication skills are critical to achieve these. -
empressplace, thank you for your sharing
Yes, we dropped him off at morning class starting today, and there was a teacher on duty at the door - although parents were still waltzing in and out without temperature declarations or hand sanitizing.
At afternoon drop-offs, the gate is unmanned. Parents are asked to take kid's temp and record on their own. I have seen parents signing in \"37.7\", \"37.8\"!!
My child's shoe cubby was not ready, we were left wondering what to do next until we grabbed one of the admins to ask.
We weren't told about the portal either - though I know of it existing based on forum discussions and from friends.
I fully agree that they aren't particularly well-organized.
With regards to child updates.
My child spent 17 months at MFS before switching over to Pat's.
At his old school (which charges about 25% of Pat's fees), we had daily updates when we went to pick him up, despite the bigger cohort.
The teachers also conscientiously compile a portfolio of artwork/ progress observations and photos for the half-yearly PTM. Really quite impressive considering they have to mind more kids with longer hours (typically 9-7pm)!
I guess, at the back of my mind, the subtle comparisons are inevitable.
I was expecting a bit more, given the hefty price tag.
And you are probably right in that I have to sharpen my own communication skills - to sound less complaining and soliciting feedback in a less aggressive manner
It's just quite a lot of kids and chaos at Pat's. I feel sometimes I have to repeat/ speak up in order to understand what is happening. -
Mommee:
What is MFS? Sigh....even a cheaper school can do more in terms of feedback. Another pet peeve of mine is that PSH does not organise many events or performances for parents. Yes, they have the mega graduation concert. But to me, I find it more meaningful to have mini class concerts/events more regularly when my kid is very young. It would be so cute.
With regards to child updates.
My child spent 17 months at MFS before switching over to Pat's.
At his old school (which charges about 25% of Pat's fees), we had daily updates when we went to pick him up, despite the bigger cohort.
The teachers also conscientiously compile a portfolio of artwork/ progress observations and photos for the half-yearly PTM. Really quite impressive considering they have to mind more kids with longer hours (typically 9-7pm)!
I guess, at the back of my mind, the subtle comparisons are inevitable.
I was expecting a bit more, given the hefty price tag.
And you are probably right in that I have to sharpen my own communication skills - to sound less complaining and soliciting feedback in a less aggressive manner
It's just quite a lot of kids and chaos at Pat's. I feel sometimes I have to repeat/ speak up in order to understand what is happening.
So Mommee, sorry to burst your bubble. I had not found any particularly premium treatment even though PSH is supposed to be a \"premium\" preschool. And to this day, after years in operation, there is no central hotlline for parents to call for information on enrolment, unlike, say, Chiltern House. For days after my kid starts a new school year, I have no idea what the name of the class is until it is pasted on the Communication Book as I had forgotten to ask. It would have been more proper and organised for the principal to issue a letter to each student by post, explaining which class the child is progressing to, the teachers assigned with contact details and the schedule of the extended lessons. The website is also outdated. For example, there are no cookery lessons for some years for the \"enriched curriculum\" but it's still listed on the website.
With regards to communication skills, I wasn't referring to yours.
I meant the teacher's communication skills are critical in helping a child develop his or her communication skills and character. We are the customers haha....
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empressplace, MFS = My First Skool
I liked that my child's former school had parental involvement activities.
They invite the parents along for excursions (based on their learning theme for the term), have assignment sheets that require parents' help (e.g. doing a piece of craft together) and update us on what the learning objectives are at the start of every term.
Parents are briefed on show-and-tell requirements, we do a little write-up so the teacher can help the child along if he/ she is unable to articulate certain concepts and we get to see photos/ debrief of the activity at the half-yearly PTM.
I've even taken up the teacher's invitation to read a book at my child's class - my kid was so fascinated that Mommy was sitting in the storyteller's chair
Actually I do feel quite paiseh to always raise pointed questions to Pat's admin.
But some things are quite important to me - like spelling my kid's name correctly and ensuring he has a fixed/ proper space to place his bag + shoes to build a sense of belonging and be able to locate his stuff independently.
I was really quite upset by the whole setup in the first month. It's not a new centre but it feels like they couldn't cope.
My only consolation so far, is that my child looks forward to going to Pat's and seems to have an affinity with a couple of his teachers.
I'm hoping my gut discomfort is part of the initial settling-in process... -
Not sure if it is just our centre, Show and Tell doesn’t even start till the second half of K1, which is pretty late.
PSH used to be one of those preschool options where you pay and don’t have to worry much about quality. But it isn’t the case nowadays, I have found. I have also stopped giving feedback to the school admin because there is no tangible improvement.
The change that has been made this year - e.g. removing the extended day option - has been motivated by the need to streamline administration. However it is not necessarily in the interest of the children or parents. I have not seen any new initiatives that were impressive or helpful. Case in point - parents’ portal. What a joke. Just check it and you will often find friday feedback not updated in a timely manner. We are better off with the old system of weekly paper feedback. At least it is more timely. There are hardly any class photos. Calendar does not contain any information on PSH holidays or any upcoming events.
Most the parents especially in the more expensive branches of PSH are able and willing to pay for quality. But I don’t feel I am getting value for my money anymore and no longer strongly recommend PSH to my friends. Well, in some locations or in some family situations, it just happens to be the best option around after weighing various factors. That’s about it. -
Go private kindergartens like Chatsworth. Probably a lot more value-for-money in comparison. Of course PSH is a CCC, not kindergarten so cannot directly compare.
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Chatsworth is an international kindergarten, not suitable for Singapore primary school preparation.
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I agree with empressplace. The quality doesn’t seem to be in tandem with the fees. Last time I thought enrolling dd in PSH is sufficient then realized everyone in her class attend enrichment classes. Hence now really thinking hard whether to enroll ds there.
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Any comments on Pat Sch Tanglin??
How’s their principal and quality of teachers? -
For what it’s worth, my son is in K1 at Pats Serangoon and his first show and tell will be held this month.
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