Pat's Schoolhouse

[wongpohfern]

Don’t go to ridgewood.


I’ve sent my girl there for more than half a year now, and i feel so out of touch with what’s she’s been up to.

When there’s a problem that the teachers can’t solve, they will call us and complain immediately. Simple things like taking too much tissue from the toilet, and stuffs like that.

Worse, the communication book that they claim to be using is purely for complaints only. For a good half a year, i’ve received no constructive feedback, just complaints about how my child is not performing in playgroup. If my child is perfectly bright, and not an underperformer, how can they keep complaining? I don’t even know a single thing that my girl has done well in class. i don’t want her to be growing up in such an environment where teachers only sees her weaknesses.

This is really upsetting for us. We thought the curriculum was brilliant, but unfortunately, the teachers’ standards and love for children is clearly lacking.

[maisy]

myWQ:

I'm considering Pat's, and realised they take quite some time to reply to my emails. When I called, I didn't even get to speak to the Principal. Are they so popular that they don't have time to entertain new enquires?

Are u referring to the one in the East ?

I have similar issues with them early last year ... i called them, was told the in-charge was not around ... didn't even bother to take down my number, asked me to call back.... when i called back for the 3rd time in 2 weeks, they have the cheek to ask me \"were you the one who called to enquire before?\" ...i replied rather curtly : \"yes i called before but i m not sure if you are referring to me since i never get the chance to speak to anyone in details\"

Long story short, i eventually managed to speak with in-charge & arrange for a visit with herself at her convenience. Catch this : On the day i visited, i was greeted by a different lady who merely said the \"in-charge cannot make it as she is busy today\" ??? To think that the appointment was agreed to & set up by her ... but she didn't even think it was important to meet a potential client !!! My heart was then set not to sign up because I can't put my child there where the principal or \"in-charge\" as they call it presents such haphazard attitude ... but to \"entertain the admin staff (since it wasn't her fault)\" i went through the motion by walking around the school compound.

Maybe they are really busy....which even justifies why i shouldn't send my child in cos if they are super busy, their attention for the children will indeed be spreaded very thinly .... which doesn't justify the high fees anymore :0

[DesertWind]

wongpohfern:

When there's a problem that the teachers can't solve, they will call us and complain immediately. Simple things like taking too much tissue from the toilet, and stuffs like that. Worse, the communication book that they claim to be using is purely for complaints only. For a good half a year, i've received no constructive feedback, just complaints about how my child is not performing in playgroup. If my child is perfectly bright, and not an underperformer, how can they keep complaining? I don't even know a single thing that my girl has done well in class. i don't want her to be growing up in such an environment where teachers only sees her weaknesses.

Hi wongpohfern,
Half a year is a long time for a kid to be in a place whereby there are so many complaints from teacher. My DS (who is approaching 3 yo soon) was at his first child-care centre for half-a-year and there was no communication in his communication book (except those administrative like outings and HFMD) or any teachers feedback about how he is doing.

Imagine every morning both my hubby and myself will fetch him to CCC and asked him to say good morning to teachers etc. Can't say they don't have a chance to feedback to us. But after 3 mths, feedback was he was not concentrating in playgroup but we thought nothing of it so left him there for another 3 months. After 6 months, no improvements and teacher told me his eating is messy! :!:

So I made an appointment to go down and talk to the teacher personally. After the talk, I concluded my DS was bored and the environment was not suitable for him. But I already much regretted putting him there because 6 months is a long time for a playgroup kid who is not enjoying himself. I pulled him out after that and go into another centre whereby the teachers can feedback to me in great details what he has been doing.

Perhaps you need to look for alternative whereby your child can be happy. At their age (dunno whether your child can speak already or not) but my DS could not and so when he is bored, he just look everywhere and when he tried to walk around the class, they forced him to sit down. So the 6 months have not been good for him. Children need to be happy and have fun and mobility to grow up healthly!

:celebrate:

[happyhappygirl]

hi,


i am thinking of sending my girl to pats halifax. any comments on their latest facilities & teachers?

any other good recommendations comparable to pats?

[littlehelper]

I’ve been to the one at halifax and thought it was fantastic.

They are really organised and clean.
I was quite shocked when i saw comments about pat’s being disappointing cos i had a wonderful experience there.

[Augmum]

littlehelper:

I've been to the one at halifax and thought it was fantastic.

They are really organised and clean.
I was quite shocked when i saw comments about pat's being disappointing cos i had a wonderful experience there.

I am appalled too by some of the displeasure/ negative feedback brought out by some parents here.

My gal attended Pats Halifax during her childhood and I would say she has had a very fun and memorable time there.
And Pats did indeed give her a headstart when she entered primary school.
I have posted a writeup on Pats Halifax sometime ago. Below is the link shd anyone wish to know more abt Pats esp Halifax.
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=623&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=130

though it has been yrs ago since my visits to Pats Halifax,
I wonder have they change so much over the yrs ???
I have no issues speaking to or making appts with Patricia (the founder of Pats, prob she is more busy now with more centrs, but she is a nice lady)
But being a pioneer in early childhood education, their curriculum has always gain positive feedback fr parents.

Wonder could those centres (those with negative feedback) franchises of Pats Schoolhouse???

[littlehelper]

I’ve been there just recently and i was very very impressed.

Been to many others and this was like above expections.
They were on a league of their own.
Mayb halifax is the main office thats why it’s better?
but i think that patricia the founder has really high expectations of the teachers and all so the standard should be roughly the same?
Can’t expect exact same but similar?
Also you can tell the quality of a child care center by looking at the classified ads.Those centers that are frequently looking for teachers you can tell smth about it.And also not so good cos it means teachers constantly changing.Distruptive to the kids.
Unless they are expanding and looking for teachers(thats different)

[mint]

I would like to put my son’s name down on the waiting list for next year. As I’m not in Singapore right now, I have emailed them (Buckley) a couple of times without any reply. I’d really appreciate any advice based on your experience in making the application as I’m hoping I can do this without having to go in person.

[mtdt]

Hihi... Just started my boy at Whitley Pats... so far so gd for him...


any other mummies in whitley pats now?

[edunloaded]

happyhappygirl:

hi,


i am thinking of sending my girl to pats halifax. any comments on their latest facilities & teachers?

any other good recommendations comparable to pats?

Both my kids are at Pat halifax.

School is great and the teachers as well

No complaints!