Thanks Autumnleaf, it’s a very gd comparison. I am trying to persuade my boy to change.

I went to c pcf kindy at Senja-Cashew, then to realise they are also using Rigby Phonics, not the Jolly Phonics which most PCFs are using. Is it true tat though all are PCFs bt their syllabus may differ?


The N2 class at PCF is new, bright, clean and looks very enjoyable. The in-charge told me they are very much focussed on Phonics. Best of all, they throw in an extra 1hr enrichment for Phonics, tats y their curriculum is 4hrs and not 3hrs.

To be more kiasu, I hv placed my gal for N2 at CGM after hearing lots of gd reviews & I also know they are very hot, but now thinking of the $$, PCF is definitely more affordable.

Parents whose kids are with CGM, care to share further, if you have encountered such dilema as me before? & what made you decide to enrol at CGM?

Just received a call ytd frm Sparkletots that they have a placing for my gal in Jun.


Am now pondering if I should change her to another cc, since I have the intention to put her in a 3hr kindy nx yr. The in-charge is asking me to gv her an answer today.

I went to them this morning, the in-charge is not in yet (too early). I briefly asked them on the phonics that they are using. They use Letterland.

Any comments between Letterland vs Rigby as PCF Senja-Cashew is using latter.

Dear Parents


Is anybody's children w/ Senja-Cashew pcf? Reason for asking, bcos of costs issues, I am planning to change my kids frm cc to a kindy sch.

If my #1 changes, will be his final 6mths b4 he grads frm his K2. My #2 will be in her Pre-N (N1), then subsequently N2 & etc...

I went to c the ctr ytd, I pretty like the N2 environement since it's quite new + bright & clean. Bt this is at Blk 607. When it comes to K1 onwards it's back to Blk 544 that stretch.

Gd thing is tat they hv 4hrs class incl of 1hr phonics lesson. The in-charge emphasizes that the kids who join towards las stage hv to be pretty stable/ strong in basic phonics & able to blend as they are very much into phonetic awareness. They are pretty strict in it etc. She also told me if the kids hv this xtra 1hr phonics lesson, basically we parents do not nd to send them to outside enrichment lessons anymore.

I read thru some posts that pcf uses Jolly phonics. Bt Senja-Cashew branch uses Rigby Phonics. Review on Rigby's are pretty gd & interesting.

From N2 onwards, all the kids will be first introduced to phonics and go on from there. Most impt - sch fees are reasonable $110/mth w/ no xtra on the 1hr phonics class.

However, they do not introduce the kids to HYPN, cos she explained, kids may get confused w/ phonics esp on some consonants. Whats your take?

I have been bothered by this for a long time, which is why nothing has been put into action yet.

Can any parents out there pls gv some advice?

I am trying to find out feedback from those whose kids are alread w/ Bangkit branch. I visited the ctre weeks ago and was rather impressed w/ their workbooks, need lots of thinking skills. They hv tools to aid etc.


I asked on the Jelic program too & i think it’s a gd stimulation programme.

However I think it all boils down to whether ur child can or cannot.

I asked the facilitator, has she ever encountered a kid who is really not smart and still not learn anything eventually? She told me - is highly impossible.

I actually feel it’s like $ wasted if u pay for 2hrs end up your child can finish in 1hr & you are called to fetch him/ her back. On the other hand I was explained - if you child is taking less time to finish the books, then it also means he/ she understands the logic behind, and can use shorter time to complete wats expected.

For a start, perhaps if 2hrs, then gradually is 1.5 or 1hr etc… So if tats the case, you should feel happy, cos your child will not take donkey hrs to complete his/ her test in future.

I am thinking of signing up, but just need more testimonials frm Bangkit branch.

If only any mummies here can help, that would be so helpful.

I got the brochure from the ctr bcos I couldn’t find anything frm the web. Bt I can’t load it here as an attachment to share.

just wondering - any more advices/ feedback on direct hiring Filipino? If there is something not conv to post here, maybe can email/ pm instead.


thks for sharing.

Dear All


I am also trying to do direct hiring of my ex-helper. I called Phil Emb but they say - unless your previous helper was w/ u for 2 full yrs, then u can go direct to them. otherwise, you are not able to DIY, must go thru accredited agencies.

I dun nd my helper to undergo any other training setc but bcos of tat cert, we need to pay exhorbitant prices charged by the agencies?

How can we apply the OEC? Possible? But you will still need the POEA isn’t it?

I tried calling Hart before, though cheapest of all but still I don’t need the rest of the things other than the POEA.

I am in a dilema whether to change my son’s sch who is now in a cc. Visited BT branch and well, nothing fantastic w/ the decor of the ctr, classroom was not colourful nor interesting bt my son said he likes it!


However, I was rather shocked by the expensive bus fare. $170! I can pay for another enrichment already. For the sch fees + bus, I can almost pay for another domestic helper!

Anyway I find the counter staff rather ‘agressive’. I said I will decide when my helper is settled down. Then they told me "oh they also hv cc…" I say yes bt exp right $650? They say yeah lah. I say I have 2 kids. She added "yeah lah, so $650 is after subsidy, so 2 kids would be $1.3k". I told her off "1k now is enuff to kill me, let alone 1.3k." Only then she kept quiet.

Curriculum is gd I do not deny as I could see it frm my gfs’ kids. Bt I think maybe bcos they are still a pte organization, hence they still tend to gear towards the $-making mentality.

I have not made the decision yet bcos I am considering other schools.

Can PM me too please? Am looking ard for option & once my helper is settled down, we will do some shuffling. Any idea if they accept pre-N? that is Yr2010 children?


TIA.

Dear Parents


I would like to know more abt CGM Kindy as I hv the interest to put my child for K2 nx yr.

My concern is
1) if my child is unable to catch up, will they put in extra effort to coach him? He is in daycare now and we would like to convert him to a normal kindy sch. Not sure if he is already on par w/ wat CGMis teaching now.

2) I know they hv snack time, do you know if the teachers do make sure they wash up before eating?

3) in cc, they all remove shoes before entering the compound. Do the children in this sch do tat? If not, if they wear their shoes into the classroom, and step all over the area. Then when they need to sit down on the flr w/ their shoes, then isn't it going to be pretty dirty?

Thanks for your advice. :?: