Consider this: is it learning for fun? May go for low cost second hand keyboard for a start for fun. Or going for grading? Then consider an initial budget even for a second hand piano.

Buying from shop may help in delivery and follow by a good tuning. Do inspect well but shops would have furnished it well before selling again.
Hope this help. Cheers.

Knew a piano teacher of more than 33years of experience in the east - Mdm Lynn. She is now teaching young children to play keyboard in Pasir Ris Elias CC & Anchorvale CC. Very good. Her course is called ‘Fun With Keyboard’ & ‘Junior Pop Keyboard’. May see her instagram - MusicDreamzSchool.

If parents staying in the east may check it out.

Just my opinion: Answer is maybe & maybe not. Depends on the student’s individual learning pace. Some are diligence in their practices and progress fast & well. Some are going slowly and steady and prolonged the progress. Some are gifted and even jump the grades. Ultimately students are not to be stressed out but enjoy the learning process. In the long run, they will appreciate music better.

Aiming for the grades is good, but would advise not to stress out the children who may not be able to cope with both important test.

Thanks for sharing!

There are also ‘Fun With Keyboard’ courses for children to learn to play keyboard/piano in the CCs. Quite good.

Known of a piano teacher who teaches in CC has 30 years of teaching experience.

Agree that CC also teaches quality. They are well-scrutinised before they can teach in the CCs & comparatively more affordable!

May I know what’s asking price?

Too bad this is a society that sees paper that is properly certified than by any other means. Look at the bright side, it’s also a good gauge to know how child has progressed. If he/she is playing excellently, skip to higher grades and move onwards!