DC Mummy:

Busymom:

[quote=\"mtdt\"]
to me, maybe only a waste to forgo cookery.

Yes, I think so, cos' I believe the kids do get to learn important concepts from these cookery classes, and then get to eat what they cooked.

For i-maths, it depends on the child really. It may be quite simple to some.

Actually, my DS loves cooking. His wish is being a cook when he grows up. That's what he always say to me......then I would encourage him, good inspiration, better be a well known chef , somebody like sam leong...my own wish though :lol:

I prefer the i-maths because this will be conducted in chinese.....imagine learning maths + chinese at the same time, kill two birds with one stone[/quote]can send him to classes outside... like bakerzin kids etc. My boy loves cookery classes too.

DC Mummy:

mtdt:

which stage is ur kid in ICR? my kid going k1 next yr only at P&J book 6.

He's in PRP level.When he first started in March'10, he was assessed and assigned to TCS that focus on first letter sounding. About a month later, in-charge teacher moved him to PRP level. His motor skill is still weak, need to be strengthen before moving up to ICR level. At a higher level, it requires writing during lessons.......

My DS is beginning year born boy, your kid is just a few month older than him at most...So I would say that your kid is doing well at P&J book 6. Did you teach your kid phonics / sight reading at home?

oh so the benefit of beg yr born kids! My no1 is Jun baby. He learn most of his phonics from his old cc in sengkang. a very gd Montessori cc. Only this year, then i bought the P&J series and we read one page a day at home. so far so gd... I heard lots abt ICR (a few of my fren all send their kids there... )and 2 of the 4yos are promoted very quickly to ICR level. I find it gd at least kids are not binded by \"age\" but promoted by their ability.

my no2 is a Dec kid. oh no.. so i shd lower my expectation for him loh?

DC Mummy:

mtdt:

From my understanding, imaths wld be replacing cookery/art/PE session.

To me, this is a good news. I prefer having i-Maths over cookery/art/PE session.......

haha becos we are KS parents!

to me, maybe only a waste to forgo cookery.
ARt - their normal time already alot of art n craft work.
PE - is it just running ard the playground! wahahaha

Wow.. ur kid at 3yo can read P&J book3? tats v advance! which stage is ur kid in ICR? my kid going k1 next yr only at P&J book 6.

empressplace:

Hi the fact is that for existing parents, we shouldn't need to go on this forum to find out basic information about the programme. When we were asked to confirm if we wish to continue for the following year, we should be given all the necessary information at one shot.


My understanding is that I-Maths is now part of the extended programme for nursery level onwards. This was in a letter issued by Patricia Koh herself and pasted on the communication book a few weeks after the renewal forms were given. In other words, the extended programme would not have cookery/art.

Yup. i read that letter too and understand from there. the letter is quite clear right?

empressplace:

Actually I feel Pat's Schoolhouse should have a bit more balance by incorporating gym sessions in the extended programme or have some variety for the extended time. Kids at a young age should be exposed to a variety of things.

hmm.. i am actually quite happy with the mix of activities. My old CC has pottery and chinese calligraphy... also sounds fun. but i guess, no more time for such for PATS.

empressplace:

I don't think there is any class concert or short performance annually other than the graduation concert. I know Gracefields Kindergarten has a year end performance. The only feedback on how your kid is doing is purely in the half yearly review.

I have not seen any carnival or special celebrations (eg Mid Autumn Festival or Halloween) where parents are invited.

May I know which centre is ur kid in? in my centre, we were being invitied to 2 mini performance in the sch. once is national day and once is mooncake festival. all classes form playgroup performed 2 items then followed by makan and mix ard with other parents in the class. (like mooncake, we walked ard the sch playground with lanterns etc)

I have many fren's kids tat are involved in their schs year end concert... not only the K2s are involved in their graduation, other level classes are also involved in the concert. does sounds very fun and definately a proud moment for the parents to see their little one on stage!

but if Pats year end concert is at the range of $300 - $500 per event.. think i am glad tat its only for k2 now! hahaha

Busymom:

mtdt:

[quote=\"DC Mummy\"]
mtdt,

What if a child already in full day extended program, do they still have time for the optional programs as mentioned? I would love putting him into extra lessons for imaths and swimming

In my centre, the optional programs are from 3pm to 5pm. Tat means the kid will skip nap totally. R u sure ur kid is ready for tat?

Swim-i understand the sch cater a bus to/fro to the pool out of sch compound. Kid maybe can sleep on the bus. But like poor thing lah!

Imaths-next year onwards is part of the sch program from 1pm -3pm.

So I feel in a way, the optional programs is not tat attractive.

About I-maths, is this going to be part of the extended program next year for K1/K2 only, or applicable for nursery as well? Is this going to be the same for all centres henceforth? Cookery is actually very fun for the kids. Personally, I think it would be a waste not to do that. I will only put my child in the extended program when he is in K1. If cookery is going to be under the optional program, I wonder how much I need to pay for him to attend just that? :?

Actually, it is not always true that the optional programs are from 3-5pm. Swimming starts at 2 in my DD's centre, if not mistaken. As for those who are not on the optional program but are under full day program, my suggestion to the parents here is to find out what exactly your child would be doing while his other friends are doing I-maths for instance. As they need like 2 teachers to manage the I-maths lesson, my misgivings has always been what about the rest of the kids? They ought to have some other activities to keep them occupied, instead of being left to themselves to read, etc. Afterall, we are paying for the full day program too, right?[/quote]Just to check, do u know where do ur centre kids go to for swim? I understand from my centre, they wld be taking a sch bus to bukit merah (swim centre location) for their swim. i feel that it's abit too far leh..

From my understanding, imaths wld be replacing cookery/art/PE session.
and for kids that dun join the optional programs - wld be taking their nap right?

smurfy:

arrggh i got a slight complaint..


my boy's form teacher is...
1) a senior teacher, so she has a trainee teacher sitting in every friday.
2) teaching d-story club on saturdays, and when the toddlers started on half day/full day toddlers class in september, she goes over to help out every few days
3) going to be a VP, so some times she is not ard in his class.

my boy's chinese teacher is ...
1) on maternity leave and there is no fixed assigned chinese teacher in his class.. he got all different kinds of relief teachers.. from trainee teachers to the principal -_-'

my boy's classmates is ...
1) very happy.... playing catching and hiding under the tables..

my boy's classmates' parents n i had a shock when we start comparing wat we know about his class arrrangement..

am i asking too much? shld i just let it be??? since..
1) the whole class is happy (obviously right?? i would, if my form teacher is not ard?:P)
2) exposure to different teachers n such
3) end of the year already?

think u can still ask what is the plan and how long will it takes to implement

Eng tr - so the senior tr is going to be VP. when she is not ard, is it the relief teacher taking over? how qualify is this relief teacher? she sits in the class with the senior tr for a period of time already?

Chi Tr - when will she be back from maternity? if still a few mths more, think it's only right tat the sch gets a \"perm\" relief tr instead of trs popping in and out. we are paying for \"bilingual environment\" right?

since it's really end of the yr... maybe their plan only will applies next yr. but at lesat u know there is a plan in place in time to come?

yummy_pie:

hi empressplace, tks for yr feedback. i totally agree with u. i went to pat school house but wasnt able to find out much. they do not even hv a handbook that i can refer to. as compared to chiltern house, i went to julia gabriel to find out about chiltern house n was vry impressed by the admin staff. hopefully the teachers are as gd as the admin staff:)

Hey... when i went to Whitley to view. I was given a booklet with their info, which explains their extended day program and enrichment programs, their ratio etc then the \"price list\" of the various option and also their T&C like no withdrawal from oct for K2 kids etc etc. The info given to me were quite comprehensive. only thing i had to asked were their closing days/timetable - which they inform will \"paste\" on my comm book.

maybe becos whitley is new... so all these are stock up. old centres they tot do not need already

dfstan:

I heard that Halifax, Seranggon and Buckely are having the long wait list esp those born in 2007 and 2008. Maybe you would like to share more about what are the unpleasant stuff you encountered at Arena? Have you raised your concern to the principle ......[/quote:[quote=I heard that Halifax, Seranggon and Buckely are having the long wait list esp those born in 2007 and 2008. Maybe you would like to share more about what are the unpleasant stuff you encountered at Arena? Have you raised your concern to the principle ......

Interesting...

2008 has a higher amount of live birth in recent years or more parents willing to spend? here is the result excerpt from Statistics.

1999: 43,336
2004: 37,174
2005: 37,492
2006: 38,317
2007: 39,490
2008: 39,826
2009: 39,570[/quote]

These r only sin born babies... Dun forget we had a great no of PRs these 2 yrs. Govt relaxing the FT rules think also has a great impact on the no of kids here....

dfstan:

I heard that Halifax, Seranggon and Buckely are having the long wait list esp those born in 2007 and 2008. Maybe you would like to share more about what are the unpleasant stuff you encountered at Arena? Have you raised your concern to the principle ......[/quote:[quote=I heard that Halifax, Seranggon and Buckely are having the long wait list esp those born in 2007 and 2008. Maybe you would like to share more about what are the unpleasant stuff you encountered at Arena? Have you raised your concern to the principle ......

Interesting...

2008 has a higher amount of live birth in recent years or more parents willing to spend? here is the result excerpt from Statistics.

1999: 43,336
2004: 37,174
2005: 37,492
2006: 38,317
2007: 39,490
2008: 39,826
2009: 39,570[/quote]

These r only sin born babies... Dun forget we had a great no of PRs these 2 yrs. Govt relaxing the FT rules think also has a great impact on the no of kids here....

debpch:

hi tinkerbell,

err... i am not very sure about school-bus but ada did mention that there will be one (i think) cos there are 2 kids staying @ ...pasir ris?
yep, transport is a BIG headache. where do u stay?
tentatively, we will pick up/drop off kid ourselves...

wow, u stays in PR and goes all the way to Tanglin for CC?