My child is in N1 this year, at the Mindchamps Chinese Tampines branch. He joined since PG and he's been with the centre for 2 years. This outlet is managed by a franchise owner, and not by the MC HQ.


The curriculum is rigourous, and the play is limited only to the classroom and gym room. The curriculum is exactly the same as other (English) MC outlets but their unique selling point is Chinese immersion programme, which ends at N1. Similar to all preschools, there are 2 form teachers per class. But because it's a Chinese preschool, both form teachers are Chinese. They communicate solely in Chinese to the champs - lessons, mealtimes, diaper change, Gym etc. Only English lessons are conducted in English, which is 45mins, 3 times a week. And one lesson on the theatre/drama class as well, for 45mins.

They occupy half a floor at level 3, because the franchise owner sublets the other half to tuition centres. Though she tells parents she has plans to expand, she has also been saying the same thing for the past 6 years.

What most parents do not know is - this Chinese immersion programme only starts at PG and it ends at N1. At N2, it will be the same as other regular (English) MC or other general preschools - I.e. 1 English teacher, 1 mandarin teacher - to allow the kids to slowly assimilate into the MOE programme. I.e. English will now be the main instruction for teaching. Only the 30min neuromooves is still conducted in Mandarin because of the excess of Chinese teachers.

Kids get outdoors only once a week, for 45 mins. They walk around the block usually, with bubbles or light games. Occasionally they may visit the supermarket or library but there will NOT be any playgrounds. So unless you are keen to undertake playground/park plays before and after school, this isn't the preschool for you.

Also, the turnover is really high. There were at least 6 teacher changes in my son's class alone, during his PG year. The teachers are also a little more traditional in their teaching approaches. It could be from their Chinese cultural background, or the culture of the school management. Discipline and focus is emphasised in this school, expressiveness is not really encouraged. The principal is the only longest serving staff, and the franchise owner is... more business minded than child focused. Most teachers who left cited management issues when we spoke to them. One would expect kids to be happy when school's out but most kids generally look stoic at pick-ups.

On class ratio, they usually combine classes at the end of N1. My son had 12 in his class now, will have 24 when he reaches N2. Although it's beyond the MC class ratio, they will sub in an assistant teacher to fill the gap. But in all honesty, learning isn't quite effective when the class is so big at such a young age.

Their excursions are also limited, only 1 per term and it's usually just 5mins away from school. The kids don't go to the zoo, science centre, bird paradise. Instead, they visit the neighbourhood police post, neighbourhood garden, and the furthest we've been to is the marina barrage. These places are free and open to public but we are required to pay almost 50 per pax for the bus charter.

It has been a rough 2 years but we held on to the school for the mandarin immersion. We transferred to another MC with a more stable turnover track record and outdoor play.

Last we heard from current parents is that the owner has put the centre up for sale. (Not too sure about this, you might want to confirm it yourself) So unless you don't mind taking a risk on disruption, you might want to reconsider another preschool too.

Has your boy started school yet? Which one is he attending?


We are keen to send our son to Gate Junior too but we are torn between Limau (nearer to home) and Dhoby Ghaut. We love their curriculum but we were also disappointed to learn that Limau was a Kindy and not a childcare.