From paying absurd school fees to approaching an MP for help, all they want is for their kids to have a happy preschool life.
From paying absurd school fees to approaching an MP for help, all they want is for their kids to have a happy preschool life. We ask parenting influencers share their experiences and tips on choosing the right preschool.
Liang May (@mmlittle), mum of Ewan, seven, and Faye, five
“It is most important that parents visit the preschool during school hours to observe how teachers and children are interacting; not over open houses where you see the best sides of things. We visited about four preschools before deciding on the one we liked.
“These observations are crucial because I’ve observed cheerful students in one school laughing and playing with their teachers, and another school where kids are serious and teachers are solemn. I’d choose the happy school.
“Looking back, I wished I knew that hefty school fees do not correlate to the quality of the curriculum. Being enrolled in a ‘branded’ preschool doesn’t necessarily mean kids are better prepared for the next stage in life.
“We paid $1,300 per month for my firstborn’s preschool education for five years. That was an absurd amount of money.
“When we moved house and decided to transfer our second child to another school nearer to home, I was reluctant. I was faced with questions like, ‘It worked well for Ewan and he’s well-prepared for Primary 1. Should I rock the boat and take a risk with a change of school?’ and ‘Wow! Her new kindergarten’s school fees are 10 times cheaper compared to her brother’s! Will it be good enough?’
“We are so glad that we switched school for Faye. Despite the affordable fees, the curriculum is the same. There is sand play, water play, gardening, playground and outdoor time – just like what her brother enjoyed at the expensive private preschool.
Charlene Sim (@msclak), mum of Lauren, 10, and Alexis, five
“When I was selecting a preschool for Lauren, I did a lot of research. As she is my firstborn, the kiasu parent syndrome was there. Lauren’s preschool was 20 minutes’ drive from home. Every morning, it was so stressful to leave home on time to make it to school.
“The school gave out stamps for students who made it before 7.45am, I remembered once Lauren cried because she was one minute late. I felt so terrible that I begged the teacher for the stamp and went off with teary eyes.
“So with my second daughter Alexis, we did not do much and went with the preschool right at our doorstep.
Elaine Heng (@mselaineheng), mum of Kaiser, nine, and Rayes, six
“Instead of just looking at distance and convenience when it comes to choosing a preschool, I realised that I should have done better research and read reviews. I’m speaking from a traumatising experience.
“I had enrolled my elder child in a childcare centre located in the void deck a block away. After the first day of school, he came back with red scratches on his arms and back. I went to the school to ask and the principal mentioned that as my son was crying, he was placed in a separate room with some other children and teacher. No one knew what happened. I was very upset and requested for a refund, which the principal refused.
“I had no choice but to approach my MP (Member of Parliament) to ask for help. At the same time, I wrote to the newspapers, asking them to cover this so that other parents could be warned.
Janice Tan (@cheeksymeeksy), mum of Donya, three, and Kyro, one
“When I was choosing a preschool for Donya, I looked at two main factors: location and student cohort.
“Besides less travelling time, I wanted a school with a small student cohort so that all students across levels will mix with each other. In this sense, she will build responsibilities as an older student when with the younger students and emulate positive behaviours from the older students.
Shiela Matias (@shiela_matias), mum of Simone, seven, and Dylan, two
“During the first few weeks of starting preschool, I recalled hiding and peeking at the window of Simone’s classroom. She would always spot me and cry.
“I learnt that I should let go and let the teachers take care of her. Don’t let her feel that you are worried, because she’d get anxious.
“As a kindergarten teacher now, I’d also suggest that you prep your child by passing by the school every few days before she starts school. This helps her get familiar with the place.
Shiela Matias (@shiela_matias), mum of Simone, seven, and Dylan, two
“During the first few weeks of starting preschool, I recalled hiding and peeking at the window of Simone’s classroom. She would always spot me and cry.
“I learnt that I should let go and let the teachers take care of her. Don’t let her feel that you are worried, because she’d get anxious.
“As a kindergarten teacher now, I’d also suggest that you prep your child by passing by the school every few days before she starts school. This helps her get familiar with the place.
“Also, make time for your child after school and let her feel that your bond is still there even though you were apart during the day.”
