babyminnie
Member
I have many set to let go.. pls pm
Dear Fermum,
I have 2 boys in Cambridge AdmiralHill since Jan this yr. As a primary sch teacher myself n a fussy parent, I am very happy that my boys are well-taken care by the caring teachers.
The teacher with a little tattoo on the hand is my 2nd son's Toddler Class teacher. Her genuine love and rapport with the kids outweigh that old tattoo of hers.
I have actually did some parent volunteering there and witnessed the engaging activities that were carried out.
To summarise, my husband and I like the mangement, curriculum and enrichment activities so far. We are very impressed with the new website and relieved to see the safety measures taken (in times of HFMD & chicken pox)for the welfare of our kids.
Sometimes, misunderstanding happens when we are at the wrong place the wrong time. To date, I have recommended this childcare (value for $) to many of my friends and neighbours. It is very unfortunate that you don't share the same sentiments. Hope you are able to find your "ideal" childcare soon!
Hi apple79, many thanks for your speedy review! It helps to hear positive experiences from parents like you whose kids were in the centre! Other than preparing them well academically, do the school help in identifying/developing the individual strengths of the child? How about character development? Any focus in these areas as well? Although preparing them well for P1 is important, I'm quite concerned if my child is able to learn the right values, character wise, as he can be quite a handful at times and likely to give the teachers a hard time.my eldest who is in P1 now was from there from toddler time to K2. 2nd girl was there from toddler time till N1. Thereafter we shifted and have to change cc for 2nd girl and 3rd. I must say its a very good CC! My girl is well prepared for pri. Teachers and owners are great! Even the cooking auntie have been there for long time and prepare drinks like barley for them.
Thanks for sharing and I hope your girl has since overcomed her health issues and grown to be stronger now! I guess what you mentioned struck a chord - that the children appeared lively and happy and the teachers are caring. And the fact that you mentioned your girl never felt out of place despite her issue (although I do not know what is the issue), for you to make that statement I guess the school/teachers has played an important role in providing empathy to children in need.My girl never felt out of place despite her issue.
Hi Smonkey, my youngest boy is now at Cambridge Mei Hwan in N2. It used to be a good CC but not now after they changed a new principal recently. Price is very expensive. The service provided is not comparable to the price charged. Everything have to pay extra now even for basic lessons like phonics which is taught by the teacher in school. It's not like they get someone professional outside to taught and give lessons. Last time when my eldest boy was at Cambridge Lor Puntong, they had Letterland Phonics lessons for FREE. If you are willingly to pay extra for S&P, drawing, phonics etc; then good. Because all or majority of the children attend these lessons and your child don't attend, they will felt left out.
Hi jbbaHi Smonkey, my youngest boy is now at Cambridge Mei Hwan in N2. It used to be a good CC but not now after they changed a new principal recently. Price is very expensive. The service provided is not comparable to the price charged. Everything have to pay extra now even for basic lessons like phonics which is taught by the teacher in school. It's not like they get someone professional outside to taught and give lessons. Last time when my eldest boy was at Cambridge Lor Puntong, they had Letterland Phonics lessons for FREE. If you are willingly to pay extra for S&P, drawing, phonics etc; then good. Because all or majority of the children attend these lessons and your child don't attend, they will felt left out.
Hi jbbaby, thanks for sharing on the recent change in management. I understand that the current principal's name is Yen Li. Is she the new principal? The price for N2 next year is $1,200 per month. What is the monthly fees you are paying for your boy in N2 now? (to get a sensing of the hike in fees over the year) Understand that enrichment classes are separate charges but am not aware that phonics programme is not included! Isn't phonics part of the cirriculum in most places? It's fundamental to their learning to read isn't it. I had emailed the school with a list of questions yesterday and will post the answers here once they reply. Many thanks for the info.Hi Smonkey, my youngest boy is now at Cambridge Mei Hwan in N2. It used to be a good CC but not now after they changed a new principal recently. Price is very expensive. The service provided is not comparable to the price charged. Everything have to pay extra now even for basic lessons like phonics which is taught by the teacher in school. It's not like they get someone professional outside to taught and give lessons. Last time when my eldest boy was at Cambridge Lor Puntong, they had Letterland Phonics lessons for FREE. If you are willingly to pay extra for S&P, drawing, phonics etc; then good. Because all or majority of the children attend these lessons and your child don't attend, they will felt left out.
Hi apple79, thanks for the advice. May I know when did your girls stopped attending Cambridge? Was the principal's name Yen Li then?Hi smonkey, you might what to go to the school and see again and if best talk to a few more current parents. so sorry to hear about the new principal.
Thanks for sharing.last year Nov. Nope the principal was not Yen Li. During my girls' time the phonics are not included as well. They do learn some during class but not specifically phonics like in phonics class.I did not enrol her for the phonics as she was attending ICL then.
You may wish to call the school to check? It is usually one full calender month for some childcare centres. Eg: If you give notice now, the last month of school will be Nov. (or last day 30 Nov) Best to check with the school directly as they may have a different policy or may have changed their policy.Hi, anyone knows how many months notice I need to give Cambridge if I want to withdraw my child n take back the deposit?
The fees for the enrichment are based on this year's rates and the principal mentioned changes are dependent on the respective operators. I hope they do not revise the fees much from here. Already quite ex! Can you also share if their school excursions are ex? My boy is currently in Learning Vision and their excursions are usually just for school bus (varies from $8-12 per person) and tickets charges, if any, which i find very reasonable.The fees for the enrichment are the same as what I am paying when my girls are there. I like the Arts Explorer the most. I think I am lucky. there was only once or twice fees hike thruout our 5 years there.
Hi, anyone knows how many months notice I need to give Cambridge if I want to withdraw my child n take back the deposit?
@jbbaby I couldn't find the Lor Puntong branch on their website, has it shifted?
@jbbaby I couldn't find the Lor Puntong branch on their website, has it shifted?
Hi jbbaby, thanks for the info. Sigh. I'm really having second thoughts about signing up with Cambridge now. At their rate of fee increment, they will be comparable to Mindchamp in a few years. But Mindchamp fees include enrichment and don't have to pay extra.Hi Smonkey,
Just managed to found out that they sold it to a group who offered them a good price for the takeover. It's called StarLearner who have quite a number of centres in singapore. Another good preschool gone, lesser and lesser good preschool and enrichment centres run by owners for our children in future.
Hapi Aw,
If possible, why don't you look around first before you make a decision. Because if you enrol now and want to change later..... Your LO have to re-adapt and you will have to pay for Registration Fee of $250 to the new school. FYI, the fees for Nursery and Kindergarten now is $1200, an extra $50 for toddler. You need to take into account excursions too....
Sorry for the late reply. Have been away for sometime from the forum. Just an update that I've decided not to enrol my son in CDC at Mei Hwan.
They called me recently to follow up on my registration and when I mentioned that I'm not comfortable about the non refundable commitment fee, they now say that it's non refundable only if I choose not to enrol and it will be used to offset first month school fees. I have previously clarified with one other staff and the principal and this was clearly not what was told to me. The amount to be collected is also different ($1200 then and $900 now) Be it due to a change in policy or a genuine case of mis-communication, I find it unacceptable with either scenario.
When the principal learned that my boy is currently in a childcare, she suggested for me not to 'keep changing schools' for my son as it is not good for him. My boy has been enrolled into one school so far and I had to change his school due to a change in workplace. (I have not pulled him out as I've not found one that works for me) I can sense the keenness to perhaps use my placement to fulfill others on the wait list and I'm perfectly happy to give up my place and forfeit my registration fees with this presumptuous suggestion of her without even knowing my story.
It's better to cut my losses now than to enrol and have to deal with such high handed management later on. I'm sorry if I sound bitter cos the experience with them really left a bad impression with me.
@jbbaby I've considered kinderland at YCK but it's full ATM.