Singapore Expats

we are coming to Singapore next month from New Zealand. We will be on what I believe is known as, a local contract. I can't see how we could possibly afford $20-30k for schooling for our 4(nearly five) year old twins.Surely others must be in this position??Is there a middle ground?? I don't have any particular problem with the idea of locals pre schools-my only concern was that they may feel a bit isolated.Are there cheaper options for this age group where there is still a good mixture?

Hi I am also from NZ currently working in SIN for the last three months, I am here by myself however, I may be able to provide you with some helpfull information and help and I would be more than happy to do it. Please get in touch with me my details are given below.

email: [email protected]

Cheers

Hi, we've just relocated from NZ with our 11 year old and checked into all the International Schools. Schools are expensive (in comparison to NZ) however you must consider the standard of education you require for your children. Most schools here have waiting lists so you will need to enrol them for the future, this usually requires a down payment (enrolment fee) upfront.

There is a new International School opening January 2007 which has very reasonable fees with good facilities (http://www.eris.edu.sg/).

Good luck with your search.

Thanks for your replies. If it sounds like I'm panicking it's because I am!! I would love to hear from other expats on local contracts and pick your brains on how you manage things.
cheers

If one of you happen to be a teacher, some schools offer either discounted education for the children or some even free. It is tough either way you go. It is difficult for expats to get into the 'good' local schools and it is expensive for the internationals. I don't know enough about this new school, but it is worth a look. Good luck!
You'll find a good New Zealand expat community here, but I won't hold that against you!!

Hi! I am a teacher and was hired on a local contract (long story). I have a four year old and a three year old.

I would strongly suggest you look at local pre-schools and kindies. Schools here start a year after NZ, so your kids would be going into a kindy class at a school anyway. Local schools start the (calendar) year the child turns 7. This is not kindy as we know it - local kids are expected to be able to read and write by the time they get to school, and this happens at kindy.

There are some horrendous stories about local schools, so just be assured that there are some fantastic places and you will not need to break the bank to send your kids to school. There are a number of expat kids in local primary schools here, and for many this is a reasonable and good choice. Certainly in kindergartens and pre-schools, your kids will not be the only ones.

The first thing you will need to think about is where you are going to live, then you can start looking at places near your house (there will be lots). This is really stressful, I know. PM me if you need help.

Edited to add: my kids were the only caucasian kids in our pre-school for a long time. There is now anther kiwi and there are heaps of other nationalities (SG is very multi-cultural anyway). They have been VERY open to me being involved and sharing things about NZ, during school parties or special occassions. This has been really beneficial for my kids too. There is a lot you can do if you find your kids are feeling too different.

I can't pm you apparently. Need to get more posts under my belt.
we are looking at districts 15 and 16 at the moment. My husband is currently flat-hunting so I shall wait and see where we end up!
Your reply made me feel much better. I had heard stories about the local schools/ Kindys that made me hesitant. Perhaps you could fill me in on which ones have a good rep??

thanks again

Giz[/b][/i]

heyloo.

if you wanna put your kids in a local school, i don`t see any problems, really. i am local, i grew up in singapore and studied in the local government schools. from kindergarten till secondary school, i always had a couple of caucasian/eurasian kids in my class. we don`t treat them any less, in fact we treat them nicer than other locals. i`ve never encountered any racism or discrimination against expat kids. therefore i don`t think isolation should too big a concern, the schools have taught us well on racial harmony.

you might wanna get your kids into reputable schools, but from my own experience, i can tell you that the schools don`t really matter much if your kid has got the heart to study. i`ve always been in neighbourhood schools from primary to secondary, but i`m proud to say i`ve done well for my o levels.

i hope your time in singapore will be a great experience!

Hi
Thanks for the replies. We finally (I say "we" but I'm not actually there yet) have an apartment in PAsir Ris. I understand this is right on the outskirts of town but I'm not commuting so who cares!

I would appreciate any suggestions of Kindys in the area that might be suitable.
thanks

can't make any recommendations but here's a list of childcares (most of them would have 1/2 day or full day programs) - http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg/ccls/home/ChdCccLst.jsp

and a list of kindergartens - http://www.moe.gov.sg/preschooleducatio ... garten.htm

hope it helps!

Hi Jangal,

Do you roughly know how long your local contract is for? As you kids are in a small transition period from leaving a Pre-School to the Junior School! Within the next 2 years, they might be changing schools and cause them to start making new friends again after 1 year.
Therefore it would be good if you could keep them in a school that has both Pre-School and Junior School.

U should check out the school which I'm working for. E R International School. we have just opened a Pre-School using the montessori approach.

However, it may be abit far for you as we are located at Ulu Pandan Road (old Australian Intl School), which is near Holland Village.

Good Luck in your search.

Cheers,
Jeremy

silverfern wrote:Hi, we've just relocated from NZ with our 11 year old and checked into all the International Schools. Schools are expensive (in comparison to NZ) however you must consider the standard of education you require for your children. Most schools here have waiting lists so you will need to enrol them for the future, this usually requires a down payment (enrolment fee) upfront.

There is a new International School opening January 2007 which has very reasonable fees with good facilities (http://www.eris.edu.sg/).

Good luck with your search.

Thanks Silverfern for the intro! Do you have kids studying with us?

Cheers,
Jeremy

Hi Jeremy

Yes, Grade 6 and he's doing very well at the new school.

ERIntlSch wrote: U should check out the school which I'm working for. E R International School. we have just opened a Pre-School using the montessori approach.

Tried to check their website for fee structures, but could not find any. We're in the same position; looking towards local schools. Could do the international ones, but think the fee structure is excessive. At least coming from a country where schooling is virtually free; even Uni (= Norway).



/Jorgen

Fees started at $12,000 initially however I understand this is being reviewed and may be increasing over 10% for the next intake.

We also came from a free education system however recognised the need for international standards and systems when coming to Singapore. We did not consider a local school, maybe should have in hindsight to save $$$$ although the international mix provides a good environment for our son. Singapore has a huge emphasis on education and the kids are pushed very hard to achieve academically maybe not quite the holistic approach we preferred in education from home. International Schools provide a happy medium.