Singapore Expats

I'm trying to find a childcare/preschool which operates like an Australian childcare - heavy emphasis on play and fun, and not intensive lessons to learn alphabet, etc. I'm checking out Australian School - but we're paying the whole bill and it's VERY expensive. Any suggestions?

Hi there, sorry I'm not going to be much help but just wanted to say I'm in the same boat! We moved here from NZ in Oct and I've got 3 yr old twins, I'm currently on the hunt for just the sort of preschool you're talking about but the ones that seem to fit the bill are seriously expensive...I'm hoping someone will have a suggestion!

Hello there
My daughter, Aust 2yo, just started two mornings a week at The Children's PLace Kay Siang Road, off Tanglin Road. It is relaxed and set in a B&W with a good outdoor, bright and airy, a grassed play area (very rare). It is 'fun' based learning with Mandarin. So far, so good. I recommend you have a look.

Hi there

My son is almost 4 (also Aust) and has been going to Raffles House Preschool on Robin Close. for about six months. This is a very small school (goes up to age 6 or 7) and in his class there are 9 children and one teacher and one aid. You pay monthly and there is only a small application fee. He has been very happy there and they do things like cooking, water play and for an extra fee can do music and/or gym. It is well worth a look.

anitabatho wrote:Hi there, sorry I'm not going to be much help but just wanted to say I'm in the same boat! We moved here from NZ in Oct and I've got 3 yr old twins, I'm currently on the hunt for just the sort of preschool you're talking about but the ones that seem to fit the bill are seriously expensive...I'm hoping someone will have a suggestion!

Hi anitabatho. Since posting this question I have found the perfect kindergarten/childcare for my daughter. I recommend you check out Pibo's Garden. They have two branches - I've enrolled my daughter at Dunearn Close. The kindergarten teacher is a mature English lady who seems really good. I like the environment, the teaching methodology and the staff. Good luck.

Hi anita

I ahve thre year old twin boys. A few weeks ago one wanted to start preschool and so I took him around a few but chose the australian school because they have magnificent facilities, but mostly because they were so accommodating with regard to the twin who didn't want to start to the extent of offering holding a place until he is ready (within reason), providing the choice of same or different classes and even different or same days should I want it.

We are delighted with the school so far esp since that talk to the twin who has started when he wants to chat about his brother.

In the interim the non school starter has been going to busy buddies an accompanied program and did his first non accompanied day today

Cheers
Megan

mortlock2005 wrote:I'm trying to find a childcare/preschool which operates like an Australian childcare - heavy emphasis on play and fun, and not intensive lessons to learn alphabet, etc. I'm checking out Australian School - but we're paying the whole bill and it's VERY expensive. Any suggestions?

Hi there,

We found that Rosemount Kindergarten is an excellent private international Kindergarten, that doesn't have the bloated fees that some other expat schools do. My husband and I did the rounds and found that some places just seemed to pull fees out of thin air. One place we went to wanted us to pay $2,352 every year, for infrastructure costs on top of school fees!!!!

Rosemount Kindergarten is also run by a couple of Aussie ladies, who really have their head in the right place when it comes to early childhood schooling.

Here's a little link so you dont have to go trawling:
http://www.rosemountkindergarten.com/

Good luck