Singapore Expats

Hi there

we're moving over to Singapore in Jan 2010 and have just been offered a school place - hoorah!!!

We have 2 children ages 6 and (almost) 8 and are wondering about housing and commute.

When I did the schools search, there was a feeling that "most" kids take the school bus to and from school. Just wanted to get a handle on this and wonder how parents get tp know each other if nobody does drop offs and/or pick ups?

I do like the convenience factor of the bus and the fact that the kids probably love it but it's also quite expensive... I used to live in Bkk and spent half my life in traffic doing the kindergarten run and it's something I am absolutely not willing to repeat as I will be running my own business and don't want to waste time sitting in traffic.

Is it difficult to get taxis at school run times?
Or do I really need to drive if I don't use the school bus?
What about extra curricular?

I'd love to hear feedback and experiences

THANKS

taxi could be a pain during peak and when it is raining! depending where you live and where the school is, you could drive without much traffic on some route.

school bus has it's pro and con as well. con if you are the first one to get pick up, so will probably be ready at 7am in the morning! pro if you dont want to do the driving or taking public transport.

Our kids have always taken the school bus. We've never lived in the same neighborhood as school, and their commute times have varied between 20 & 40 minutes.

If you're anxious to meet other parents, volunteer at school, attend the coffees, throw a class pizza party at your place, you'll have tons of friends in no time

I did 1 year of pick up and drop off and you do get to meet a few more parents that way but this year with a new baby we have done the school bus. Depends on the school but you do get to meet other parents via coffee mornings, birthdays etc and I end up at school at least once a week anyway due to after school activities etc. The school bus is expensive but so is running a car and your time. I am glad I did the pick up for first year but think the school bus is the right choice for us now.

We'll be moving soon and have three kids attending school.

How expensive is the school bus?

It depends on how far you are from the school. They will give you a scale - less than 1km, 1-4km, 4-8km..etc and price per term. The school will be able to tell you the name of the bus company and you could call them for rates.
Our bus company this year charges approx $1000 per term (both ways) and we're about 4km from school.

It sounds expensive but much less than taking a taxi both ways in rush hour.

*Oh, but with 3 children you may want to think about getting a car. I know the bus company for our school does not offer discounted rates for siblings.