I have been researching and shortlisting the childcare of my lil boy who will be turning 18 months soon in 7 months time. Dont see me as kiasu hor, because the whole of SG are vying for the good schools, even pcf sparkletots are full already! Luckily for J'don, he is guaranteed a place in his current school although I heard from the principal that the childcare class is full and on waiting list. But, I don't really fancy pcf aka the ex PAP schools for I, myself was from PAP kindergarden whereas my brother was from private preschool. Although, times have changed, but I dont really like the idea when the principal is very rigid, do everything also follow book, then say this cannot, that cannot, even bring toothbrush to ask the teacher to brush J'don's teeth also can't...

Anyway, even that aside, I don't really like the idea of having china teachers to teach J'don in school lar. Plus, i read alot of good comments and feedback of The OrangeTree just diagonally right across my block.

School fees wise, after govt subsidy, PCF and OT respectively cost- $300+ and $600+. That is like double the amount monthly! But I really want an air-conditioned environment for J'don lar, because he is a sweaty baby. And plus, I am not so in favor with the menu at pcf because the menu they put up at the wall is for show only. The teachers can tell me they never follow one. And they fed my boy cupcake, I almost scream at them lor. Just because J'don has got 8 teeth last month, he was treated like a toddler and given cupcake bought from outside.

As silly as I can be, I actually asked the teacher: "is the cupcake sugar-free, homemade?" The teacher replied me with a frown:" of course not! bought from outside one! "

I nearly fainted. Here I am trying to keep my "blank sheet of paper" as white and pure as it can be, there you are trying to use a black crayon to color it.. And so, I firmly told him, sorry, NO. Please dont feed my son with junk. I do not wish him to have tooth decay yet and I dont intend to introduce him high sugar food and outside food yet; at least for the first year of his life.

So, because of some nitty gritty stuffs, I kinda lean more towards a new school, OT because of the convenience! But anyway, nothing is confirmed yet, I will recce and see how it goes...

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Anyway, for Bt Panjang/ CCK/ Bt Batok/ Bt Timah Mummies, heres some feedback i consolidated from the internet.

ADELFIBEL


No aircon, airy, study programmes and food menu displayed on the wall, utilise public playground, has dining area, teachers are expressive when conducting chinese lesson, teachers students ratio good, free from HFMD for past 12yrs... touch wood ~$290



NEW LIFE

No aircon, nice environment with own sheltered playground, has own dining area, caring teachers, teachers students ratio good ~$435



MY FIRST SKOOL

With aircon, new (just renovated), study programmes displayed on the wall, gym corner, utilise public playround, dining area inside classroom, teachers students ratio good ~$315



AGAPE UNI @CASHEW

With aircon, study programmes displayed on wall, nice toilets, dining area inside classroom, mostly Malay teachers, students look happy, school fees is inclusive of enrichment programs (kids gym & multi media learning) ~$600



MERILYN CHILD CARE

No aircon, airy, place looks old, utilise public playground, dining area inside classroom ~$270



PCF SPARKLETOTS

Aircon, no. of children is low, clean (just opened last year), don't like the toilets inside classroom as it has a smell, utilise public playground ~$270



ORANGE TREE

Fully aircon, spacious, clean (just opened in June), intake small at the moment (can only see one class in operation), own playground, nice place ~$590



CHERIE HEARTS EDUCARE @CASHEW

No aircon, marble flooring (not suitable for young children unless put on socks/shoes), has to walk up & down stairs for lunch or to classroom, dining area looks cramp, caring teachers, free from HFMD for past few years... touch wood ~$620

Its the 5th July today!! Woohoo!! I cant wait for our trip in 15 days' time.. Although its only to Bangkok, but I cant wait to eat, shop, eat, shop and eat and shop!! rofl..

After blogging this entry, I will go and do up our lil itinery for our 3D2N trip.. Father bun asked me yesterday,:"how many days are we going ah?" and i said 3d2n lor... And he gave me a "phew!" look.. and said.. good, not so long..

I knew it lar! wanted to go 4d3n but am afraid its too boring.

There are so many exciting things to look forward to! Who says you will have no life after having a kid? :)

We had our weekly swim last week at Alice's place in her self proclaimed - bathtub. lol..

The lil ones had fun and the old ones had theirs too.. I swam laps in it ok!! LOL.. None of them noticed, my arms was on J'don's float and I swam from one end to the other end hor.. After which, we went to Sakaru at Compasspoint for dinner, shop and home sweet home.. J'don concuss in the car and I slept at 9.30pm that night..






We are going to the ZOOOOOOOOO this Saturday! Weeee!! Its been eons since we last went to the zoo.. And hopefully, the weather is sunny enough, we will let J'don and Lucas to the water playground.. Heehee. Having a lil one = having a healthy lifestyle.. We now sleep early, wake up early, go swimming, go to the zoo, go to indoor playground, go for classes and the list goes on and on.. Of course, we are lucky to have a few close mummy friends with the lil ones of the same age.. ^.^