Its been a long time since I updated this blog.
Ever since I started worked a few months ago, things had been moving so fast with so many changes. Here are some key events:
1) New job
Since my new job venue is very near to my house, travelling is a breeze. Imagine I only took about 20 mins travelling time and I can even walk to my work place from home too!
The work load is manageable with good worklife balance. It is what I like and wanted too.
Learn a lot of new things too and have the opportunity to get in contact with people from wide ranging background. Really an eye opener on some of the cases.
I looking forward to advocate for something which I strongly believe in if I have the opportunity. Yeah, I shall work on it and in time to come. 😎
2) Ting Ting graduation from Apple Tree School
She's been with Apple Tree playgroup for almost a year and graduated 2 weeks ago. I was so proud of her as she performed her graduation songs.
I must say Apply Tree playgroup have a good structured learning foundation for the little ones. The fees are highly affordable. I like their Pinggu program and also they exposed the children to a lot of handicrafts which is good for their motor skills. Highly recommended!
However, one concern was the high turnover rate of teachers. Imagine within a year, my gal's class changed 3 teachers. But I think it is common as playgroup teachers may not be paid competitively.
Another concern is the mix of children which comprises of a lot of foreigners from developing countries. Some of them displayed undesirable behaviour like pushing others, snatching others' toys which influenced other kids negatively. The sad fact is these foreigners children also tend to play within their own group even for young children and they don't really mix around. Therefore Singaporean children became the minority. In my gal's class, out of 12 kids, only around 4 are Singaporeans. That explain the situation.
Anyway, for me, I felt that pros outweigh the cons for Apple Tree. Just that if you are a parent who is very particular about the mix of foreigners children and the turnover rate of teachers, then perhaps you should look else where.
3) Ting Ting newly enrolled in childcare
She just started the new childcare and I must say I have good impression of their teachers and management.
Most of the children in her class are Singaporean and there is a drastic difference in terms of behaviour.
In the previous playgroup, my gal was one of the more advance kids in her class. She can speak relatively well as compared to the rest. But in her new class, most of the kids are very advance and can speak well and expressive too. They are also able to focus and concentrate better during lessons. They are very well behaved and independent. I hope this is something good for my gal's learning with positive influence.
This new childcare centre fees are slightly higher as compared to others. But I think the quality is much better. Most importantly, I hope my gal can get to expose to good teachers and well behaved classmates who can influence her positively. Now then I understand why some parents willing to spend a fortune just to shift their house to stay near to good schools. I will be thinking through this too.
