Mindchamps vs Myfirstskool

[lugia88]

Hi parents,

I am really at a dilemma here after my son's preschool is going to shut down by end of this year, he is in a preschool (1800$ a month) at the moment ...

My scenario

- MFS just under my block walking distance and i can free up around 1.5k additional savings a month and we are an above average graduate couple.

vs

- Mindchamps which cost 2.1k, they really promise that the kid when he/she reaches primary 1 should be no problem and can cope.


any parents can really share they experience in MFS? or mindchamps? I understand the price different is ALOT and of course there is bound to have many differences.. I hope some parent could share their views and let me know if it does actually make a difference.

 

[xtwis7]

Is there such a thing as a promise? And what does coping in Primary 1 mean, straight As with the ability to socialise well while excelling in physical and arts education?

So even if a child does well in Primary school, the future is still way too uncertain because not like the old days, meritocracy today is not just axing exams. I’d rather my child have a entrepreneurial mindset by being able to solve problems and not just recall based on memory.

Every parent is unique and there’s no right or wrong. You should justify your own decision, that’s the whole point of being a parent right?

 

[HBK]

Personally I think MC is just an expensive MFS. Maybe it’s just me but I rather put my kids at other sch rather than MC.

 

[xtwis7]

What made you feel that way? You’ve tried MC for a while or you considered it before changing your mind?

A lot of parents buy into their branding right?

Personally I think MC is just an expensive MFS. Maybe it’s just me but I rather put my kids at other sch rather than MC.

 

[kakapantz]

if you are planning to send your kid to international school, then go for MC. but if your kid will only end up at local primary school, then there's no point to waste money on MC, MFS will be better.

 

[parchiao]

If you want to game the system, you had better figure out how to get your kid into a popular primary school.

If your focus is on pre-school years, send your kid to those strange lessons like Shichida where the kid is exposed to some unconventional lessons that allows the kid to think the impossible is possible.

If it only boils down to which pre-school to send your kid to, I think the best kind is where the curriculum consists of a lot of excursions, hands on art and craft, work that encourages creativity, and some preparation for primary school where the kid is jammed with stuff like spelling and completing assessments. The smaller the class, the better the outcome.

Every kid is different, so the outcome is never the same. But I have to agree that managing the process does have an effect on the eventual trajectory.

 

[seeseelooklook]

Hi parents,

I am really at a dilemma here after my son's preschool is going to shut down by end of this year, he is in a preschool (1800$ a month) at the moment ...

My scenario

- MFS just under my block walking distance and i can free up around 1.5k additional savings a month and we are an above average graduate couple.

vs

- Mindchamps which cost 2.1k, they really promise that the kid when he/she reaches primary 1 should be no problem and can cope.


any parents can really share they experience in MFS? or mindchamps? I understand the price different is ALOT and of course there is bound to have many differences.. I hope some parent could share their views and let me know if it does actually make a difference.

Hi,

If you can maintain your lifestyle with your kid going to Mindchamps, I would suggest you enrol your kid in Mindchamps instead of MFS. IIRC, Mindchamps promises their curriculum will include enrichment programmes too. Not sure if it is still the same.

No offence to anyone.

Reasons:

1) Demographics of children and parents
2) Networking
3) Teacher - children ratio
4) Curriculum

I have friends with children going to expensive preschools and normal preschools. We all agree that if it is within means, send them to a good preschool for better exposure.

Case Studies:

1) My friend's boy in PCF was constantly bullied by 1 of his classmate. This classmate even scold vulgarities at him and threaten to beat him outside school. (He probably learned it from his parents.)

2) Another friend's son is in primary school now and he said some of his classmates from PCF cannot do SHOW & TELL in class because they did not do it often in preschool. I can tell you the atas one do SHOW & TELL very often to prepare them for primary school. (I believe this could be due to individual also)

3) Another friend's son said the things they talk about in atas preschool are what cars their parents drive, what kind of house they stay in, where they went for holidays, where they went to eat etc.


My daughter is currently in Pats and we think the money is well-spent. I'm paying about 1.9k after $300 subsidy from MSF.

Pre-covid, they have activities that involved parents participation. Then you can network with other parents who are mostly self-employed or are in management position.

Children do talk and compare about cars and holidays but I think it's fine, better than fighting and scolding each other.

Teacher-children ratio is also lower than that of PCF.

You won't get children who talk about funny things and scold vulgarities due to influence at home. I think this is the most important part of growing up.

Another way is, send your kid to those Christian preschool if you are a Christians, better than PCF and mainstream preschools too.

You should also plan for P1. Primary school makes a lot of difference too. Grassroots now need at least 2-3 years commitment. PVs are difficult to get.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[HBK]

What made you feel that way? You’ve tried MC for a while or you considered it before changing your mind?

A lot of parents buy into their branding right?

I visited 1 of their schools and I'm not really impressed. Maybe it is just me and I have different priority for my kids in Presch.

From my conversation with the staff there,I just felt that they are too academic focus and personally I do not like enclosed aircon environment. I prefer my kids to be doing outdoor activities more.

At that age I think they the kids should be enjoying and playing more.

In the end I enrolled my kids with Chatsworth and they are having alot of fun although it is just a 3 hr session.

 

[HBK]

if you are planning to send your kid to international school, then go for MC. but if your kid will only end up at local primary school, then there's no point to waste money on MC, MFS will be better.

If want to go to international school just join the preschool program in the international school?

 

[reno77]

MFS + Kumon

 

[mickey88]

Well..if you can afford it then by all means..MFS also hv show n tell session and have activities that involved parents..With the busy schedule of parents..frankly speaking..i hope not too much activities involved parents .

My POV is at their stage shd be enjoying the progress n process..i meant wat the heck..u scare no chance to be stress at pri school level onwards

 

[lugia88]

thanks everybody for your inputs, it means alot to me as I am a young parent and this is my first kiddo ... we are both grad students and have normal working income.

actually my main concern is like every parent to provide the best education for their kids, so I went ahead to sign mindchamps actually after some serious thoughts and exploration of schools ...

Reason being

1) Curriculum is the utmost importance to me, I realize my boy is really keen to learn and i hope he can tab in to a good learning environment. also, developing a better understandability.

2) teacher ratio, of course private school they offer lesser teacher to student ratio. i went to MFS actually and checked the teacher ratio at the specific center (30 students to 3 teacher and next year will bump up to 35 students for N2) is almost at its max capacity hence i opted MC. at the moment i am already enrolled to a private preschool which has 2 teachers for 9 students. i really feel the attention is too good, the teachers are able to feedback daily (before covid) to parents about how the child is doing in school ... but however it close down maybe not really sustainable afterall lol ..

3) my son likes red color, so choose mindchamps ROFL!!!!!!

To answer the rest of the question, I believe my boy will end up in a neighborhood school in the end but what my priority is to built his foundations well (understand-ability and also language) and not to hit primary 1 then start with the foundation like languages. maybe when we start young it might be easier for us in the future???

all biases and negative thoughts aside, all kids are different. thanks for all the opinions and also for future parents they can look up to this forum to read up as i believe many many parents out there are also experiencing the same issues about a "neighborhood preschool" vs "tertiary preschool".

 

[goodpela]

Hi, I have the same dilemma and have yet to make a decision. Reason being expensive fees (we are average family) and location of the nearest mindchamps is not near my house. Can you share how old is your kid? Has the curriculum at Mindchamps changed given the Covid situation now?

 

[mickey88]

thanks everybody for your inputs, it means alot to me as I am a young parent and this is my first kiddo ... we are both grad students and have normal working income.

actually my main concern is like every parent to provide the best education for their kids, so I went ahead to sign mindchamps actually after some serious thoughts and exploration of schools ...

Reason being

1) Curriculum is the utmost importance to me, I realize my boy is really keen to learn and i hope he can tab in to a good learning environment. also, developing a better understandability.

2) teacher ratio, of course private school they offer lesser teacher to student ratio. i went to MFS actually and checked the teacher ratio at the specific center (30 students to 3 teacher and next year will bump up to 35 students for N2) is almost at its max capacity hence i opted MC. at the moment i am already enrolled to a private preschool which has 2 teachers for 9 students. i really feel the attention is too good, the teachers are able to feedback daily (before covid) to parents about how the child is doing in school ... but however it close down maybe not really sustainable afterall lol ..

3) my son likes red color, so choose mindchamps ROFL!!!!!!

To answer the rest of the question, I believe my boy will end up in a neighborhood school in the end but what my priority is to built his foundations well (understand-ability and also language) and not to hit primary 1 then start with the foundation like languages. maybe when we start young it might be easier for us in the future???

all biases and negative thoughts aside, all kids are different. thanks for all the opinions and also for future parents they can look up to this forum to read up as i believe many many parents out there are also experiencing the same issues about a "neighborhood preschool" vs "tertiary preschool".

If you can afford it then go for it..For me,at the moment is distance as first priority as I got two kids, i more emphasized on my kids well being than their studies,,Dun wan to put my expectation on them. If they are clever n smart then it doesn't matter which school they are because it is sg.

 

[seeseelooklook]

Hi, I have the same dilemma and have yet to make a decision. Reason being expensive fees (we are average family) and location of the nearest mindchamps is not near my house. Can you share how old is your kid? Has the curriculum at Mindchamps changed given the Covid situation now?

Rule of thumb is don't overstretch. Go for 1 that is within your means.

If the location is not near, make sure you can send and fetch your child. Don't make them take school bus early in the morning and go around the neighbourhood.

 

[Aiyohhh]

Hi, i was an admin staff from EtonHouse pre school. Trust me when i tell u this it does not matter which school u put ur child into. The only thing that matters is if ur fortunate enough to get a caring n responsible teacher. Do check out Kidz Meadow.

 

[HBK]

I agree teacher is more important than the brand of the school.
However different school will create different vibe and environment.

 

[standing]

But how will we know with their teacher is good or not when we select a new school?

 

[goodpela]

Rule of thumb is don't overstretch. Go for 1 that is within your means.

If the location is not near, make sure you can send and fetch your child. Don't make them take school bus early in the morning and go around the neighbourhood.

To be honest, school bus is one of my options I am considering. I know that it’s not ideal so that’s why I have yet to make a decision.

 

[HBK]

But how will we know with their teacher is good or not when we select a new school?

U can try to choose to visit the school in the morning when parents send kids to sch or when parents pick kids from school and ask them?