School woes

Evidently, as the kids grow older the issues change from sleep/eat/toileting problems to school problems!

Madison

Fortunately she's crossed the hurdle of securing a spot in SCGS. So that's a huge relief to me and my bank account. Singapore schools are practically free to citizens so I'll start saving some cash once she leaves Pat's Schoolhouse.

Unfortunately we start school at an ungodly hour of 0720-0730h. Apparently she has to be in school by 0715-0720. And I've heard the traffic to school is legendary. 

So transport choices are:
1. Self drive : face traffic, but travel in relative comfort of own vehicle
2. Car pool : as above, but less frequency, but with the issue of dealing with other parents. What is the protocol on sick days? Travel?
3. Public bus : cheap and good, but is it predictable? Someone has to take her there and come back. Apparently the ride is 30-40 minutes long! ( this is for a distance <3km br="">4. School bus: more cost, early start -- apparently pick up is anytime from 0600-0630h! But then she can go unaccompanied and the pressure to get her to school is off me.
5. Other : ?cycle to school Is that even worth considering? Probably not.

Annika


She will be in K1 next year at Pat's, and we've just been kindly advised that school fees are undergoing an upward revision. Of course. Next year's revision will bring half day (AM) fees to $1455 and full day ( till 530pm ) $1733 per month. When we started at Pat's, the half day fees were $850 per month. Thank goodness next year we have a bit of a reprieve because Madison is leaving and Liam doesn't join till 2016.

I looked around on the internet and found that most preschools in this vicinity are charging close to those fees. I presume it's the rental charges that's driving the price increase. I'm not keen on changing schools because Annika loves her friends and teachers, so I guess Chris will have to work harder!!

As for transport, I'm also not sure if I'll still take her or if she will take the bus to school?

Liam

The baby is signed up for Cherie Hearts at Whampoa for next year. I decided to forego Bibinogs for him, partly because of the logistics, partly because of cost ( it has gone up to ridiculous amounts too ) and partly because I feel it doesn't really seem to have made a really significant impact on their Mandarin ability. Berries has done much more. The price is under $600 per month for half day sessions, and I will probably get him to go 2-3 times a week initially. I think Cherie Hearts is probably good at playgroup level, but further on I'm not so convinced. We'll see how it goes.

Thankfully Cherie Hearts is within walking distance so one of the helpers can stroller him across.. (PHEW)

And I still have to figure out primary school for him at some stage...