PAP Community Foundation Kindergarten (PCF) VS Private Kindergarten.

[tom]

Recently in the press, read with curosity, about young parents who are willing to fork out thousands of dollars sending their kids to " PRIVATE " kindergartens instead of spending just over a hundred dollars for a PCF pre-school education.

In this instance, the parents as reported has to do away with restaurant meals, cutting on holiday tours and buying cheaper groceries. Of course we have to give the best to our kids, no questions.

But accordine to the press, a senior psychologist at the National University Hospital's child development Unit, said that a child enrolled in a less pricy centre does not necessarily have a less effective education. The gauge is whether the child is nurtured and challenged intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially.

Of course, most " Private " Kindergartens are housed in private estates in landed areas, whereas " PCF " kindergartens are housed on the ground floor of HDB estates. Does this contribute to the difference in pricing ?

The authorities placed high priority on education , research and development because Singapore Citizens are our only natural resources. So presumeably the teachings of the young should be in their mind. So ? we have the " PCF ".

So lets put our minds together to discuss, accordine to our experiences, past and present about which is the best direction for our kids. " PRIVATE KINDERGARTEN " or " PCF " will do .

[tom]

In the early fifties, accordine to record, there are no kindergartens in Singapore ( hope it's correct ) The first kindergarten was run by the PAP known as PAP kindergarten in the 1960's. In 1986 it was known as the PCF kindergarten. ( Not sure if anyone knows when was the first private kindergarten set foot in Singapore )

Strange !  The first generation of Singapore leaders and the pioneering Singaporeans who set foot in Singapore, making Singapore as it is of today don't go to kindergartens. Up to today, people are still confused as to whether to send two to three year old kids to playgroups, nursery, kindergartens etc.

From reading, we knew kids attending playgroups are probably more social, friendly, and able to conduct and interact themselves better amongst groups of children. Being sociable and not feeling shy, does it mean that they are clever, more intelligent and will be able to make the grade in Primary Schools and beyond. Maybe , maybe not, studies may have to be conducted.

Probably older families with school going children ( with and without pre-school training may like to share ).It is through sharing, probably we will get to know the benefits, advantages of a pre-school training in our many private kindergartens in town.