Check each box if the school meets your expectations or jot notes to help you decide: |
| LOCATION AND CONVENIENCE |
School
1 |
School
2 |
School
3 |
| 1. |
Name of school |
|
|
|
| 2. |
Area or distance from home |
|
|
|
| 3. |
What’re the drop-off and pick-up hours? |
|
|
|
| 4. |
Can my child be picked up on time? |
|
|
|
| FEES & GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY |
| 1. |
What’re the fees for my child’s programme? |
|
|
|
| 2. |
What’s the subsidy that I can claim? |
|
|
|
| 3. |
Is there a trial period? |
|
|
|
| 4. |
How much notice is needed to withdraw? |
|
|
|
| HEALTH, SAFETY & HYGIENE |
| 1. |
How long is the centre’s license valid for? |
|
|
|
| 2. |
Is the playground protected from main roads? |
|
|
|
| 3. |
Is the playground clean and safe? |
|
|
|
| 4. |
Is the centre’s furniture age-appropriate? |
|
|
|
| 5. |
Are the toilets age-appropriate and clean? |
|
|
|
| 6. |
Are the sandbox/ water-play areas clean? |
|
|
|
| 7. |
Are there safety hazards inside the school? |
|
|
|
| 8. |
Are toys frequently and properly sanitized? |
|
|
|
| 9. |
Is there a strict policy about hand-washing? |
|
|
|
| 10. |
Has the staff been background-checked? |
|
|
|
| 11. |
Are the children supervised at all times? |
|
|
|
| 12. |
Are field trips adequately chaperoned? |
|
|
|
| 13. |
Are medicines kept out of children’s reach? |
|
|
|
| 14. |
Are sick children asked to stay home? |
|
|
|
| 15. |
Do all kids have required immunizations? |
|
|
|
| 16. |
Are children served nutritious meals/ snacks? |
|
|
|
| 17. |
Do you accommodate kids with food allergies? |
|
|
|
QUALIFICATIONS & TEACHER : STUDENT RATIO |
| 1. |
Does the supervisor have at least a DPE-L+2?1 |
|
|
|
| 2. |
Are senior teachers at least DPE-T holders?2 |
|
|
|
| 3. |
Are language teachers at least CPT holders?3 |
|
|
|
| 4. |
Are infant caregivers adequately qualified?4 |
|
|
|
| 5. |
Do teachers receive continued training? |
|
|
|
| 6. |
How many teachers do you employ? |
|
|
|
| 7. |
How many students enrolled in total? |
|
|
|
| 8. |
What is the teacher : student ratio?5 |
|
|
|
| 9. |
How many teachers are first-aid trained? |
|
|
|
| 10. |
How many infant caregivers are SIDS-trained? |
|
|
|
| 11. |
Do you know what to do if my child gets hurt or if there’s an emergency such as a fire? |
|
|
|
| 12. |
Is there a well-stocked first-aid kit available? |
|
|
|
| CURRICULUM & TEACHING STANDARDS |
School
1 |
School
2 |
School
3 |
| 1. |
What is the teaching method used? |
|
|
|
| 2. |
Are the teachers warm and caring? |
|
|
|
| 3. |
Are teachers enthusiastic and passionate? |
|
|
|
| 4. |
Is each child given enough attention? |
|
|
|
| 5. |
Will my child be comfortable with the pace? |
|
|
|
| 6. |
Will my child’s curiosity be stimulated? |
|
|
|
| 7. |
Will each child have enough toys/ books? |
|
|
|
| 8. |
Are there other exciting teaching tools? |
|
|
|
| 9. |
Am I happy with how these tools are used? |
|
|
|
| 10. |
Is there enough exposure to reading? |
|
|
|
| 11. |
Is there enough exposure to writing? |
|
|
|
| 12. |
Is there enough exposure to math? |
|
|
|
| 13. |
Is there enough exposure to art/craft? |
|
|
|
| 14. |
Is there enough exposure to music? |
|
|
|
| 15. |
Are there computer lessons? |
|
|
|
| 16. |
Is there enough outdoor play-time? |
|
|
|
| 17. |
Is discipline positive (no yelling/spanking)? |
|
|
|
PARENT-TEACHER PARTNERSHIP |
| 1. |
Do other parents/ kids love this school? |
|
|
|
| 2. |
Is the parent-teacher bond emphasised? |
|
|
|
| 3. |
Will I be given a progress report? |
|
|
|
| 4. |
How often do you hold parent-teacher meets? |
|
|
|
| 5. |
Can I ask for impromptu progress updates? |
|
|
|
| SPECIAL NOTES ON EACH SCHOOL |
| School 1: |
School 2: |
School 3: |
| |
|
|
Does my child like it?
My gut feeling? |
Does my child like it? My gut feeling? |
Does my child like it?
My gut feeling? |
NOTES:
- DPE-L+2: Recognized Diploma in Pre-school Education – Leadership with 2 years’ experience teaching in a similar setting for Administrators/ Supervisors
- DPE-T: Recognized Diploma in Pre-school Education - Teaching for Senior Teachers
- CPT: Recognized Certificate in Pre-school Teaching for Language Teachers
- Infant caregivers should be above 21 years old and hold a recognized Certificate in Infant/ Toddler Care and Development or the Fundamentals Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education (Infants/ Toddlers) with 2 years’ experience in a similar setting
- The teacher : student ratio recommended by MCYS is 1:5 for ages 2 to 18 months, 1:8 for ages 18 to 30 months, 1:12 for ages 30 months to 3 years, 1:15 for ages 3 to 4 and 1:25 for ages 4 to below 7.
|
