Looking for a school

I have been looking for a childcare center for Zofie. I never like the idea of putting a child in childcare center although everyone clams that the child will learn a lot of things in the center. I still believe that mother is the first and most important teacher to a child especially the first three years of life. This time I have no choice. I need to look after the new baby and I don’t think I have time for Zofie. I don’t know how is the new baby going to be like. After looking after Zofie for the first 8 months I became very worried… *sigh… I have to go through the same thing again. It is not easy to find a flexi care center. I found a childcare center PMI www.pmi.com.sg near her daddy’s work place and I like the environment. The principle spoke to me and I felt comfortable with them. Sounds to me they are very family friendly and they get parent to get involve in a lot of activities. I called a lot of centers at 5pm but none of them answer the phone. I called PMI at 6pm+ to make further enquiries and the principle answered the call herself. Come to think again it might not be convient for daddy if he needs to travel to another end of Singapore early in the morning or late evening for meeting. I tried to look around again near my area. I finally found one flexi care center near our area along Yio Chu kang road. The place seems a bit old Q-dees www.eduventure.net.sg They are doing almost the same thing as PMI but not as much family involvement as PMI. The first time payment is a lot cheaper then PMI and the fees difference is only $120. However this place is easier for daddy to travel BUT.. BUT… if he comes out late from office and by the time he reach the center he is going to be very late!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope to put Zofie in a flexi care center for 2 to 3 times per week and some days she will say at home with her new sibling.
I am sure Zofie will learn something in a childcare center but I disagree putting her in the center for full 5days. This can be very tiring. When I was in the daycare center last time I wish I would spend more time with family and do whatever I want at home. Not being restricted what to do and even going toilet have to get permission. It is very tiring to follow a routine everyday. How can a teacher look after so many kids at one time? The ratio most childcare center could give is 1:8. No matter how good a childcare center is 1:8 is too much. I can only accept 1:3. To put a child with nanny or grandparents what will the child learn? Unless the nanny and grandparents are very educated knowing what to teach and communicate with the child. I don’t believe in having an early childhood degree or master degree. I only believe if the teacher has the love for the child. I have friends who work in childcare centers feels that actually the mummy is the most important teacher to the child. Some of these friends (teachers) come from one of the most famous childcare center in Singapore and the fees can be very expensive. They told me a lot of time you will never know what happen in the center. There are things never open to the parent. It goes the same to the neighborhood centers.