The Ministry of Education (MOE) has standardized guidelines for Student Care Centres (SCCs) in Singapore. This ensures that no matter the location, children and parents get quality services. Some of Singapore’s best student care centres have gone above and beyond, but the extra facilities come at a cost.
Parents should consider the following when looking for an afterschool student care centre:
Indoor Space
The demand for student care centres in Singapore has been growing steadily. MOE has 320 registered centres to help parents choose the most suitable one for their children. Some parents send their children to the centres from Monday to Saturday. Others do it on weekdays or on Saturdays only.
The number of students on any given day fluctuates. However, the student care centre should have sufficient space to meet the needs of all the children, irrespective of the number.
MOE recommends sufficient floor space per student ratio. It has failed if the area is big enough for students on weekdays but fails to sustain the number of children on weekends.
Before enrolling their children in the student care centre, parents must ensure they have a glimpse of the rooms when filled to capacity.
Activities Offered
Student care centres mainly cater to the needs of children in primary and secondary school. Children have different needs, depending on the age group. A good student care centre in Singapore will have activities for children of all ages and interests.
For example, a room with art supplies is attractive to a 7-year-old and a 14-year-old. Even though their age difference is huge, and their skill levels differ, these children will enjoy their time at the school care centre because their primary needs are being met.
The student care centres should have age-appropriate materials, even if the children perform similar tasks. A 14-year-old passionate about art will want specific brushes and paint supplies. If an older child is forced to use the same tools as a seven-year-old, they will likely lose interest in the activity.
Parents may also want their children to get additional academic support. Does the centre have teachers with expertise in different subjects? It is a plus if the teachers can help students with their homework and challenging schoolwork.
Safety Measures
Student care centres should be a safe haven for children as they wait for their parents to come and pick them up. How safe are the children studying, eating, or sleeping? Are the premises secure? What safety protocols has the centre put in place to prevent disasters?
These are important questions that parents need to ask before enrolling their children in the centres. Children play and get injured all the time, but parents must know that their children will always be supervised. This will prevent accidents; if they occur, the child will get immediate attention.
Additionally, parents need to know what happens should an accident occur. Is there a registered nurse working at the centre? Parents need to have a clue about the steps taken to ensure their children are safe at all times.
Other factors, such as proximity to the school or home, may influence a parent’s decision on where to enrol the child. However, parents should also ensure the centre is conducive to the child’s holistic development.