"One Fine Day" Mini Series Vol. 1

"One Fine Day" Mini Series #1 - When we popped by MindChamps Preschool @ Holland Village


We finally had the time to drop by MindChamps Preschool @ Holland Village. It was during yesterday lunch hour and decided on this impromptu visit. We are familiar with the Holland Village area so we knew exactly where the school is. For easy referencing, the school is located in the same building as Cold Storage. It took over the cafe 211 (roof top restaurant) premises.

We were greeted by the centre Principal. A quick temperature check and sanitising our hands after filled in our particulars, we were led to the outdoor compound. It was huge! The whole school compound was huge! A total of 8 classmates with 3 at the outdoor wing. One was slated to be the reading/ writing program room while the other 2 classrooms were to be for the K1 and K2. Doors to the outdoor playground are locked at all times, even if the children are having playground time. Teachers are to lock the door from inside.

We observed the teacher using hair dryer to blow dry the children's hair after showering and learnt that it was a practice in that centre so the children won't catch a cold. We also noted the centre use wall light  for the sleeping children and soft music was played in the background. The classrooms are spacious! Since the centre is new, everything is bright and shiny and has a happy feeling.

I checked out their menu and learnt that the management opted for Amici Catering. Sounds familiar? Amici used to have their own restaurant in Holland Village itself, along the same stretch as Fosters. But they closed down and switched to catering business. Menu looked inviting with more western flair for afternoon snacks. I saw the children would be enjoying scones or apple strudel or was it apple pie? It was my kind of food but not for the boys.

Enrolment is faster with the playgroup level. There will be 2 classes of PG by next year. N2 level will have about 7 children while K1 next year is still a very small class with 2-3 students.

Overall, the biggest plus point is the big spacious school compound, not forgetting the outdoor playground. Outdoor playtime is confined between 9.30-10.30am and after 5.30pm.

Biggest minus point is one direct escalator to front door of the school and you have to use the stairs all the way down. There's another entrance by the elevator but it means you have to pick up your shoes from the front door and go round the school to access the exit. If you are coming in from elevator, it also means you must take off your shoes and walk to the front door to place your shoes since no shoes are allowed in the centre. No sheltered link way from open car park to building. The building itself has a very small basement car park which I wouldn't even attempt. The car park is perpetually full and there are always cars waiting to get in.

Commendable points:

(1) Initiative from centre to blow dry children's hair after showering. The boys won't be washing their hair in school so I'm not too concerned about this point. Good gesture but I would think some parents might not like it. Depending on how you blow dry, we know prolonged use of hair dryer could damage hair.

(2) Dim light and soft music to induce better sleep. We use dim light and soft music for the boys as well so we definitely know the pros of it.

(3) Keeping the health check. I was delighted that the Principal took our temperature and asked us to sanitise our hands before entering the school. Fusionopolis branch does that for any visitor wanting to visit the school. Unfortunately, I did not remember at West Coast branch, we had our temperature check and all. I am particular about this health check because we all know how easily HFMD spread and is so highly contagious.


What's our final decision?

Weighing the options available, we decided to stay put with Fusionopolis branch. The boys have forged friendship and they are enjoying themselves a lot in school. This is something we don't dare to jeopardise. Plus the new branches present their own set of disadvantages. I guess we just have to manage our logistics well.