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1. Corporate Information

1a. Who is Pro-Teach?

• Established in 1998
• Student Care and Tuition service for children aged 7 – 14 years old
• Largest provider of student care in Singapore
• Preferred partner of more than 2000 families in Singapore
• Over 20 centres in Singapore
• All our student centres are registered with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS)

1b. What services does Pro-Teach offer?

• Student Care
• Tuition and Enrichment
• Holiday Camp
• Foreign Student Services

1c. What makes Pro-Teach different from another student care?

• Pioneer in incorporating classroom-style academic tuition with own proprietary curriculum closely aligned to primary syllabus under the Ministry of Education
• In-house team of experienced curriculum specialists for research and development of curriculum and teaching approaches
• Student-centred learning with IT-infused lessons ( )
• Broadband wireless access and multimedia-enabled classrooms
• Exclusive online teacher resource management system
• Regular training workshops and professional development roadmap for teachers
• Electronic attendance tracking system for students
• Personal password-protected e-learning resources for students (e-Learning)
• First student care with Australian-based and UK-developed You Can Do It! Social-Emotional Curriculum for character-building and values education ()
• Inter-branch sports tournaments and annual prize-giving ceremony
• Annual overseas learning trips and student exchange programmes ()
• Partner in managing overseas high-end private school – Dong Fang School in China, Jiangxi Province
• Partner an overseas education institution – Tsinghua University’s affiliated primary school in Beijing, China and Cardiem International Language School in Seoul, Korea for annual student-exchange programmes
• Spirit of Enterprise 2007 award winner

2. Student Care Programme

2a. What does Pro-Teach’s student care programme offer?

Pro-Teach Student Care Centres offers before and after school care (BASC) during the school term and full-day care during school holidays.

• Healthy meals and warm showers
• Homework help and supervision
• Fetching to and from school (by foot) and school bus pick-up/drop-off points
• Proprietary tuition curriculum (see below) closely aligned to MOE syllabus and infused with engaging multimedia lessons for Primary 1-4 ()
• Rest and relax with games and entertainment activities
• Character-building and values education using Australia-based You Can Do It Social Emotional Programme for Primary 1-2 ()
• Overseas learning trips and student exchange programmes ()
• Close partnership with parents and school to support child’s total well-being and development

2b. How is homework help and supervision conducted?

• A teacher is present to ensure the child completes all school homework(including weekly spelling) in the centre. If the child needs help, he/she can approach the subject teacher.
• Random check on quality and neatness of school homework is done.
• Up to two hours is dedicated to school homework time every day.
• For Primary 4 – 6 students who spend more time in school for enrichment, supplementary classes and CCA, they arrive at the centre just in time for the tuition session. Therefore, school homework is usually done in school or at home.
• Special arrangement can be made to prioritise school homework over the tuition class.

Please note that it is through the tuition programme that students learn how to better cope with the examinations, not through the homework help and supervision.

2c. What does my child need to bring on his/her 1st day of enrolment?

• Water bottle
• School bag and stationery
• Change of uniform or clothes
• Bath towel
• Shower soap/foam
• Shampoo
• Plastic bag for soiled clothing

Kindly have your child’s name printed on every item for identification purposes.

2d. What meals will be provided for my child?

• Breakfast and Lunch is provided for Before-School Care students
• Lunch and Tea is provided for After-School Care students
• No pork or lard is used in our preparation

3. Tuition Programme

3a. What subjects are covered in Pro-Teach’s tuition curriculum?

The tuition curriculum is available to all students under the BASC and tuition programme.

• Subjects covered include English, Mathematics, Science and Chinese for all levels, Primary 1-6
• Closely aligned to the Primary Syllabus under the Ministry of Education
• i-Learning lessons are incorporated into English and Science curriculum for Primary 1-4 students
• Regular progress report and feedback on academic, behaviour and character development

3b. How is the tuition programme conducted?

• Structured learning framework infused with thinking strategies for effective studying and exam skills
• Comprehensive teaching approach that matches the academic standard and learning style of each student
• Combination of teacher-directed and child-initiated learning
• Process and results-oriented learning outcome
• Taught by qualified and experienced teachers selected through a stringent selection process

3c. Does Pro-Teach provide any learning materials?

• Dedicated materials for English, Mathematics, Science and Chinese for all levels
• Materials include notes on key concepts, practice worksheets, topical tests and mock exam papers
• Materials are carefully designed by experienced curriculum specialists and follow closely to current MOE syllabus
• Additional revision and examination papers will also be given to prepare for examinations

3d. How will the tuition programme help my child in school?

The tuition programme, conducted 2 hours a day, will help your child grasp the key concepts and language mastery needed to excel in school. Components of each subject include:

English Language

• Grammar structures
• Vocabulary usage
• Comprehension skills
• Exam strategies for Grammar/Comprehension Cloze, Synthesis & Transformation, Comprehension Open-Ended

*Creative Writing is offered as Enrichment Programme

Mathematics

• Understanding word problems
• Model-drawing techniques
• Topical practice papers and tests

Science

• Concept Maps
• Scientific answering techniques
• Topical practice papers and tests

Chinese

• Comprehension skills
• Sentence and grammar structures
• Vocabulary usage

*Hanyu Pinyin and Creative Writing are offered as Enrichment Programme

3e. What is Pro-Teach’s teaching principle?

“Inspiring Teaching, Motivating Learning”. Our teachers must be able to:

• connect and communicate at the children's level
• excite and inspire children in self-directed learning

3f. When can we see academic and behavioural improvement in my child?

In our decade of educating children, we have seen students improve in 3 to 6 months. There are also those who take a longer time to change their "old habits". Every student learns differently and at their own pace. Before we can expect academic progress, we must first work on the child's attitude. With this in mind, we will help your child improve. It is often with close partnership with the parents that we see most improvement in a child. We are committed to your child’s development and total well-being.

Thousands of students have benefited from our Student Care and Tuition Programme but please remember that with some students’ improvement is a process, not an immediate outcome of education at Pro-Teach.

4. Enrichment Programme & Holiday Camps

4a. What are the enrichment programmes available?

• English Creative Writing with Phonics & Reading for 5-7 years old
• English Creative Writing for P1-5
• Chinese Hanyu Pinyin for 5-6 years old

Individual centres may offer other enrichment programmes. Kindly contact a centre nearest to you for more information. Locate a branch here.

What is the Holiday Camp?

• A full day programme
• Preparatory Tuition
• Supervised Revision
• Silent Reading
• Inner Peace (Rest and Nap)
• 5-in-1 enrichment programme
     IQ Math
     Hands-on Science
     Write it Well (English)
     Chinese Enrichment
     Fun with English

5. Teacher Training & Development

5a. How are teachers assessed in the selection process?

To ensure that we have the right people to educate and nurture our children, short-listed candidates undergo stringent tests and audition in our selection process.

Successful applicants have to observe a 3 to 6 month probation period before employment is confirmed.

5b. Does Pro-Teach provide any training for its teachers?

Training workshops are conducted twice-a-year for teachers. Training is divided into two areas (Core Training and Skill-based Training) to ensure continuous personal and professional development for our teachers. Areas of training include:

• Education and curriculum studies
• Subject knowledge in English, Math and Science
• Brain-based teaching techniques
• Accelerated learning strategies
• Positive discipline
• Classroom management
• Character-building and values education

5c. What is each centre’s teacher-child ratio?

Teacher-child ratio is 1:15-20.

5d. What are the teachers’ qualifications and years of experience in educating children?

• More than 80% of teachers hold a Diploma
• All centre directors have Degrees and Post-Graduate Qualifications

6. Registration & Enrolment Procedures

6a. How can I register my child?

• Contact the centre of your choice to enquire if there are available places for your child.
• If a vacancy is available, centre will guide you in the enrolment procedure.
• Otherwise, your child will be placed on a waiting list and centre will contact you once a vacancy is available.
• You may also check with your child’s waiting list status with the centre at any time.
• You may also register online by completing the online registration form here.
• We do not accept registration by telephone.

6b. What is the eligibility criteria for enrolment?

Enrolment is on a first-come-first-serve basis and subjected to:

• Availability of vacancy in the child’s academic level or enrichment course
• If the child is studying in a local mainstream school

6c. What payments are required upon confirmation of enrolment?

For Student Care services

• Registration fee
• Deposit* – equivalent to 1-month’s fees
• First month’s school fees (inclusive of food and tuition)
• Insurance premium

For Tuition & Enrichment course

• Registration fee
• Deposit*– equivalent to 1-month’s fees
• First month’s school fees

(*refundable to offset last month’s fee provided one month of written notice of withdrawal is served on the first day of the month)

6d. How do I withdraw my child?

• One month’s written notice served on the first day of the month is required; failing which deposit will be forfeited.

7. SCFA Subsidy Scheme

7a. What is the eligibility criteria for SCFA subsidy scheme?

• Student Care Financial Assistance (SCFA)
• Singaporean / Singaporean PR
• One of the parents must be a Singapore Citizen
• Gross household month income not more than S$2,500
• Mother must be working
• Single-parents must produce proof of status

7b. How much is the subsidy?

7c. How do I apply for the subsidy?

Complete an application available at the centre with the following documents:

• Pay-slips of working parents
• Child applicant's photocopied birth certificate
• Parents' photocopied NRIC
• Any other legal/official documents to support the application

8. Health & Safety

8a. What is the centre’s approach to a child who is ill?

• Parents are advised not to bring their child to the centre
• Home rest will allow the child to recover faster
• Staying away from the centre will protect other children

8b. What will the centre do when a child falls ill?

• A teacher will attend to the child’s needs
• The child is isolated to allow for rest
• Parents are informed and asked to bring their child home or to consult a doctor
• Child’s condition is monitored while waiting for parents to come
• In case of any emergency, the child will be sent to the nearest hospital or clinic
• Cost of medical treatment will be borne by the parents

It is the responsibility of the parents to inform the centre manager of any change in emergency contact numbers of the parents or other contact persons.

8c. What are the measures taken to ensure the children’s safety and well-being?

• Health check: Upon arrival to detect signs of sickness
• Pick-up: Only authorised persons are allowed to pick up children
• Medication: Administered only if it is directly prescribed for the child and authorised by parents
• Entrance / Exit doors: Closed and monitored at all times
• Jewellery: Not permitted in the centre
• Visitors: Accompanied at all times
• Cleaning: Toilets are cleaned at least once a day and floors are mopped daily

9. General Enquiries

9a. What are your operating hours?

Monday to Friday: 7am – 7pm
Saturday: 7am – 2pm

Refer to Events for details.

Under MCYS regulation, all childcare and student care centres are entitled to close for 5.5 days per annum at their own discretion in addition to the gazetted holidays. There will be no make up classes or refund of fees for lessons missed on the gazetted holidays and 5.5-day MCYS-approved closures.

9b. Does the centre charge for days when the child is sick or when he/she is on vacation?

• Yes, the centre’s fees are still payable when the child is absent as the child’s name is maintained in the class register and a place is reserved for the child until he/she returns
• Payment of fees is discontinued only after child has withdrawn from the centre

For any further enquiries, please contact a centre of your choice here.