Singapore move: Schools in the East Coast

[Devina]

Hi all, I have an offer to move to Singapore and looking to move in May. I have kind of finalised the East Coast Park/Marine Parade area to live in as it's close to work and the airport (I will be travelling a lot). But am struggling with schools! My son goes to a small pre-prep school in London and he is thriving in his Reception class!

I love the "west side" schools but is the commute to Dulwich/Dover Court/Tanglin really really bad from ECP? I think the buses pick up around 7am which I feel horrible about! I am not sure I can drop DS in a taxi every morning!

Is it likely to make into Chatsworth East this year considering we are shortlisted?

Will a Canadian syllabus (Canadian International School) put DS behind if he has to come back to the UK?

Is OWIS an option in terms of strong academics?

Any advice would be helpful!!

(Am not on FB so not able to ask in some of the recommended groups there)

I'm not in Singapore but spent time there before. I made sure I left before I subjected my child to the schools there.

The standards are very different - however bright you think your child is, you have not seen the Singaporeans. They only know study study study. Stick to international schools.

My friend had a child in Raffles.

I don't think the Canadian system would be worse than UK.

Chatsworth is really not the same standard as the other schools you mentioned.
The canadian primary definitely better!
Or UWCSEA.
No reason to stick to a UK curriculum if it is not otherwise a good school.
You could not put your child in a local school even if you wanted to unless you are a PR by the way. Or only with great difficulty.
Lots of local kindergardens are actually really good though and buy you time.

I don't live in Singapore, but as your son is in reception now then imo a nurturing and supportive environment is as important as a focus on academics. I do know several of the teachers at OWIS and my dd was taught by one of the year one teachers there and she is fantastic - great focus on reading, differentiated material, supportive and friendly classroom environment.

Bus routes are really efficient east coast/tanglin, dover etc....
Lots if kids do it all over the island towards further schools like the french, australian and American.
Agree it limits playdates a bit but kids are allowed to share buses for playdates

Thanks ShanghaiDiva - OWIS seems to come up again and again, I better check them out! Yes, a nurturing environment is what's most important at this age and I can put him in UWC etc when he is older..

Thanks Mary on River Valley - yes, it looks like it's not a bad commute for me (abt 25 mnts by taxi) and it will be 20-30 mnts for him.. I will work at Changi Business Park and the nearest MRT is a 2km walk away, so wanted to stay close to the buses/shuttle buses on ECP to make life easier. But I am happy to do a longer commute if DS can get into a good school (small, yet with a strong academic/well-rounded development)!

River Valley area is lovely. We lived there for a year. So much going on along the river, can walk to Great World City (decent mall with good supermarket, cinema, good range of every day shops), Orchard Road area a 15 walk away. Highly recommend that area!

East Coast is a lovely area for young children. Eton House, Chatsworth and Canadian School all seem pretty similar. Our kids went to Eton House and we were fairly happy. Most areas are good though and have something going for them. I liked the look of Dover Court too if you can't get the likes of Tanglin or UWC straght off.

The East Coast is great and you will get more for your money than in River Valley. My DH works at CBP too, and his short commute is good for all of us. We are on the train line though, rather than Marine Parade.

I have friends with DCs in Eton House, Chatsworth and CIS and they are all happy with their choices. I have heard mixed reviews of OWIS and know several people who have taken their kids out (one has special needs that weren't being addressed). However I have heard some glowing reports from other parents.

My DC is 4 (almost 5) and is in a small preschool called PMI. It's a mix of locals and expats, but very much more relaxed than the average local school. He's learning a lot, but they also have plenty of free play time and fun stuff outside of literacy, numeracy and Mandarin. We're very happy with it and will keep him there next year instead of going to an international school.