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Creative O Preschoolers' Bay - Ministry of Community Development Licensing Report, 2005

Physical Environment

Centre physical environment conveys a sense of organization and orderliness. The learning environment is child-centred and inviting. There was a cheery atmosphere and the walls were decorated with colourful pictures and displays. Children crafts and individualized art works were displayed and mobiles were hung around the centre.

There were a number of well-equipped and attractive interest corners, including the Home, Dramatic, Maths and literacy corners. There was an abundance of toys and materials available in these corners as well as around the centre. It was evident that much efforts have been put into enhancing these interest corners.

Safety/Health/Hygiene/Nutrution

Generally, the centre is clean and the housekeeping is good.

Centre has complied with the safety measures accordingly. Fire drills have been regularly carried out and fire extinguishers were regularly serviced, which is good. The last 2 were conducted on 13 Oct 2004 and 8 Mar 2005.

The toilets were seen to be clean, dry and odourless. The children personal effects were seen to be mostly well maintained.

Staff Training/Qualifications/Requirements

Records showed that the centre has 21 staff, of whom 4 are Diploma in Leadership trained, 9 are Diploma in Teaching trained, 2 at Certificate level with 1 who is currently attending the course and 5 are untrained.

It is commendable to note that the centre is committed in training their staff and encouraging staff to attend workshops and in house training regularly to enhance their professional development.

Programme/Curriculum

Staff-child interaction was noted to be cordial and warm. The children were observed to interact frequently with the teachers and among the peers. Most of them were able to participate in programmes and seemed to be comfortable and enjoying the activities which they were engaged in.

Centre has good family partnership. The parents are actively involved in the centre activities. This is commendable as the latter helps to improve parent-centre rapport.

Administration

Centre has conducted the annual written evaluation in Sep 2004. The survey results showed that the parents were happy and satisfied with the centre.

On the whole, administrative records are easily available for inspection. Do keep up the good work and continue the efforts in the provision of quality care and education to the children.

Creative O Preschoolers' Bay - Ministry of Community Development Licensing Report, 2003

Physical Environment
Centre is spacious and certainly well maintained. The environment is child- oriented with many individualised children's works. There are many theme related works and projects, which are evident in the various corners. In view of the SARS situation, staff have put up a big notice board on SARS at the reception area. It provides useful information for parents and visitors on the development of SARS and the precautionary measures to take. The overall cleanliness is well maintained with evident housekeeping..


Staff Training/Qualifications & Staffing Requirements
Centre maintains good staffing to ensure quality staff child ratio and is meticulous in sending staff for the relevant training.

Programme & Curriculum
Centre actively adopts a project approach to facilitate children's learning.The supervisor, Mrs Phang showed me the current project that the children are involved in. There was a vacant premises beside the child care centre and the staff designed it like an isolated island. The children who are 'stranded' on the island would have to use their creativity to 'survive' on the island. This involves making use of scrap materials that they can find on the 'island' to construct shelters, bridges etc. The project was certainly a fine display of creativity and initiatives that the children took to accomplish their task. In addition, centre is dedicated in providing a rich variety of opportunities for the children in learning through hands on activities. External programmes are organised regularly and children are often engaged in group project work, such as the one mentioned above.

Centre has a web based curriculum and there is constant feedback to families on what the children learn in the centre and how families can reinforce the children's learning at home. Learning corners are very interactive and are well furnished with a variety of learning materials. Quarterly profiles of children are maintained.

During the programmes, frequent and positive interaction between staff and children can be observed. Children show keen interest in the activities and participate actively.

Centre has also put in further efforts to strengthen their partnership with the families. There are periodical projects for the parents and children to be involved in. The theme often relates to what the children learn in the centre. Here, there is a strong emphasis on home based learning as well. Parents are also engaged as volunteers and centre documents the interests/hobbies of parents as a reference in planning the activities.There is a conscious effort to relate to the parents and to encourage their involvement in centre's activities. Workshops and talks are organised not only for the parents of the centre, but for the general public as well. Centre is working towards a strong community partnership as well. For instance, centre has a joint venture with Akitek Trenggara on an architecture projects for the children. It is also encouraging that centre has initiated a platform for collaboration with other child care centres as part of a move towards community partnership. Please keep up your good work in these areas!

Administration
On the whole, administrative records are well maintained and easily accessible for inspection.

Creative O Preschoolers' Bay - Ministry of Community Development Licensing Report, 2001

" The centre is well-run with good centre tone, and a warm and pleasant environment. I was impressed with the activity that was being held during my visit - a Chinese Wedding Ceremony involving the children, some parents and teachers. I was informed that this was in line with the centre's encouragement of multi-culturalism and that the previous three weeks, an Indian, a Malay and a Western Wedding Ceremony were carried out to expose the children to the different traditions of the various races. In addition to this, the children guided by the teachers, are involved in various project work to stimulate learning and cooperation… Centre is commended for the excellent programme and activities which cater to the children's learning needs."

 

Creative O Preschoolers' Bay - Ministry of Community Development Licensing Report, 2000

"Centre has an excellent programme that caters to children's individual needs… Centre has a child-oriented layout that is conducive to facilitate children's development. It is interesting to see the use of different materials by teachers and children. It is indeed visually stimulating to see them being displayed all over the centre… Staff-child interactions are frequent and teachers use gentle tone which provides a good model for children."

Creative O Preschoolers' Bay - Ministry of Community Development Licensing Report, 1999

"Teachers are competent and they encourage interaction between the children most of the time. There is free flow of conversation and activities planned centred around the themes. There is also conscious effort to extend children's learning based on what they already know and with management conscious encouragement, teachers are always seeking new ways of working with children, new activities and new lesson plans. The lessons are well planned and teachers' collaboration and inputs in the development of a comprehensive curriculum is evident… Coupled with the display of relevant parent education materials, parents of the centre's children are also learning how to be an effective partner with the centre… I would like to commend centre on its good work done with and for the children and parents."

Creative O Preschoolers' Bay - Ministry of Community Development Licensing Report, 1998

"The centre is well-maintained and has an attractive indoor environment, stimulating displays and children's works are put up at the children's eye level. Sufficient age-appropriate books and learning materials are available and accessible to the children. Interest corners are maintained for the children's learning. Lots of recycled materials are collected for children to use for their creative works…Staff-child interaction is observed to be positive and children are comfortable in the centre. Centre has 100% trained staff in early childhood studies."

 

Parents' Feedback

2005 Evaluation

  • Very experienced, responsible and caring teachers and staff. Good project-based approach. Frequent outings to enhance learning, or for fun. The St. John’s camp is the key reason why I chose Creative O for my child. Getting to the camp is an indication of having acquired important skills such as planning, and organising, teamwork and being courageous and independent.
  • I am glad to say that I am very confident that my child is adequately prepared for Primary school. Thanks to all her teachers during her 2+ years stay in the bay. She is continually interested to learn about new words, both English and Chinese. This is what we are looking for in the child, the passion to learn but not being forced to learn!
  • Parental involvement high. A lot of hands-on in children’s learning. Great!
  • Children are given the freedom to express themselves. Teachers are excellent. Very happy environment. Children are independent and developing well.
  • A well-planned curriculum that covers different aspects of child’s development ie. arts, music, P.E., language, etc. Spacious area. Caring teachers.
  • The management of the school has put in great efforts in planning interesting programmes for the children. There are no days that my girls did not want to go to school.
  • The teachers are excellent! They understand the children well, very professional; firm yet gentle with the kids.
  • Daily schedule is closely followed, especially menu. Children’s information especially Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease and Chicken Pox is effectively communicated to parents.
  • The teachers’ attitude impressed me. No matter how good is the programme, if there isn’t good teachers, the programmes are useless. Every school promises to provide creative education programmes, but very few could maintain as good teachers as those in Creative O.
  • The teachers are passionate about teaching and are personally very involved in the lives of the children.

2004 Evaluation

  • Trust-worthy in terms of child safety. Teaching children good values such as respect each other and teachers, at the same time allow them to speak up for themselves.
  • Teachers are caring and understanding of children’s abilities and personalities. They have been very great character shaper in their life. They are also good/efficient in helping children acquire various abilities such as reading. Last but not least, they have opened the children’s mind and create an environment for them to explore.
  • I like the care and concern given by the teachers and the variety of activities organised that cater for the different needs of the development of the children eg. speech & drama week, charity concert, charity week where kids create art pieces for the Straits Times School Pocket Fund and the camp. There is also an emphasis on community involvement which is rather lacking in other pre-school centres.

Visitors to our Bay

1998 - 2001

Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong & Mrs Goh Choo Leng

Mrs Carmee Lim (Ex-Principal of Raffles Girls Secondary School)

Mr Chen Liangyu (Executive Vice Mayor of Shanghai)

Ms Natalia Olynec from Bloomberg L.P

Sum Haw Montessori Kindergarten group visit ( Taiwan)

Dr. Florence Lee

Dr Sandra Seagal & Mr David Horne (founders of the Human Dynamics, USA)

RTRC Fundamental Students Field Visit - June 1998

RTRC Diploma Students Field Visit - Oct 1998

RTRC Fundamental Students Field Visit - Sep 1998

RTRC Fundamental Students Field Visit - May 1999

SIM Diploma Students Practicum Visit -2001

2002

March

Ms Zhu Min, Principal of Beijing 21 st Century Experimental Kindergarten and three staff.

May

Students of Diploma in Preschool Teaching from RTRC.

July

- Students of Certificate in Preschool Teaching from Kinderland

- 20 participants of Early Childhood Education Seminar, organized by the MCDS and

AECES.

August

- Ms Margaret McNaught, lecturer from the Institute of Early Childhood, Macquarie

University, Sydney.

- Students of Certificate in Preschool Teaching from RTRC.

September

Senior Minister of State Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam and three senior officers from the Ministry of Education visited us for over 2.5 hours to exchange views on the early childhood education in Singapore.

December

- Government official from Shangdong, China, guests of Creative Technology.

- Students of Diploma in Preschool Teaching from Kinderland. Some students

did their observation studies in our Bay.

2003

February

- Ms Tay Eng Hiang & her colleague from PCF Taman Jurong.

- Students of Diploma in Preschool Teaching from Singapore Institute of Management.

- Mrs Evelyn Neo, founder of Loving Childcare and Mdm Tan Siew Choo, founder of

Tenderluv Childcare.

- Ms Jacqueline Chung, Principal of St. Jame’s Kindergarten and 4 teachers.

March

- 30 students of Diploma in Preschool Teaching (Chinese) from Kinderland.

- 16 students from Shuqun Secondary School in The Student Community Project – Child

Care, organised by South West CDC and conducted by Association For Early

Childhood Educators ( Singapore). (AECES).

May

20 students of Diploma in Preschool Teaching from RTRC.

July

- Students of Diploma in Preschool Teaching from Kinderland.

- 10 students from the Master’s class of National Institute of Education (NIE)

- VIPs from DELL (USA), guests of Creative Technology.

August

- Indonesian Delegation (Ministry of Trade & Ministry of Education), guests of Creative

Technology.

- Director of Kindergarten & Primary School and a team of 26 officials from various

organizations, guests of Creative Technology.

September

Human Resource officers from various IT companies, guests of Creative Technology

November

- Students of Certificate in Preschool Teaching from AECES

- Ms Anathi, Principal and teachers from Sarada Kindergarten

- Students of Diploma in Preschool Teaching (Chinese) from Kinderland.

- Mr Eugene Ong, Principal and Mr Moses Sia, Vice Principal of West Grove Primary

School.

December

- Prof Sylvia Chard from Canada visited us for half a day and we exchanged views on

the Project Work Approach.

- Government officials from Malacca, guests of Creative Technology.

2004

February

- Professor Choi Yoon Sun from Anyang Technical College – Department of Chinese

Foreign Language ( Korea), together with 8 Malaysian visitors from Melody Kindyland

(Pulau Pinang, Penang)

March

- 12 students from NIE (Masters in Early Childhood Education)

June

- 15 teachers from North Cluster Schools (led by Ms Chew Lay See) came with the

Channel NewsAsia Crew. Their visit was featured on Channel 5’s Prime Time News

(23 June)

August

- Ms Lim Siew Gek and 4 teachers from Ahmad Ibrahim Primary School

- Ms Lilian Lim from RTRC Asia, with a group of 60 students of 2 nd year from Ngee

Ann Polytechnic

September

- Teachers from Aspiration Child Care Centre of Marina Parade and Bishan

- Dr Lai Chee Cheng (lecturer-Advent Links-SAUC) and Ms Ng Cheng Cheng

(Manager of Cherryland Montessori House)

- 9 teachers (led by Madam Hanna) from Dazhong Primary School

October

- 16 teachers, Principal (Mrs Siva) and VP (Mrs Pearly Ng) from Marsiling Primary

School

- 12 teachers from Daimei Primary School

- 7 teachers from Zhangde Primary School (led by Ms Mou Wai Nor)

- 27 teachers, Head of Dept, Principals and Vice Principals from Henry Park, Pandan,

Qifa, Yuhua, Fuhua and Keming Primary Schools

- 29 teachers, HODs, Principals and VPs from Nan Hua, Lakeside, Clementi, Boon Lay,

Rulang, Shuqun, Jurong Primary Schools

November

- Mrs H Singh (Principal) River View Primary School with a group of 15 teachers from

Primary 1-3

- 40 teachers and Principal (Ms. Shirley Ng) from Sin Ming Primary School

- 10 pre-school teachers from Jeffenie Learning Centre

December

- 5 teachers from Navel Base School

- 22 staff from Early Childhood Education Division of Young Women, Wushu

Association

2005

February

- Dr Ellen Chen Shi, Director of Chinese Program, KLC School of Education and

Dr Shi Zhong Ying from Beijing Normal University

- 30 teachers from Pei Hua Presbyterian Primary School led by their Vice Principal

- 14 students of Diploma in Preschool Teaching from RTRC

March

- 22 teachers from Greenridge Primary School led by their Vice Principal

- Master Class of NIE led by their lecturer Ms Linda Gan

- 35 teachers from Nanyang Primary School led by their Principal

- 10 teachers from West View Primary School

May

- 16 students of Diploma in Preschool Teaching from RTRC

June

- 10 students of Diploma in Preschool Teaching from RTRC

July

- Ms Ning Zheng, Principal of Qingdao Experiment Kindergarten, China

- 3 visitors from Beijing Normal University Press led by their Vice Chief Editor

September

- 3 Korean delegates from Ministry of Public Health

December

- 2 visitors from Shanghai Kindergarten, China

- 2 visitors from Qingdao Kindergarten
Creative O Preschoolers' Bay
31 International Business Park Creative Resource #02-01 Singapore 609921
Tel: (65) 6895 4222 Fax: (65) 6895 4099
creative_o@pacific.net.sg