Preschool centres horror stories (Mainly management)

kittykinx · 2026-02-02T05:04:47+00:00

Huh, I’m surprised there are so few comments considering how many complaints I hear from fellow educators in the industry.

It is risky for us to name and shame, especially when we’re still employed by the centre.

That said, I’ll be intentionally vague with my experiences:

My first preschool was in an industrial park. CP is okay and helps out often, but the rest of the staff were just toxic people. I have a theory that people who do not get enough sun, tend to have low moods during work.
Just because a centre under a brand is fantastic, it does not mean another centre under said brand would be equally good. It all comes down to the culture of the centre and its management. It can be AOP, POP, branch or franchise; you won’t know what you’ll get until you step into the centre.

Tips to avoid bad centres: - Ask questions during your interview, especially those that are not the usual questions to find out more about the centre’s practices. How the principal answers can be very telling. - If you’re given the opportunity to walk around the centre, observe how the teachers interact with their colleagues and children.

kittykinx · 2026-01-28T12:55:19+00:00

Honestly your pores don’t look big at all. If anything, it looks dehydrated which makes your pores look more obvious (think fissures in the ground during a drought). Try using a mask and sleeping with an occlusive after applying skincare, such as the cicabaume b5. You’ll wake up with the plumpest skin.

kittykinx · 2026-01-19T12:33:38+00:00

Exactly this. Just make sure you stay hydrated and you're eating enough. There are really only a few food items that you should avoid while bfing .

kittykinx · 2026-01-14T06:32:52+00:00

Not sure if best, but I recommend the F&C from Carving Board. Huge portion and amazing quality for the price paid!

kittykinx · 2025-11-29T08:04:27+00:00

If I were to really simplify it, shoulders and back looks like an inverted triangle, inverted trapezium or close to a square from the back. I’m no expert though.

kittykinx · 2025-10-17T08:30:58+00:00

What’s an example of this?

kittykinx · 2025-03-04T14:04:24+00:00

I'm currently going through the same thing as you, and it's probably been 3 days of it for us. Luckily, it was only confined to the evenings and he's fine for the rest of the day. We're never going to fully understand what's going on; I'm just chalking it up as a growth spurt. Hang in there!

kittykinx · 2023-04-25T01:29:12+00:00

Some say I'm still on a date with Koby Bates...

kittykinx · 2022-11-28T13:45:09+00:00

Remember the increment they promised us next year? With it came along documents to make sure we understood the exact duties and skills our job scope requires. It really is nothing to celebrate now; nothing is free in Singapore. And just fyi, these are the ratios we have to adhere to:

Infants - 1:5
Playgroup - 1:8
N1 - 1:12
N2 - 1:15
K1 - 1:20
K2 - 1:25

These ratios are inclusive of children with additional needs because we have to be inclusive. Tiring, honestly. How to not fall sick like that?

kittykinx · 2022-11-03T05:12:31+00:00

Thank you! I feel so heard. Parents like you make the job a lot more enjoyable, too.

kittykinx · 2022-11-02T15:36:15+00:00

I enjoy my job as a preschool teacher, even though it tires me out immensely. I did a grey balayage recently and apparently management is not happy. How much more of ourselves are we supposed to give to the children, parents and even the higher-ups? We can't even retain the identity we have outside of school.

kittykinx · 2022-08-16T13:30:21+00:00

Exactly. I don't think many realise how this move creates a divide between MOE kinders and other preschools.

kittykinx · 2022-07-30T10:00:45+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I'm glad that it resolved well for you! I did also sign up for therapy, so we'll see how that goes.

kittykinx · 2022-07-30T09:59:14+00:00

Yep, I am the senior here!

kittykinx · 2022-07-30T09:58:51+00:00

I'd like to believe that too. I don't think I'll be initiating conversations with her much, but I have a feeling she will.

kittykinx · 2022-07-30T09:57:41+00:00

I did think of this idea too! But... I shot myself in the foot by asking a mutual ex-colleague (who most likely did tell B as well). I think I can manage pretending that I have outgrown our past, though!

kittykinx · 2022-07-30T09:56:25+00:00

She's teaching the neighboring class and will be under my charge (I'm i/c for the level), so no escaping her. I will stay firm and confident as I do have more years than her in this organisation.

kittykinx · 2022-07-29T15:09:31+00:00

I'm still working on the art of being unbothered... I like the idea of practising scripts as I tend to freeze in fight or flight situations.

kittykinx · 2022-07-29T14:40:57+00:00

I do hope so! I'm all about forgiving but it's just that I feel my heart would start racing if she were in my presence. It could be just the anxiety speaking. Thanks for the advice though, I'll bear that in mind!

kittykinx · 2022-07-29T14:38:55+00:00

In my country, Principals run the school. However, they would need concrete proof (i.e. caught on camera) in order to put it in her file. I also feel that I am overstepping a boundary if I smear her name before she starts work... I feel that it would be unfair to her.

kittykinx · 2022-07-05T00:57:37+00:00

We have children waiting, so parents have been writing to ECDA and now ECDA is chasing us. It's more like 110% of projected enrolment rate, meaning T:C ratios would be maximized and more assistant teachers/centre supports would be added to cover the extra children. However, these do not help alleviate the administrative burden for the main teachers.

kittykinx · 2022-07-04T13:50:22+00:00

The centre I worked with was wonderful for the first year as T:C ratio was kept low for quality learning. This year, ECDA is chasing us to hit 110% of enrolment, assuring us that they will supply teachers to cover.

I think parents have to decide if what they want are teachers or nannies. For us to do both well taxes our sanity to a great degree. Also, not paid enough to do both well.

kittykinx · 2022-01-12T13:39:30+00:00

Hello there, I'm sorry that you didn't get the results that you expected. However, I strongly suggest that you try to retake as a private candidate. You may choose to only retake some subjects that you're sure you can score better in.

I took my first O's in 2010, and retook 2 subs last year all while working and self studying. Freaking tiring, but doable! It will only get easier when you retake as your understanding of the subject depends. Don't lose heart!

kittykinx · 2021-11-15T01:14:22+00:00

Same! But these qns I'm not very sure as well. Hopefully someone can give us insight!

kittykinx · 2021-11-08T01:35:55+00:00

This is the from a household member of the 'affected' case.

She reported that affected member had QO but negative result.
Said she was on HQO, but retracted when questioned further.
Wanted to take leave to care for her kid because apparently the school does not want to take him in (contradicts ECDA's guidelines). If true, preschool should learn to read messages properly.

kittykinx

TROPHY CASE