Although school days vary from school to school. Some schools start at 8. am and finish at 1 pm. Other schools have activities up to 3 pm, depending on the class. Unfortunately, the school schedule could be more favourable for parents working late. The conflicting schedules, which affected productivity at work, gave rise to several afterschool care options.
Student Care Centres
Student care centres, just like regular schools, are registered with the Ministry of Education. This has helped standardize children’s care as they wait for their parents to pick them up at the end of the day.
The availability of afterschool student care centres is helpful in so many ways. Most parents are simply glad that they don’t have to make the tough decision of giving up their jobs because their children leave school early.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| – Experienced mentors take care of the children. – Supervised homework sessions. – Organized spaces that meet a child’s interest. – Extra services, such as tuition, are available. – Children have opportunities to socialize. – Structured programs to boost various skills, such as social and critical-thinking skills. – The centres are registered and monitored by the Ministry of Education. – Children have a safe place to play and rest after school. – Some centres are open on Saturdays and during public holidays. – Enrichment classes give children additional skills, such as art and sports. | – Parents cannot work too late because most centres close by 7pm. – It is more costly when compared to other options, such as requesting grandparents to babysit until the parents return from work. |
Help From Grandparents
The number of multi-generational households has been falling in Singapore. This makes the option of grandparents caring for the children a little tricky, especially if they live far from the school or home. However, some parents get childcare support from their grandparents.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| – It is inexpensive. – Children get the chance to bond with their grandparents. – Younger children may be more comfortable staying in more familiar territory. | – Grandparents may not meet the child’s academic need – — Conflicts may arise if grandparents have different parenting styles. – Children miss the opportunities available to their peers who attend student care centres. |
Live-In Domestic Helper
Most parents seek student care centres in Singapore because no one is home. Some families have the advantage of having live-in domestic help, so the child can go home immediately after school.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| – The helper takes care of the home and the child simultaneously. – The child may be happy going into a familiar environment. Parents can work overtime without worrying about their children. The child always has someone at home, including at weekends. | – The child may not get academic support. – The monthly costs of hiring a live-in can quickly get to that of afterschool care, where additional services, such as homework assistance, are offered. |
Which After School Care Option Is Ideal?
The decision over which afterschool care option is most suitable depends on several factors.
They include:
- Affordability.
- The services required.
- The available options. Some parents only have the option of a school care centre, while others can choose a live-in help or grandparents. However, if the grandparents live out of the way, there is the option of a student care centre or a live-in helper.
- The child’s needs.
Whatever decision parents make, there is no doubt that student care centres have more to offer children. The benefits far outweigh the cost. Some centres even offer extras, such as free transportation from the surrounding schools. If your child needs extra academic support and skills development, the student care centre is best.