All busy parents understand the value of having a safe, enriching environment for their kids to hang out in after school. However, it isn’t always easy to arrange after-school activities that will keep children both engaged and content. Thankfully, there are now plenty of Student Care Centres across Singapore that fulfill exactly this function.
Student Care Centres (SCCs) were originally set up to provide after-school care, supervision and learning for kids in primary and lower secondary school. Although some of the first centres were run by Singapore’s social service agencies, the majority are now run as commercial businesses by private operators. All MoE primary schools in Singapore have SCCs based in them, meaning that kids don’t have to leave school to begin their after-school learning. Companies that run these school-based SCCs include YMCA, Pro-Teach, Morning Star, and Big Heart. Other SCCs are community-based ventures, which may be slightly less convenient as they will probably involve some travel after school. Luckily the coverage of SCCs is now so extensive that most children won’t have to travel far.
All SSCs charge fees, with monthly rates ranging from around $200 to over $1000, depending on the frequency of usage and service provided. However, as the centres were originally set up to support lower income families, Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development offers subsidies of up to 98% for SCCs registered on its website. Details of these subsidies and the eligibility criteria can be found here.
There are now over 320 SCCs in Singapore, with most providing care, supervision, and tuition for children aged 7 to 14 years. Most SCCs recruit former teachers, retired teachers, or other people with teaching experience. Apart from academic support, most SCCs offer enrichment programmes that teach students valuable life skills such as problem-solving and resilience. Some centres offer recreation zones that include games such as table tennis and table football. With so many SCCs available across Singapore, it’s impossible to list them all. However, we’re delighted to share 15 of our favourite Student Care Centres in Singapore.
Brave Feats
Image Credit: Bravefeats.community
Brave Feats bases its programmes on Montessori philosophies that nurture children’s natural interests and foster self-motivated growth and resilience. Its centres feature a large open plan room with a hand-painted mural.
- Locations: Bedok and Siglap
- Fees: from $230 per month
- More Details
Out of Box Academy
Image Credit: Out of Box Academy via Facebook
Out of Box Academy centres offer academic support in subjects such as maths, English and science, as well as enrichment programmes that include robotics, coding and art. Both indoor and outdoor activities are available.
- Locations: 16 centres across Singapore
- Fees: available upon enquiry
- More Details
Ananias Centre
Image Credit: Ananias via Instagram
Ananias places emphasis on character development and role modelling, ensuring kids eat healthy meals and complete any school homework. As well as support in subjects such as English and maths, as well as skills such as reading and writing, Ananias offers a range of non-academic programmes.
- Locations: Ang Mo Kio, Choa Chu Kang, and Clementi (multiple locations)
- Fees: $450 per month
- More Details
Kowabunga! Kidz Treehouse Student Club
Kowabunga! Kidz Treehouse is part of a wider Kowabunga! group that is committed to sustainability and empowerment, so it’s perhaps no surprise that it aims to foster young people who care for the environment. Its programmes include laboratory work, arts and crafts, and even swimming.
- Locations: more than 9 locations island-wide
Fees: $270 per month - More Details
Mind Sparks Student Care by Mind Stretcher
Image Credit: Mind Sparks: A Holistic & Premium Student Care via Facebook
Mind Sparks aims to supercharge every child’s potential through a range of academic programmes, including Chinese and creative writing, and enrichment programmes, such as public speaking, coding, and chess.
- Locations: Bukit Batok, Tao Payoh, Woodlands
- Fees: available upon request
- More Details
Big Heart Student Care
Image Credit: Bigheartstudentcare.com
Big Heart emphasizes the importance of experiential learning, personal values, healthy living and exploration. Its programmes include sports such as netball, STEM activities (science, technology, engineering, maths) and art.
- Locations: over 30 locations across Singapore
- Fees: $290 per month
- More Details
EduFirst Learning Centre
Image Credit: EduFirst Learning Centre via Facebook
EduFirst Learning Centre focuses on both formal and informal learning with an emphasis on academic improvement that includes support with homework. Its programmes include enrichment activities, hands-on experiments, and even field trips.
- Locations: over 20 centres in Singapore
- Fees: from $230 per month
- More Details
Graceland Student Care Centre
Image Creidt: Graceland Student Care Centre via Facebook
Graceland Student Care Centre prides itself on creative methods for guiding holistic student development to produce well-rounded individuals with attributes such as empathy and integrity. Programmes include English, maths, Chinese, science and outdoor games.
- Locations: Bedok, Jurong West, Teck Whye and Woodlands
- Fees: from $380 per month
- More Details
MindSpace by MindChamps
MindSpace follows educational philosophies based on neuroscience research that aim to develop a Champion Mindset in children. Its after-school programmes include subjects such as science and Chinese, but rote-learning is replaced by learning strategies that encourage understanding, recall and application.
- Locations: 24 centres across Singapore
- Fees: available on enquiry
- More Details
Morning Star Community Services
Morning Star Community Services places an emphasis on the individuality of all children. Its activities are designed to encourage kids to enjoy learning and develop skills such as problem-solving. Morning Star’s programmes include Brick Club, in which kids develop their social skills through playing with Lego.
- Locations: Hougang, Sengkang, Bedok North (multiple locations) and St Gabriel’s Primary School
- Fees: from $270 per month
- More Details
NASCANS
NASCANS aims to nurture the 21st century child, encouraging character development as well as skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity. Its programmes include outdoor activities such as sports and games, enrichment activities such as drama, mind mapping, and music, and academic support such as homework supervision.
- Locations: 32 centres across the island
- Fees: from $215 per month
- More Details
PlayFACTO
PlayFACTO has a wider range of locations than most other SCCs, so there is probably a location suitable for most children. Its philosophies are based around positive education, in which the well-being and happiness of children are paramount. Its programmes include coding and robotics, as well as creative maths.
- Fees: from $600 per month
- Locations: 50 centres across Singapore
- More Details
Pro-Teach Student Care
Pro-Teach Student Care has a philosophy based on 7 elements: students, teachers, instructions, environment, management, and inspiration. Its programmes include You Can Do it! (focused on equipping children with the skills and strategies to achieve their goals), learning with educational technology, and creative writing.
- Fees: from $235 per month
- Locations: over 30 centres across Singapore
- More Details
Raffles Student Care Centre
Raffles Student Care Centre emphasizes characteristics such as resilience, responsibility, compassion, and respect. It has a theme-based development programme that encompasses character development, kinesthetics learning (including music and movement, and team-based games), arts and crafts, and cooking and baking.
- Fees: from $215 per month
- Locations: over 10 centres across Singapore
- More Details
YMCA Student Care Centre
YMA Student Care Centre uses holistic education to develop caring and responsible individuals with high integrity through fun activities, games, and story telling. Its programmes include THRIVE, which aims to develop thoughtful, resilient and innovative individuals, as well as The Alpha Mind, which uses experiential learning to encourage the adoption of key values.
- Fees: from $260 per month
- Locations: 23 centres across Singapore
- More Details
With so many SCCs to choose from, spread across the width and breadth of Singapore, there is sure to be a centre that offers convenience, the right educational philosophies, and programmes that your child will love. Singapore’s Student Care Centres could revolutionize your life as a parent!
Cover Image Credit: Bigheartstudentcare.com
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