NTUC CHILDCARE WOODLANDS |
Overview |
Being part of the NTUC Childcare Group, NTUC Childcare began operations as a co-operative on 1 April 1992. Today, it is the single largest provider of quality and affordable preschool education services in Singapore. The pre-school education chain has 39 centres, with a total intake of almost 4,000 children. The centres offer full-day early childhood care and education and an excellent bilingual pre-school programme in English and Mandarin for children from 18 months to 6 years of age. The science-based curriculum subscribes to experiential learning and a process-oriented approach that supports the natural curiosity of children, thus helping them to develop positive dispositions desirable for lifelong learning.
NTUC Childcare Centres are conveniently located at HDB heartlands to meet the needs of parents with young children. Other services include infant care, student care, a flexi-hour childcare programme and family day care services.
Known for their pioneering and innovative efforts, NTUC Childcare is dedicated and committed to the caring and educating of young children everywhere. At NTUC Childcare, "Every Child Counts". |
Strategy |
Mission |
To be the leader and preferred provider of quality and affordable early childhood care and education services.
The team of caring and professionals will harness the energies and abilities of the children whom they care for and develop them to their fullest potential in a nurturing and stimulating learning environment.
They spent attention and care in delivering value-add services as well to parents and caregivers who send their children for the programmes at NTUC Childcare. For instance, taking into consideration the parents’ busy schedules in their communications, promotional events and activities. Providing a rest area for parents and caregivers whilst waiting for the children. Involving parents and caregivers in events and activities i.e. grandparent’s day. |
Product & Service Mix |
The curriculum has a specific focus on bilingual education and that is very relevant. The centre’s curriculum centres substantially on the Chinese language (tailor to the substantial Chinese national and Chinese educated parents who bring their children to the centre) and that would take good care of the Nation’s plans to strengthen the Chinese language and the parents’ needs. The centre has shown that they have a good mix of Chinese and English teachers to support their curriculum. |
Marketing & Promotions |
There is evidence of marketing in the form of pamphlets, newsletters and flyers. There is a meaningful theme with appropriate focus on education values and materials customized for the right audience (parents and caregivers). Pamphlets and flyers are hand delivered via a outsource vendor and open house conducted annually to invite interested parents/caregivers to the centre to view their offerings. Base on the interview with the ChildCare centre team, they market to potential customers during their exhibition events held in the centre.
The centre conduct activities are also tied in with National programmes by MCYS i.e. Grandparents Day and Family week. These activities cater to family unit and not just limiting to parents but allowing grandparents to be apart.
Activities do tapped on the expertise of some of the parents, creating parental involvement. |
Service Attitude |
Teachers and helpers have shown that they are warm and polite in their greetings and send-offs. They are friendly and approachable to parents and children.
The outlet communicates with parents through a child log book and major activities and other concerns are communicated via that log book. Parents/caregivers exchanged communication via polite letters with teachers. This is a good approach to communicate with parents.
The centre acknowledges birthdays and allows their children to celebrate their birthdays. This is a good way to spice up life in the centre. The children love the celebrations. Besides preparing for the celebrations, parents also become apart of the celebrations and this helps to boast parent and child relationships.
Feedback was solicited from staff (including teachers and helpers) on a daily basis and actions taken with outlet given autonomy and flexibility. The feedback system is casual and that allows outlet easy implementation. |
Nurturing service care |
Believe in providing quality yet affordable childcare services as well as provide thoughtful and friendly services
The outlet has flexible arrangements with parents and caregivers i.e. when the children are picked up, if the parents/caregivers are late, teachers will stay until they arrive to pick their children, even though it exceeds the operating hours.
With customer care programme in place, ensure that all staff provides excellence service to customers. First understanding parents’ needs and trying to help them within their ability. Ensuring the affordability of programmes is one area. Planning and organizing events for parents to interact with their children, i.e. Kids-in-charge and ParentsConnect (PEP) programmes
NTUC ChildCare ensures menus are healthy and exceeding minimum guidelines and requirements. Halal certification will be obtained eventually to allow muslim children to take up childcare services. |
Safety first |
There are signs at all exits. Signs are adequate and appropriately placed in the centre.
There is an emergency call list at the entrance of the outlet and at all bay areas to cater for emergencies. First aid kit is within reach in the centre for teachers and helpers.
The staff undergo trainings arranged internally for this purpose. They conduct fire drills once every 2 months. They have documented attendance, timings and findings in a fire drill report every time a fire drill is conducted.
The centre is protected by a security system where only a few necessary staff has access to the password.
There is a small gate to prevent children from leaving the premises and segregating them from visitors at the centre’s entrance. Staff are always on the alert for strangers as the void deck area is quite quiet and the centre is designed in such that there are walkways between clusters of the childcare centre. A log book helps monitors the entry and exit of personnel to the centre. |
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Access & Layout |
The outlet has spacious aisles within its classrooms and designated children play/learning areas.
Toilets were spacious and there is ample space for baths and adequate space in each cubical for the children’s usage. |
Facilities |
There is a designated parents’ corner.
The flooring is made of soft material and is extremely suitable for a childcare environment. Thus, explains the ability for the children to sleep on mattresses on the floor.
Furniture and appropriate materials are placed within reach of the children and catered specifically to the children.
There are designated areas for different levels of children to facilitate education and create excitement for the children. Each designated area has its unique design and most possess an educational theme and purpose.
There is a toilet for the handicap. This is extremely usefully for disable children/visitors (the outlet do consider taking in disabled children but subject to doctor’s approval and adequate preparation).
The outlet’s classrooms, walkways and toilets are kept clean and dry. A pair of slipper is provided for anyone who uses the toilet. A rug is provided to allow users to dry off their feet after use. Noticed that staff wipe surfaces dry and kept them clean at most times. Children are also educated to wipe dry hands after washing.
Shoes are strictly kept in tagged/designated shoe cabinets and no foot ware is allowed in the centre premises. This is hygienic and keeps the centre clean at all times. |
