Planning my move to Singapore

[malcontent]

Near my home there is an overpass with a sidewalk under it. I have seen more than a few choice spots to sleep under there which would be completely hidden from public view and obviously, free of charge. The only issue would be the traffic noise from above.

[Roadtosingapore]

Near my home there is an overpass with a sidewalk under it. I have seen more than a few choice spots to sleep under there which would be completely hidden from public view and obviously, free of charge. The only issue would be the traffic noise from above.

Best advise I have received so far. will come around to see your neighbourhood.

[water-guy]

I am also considering a move in the next few months. There is good information here on schools, however, I don't see much info for younger kids. I have a 2 yr old and another one on the way soon. Wondering what the costs and options for childcare are? We would want our older one to go to a daycare with some developmental activities. The younger one, when its here, we would probably keep home for a year and then send to daycare.

[malcontent]

I am also considering a move in the next few months. There is good information here on schools, however, I don't see much info for younger kids. I have a 2 yr old and another one on the way soon. Wondering what the costs and options for childcare are? We would want our older one to go to a daycare with some developmental activities. The younger one, when its here, we would probably keep home for a year and then send to daycare.

If you don’t have a non-working spouse, the protocol here is to leave young ones at home with the helper. Day care has been proven ineffective at having any long-term meaningful developmental benefit (outside of developing a stronger immune system). The advantages of employing a helper are too many to count, hence the popularity of this option.

Retracting my earlier statement as this may have just be my perception, and it is from a long time ago:

Are there day care options? Sure, but not a lot… and expat focused ones are expensive, really set up more to make the parents feel good — make them think it can actually benefit their child, and that is precisely why most of the “day care” here is not full day. I’d describe it more like play school.

[Addadude]

Wondering what the costs and options for childcare are? We would want our older one to go to a daycare with some developmental activities. The younger one, when its here, we would probably keep home for a year and then send to daycare.

There is no shortage of daycare options here and the price range varies widely from <$1k a month to $5k+. Check out the ones near where you live or where you work (depending on your personal schedule) and schedule a visit. I'm not sure where Mal got his info about daycare having been proven to be ineffective but the quality from preschool brand to preschool brand can certainly vary - and sometimes even within a preschool brand itself. It's best to take your time, do your research online, visit each centre and don't rush into your decision no matter what 'decide-now-deal' you may be offered.

[smoulder]

Also, just to be clear, day care is typically the whole day. Many have a half day rate, but the difference between that and the full day cost is not significant.

[malcontent]

I'm not sure where Mal got his info about daycare having been proven to be ineffective but the quality from preschool brand to preschool brand can certainly vary - and sometimes even within a preschool brand itself. It's best to take your time, do your research online, visit each centre and don't rush into your decision no matter what 'decide-now-deal' you may be offered.

I tried but could not locate the specific study that had proven how kids who attend preschool were only ahead of P1 kids until the end of P1, after that, the non-preschool kids caught up to the others and there was no lasting difference in subsequent grades.

Searching the web today, I see there are many studies, some support one argument and some support the other.

[water-guy]

Thanks. I am not personally sold on the need for very expensive schools for very young kids that claim to provide elite developmental activities, however, I think after a year or so, I see the benefit in sending them to play with other kids. Until 3, I am only looking for a playschool, not necessarily a school. It has really helped my son to engage with other kids that help him pick up things that he won't learn sitting at home alone with a helper who may not be very interested in engaging him every minute. We only send him to a home based daycare with a few kids where he is mostly just playing but i think they teach them a few things here and there. The structured play also helps him.

Do people generally trust home helpers with younger babies without any sort of certification in childcare? Looks like maternity leave is only 3 months, so we are wondering what most people do when both have to go back to work. we can likely have parents stay with us for a few months, but not for the whole year.

[smoulder]

Day care is your answer. Drop the kids off on your way to work and then pick them up from the child care center on the way home. No, I wouldn't trust my child with a helper - she's better off playing with other kids of a similar age under the supervision of a someone trained in early childhood education.

[malcontent]

Do people generally trust home helpers with younger babies without any sort of certification in childcare? Looks like maternity leave is only 3 months, so we are wondering what most people do when both have to go back to work. we can likely have parents stay with us for a few months, but not for the whole year.

I can only speak to what I see at my condo, which is 90% expat (about half are western) and at least 90% have hired help. Yes, I’d say especially western expats entrust their very young ones with their helpers… possibly overly so. I’d say the French in particular seem to have a very laissez-faire attitude, leaving it to their maids, carte blanche. Aside from the few bad apples, this seems to work out just fine.

Over the years we have seen a few extreme cases, like the maid who visited their friend in another condo unit and left the baby alone in the stroller at the lift lobby… or another time we saw a maid on her phone while the baby was crawling around on the grass next to her, unwatched, and started eating the grass.

For us, we left our young ones alone at home with our helper, but our helper wasn’t allowed to leave our home with our child… or have her phone while taking care of our child. It’s a good idea to set some boundaries, in my opinion.

[smoulder]

One more thing I would like to add. My 2 and a half year old has picked up a fair bit of Chinese at the childcare because they intentionally have a few teachers who are from China and speak with the kids in Chinese. Since we are a mixed race couple, she almost exclusively hears English at home except for when my wife speaks to her in Chinese to try and reinforce her Chinese skills. We do feel that the Chinese exposure in the childcare is helping her to pick up Chinese as a second language.

That is an important consideration for us since my daughter will take Chinese as her mother tongue when she goes to school. It is probably not relevant to you though unless you would like your kids to be exposed to another language.

[water-guy]

Thanks for the input! Quite a few things to weigh in, but we are a few months away from moving, so we have some time to ponder about this.

[SGBoyxxx]

Thanks for responding to my query. Do expat have an option to rent a HDB flat?

Here is my definition of leading a decent life -

1) 3 bedroom flat (close to the transport that connects you to the main city center / downtown)
2) International School for kids (school following British curriculum)
3) Weekend trips to local attraction and eating out 1-2 times per week (no alcoholic beverages)
4) Public transport / Uber
5) Access to swimming pool / Health clubs

I think the cost for above will give me a good idea about expected monthly expenditure.

I will be earning around 16k per month.

16k per month ?? Already consider good and a lot in SG for workers.

base on your salary can rent a condo in fact still got spare for daily needs even come leisure.
Again every countries are the same come rental. Near central areas will tend to cost more same apply in SG.

weekend trip in SG , maybe you can explore neighbours in SG around simply take MRT which can easy access anywhere.

DO note owning a car in SG is expensive.

Owning a new car in Singapore is expensive. A secondhand car brings costs down dramatically, but not everyone is into that.

Tactically speaking SG is small. You don't need a car to travel around as Public transport is every where around bus and MRT.
Of course if you need to go those far places still wise to take a Taxi.
Side not Private hire actually is expensive than Taxi.

[SGBoyxxx]

Thanks for responding to my query. Do expat have an option to rent a HDB flat?

Here is my definition of leading a decent life -

1) 3 bedroom flat (close to the transport that connects you to the main city center / downtown)
2) International School for kids (school following British curriculum)
3) Weekend trips to local attraction and eating out 1-2 times per week (no alcoholic beverages)
4) Public transport / Uber
5) Access to swimming pool / Health clubs

I think the cost for above will give me a good idea about expected monthly expenditure.

I will be earning around 16k per month.

If you’re referring to government flats they’re incredibly small and there are quite a number of hoops you would have to jump through as a foreigner in order to rent. Also there are no facilities or amenities so you would have to purchase a club membership separately. For these reasons it is far more preferable for you to stay in a condo. Other members have given you a more detailed cost breakdown, but generally for a condo of decent build and size you should expect to pay at least $4-5K a month.

Actually Old Government Flats Are spacious than new Flat. Of course I can't judge base on individual lifestyle, etc.

Condo , well yea security guards , Private gym/pool etc inside is a + points but rent obviously will be higher than government flats but so far condo in SG is very small if you prefer big ones obviously are penthouse , top units of course rental will be even higher than getting lower levels.

On Government flats, is more on if you wanna integrate get a " feel " as a local. Neighbourhood coffeeshop, market, public playground/fitness corner etc. Rental side of course cheaper than renting a condo.

[Lynnyan]

Thanks for responding to my query. Do expat have an option to rent a HDB flat?

Here is my definition of leading a decent life -

1) 3 bedroom flat (close to the transport that connects you to the main city center / downtown)
2) International School for kids (school following British curriculum)
3) Weekend trips to local attraction and eating out 1-2 times per week (no alcoholic beverages)
4) Public transport / Uber
5) Access to swimming pool / Health clubs

I think the cost for above will give me a good idea about expected monthly expenditure.

I will be earning around 16k per month.

Hi, adding to this as I don't think the others brought it up yet:
You'll likely have to add in private tutoring expenses for the kids as well.
I'm spending approx 1k per subject per kid? That's for 1 to 1 tuition though, so it'll be cheaper if you send them to a centre for group tuition. (private lessons are more effective imo)

Oh, I agree with the rest abt condo living. The amenities are included, so it's pretty worth it.