Happy Environment Happy Kids: The Giving Treehouse Student Care Centre

[Advertorial]

Sprawling over 62,200sqm site area is the Laguna Park where The Giving Treehouse Student Care Centre is located. The first impression I had when I visited the Centre was a sense of security since it is located inside a privatised HUDC. There is a guard house watching over visitors coming into the estate, and it is completed fenced up, so children are free to play in the greenery with no worries of traffic and strangers approaching them. Because it is nested in a private estate, it is also quieter, making the environment conducive for learning. I already like the location before I even stepped into the Centre.

As I stepped into the Centre, I was warmly welcomed by Sandy. Immediately, the 7 Habits of Happy Kids by Sean Covey (son of Stephen Covey, who is the author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) pinned on the wall near the entrance caught my attention. Sandy was quick to observe that and she swiftly sat me down and explained to me the Centre’s philosophy. 

The Centre uses the 7 Habits of Happy Kids to coach the children in their daily lives. For example, when 2 children quarreled over a toy, the coach will use Habit #5 – Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood and Habit #4 – Think Win-Win to mediate. Whenever the children start doing their homework, the coach will remind them of Habit #2 – Begin with the End in Mind. She said, constant practice of these 7 habits will help mould the children’s character, build better habits and fine-tune their behaviours. I couldn’t agree more.

As I toured around the Centre, I noticed this auntie who was preparing food. Sandy then brought up that the Centre has an in-house local auntie who prepares lunch and snacks for the children. They do that to ensure the meals are well-planned and nutritious (the Centre serves fruits every day, btw). This auntie also helps to clean up the Centre, ensuring the overall cleanliness. This is a bonus, for I know some Centres have lunch outsourced, snacks are just processed food like biscuits, cookies and titbits, and the coaching staff have to double-up as cleaners to clean the Centre. Having clear and defined roles make everyone working here happier and each one can concentrate better on his/her core duties.

The Centre has 3 classrooms to house 15 children each, one for Primary 1 and 2, one for Primary 3 and 4, and one for Primary 5 and 6. There is also a spare room for ad hoc activities, and a separate dining area. With my eyeball assessment, each classroom is about 30sqm, which is a decent size to house 15 children without feeling cramp. There is 1 coach in each classroom, helping the children with their school work. Every day, after lunch, the children will have a structured timetable to go through. Generally, they will be allocated 2 hours to do their homework and work given by the Centre (with guidance from their coaches), tea break, half an hour reading time and an hour of thematic programme (like art, current affairs, sports, etc) in the classroom or at the field just outside the Centre (still within the compound of Laguna Park).

As it is getting common to have both parents working these days, other than leaving our children with helpers and grannies, the next best option is leaving them in a good Student Care Centre. I like what I saw in The Giving Treehouse – a secured compound to play in and a nurturing environment. If your children are studying around the East Coast and that you are looking for a Student Care Centre, do contact The Giving Treehouse to arrange for a tour and a free 3-day trial. This is one of the best ways to assess if the centre is suitable for your children.

This coming 4-weeks June school holiday, The Giving Treehouse has a series of programmes to enrich the lives of the children. There will be interesting talks on the environment, meaningful activities like volunteering in a nursing home, be introduced to programming, an excursion, etc. There are flexible options for everyone: 3 full days/ 5 half days/ 5 full days at affordable rates from $180/week.

Exclusive offer for KiasuParents readers:– $50 fee waiver for 2020 registration by 1st Jul 2019– Quote KiasuParents and get 10% off June holiday programme fees 

It is such a great relieve for working parents to have their children engaged in meaningful activities like these during the school holiday. Less worry means more focus at work, it is a win-win for us, parents, too. Do check out The Giving Treehouse facebook page for more details on their June school holiday programme or email them at: enquiries@givingtreehouse.com

The Giving Treehouse

Address: 5000F Marine Parade Road, #01-24 Laguna Park, Singapore 449289

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegivingtreehouse/

Email: enquiries@givingtreehouse.com

Phone: 8834 2593

This is an article I wrote for Kiasu Parents, the original article is here.