Life SCC Newsletter. Issue 1 Nov 2005

This local mission work reaches out to children of primary school age. The Student Care Centres (SCCs) are located within the premises of three primary schools at Yishun and one primary school in Bukit Batok. The project was started with two centres in 1998, with the help of the Ministry of Community Development and Sports (MCDS) and the Community Development Council (CDC). We are recognized as a Volunteer Welfare Organization (VWO) and a Non-profit organization. The present total enrolment is about 290 students.

Each centre is managed by several Christian guardians. There are now a total of 20 guardians. The children pay a monthly fee, and subsidies for needy children are available from the CDCs. Excess funds from our non-profit Centres are used for activities to benefit the children educationally, morally and spiritually. All full-time and part-time Guardians receive a salary from the Centres with CPF and medical benefits.

The Kids’ Club is organized by the church on Saturdays. With parental approval, the children hear the preaching of God’s Word and have activities and games in church. During the holidays in June and December the children are also able to come for Bible camps and outings upon the invitation from the church.

OUR MISSION 

a.         To establish a strong partnership with parents in the challenging task of bringing up their children. 

b.         To touch and change lives of children and continuously nurture the holistic development of each child.  

OUR VISION 

We aim to provide each and every child irrespective of race, language or religion an opportunity to discover and utilise his/her talents and develop his/her potential to the fullest.  

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES OF PROGRAMME 

The programme conducted at the Student Care Centre covers the following areas: 

a.         Intellectual

·                    daily supervision of students’ school work/assessment

·                    individual and group coaching

·                    project courses on creative writing, art and craft

·                    singing, drama, & music

·                    phonetic skills

b.         Physical

·                    recreational activities

·                    exercises & games both indoor and outdoor

·                    meals and refreshments (balanced diet) 

c.         Social

·                    workshops/talks

·                    special camps

·                    outings

·                    bonding

·                    other enrichment programmes 

d.         Moral

·                    character building lessons

·                    moral lessons 

e.         Emotional

·                    counselling

·                    listening to child

·                    showing support and care 

The Centre’s guardians will mentor and counsel the children when the need arises. 

ENROLMENT PROCEDURES 

The student enrolment guidelines for the Student Care Centre are as follows: 

·                    for children aged 7 to 14 years (Primary 1 to Secondary 2)

·                    parents who are working regardless of their race, language or religion 

Life BASC Management Committee reserves the right to reject any applicant who does not comply with MCDS’s enrolment guidelines for the Centre.  

REGISTRATION 

The completed Application Form should include the following documents: 

·                    current pay slips/CPF statements/income tax statements and/or company letters

·                    photocopy of child’s birth certificate

·                    photocopies of both parents’ NRIC (both sides)

·                    divorce papers for single parents (where applicable) 

STUDENT CARE CENTRE’S FEE 

The Student Care Centre’s fee payment upon enrolment comprises the following: 

·                    registration fee

·                    one month deposit

·                    first month’s fee 

PAYMENT OF MONTHLY FEE 

The mode of the Student Care Centre’s monthly fee payment is as follows: 

·                    fees to be paid not later than 10^th of each month

·                    payment by cheques will be advised by the Centre accordingly

·                    no part payment of fees is allowed during the school holidays and/or for child’s partial attendance at the Centre

FAILURE IN PAYMENT OF FEES WILL BE DEEMED AS WITHDRAWAL FROM THE CENTRE. THE CENTRE WILL THEN CONSIDER GIVING PRIORITY TO OTHER CHILDREN WHO ARE ON THE WAITING LIST.  

FEE SUBSIDY 

The Community Development Council will assist low-income families whose parents’ combined gross income is below S$2,500.00 per month. Supporting income document is required in the application of fee subsidy. 

Families in great financial difficulties may approach the Student Care Centre to seek further assistance. 

WITHDRAWAL 

Parents are required to give two (2) weeks notice in advance in writing if they wish to withdraw their children from the Student Care Centre. However, is no notice is given, the deposit will be forfeited.  

UNIFORM 

All children are required to wear the Student Care Centre’s uniform when they come to the Centre. Each child will need at least two (2) sets of uniform which could be purchased from the Centre.  

OPERATING HOURS 

The Student Care Centre’s operating hours are:- 

After School Care (ASCs):

·                    Monday to Friday                     11.30am – 6.30pm

·                    Saturday                                     7.30am – 1.30pm

·                    School Holidays                         7.30am – 6.30pm 

Before and After School Care (BASCs):

·                    Monday to Friday                       7.30am – 6.30pm

·                    Saturday                                     7.30am – 1.30pm

·                    School Holidays                         7.30am – 6.30pm 

The Centre closes on Sundays and gazetted Public Holidays.  

ADDITIONAL DAYS OF CLOSURE 

The Ministry of Community Development & Sports has granted all Student Care Centres an additional 5.5 days closure in a year.

Parents will be notified in advance of the additional dates of closure of the Centre. 

Student Care Centres are also allowed to operate half-day on eves of Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year. 

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE 

Students are required to sign the attendance book when they arrive or leave the Student Care Centre.  

Parents are required to inform the Centre’s guardians if their child is unable to come to the Centre on any particular day. 

Children must be fetched by their parents or authorised persons by 6.30pm on weekdays and 1.30pm on Saturdays. Children must inform the Centre’s guardians before leaving the Centre with their parents or authorised persons.  

DISCIPLINE 

The Student Care Centre exercised the following discipline measures: 

a.         Every child is guided by a set of rules and regulations which is put up on the Notice Board in the Centre. 

b.         Guardians will counsel children who consistently break or ignore the Centre’s rules. 

c.                   Parents will be notified of any serious offences committed by the child and appropriate disciplinary action will be imposed. 

d.         Parents are not to rely on the Centre to discipline their children, but to actively correct and guide their own children.

It is the Centre’s expressed policy to refrain from using any form of physical punishment, abuse or harassment on the children. The Centre’s guardians will make every effort to deal and react appropriately to the child’s misbehaviour. 

COMMUNICATION CHANNEL 

All children will be required to purchase a copy of the Student Care Centre’s communication booklet. This will enable both parents and Centre’s guardians to communicate freely. Parents are to acknowledge that they have read and understood the contents of the message conveyed to the parents. Our desire is to help the children in their early years of development with the support of parental care and understanding. 

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 

The Student Care Centre believes in recognising and awarding those children who have excelled or improved in certain areas of their development. This system is to encourage the children to do their utmost in all areas of their development.  

MEALS 

Meals are taken at the Student Care Centre’s premises and/or school canteen. Muslim children are served halal food at the school canteen and/or at the Centre. 

PARENTS’ INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT 

We strongly encourage parents to participate in the Student Care Centre’s activities and programmes in the following areas:

a.         Assist the Centre in planning and/or organising activities for the children during the school holidays. 

b.         Assist in conducting a lesson, art and craft or any of the enrichment programmes organised by the Centre. 

c.                   Attend parents/guardians meeting, feedback sessions and outings planned and conducted by the Centre. 

d.         Supervise and ensure that children’s school work are to be completed at home, so that enrichment programmes can be conducted in the Centre without interfering with the children’s school work. 

SAFETY PRACTICES 

Every effort will be made to ensure the safety of children attending the Student Care Centre and this involves: 

·                    daily supervision at all times

·                    no child is allowed to leave the Centre with any unauthorised person

·                    at least one staff with a valid first aid certificate is present at all times

·                    clear directions for evacuation and emergency procedures in case of fire or other disasters

·                    ensuring that potentially dangerous materials and equipment are clearly identified and stored out of reach of the children

·                    maintenance of a first aid kit which is easily accessible to the guardians 

HEALTH PRACTICES 

The Student Care Centre’s health guidelines are as follows: 

a.         Centre’s guardian does not administer medication to any child without the written consent from the parents/guardians of the child, specifying the name, time, dosage and manner of administering of such medication. 

b.         Parents should not send their child to the Centre when he/she is suffering from: 

·                    Allergies

·                    Fever

·                    Measles

·                    Chicken pox

·                    Mumps

·                    Rubella

·                    Eye Infection

·                    Cough/flu and/or any other contagious diseases 

Parents are to notify the Centre immediately when their child suffers of have been affected by any contagious illnesses. 

The Centre’s guardian will notify parents to make the necessary arrangements to bring the child home when the child is sick. 

In the event of an emergency, the Centre’s guardian will fetch the child to the nearest medical clinic and/or hospital for immediate treatment. Parents will be contacted simultaneously and all medical expenses incurred shall be borne by the parents.

The Centre’s guardians will carry out the daily visual checks on each child. 

DAMAGE AND THEFT OF PROPERTY 

Students are expected to respect all property belonging to the Student Care Centre and/or school. Stealing, damaging and/or vandalising property will not be tolerated. The cost of these replacements shall be borne by the parents.  

STUDENT CARE CENTRE DAILY SCHEDULE 

Note: Children may come to the Centre after 7.30am and may also leave the Centre before 6.30pm with parents’ consent.