You have probably been told one too many times that selecting a student care centre near you is important, especially for the child. If the student care centres further away are better, would the commute impact your child negatively?
Impact of Long Commutes on a Child
One of the reasons why parents are encouraged to choose a student care in Singapore that is closest to them is to seamlessly integrate it with their child’s daily life. Even the Ministry of Education recommends prioritized admissions for children living within a 2km radius of the school.
There are restrictions on student care centre services, but if your child is going to travel long distances to and from the student care centre in Singapore, they will be overwhelmed. They may also start resenting student care centres.
Other effects of long commutes to student care centres are:
- Poor academic performance.
- Mental stress.
- Physical exhaustion.
Some of the effects of long commute times will not be felt immediately, but over time, you’ll notice your child lose the joy they once had going to student care centres. They’ll also spend more time sleeping during the commute, a sign of physical and mental fatigue.
Benefits of Choosing a Student Care Centre Near You
- Convenience: Dropping your child will be fast, especially over the weekend. If it is a school-based student care centre, your child will know they are close to home. This reduces anxiety, especially when they first join the student care centre.
- Accessibility: The alternative to getting a student care centre near home is getting one near your workplace. This allows you to pop in during your break to check on your child. Pick-ups are also easier at the end of the day.
- Adaptability: Parents and students can easily adapt to the routine of student care centres because it is predictable. Chances of delays, such as due to traffic, are minimal.
- Proximity to other amenities: Centrally located student care centres in Singapore can take advantage of amenities familiar to the child, such as parks, libraries, and community centres.
- Socializing opportunities: Your child is most likely to attend student care with their neighborhood friends. The familiar faces make integration easier, and it will almost feel like an extension of the home setup.
Balancing Location with Student Care Centre Quality
So, how do you solve the dilemma of wanting the best for your child while maintaining the benefits of using student care services near you? First, you have to confirm that the student care centre near you signs with your expectations. It doesn’t hurt to look a little further out, especially if you’ll only be adding a few minutes to your child’s commute time.
Five extra minutes for better student care services is worthwhile. You should be able to tell how far is too far for your child. For example, is the cut 10 minutes, or do you think 15 minutes commute time is fine? Defining location based on commute time will help you make informed decisions on what’s best for your child.
You can also check if the student care centre you want to send your child to has multiple locations. Find the one closest to you, and you’ll get quality care from your preferred student care centre.