How to make the most of your preschool tour

preschool classroom

You’ve probably already started touring preschools, but if you haven’t, you should be getting started soon! It’s a process that can seem daunting, but it’s crucial to do your research and find the right school for your child.

In this post, we will talk about some things you should look out for when touring a preschool. Keep in mind that every school is different, so these points may not apply to every scenario. But they will give you a general idea of what to expect and what to ask.

Questions to ask the staff

Here are some quick questions to ask the staff:

  • Is there a meal plan?
  • What are the term fees?
  • Is there a sibling discount?
  • Is transportation provided?
  • What are the school’s hours?
  • How many children are in each class?
  • What is the school’s policy on discipline?
  • What is the teacher’s educational background?
How to prepare for your tour

When you go on a preschool tour, you want to be prepared. Here are a few tips:

  • Do your research in advance. Make a list of the schools you’re interested in, and read up on their programs.
  • Be prepared to ask questions. The staff should be happy to answer them, and this is your chance to get a feel of the school.
  • Pay attention to your gut feeling. If something about the school doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and move on.
What to look for while you’re there
a preschool setting

Image Credits: kiddiwinkie.edu.sg

First of all, take a look at the condition of the facility. Is it clean and well-maintained? Are the children engaged in activities or are their eyes just glued to the projector?

Next, talk to the teachers. Ask them what their teaching philosophy is and how they approach to discipline. Are they nurturing and supportive, or are they serious about teaching values?

Finally, take some time to observe the children. Are they happy and engaged, or are they fidgety and bored? Do they seem to be interacting with their peers and teachers, or are they sitting by themselves?

It’s necessary to find answers to these questions so you can make an informed decision about which preschool is right for your child.

Request to visit during curriculum time

When you go on a preschool tour, be sure to request to visit during curriculum time. This is when you will get to see the teachers in action and get a sense of how the school works.

You will also want to check on the teacher-student ratio. The lower the better, as this will mean that your child will get more individual attention. And don’t forget to ask about the school’s philosophy—you want to make sure that it matches up with your values.

Schedule a follow-up visit to speak to your child’s teachers

After you’ve seen the classrooms and the playground, be sure to schedule a follow-up visit to speak to your child’s future teachers.

This is your chance to ask them more about their pedagogy ideology and get a sense of what it would be like to have your child in their class. Most schools will be happy to oblige and set up a time for you to come back. Be sure to ask about this when you’re making your appointment.

You’re about to take one of the most significant steps in your child’s life: finding the right preschool. First, make a list of what’s vital to you and your family. Maybe you need a preschool that offers a specific curriculum, or perhaps you’re looking for a particular religious affiliation. Once you know what’s noteworthy, it’s time to start touring schools. Be sure to ask plenty of questions and get a sense of the school’s vibe. Finally, trust your gut. If something about a school doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t the right place for your child. Lean on your instincts and you will find the ideal place for your little one.

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Surviving sexism in the workplace: What you can do to fight back

lady experiencing sexism at the workplace

You might be feeling angry, frustrated, or powerless after experiencing sexism at work.

You might not know what to do or who to turn to. But we want you to know that you’re not alone. And you have options.

In this article, let’s talk about what constitutes sexism in the workplace, what you can do if you’re a victim of it, and how to create a support system. We hope this information will help empower you to take action and fight back against sexism in your workplace.

Defining sexism in the workplace

Sexism in the workplace can take on many different forms. It might be as blatant as being passed up for a promotion because you’re of a specific gender, or it might be more subtle, like being ignored in meetings or being talked down to by your colleagues. But whatever form it takes, sexism in the workplace is never okay. And we mustn’t brush it off or ignore it.

The impact of sexism in the workplace

Sexism in the workplace can have a major impact on your career. It can make you feel like you’re not good enough, or that you don’t deserve to be where you are. It can make you doubt yourself and your abilities. But it’s crucial to remember that you’re not alone. There are plenty of other people out there who have faced the same thing. And there are ways to fight back.

How to counter sexism that manifests
a woman journaling

Image Credits: unsplash.com

First, try to document what’s happening. Keep a journal of all the instances of sexism that you experience, including the date, time, and witnesses (if any). This information will be helpful if you decide to take any legal action down the road.

Second, talk to your supervisor. Let them know what’s been going on and see if they can help. Chances are they’re not aware of what’s happening, but they may want to know the details so that they can address the issue. Third, get support from your peers. Lean on your friends and other colleagues for strength and solidarity and know that you’re not unaided in this fight.

How to report sexism in the workplace

If you’re a victim of sexism in the workplace, don’t suffer in silence. Speak up and report it. You have the right to be treated fairly and without discrimination at work.

There are a few ways to report discrimination, and the best way to find out which one is right for you is to speak to an employment lawyer. However, if you’re not ready to part with the money, some of the most common ways to report sexism in the workplace include making a formal complaint to your HR department.

No one should have to put up with sexism at work, and you don’t have to. If you’re experiencing any form of workplace sexism, whether it’s overt or subtle, there are steps you can take to fight back and protect your rights. First, document everything. Then, speak out. Don’t be afraid to call out sexism when you see it. People need to know that this kind of behavior is not acceptable and that it won’t be tolerated.

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Want 100GB at $10? Sign up for heya, a contract-free 4G postpaid SIM-only plan with the best network!

Need more data but don’t want to pay extra? We present to you heya, a simple contract-free 4G postpaid SIM-only plan that can meet all your needs at an affordable price.

The heya plan consists of 100GB (for the first 3 months and 50GB thereafter), 300 local minutes, and 50 local SMSes at just $10! FREE caller ID and FREE local incoming calls included. Plus, you can add up to 500 IDD minutes to 9 countries with the $5 IDD add-on.

Why should you choose heya?

  • No contract: Wave goodbye to being tied down by contracts and say heya to more value without shocking bills.
  • Best network: Backed by Singtel, one of the major telcos in our sunny island, you will be supported by Singapore’s fastest and widest mobile network, validated from users in Singapore, as encapsulated in the HWM+HardwareZone Tech Awards 2022, Reader’s Choice – Best Telco Service Provider in Singapore. Consistently good network will be right at your fingertips!
  • Data rollover: Do you find yourself frequently forfeiting unused data with your current mobile plan? Waste no more data because any unused data (up to 200GB) can be rollover to the next month if you top up before the plan expires.

How to sign up and make easy top-ups?

Signing up is easy as 1, 2, 3.

If you’re at least 18 years old, simply proceed to any of the authorized heya retailers and bring along your NRIC, passport, or valid pass to sign-up. Click the following link for the full list of heya retailers located islandwide.

Need a top-up? Call *119# to check your balance first and top up every month from a heya shop. Alternatively, you can choose one of these methods for a fuss-free top-up before your plan expires:

  • Ask to top up more heya credits in the heya wallet from a heya retailer
  • Request for remote top-up (e.g. through PayNow or Shopee) from a heya retailer that offers the option

Refer your friends now and get FREE 50GB

Loving the heya plan? Spread the good news and get rewarded with 50GB! You can introduce up to 3 friends to heya per month and the FREE 50GB data will be credited to your heya number the next day.

Here’s how:

  • Have your friends sign up for heya at any heya retailer.
  • Refer to the referral code sent to you via SMS from sender 74005. Get your buddies to SMS your referral code to 74005 using their heya number.

Hesitate no more with heya! Check out these FAQs and visit www.heya.sg for more information today.

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Is an in-house SEO specialist or an SEO agency right for your business?

colleagues in a work meeting

You’ve been tasked with scaling up your company’s SEO efforts, but you’re not sure if you should hire an in-house specialist or engage an SEO agency.

What’s the right decision for your business? Well, that depends on a few factors. If you decide to hire an in-house specialist, you need to make sure that person has the experience and knowledge to get the job done. They will need to be up-to-date with all the latest changes to the algorithm and have a strong understanding of how search engines work.

On the other hand, if you decide to engage an SEO agency, you can rest assured that they will have years of understanding and wisdom in the field to know all the updated shifts to the game plan and be able to help your business achieve its SEO goals without a hitch.

Pros of an in-house SEO specialist

An in-house SEO specialist will be more familiar with your website and your business changes. They will know your target audience and what content works best for them. This insider knowledge can be incredibly valuable when it comes to SEO.

Pros of an SEO agency

An SEO agency, on the other hand, has a team of specialists who will work with you to develop a comprehensive SEO strategy. They will have access to the latest trends and techniques and are likely to be up-to-date on all the search engine ins and outs.

Cons of an in-house SEO specialist
an interview with multi interviewers

Image Credits: livecareer.com

If you’re not 100% sure that you’re going to need an SEO specialist for the long term, it might not be the best investment. They might also be limited in their abilities when compared to an agency. During the hiring process, make sure that your web development team gets to sit in the interview too. If there’s tension between these two, you will probably be expecting challenging times ahead.

Cons of an SEO agency

An SEO agency can be expensive so if you don’t have the budget, you might only be able to engage their services for the short term. Also, since they aren’t your employees, chances are that you may not have as much control over your campaign as you would like. Depending on your account manager, some may not be able to tailor their services 100% to match your specific needs.

How to choose the right fit for your business

First, think about your budget. An in-house specialist will likely be more expensive than an SEO agency in the long run. Second, consider your time constraints. An in-house specialist will need time to learn about your business and its website, whereas an SEO agency will come with pre-existing knowledge and experience.

Third, think about your goals. An in-house specialist will be more focused on achieving your specific goals, while an SEO agency will have a broader range of services that they can offer. Finally, ask around. Talk to other business owners and get their opinions on the best way to go about scaling SEO for your company.

There are pros and cons to both hiring an in-house SEO specialist and working with an SEO agency. An in-house SEO specialist can be a great investment for your business, but only if they have the right skills and experience. On the other hand, an SEO agency can provide you with access to a team of experts who have a wealth of experience in SEO. They will be up-to-date on the latest changes to the algorithm and will know a range of different industries. Weigh your options before you part with your money.

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How to Handle Conflicts with Your Boss

Sometimes the toughest part of your job is not the work…it is the people. The mixture of personalities and individual differences can cause conflicts. In the workplace, conflict causes a significant degree of frustration, discomfort, sadness, anger, and pain. It is a different story when the conflict is between you and your boss.

Where your boss is concerned, you want to be sure to apply plenty of finesse. It is crucial that you remain calm and objective. There is nothing to be gained and much to lose by getting angry and being disrespectful. You may not be able to see each other eye-to-eye, but you will have shared thoughts by further nurturing your relationship. Thay being said, here are some tips you can apply to handle the conflicts with your boss:

#1: ACKNOWLEDGING AND RESPECTING AUTHORITY

Put all your energy into understanding and empathizing with the management’s point of view. Ask open-ended questions until you fully understand where your boss is coming from. Resolution begins with respecting each other’s point of view.

#2: RE-DIRECT THE DISCUSSION

Find a common ground that makes sense for you, your boss, and the organization. Stay on this topic until you identify a mutually beneficial outcome that you can work towards to.

#3: ASK FOR HELP

An honest, sit-down conversation is more likely to yield a thoughtful response than an emotional exchange sandwiched between meetings. Unless it is an emergency, you can ask your boss for an appointment so that you will have time to gather your thoughts. It is best to approach your boss with a calm and collected attitude to get your point across and to ask for necessary help.

#4: KNOW YOUR TIMING

Timing is essential when approaching your boss about issues and other combative events. You may be the perfect target for a feisty exchange if he or she just had a major setback.

Know your timing! Try to avoid addressing conflicts before lunch when hunger might distort reason or just before the end of shift when everyone is eager to go home.

#5: ASK IF YOU CAN SHARE YOUR VIEWPOINT

Once you are given permission to discuss your concern, be clear and compelling. Link your perspective to what matters most to your boss, the organization, and your common goal. If your boss is not (physically and emotionally) available to talk, reschedule the discussion when the dust settles.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Sources: 1 & 2

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