pre-school with integrated support

[London Boy]

We have a little guy with speech delay due to compressed eardrums. Unfortunatley this has led to some communication and behavioural challenges. His current preschool have just turfed him out, despite making progress in all ways, we think because they have a long waitlist now and can pick and choose "normal" hassle-free kids.
So we are looking for a preschool with either a lot of caring and patience or an integrated support system with speech therapy and OT.
We have been advised a special needs school would not be good for him as he is so borderline (and would actually set him back), but he does require a little special attention, patience and understanding.
Any other parents out there in the same boat? Any ideas or suggestions?
Would really really appreciate anything anyone would be kind enough to share
Cheers 

[been there done that here]

Look up Singapore Special Needs and Parents SSNAP and drop them an email. Loads of families here have been in the  same position and you should be able to get a few recommendations. Unfortunately, when numbers of expats with kids are high, our kids are not at the top of any school's wish list.

[There's a new one]

It's called the Integrated International School or something like that, it's on the sunset Estate in clementi.  It used to be STARS, don't know much about it but worth checking out as they do mainstream & support streams.

[HL]

I don't know if its what you're looking for but I recently went to look at a pre-school for my little one in Mountbatten called St Gerards and they stressed that they integrate 'normal' kids with special needs and so they may have a more structured support system?

[Kiwi teacher]

I hear that total communication runs a programme with speech and ot

[Binthertoo]

Try Weecare, it's located across the road from Tanglin Mall. They will have the expertise you are looking for.

[To HL]

Just curious about your impressions of St Gerards, what did you think? Do they have a ratio of special needs kids to typical kids in each class that they aim for (like they do in the early intervention programes in the U.S, U.K etc)? Does each class have a special ed teacher?

[SAE]

What about Dover Court Prep school.  Plus maybe a mainstream school that will allow a "live to learn" learning support consultant to shadow your son.  Good luck. 

[isnt it bout thyme]

You are not the first. Sad state of affairs when your kid gets chucked out of preschool - the singapore government really needs to pull it's socks up in regards to implementing laws that entitle all special needs children to an education - even the children of expats. Expat kids face so much discrimination at the hands of the private school sector here.

[The other side]

PP - another view

I have worked in the International school setting and I have seen first hand the venom from other parents when a child with special needs receives more one-to-one teacher time than their own child.  I have heard the complaints and seen the line up at the principle's door when the parents stage an intervention regarding a child with special needs that may have caused some disruption in  the class room.  After all, are they not paying $25K+ for the best education money can buy? 

Yes, Expat kids with special needs face discrimination here - - because the private school sector bows to the demands of the collective expat parents.

[sad state]

That is a cop out. Schools are not staffed properly to teach special needs children. Maybe that was why you witnessed problems. Schools in other western countries do not discriminate and nor do the parents.

[The other side]

Yes, Sad State, it is a cop out - however it is true.I have seen it first hand.

You are correct when you say that this discrimination does not happen at home in western countries. This is one of the inexplicable behaviours I have witnessed in international schools here.

The schools here are staffed well enough and there is plenty of money in reserve to hire additional resources if required.  But they don't. Why?

[because...]

they are private schools so they can be selective if they desire. many schools at 'home' don't have that option.

[The Other Side]

Exactly -  they can be selective if this is desire of the collective fee paying parents.

Many private schools at "home" run their schools according to their public ethos and would find that this discrimination would not be acceptable to their fee paying parents or the general public.

[not in]

many private school actually. There are entrance exams to many of the so called best schools. They seem to get by ok. Don't talk rubbish. If you want to - set up a school for everyone here and set the example. Don't just whine.