I had nearly decided to enrol MG into Tadika Pintar Ria, when suddenly I remembered an old school friend, a very resourceful and thorough SAHM (lets call her “Super Mum”) who knows just about everything relating to kids, schools and the like. (I’m sure we all have at least one friend like that and who is everything that we are not!). Being Super Mum, she, of course, managed to get her kids into Kings’ Kids Early Years, and I must say, through lots of persistence and lobbying (all legal, don't you worry)!
I,on the other hand, am one of lesser faith and was starting to get worn down but my efforts to search for the right kindy. So, I decided to give her a call and get her views on the other places that I should check out before MG becomes kindy-less.
Super Mum then suggested a few places, one of which included, Taska Precious Steps in Taman Tun. She had heard good things about it, from her fount of knowledge garnered over the last 2 years, and asked me to check it out. I also then remembered that another friend who lived around the area had mentioned before that she sent her daughter to a playschool nearby and it dawned on me, that her daughter could be in Precious Steps too.
Inquiries then confirmed that her daughter did attend that kind and her mum's comments were that: "the teachers were good and caring (GREAT!) although their “command of English could be better” (Gulp!). It was also run by a Christian principal, Ms Kitty who aspires to run the kindy with Christian values.
I dropped by after work as the centre had daycare facilities and was still open then.
My first impressions:
TPS is housed in a corner 1.5 storey house in Taman Tun. The space in the house is pretty much maximized by classrooms and I had a look at the classrooms for 4 year olds. There is not a lot of space, and seems a bit crowded, but the plus side is that there would not be too many kids in the classroom. Teacher to student ratio is 16(or so):1 teacher plus an assistant, which was a PLUS point.
Facilities wise, I saw a good range of toys and montessori apparatus in the kindy but they were certainly not as high tech or spanking new as the ones that I saw at Pintar Ria. Pintar Ria had computer labs and a smartboard (which is like a big IPad)but that's OK for me as I am anti-iPAD and MG watches enough TV at the nanny’s).
There is a garden outside, with slides, cubby houses for physical education sessions.It's smallish but in my view, great if one is overseeing a bunch of hyperactive kids running around.
Ms. Kitty, the principal, seemed to be very friendly and passionate about her center. When asked about the method employed by kindy, she said it was similar to International school syllabus and it was not very academic based (Good!). They also offer Mandarin as part of their syllabus and mentioned that the syllabus would not leave students unprepared for Chinese Schools. I am not really sure how this works (as typically “international" school/ kindy syllabus don’t prepare adequately students for local schools).
Security is good - the kindy is pretty serious about this - they implement a system whereby the persons picking up the kids have to have an authorisation card. In my visits there, never have I seen the gate left opened for no reason.
Fees wise - they are more slightly expensive than Pintar Ria, Tadika Diyana and KKEY but less expensive compared to Summer Academy and Tadika Peter and Jane.
To summarise:
TPS is a good, small neighbourhood non academic kindy, with good and caring teachers. Good teacher : student ratios. MG's current class of 17(or so) kids has 2 teachers! It does not have the most sophisticated of equipment, apparatus and facilities but in my view, the human factor is more important. Even if my friend's comment about English not being up to mark was correct, I can overlook this as it is more important for me is for MG to come back home safe and happy everyday. There are many years to come for her to acquire knowledge! Also, in the 2 terms of so that MG has been at Precious Steps in 2013, I did not notice any English language deficiencies in her teachers..
Update: TPS is expanding - they have bought new premises also in TTDI and may split classes after the 2 centres start running. This should take place in 2014.
ps. Obviously I'd have more info on Taska Precious Steps since I have sent MG there. I'm too lazy to document all of it down but please feel free to PM me if you need some unbiased views/ information!
Taska Precious Steps
No. 33, Lorong Abang Haji Openg 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 60000, Malaysia +60 3-7727 8033
Thursday 26 September 2013
Sunday 8 September 2013
How to handle a Car Accident in Malaysia
My first car accident happened on Day Two of my driving lesson. Yup, second lesson and the second time I had ever driven in my life. I was 18 years old, and my overzealous instructor decided to make me drive and make a turn at a busy junction 5 minutes from my house. The last thing I remembered before proceeding to turn right was a white Volvo veering towards me at breakneck speed, and then, its attempts to brake, and me frantically trying to press on the pedal to avoid the Volvo. Suffice to say, I did not get out of the way in time, the side window was smashed into smithereens and the next thing I remembered was me checking my face in the rear view mirror to ensure my face was intact. So, thankfully, it wwas and miraculously I was ok except for a few scratches on my hand (and so was Mr Overzealous Instructor). Of course, Mr Overzealous Instructor fired me (or was it the other way around) and I proceeded to get another instructor and had less eventful lessons. Insurance took care of the damages from the accident and apart from some mental trauma, there were no other consequences.
After that incident, I also had a number of minor accidents (eg. me driving into a car which was double parking, me driving into the house gate (err.. bad estimation of space).. but I wouldn't say that they were anything out of the ordinary for a typical learner driver. Where I was at fault, I remember getting an earful from my father who had to underwrite the losses and claims from persons who suffered at the hands of my less than perfect driving.. That was the extent of my pain and suffering from the car accidents that I had been involved in as a youth.
After embracing adulthood, the ball game changes altogether. The pain from car accidents just gets worse for an adult... A young person has the option to hide behind adults, and let them handle the real world stuff. A adult, unfortunately has to deal with all of it.
Recently, this lady (whom I shall not describe with any adjectives, lest the floodgates of unpleasantries be opened) knocked my car from behind at a junction and caused substantial damage to the rear part of the car. Thankfully, no kids were in the car - MG was already despatched to kindy and baby SE at the nanny's. So, I am writing this real world guide on how to handle car accidents in Klang Valley, with the hope that it may be of assistance to "adult accident newbies".
At the accident scene:
1. Take the number plate of other parties involved (in case they hit and run, you can do a search at JPJ to ascertain their identity)
2. If the parties are civil and do actually come down to talk to you (without yielding a parang/ cricket bat and hurling it in your direction), exchange numbers and get their insurance company.
3. Take photos of the damaged vehicles
4. Discuss whether you want to report the accident or settle without reporting. Note that you have 24 hours to report the accident. I would recommend that if the party in the wrong does not pay you the agreed sum within 24 hours, go and make the report, regardless of whether the other party agreed or otherwise. I have heard that some people promise to pay, but don't eventually pay, and the party suffering the loss has no recourse to the person at fault as the police report was not made within the time frame.
The reporting
In Klang Valley, you have to go to the police station in Petaling Street (for accidents in KL) and State PJ (for accidents in Selangor).
Whilst it is possible to make a report at any police station, there is really no point in doing so. I tried going to the nearest police station to make a report, and was told that I would have to go to Petaling Street anyways, right after I make a report there. It seemed like a complete waste of time, so just go directly to Petaling Street.
Make a police report
1. At the Jalan Bandar police station, take a number at the ground floor to make a report. :
2. While waiting for your turn, look up the extensive map on the well to get the proper road names for the report.Get ready your driving license and IC.:
3. When your turn comes, recount the incident to the policeman who will be typing in the report. :
4. He will thereafter assign your case to an investigation officer and direct you to meet the investigating officer. :
5. Meet the investigation officer who will look at your case and come up with the findings as to who was at fault (so try not to annoy him or get him on your side).:
6. The investigating officer will direct you to the next section where you should get a photo taken of the damaged car.:
7. Go back to the counter of the ground floor of the police station and apply for a copy of the report. :
8. The issuance of the report is likely to take 1-2 weeks (it can be instant if you are really fortunate). Findings (which you need for your insurance claim) will also be issued in 2 weeks. You will be given a phone number to call to check if the findings are ready at the appointed time :
9. You will need to pay nominal fees for the above. :
Claiming from the insurance company
In my case, the lady who knocked into me was legally at fault and as such I could claim from my insurance company (without having to forgo my No Claim Bonus). For my claim, I had to get the following ready
1. Police report:
2. Completed & signed claim form :
3. Copy of insured’s & driver’s NRIC :
4. Copy of insured’s & driver’s License :
5. Copy of RIMV Registration card:
6. Copy of policy insurance :
7. Scene of accident photographs :
8. Police report lodged by third party :
9. Copy of police finding on the accident :
10. Copy of the police sketch plan :
11. Copy of RIMV search on the particulars of the third party insurer who was at fault.
If you are sending the car to the insurer's panel workshop, pass the copy of the above documents to ths workshop. The painful wait then begins for the work on the car to start and complete..:
Contrary to what I have heard, my experience of dealing with the police was quite pleasant, and I found them pretty efficient. I know it's an adjective not commonly used to describe the Malaysian police, but I must say that the traffic police division definitely exceeded expectations. Fair, quick and most importantly bribe-free. No attempts whatsoever to solicit bribes at any point. Hopefully this will be a more characteristic of authorities in Malaysia moving forward :)!
After that incident, I also had a number of minor accidents (eg. me driving into a car which was double parking, me driving into the house gate (err.. bad estimation of space).. but I wouldn't say that they were anything out of the ordinary for a typical learner driver. Where I was at fault, I remember getting an earful from my father who had to underwrite the losses and claims from persons who suffered at the hands of my less than perfect driving.. That was the extent of my pain and suffering from the car accidents that I had been involved in as a youth.
After embracing adulthood, the ball game changes altogether. The pain from car accidents just gets worse for an adult... A young person has the option to hide behind adults, and let them handle the real world stuff. A adult, unfortunately has to deal with all of it.
Recently, this lady (whom I shall not describe with any adjectives, lest the floodgates of unpleasantries be opened) knocked my car from behind at a junction and caused substantial damage to the rear part of the car. Thankfully, no kids were in the car - MG was already despatched to kindy and baby SE at the nanny's. So, I am writing this real world guide on how to handle car accidents in Klang Valley, with the hope that it may be of assistance to "adult accident newbies".
At the accident scene:
1. Take the number plate of other parties involved (in case they hit and run, you can do a search at JPJ to ascertain their identity)
2. If the parties are civil and do actually come down to talk to you (without yielding a parang/ cricket bat and hurling it in your direction), exchange numbers and get their insurance company.
3. Take photos of the damaged vehicles
4. Discuss whether you want to report the accident or settle without reporting. Note that you have 24 hours to report the accident. I would recommend that if the party in the wrong does not pay you the agreed sum within 24 hours, go and make the report, regardless of whether the other party agreed or otherwise. I have heard that some people promise to pay, but don't eventually pay, and the party suffering the loss has no recourse to the person at fault as the police report was not made within the time frame.
The reporting
In Klang Valley, you have to go to the police station in Petaling Street (for accidents in KL) and State PJ (for accidents in Selangor).
Whilst it is possible to make a report at any police station, there is really no point in doing so. I tried going to the nearest police station to make a report, and was told that I would have to go to Petaling Street anyways, right after I make a report there. It seemed like a complete waste of time, so just go directly to Petaling Street.
Make a police report
1. At the Jalan Bandar police station, take a number at the ground floor to make a report. :
2. While waiting for your turn, look up the extensive map on the well to get the proper road names for the report.Get ready your driving license and IC.:
3. When your turn comes, recount the incident to the policeman who will be typing in the report. :
4. He will thereafter assign your case to an investigation officer and direct you to meet the investigating officer. :
5. Meet the investigation officer who will look at your case and come up with the findings as to who was at fault (so try not to annoy him or get him on your side).:
6. The investigating officer will direct you to the next section where you should get a photo taken of the damaged car.:
7. Go back to the counter of the ground floor of the police station and apply for a copy of the report. :
8. The issuance of the report is likely to take 1-2 weeks (it can be instant if you are really fortunate). Findings (which you need for your insurance claim) will also be issued in 2 weeks. You will be given a phone number to call to check if the findings are ready at the appointed time :
9. You will need to pay nominal fees for the above. :
Claiming from the insurance company
In my case, the lady who knocked into me was legally at fault and as such I could claim from my insurance company (without having to forgo my No Claim Bonus). For my claim, I had to get the following ready
1. Police report:
2. Completed & signed claim form :
3. Copy of insured’s & driver’s NRIC :
4. Copy of insured’s & driver’s License :
5. Copy of RIMV Registration card:
6. Copy of policy insurance :
7. Scene of accident photographs :
8. Police report lodged by third party :
9. Copy of police finding on the accident :
10. Copy of the police sketch plan :
11. Copy of RIMV search on the particulars of the third party insurer who was at fault.
If you are sending the car to the insurer's panel workshop, pass the copy of the above documents to ths workshop. The painful wait then begins for the work on the car to start and complete..:
Contrary to what I have heard, my experience of dealing with the police was quite pleasant, and I found them pretty efficient. I know it's an adjective not commonly used to describe the Malaysian police, but I must say that the traffic police division definitely exceeded expectations. Fair, quick and most importantly bribe-free. No attempts whatsoever to solicit bribes at any point. Hopefully this will be a more characteristic of authorities in Malaysia moving forward :)!
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