FAQ

A resource written to provide you with clear and comprehensive answers to questions about our curriculum, courses and coding in general

Although we envision a future where learning coding is as ubiquitous in education as mathematics., we understand that at this point in time, it is new and emerging. Which is why we have dedicated resources to create an FAQ just for you. We anticipate that you may have many questions about coding, its benefits, and the learning process. Our FAQ is designed to provide you with clear and comprehensive answers, guiding you through this journey and helping you navigate any uncertainties. We're here to support and empower you as you embark on this amazing coding adventure!

Curriculum

  • At Coding Lab ® , we offer an assortment of carefully designed programmes to cater to children aged 5-18.

    Ages 5-6 (Preschoolers)
    Ages 7-9 (Lower Primary)
    Ages 10-12 (Upper Primary)
    Ages 13-18 (Secondary and JC)

  • Designed by our Global Industry Experts, Our Award-Winning MIT-inspired curriculum develops computational thinking and creativity of expression in children of all abilities.

    With a strong emphasis on inquiry-based learning and the application of key mathematical concepts, we have trained thousands of students globally in Singapore, Australia, and Japan.

    We have won numerous awards for Best Coding Curriculum.
    – Four-Time Winner, Best Coding Curriculum (Parents’ World Magazine)
    – Voted Best Coding Programme (Young Parents’ Magazine)
    – Awarded Best Coding Curriculum (Singapore’s Child)
    – Awarded School of The Year, Computer Science (Little Magazine)

  • Every child is different, and our way of teaching recognises this. Our tutors are trained to inspire complete newbies to program, to challenging gifted students in their work. Every child can learn to code, and the Coding Lab ® programme is rigorously designed to fit their different ability levels and learning styles, such that every child can create programs they can be proud of.

    Meet some of our students or check out our student achievements here.

Teachers

  • Coding Lab ® teachers are typically hail from Top Universities such as MIT, Carnegie-Mellon, Cornell, SUTD, NUS, NTU, SMU and so on.

    All teachers undergo intensive training in educating students the Coding Lab ® way, as well as the curriculum before they are assigned to a class.

Classes

  • There is no difference in the content covered for either Holiday Camps or Regular Classes. We run both types of classes to cater to the different needs of students, and the material is exactly the same for the same module (Eg. P101 Scratch 1) covered. Parents may choose a combination of classes that suit their schedule best.

  • We run classes in different formats to cater to the varying needs of students.

    5x2H: This class is run in 5 sessions of 2 hours per session

    2-Day Camp: This class is run over 2 days, and covers the same curriculum as a 10-hour class. Lunch is provided.

    5×3.5H (Accelerated): This Class condenses a 10 x 2 hour (20H) class into 17.5H and is offered only to students between the ages of 10-18.

    3-Day Camp: This class is run over 3 days, and covers the same curriculum as a 20-hour class. Lunch is provided.

  • We would recommend that your child start with our preschool programme, which will build him a solid foundation before he moves to P101- Scratch 1. Due to the motor skills required to operate the computer (Keyboard typing/mouse handling), it is recommended that your child only starts the P101 class the year he is turning 7 (Primary 1 / Year 1). He/she is also recommended to take our Basic Computer Skills course to familiarise himself with the use of a computer before commencing Coding classes.

  • We would recommend both. Our curriculum is structured to expose children between the ages of 10-12 to both a syntax-based language (Python) as well as app creation and UI/UX design (App Inventor).

    Students may start their journey with either App Inventor (P201 and P202) or Python Junior (P205 and P206), which are a necessary foundation to our Advanced Computer Scientists Roadmap, which challenge students to apply what they have learned across a variety of disciplines.

  • Our classes have the maximum teacher to student ratio of the following:-

    Preschool (Ages 5-6) 1:6
    Primary School (Ages 7-12) 1:8
    Secondary/JC (Ages 13-18) 1:10

    We keep our classes small so that every student benefits from maximum personalised attention.

  • Whilst we believe that students will benefit fully from a full course of at least 10 hours, we understand that sometimes you may be interested to find out what they learn in class. We therefore offer 2-Hr Themed Workshops which include Parent-Child bonding sessions and the occasional trial class. Slots can be booked directly online and are subject to availability.

  • Yes, we offer 1-to-1 classes and we can customise a course to fit your needs and schedule. Call +65 6977 9641 or email learntocode@codinglab.com.sg to enquire about our rates.

  • Our fees range from $395 to $845 for a 10-20 hour session.

  • Coding Lab ® provides all equipment for our classes. Students just need to bring stationery, a water bottle, and a jacket (in case it gets cold). Apart from that, just come and have fun and enjoy the lesson!

  • As fellow parents, we understand the challenges that you face in planning for your child’s holiday schedule. On our end, we will try our best to accommodate requests to change time slots, subject to availability. Go ahead to sign up to secure a place and drop us an email/call. If there are available slots, we will allow you to make the switch.

Live Online Classes

  • We offer (Live) Online Learning Classes to students aged 7 – 18. We look forward to welcoming your child with us! For younger ones who require help to get started online, register for our complimentary 30-minute onboarding session here.

  • For all (Live) Online Learning classes, the material covered, curriculum and lesson duration remain unchanged. Our team has worked hard to optimise our award-winning curriculum and materials for (Live) Online Learning.

    Some of the key highlights include:

    • Best-in-class Learning Management systems

    • Interactive on-demand tutorial videos recorded with professional recording equipment

    • Reduced class size for (Live) Online Learning

    • Complimentary Online e-learning concierge service to ass you with pre-course setup and any questions you might have

    We would love to ease you and your child into our (Live) Online Learning class smoothly from his/her very first session. Do reach out to us at learntocode@codinglab.co if you have more questions or need any help.

  • We believe that every child should learn to code, and our team works towards ensuring that this can be easily achieved through our Live Online Learning classes. As coding is the language of computers, learning to code online is possible!

    Our small class sizes allow our tutors to focus their full attention on each and every student, so help is available for any issues faced.

    We also encourage students to share their screens at all times, especially if they are having trouble, so that our tutors can guide them through their thought processes and codes in real-time.

    We strive to nurture future leaders in technology, and that is not only limited to coding. They gain computer literacy and the ability to independently do online learning. In fact, most of our students who have attended our online classes have no issues doing MOE’s HBL, which is much more complicated than our LIVE classes.

    Rest assured that we are here to help you through navigating online learning. Before your class, you can sign up for our complimentary 30-minute Live-Online E-learning Concierge service with our friendly Enrolment Consultant here, which will provide LIVE guidance and ensure that you have everything that you need set up.

  • Ideally, an Android device (phone or tablet) should be used for our App Inventor classes (P201 App Inventor 1, P202 App Inventor 2 and P21S Advanced Computer Scientists). The iOS version for Apple users or an online emulator can still be used, though certain features may not function as well. Thus, we recommend the use of an Android device, which can be used across multiple classes in our Ages 10-12 roadmap.

  • Yes, we fully understand. Rest assured, our online classes are designed for students to learn without the accompaniment of their parents.

    Having said that, we recognise that every child is different. The main determinant of whether a child can learn online unaccompanied is the ability to focus. From our experience, most students from 8 onwards are able to learn online unaccompanied while quite a number of the 7 year-olds are also able to do so.

    In fact, you can sign up for the complimentary 30-minute run-through here with us so that we can guide your little one through the set-up and they will be able to attend our classes. No need to worry about any difficulties faced during class, our tutors will be there to help them out – and our small class sizes ensure that everyone is keeping up with the lesson!

    Did you know?

    Our students are encouraged to share their screens with the tutors at all times. Tutors can take over their screen, and help them along with their code. It is as though the tutors are right beside them, guiding them through! This is only possible with coding, because all the work that is done, is done on-screen!

    Most students who have attended our online classes have no issues. Our team understands the difficulties of navigating online learning on your own, so we have worked hard to ensure that learning online is easy.

  • We totally understand that. Come join us for our in-person classes at our various centres in Singapore and Japan

Tips for Live Online Students

  • Thank you for signing up with us! By now, you should have received in your inbox an email with all the details you need.

    If you need more guidance, just give us a call at +65 6977 9641 or email us at learntocode@codinglab.co

  • As our student, you will be granted access to our full suite of Online Learning resources. Aside from classes being live-streamed to you via video conferences, pre-recorded interactive videos-on-demand is also available for you to catch up or revise if you missed out on anything. We also encourage frequent home practice via our online system and course-specific forums, which allow students to submit their code for grading anytime, anywhere, and have their questions answered by our tutors.

  • Our E-Learning Concierge service will be happy to assist you. Simply give us a call at +65 6977 9641 or email us at learntocode@codinglab.co to book a complimentary Online E-Learning pre-course briefing and set-up session with us, so that we can guide you and your child through.

  • A stable internet connection is required for our LIVE online coding classes. Here are three things you can do:

    1. Try restarting your modem and router by turning off the main switches, waiting 30 seconds to 1 minute, then turning it back on again.

    2. Troubleshoot your slow internet connection.

    3. Consider these 5 tricks to strengthen your Wi-Fi from Tech.gov:

      • Find the ideal spot for your router. It should be in the centre of your house and high on a wall or top shelf, in an open space with no walls, obstructions or other signal-interfering equipment (eg. cordless phones, old Bluetooth devices, microwave ovens, reflective/metallics surfaces).

      • Update the firmware. These regular updates have security patches and other improvements. Some routers have built-in update processes and older models may require you to download firmware files.

      • Time for an upgrade. If you frequently face network-related congestion issues that cannot be attributed to a slow broadband connection, your router might need an upgrade.

      • Wi-Fi extenders aka Wi-Fi boosters or repeaters. These improve Wi-Fi coverage by receiving wireless signals from your router and repeating them using powerful amplifiers and antennas.

      • Mesh networking devices. A mesh network comprises separate routers called nodes that use Wi-Fi to communicate with each other, each providing a full Wi-Fi signal in each room they are placed in. However, these are more expensive than Wi-Fi extenders.

  • A laptop is needed for a number of platforms to load. Therefore, it is recommended to get a laptop for your child.

  • We understand the difficulties of attending E-Learning Classes for parents and students. If you are worried about whether your child can navigate the Zoom platform for class, our friendly Enrolment Consultants will schedule a 30-minute LIVE call to get your child set up and run through everything that he/she needs to know before class.

    This includes:

    • How to join a class

    • Navigating the Zoom interface

    • Downloading the relevant software

    • Answering any queries that you might have!

    Register for our complimentary 30-minute onboarding session here. You can also call us at 6977 9641 or email us at learntocode@codinglab.co if you have any other queries.

  • We fully understand, being parents ourselves. That’s why we’ve ensured right from the start, even for our physical classes, to inculcate and instil good eye care habits in all of our students.

    All of our students take compulsory eye breaks for every hour of classes with us. We recognise that this also gives everyone a breather and the added benefits of being productive and staying focused on classes.

  • Our classes are a mixture of teaching and hands-on learning, where students code and solidify the concepts that they have learnt, then have discussions and reflections to reiterate what they have learnt. The mixed learning will ensure that our students are engaged and have a true understanding of their codes.

    To ensure that classes are manageable and productive, we have also instilled in our students the importance of taking eye breaks after every hour of class. We all know the benefits of having breaks – it gives us a breather and helps us to be productive and stay focused. We enforce eye breaks in our physical classes, and we will continue to do so in our online classes.

    During breaks, our Educators will encourage students to drink up, go to the washroom, and look out of the window. We have also compiled a list of wellness resources to guide them through caring for their physical and mental well-being. This will be done through class activities such as eye exercises, simple stretches and deep breathing to promote relaxation and meaningful exercises that they can do at home.

  • Don’t worry, we know the difficulties of navigating a new platform. Our Teacher breaks it down step-by-step to guide you through downloading Zoom and creating your very own account. This video is especially useful for little ones between the ages of 5 and 9! ⁣

    Still not sure how? Register for our complimentary 30-minute onboarding session here, call us at +65 6977 9641 or email us at learntocode@codinglab.co if you have any other queries.

Policies

  • Our centres will be closed on Public Holidays. Any lessons that fall on Public Holidays will be made up in the following week as per the planned Schedule.

  • If you / your child is unable to make it for a class, please contact our friendly Enrolment Consultants who will inform you of the make-up class options available. The make-up class will usually be within the same week (Tue-Sun) of the lesson missed.

    If this will not be possible for you / your child, do let us know.

  • In the event that the class is confirmed, no cancellations or refunds will be allowed. However, students may move their credits to another course of their timing, to be communicated via email or phone call at least 2 weeks before the course starts.

Track Record

General

  • Coding Lab ® in-person classes are currently available in the following countries:

    Visit their respective websites for more information.

  • Our typical operating hours are from 9am to 6pm daily. Whilst we welcome walk-ins, it is best to book an appointment before coming down to any of our centres. You can also call our hotline at +65 6977 9641. For more information, visit our Contact Us Page

  • Learning to code or to write a program is like picking up a new language or a new instrument. In today’s digital age, it is critical that our children start young so that they can thrive and become confident creators of technology. Many tech greats started at a young age; Bill Gates had his first foray into programming at the age of 13, and Mark Zuckerberg created a network of computers at the tender age of 10.

    Students learn life-skills such as problem-solving and logical thinking, and most importantly; computational thinking – the ability to break down a problem and give step-by-step instructions to a computer to solve.

    At Coding Lab®, our curriculum is especially designed to inspire and nurture students to develop an interest in coding. Just like any new area of study, the way the lesson is structure and taught play a huge importance. We firmly believe in starting our students off in the right manner, whether they aspire to be a Computer Scientist, or they are a preschooler writing their first line of code.

  • Coding is instructing the computer to work in a language that it understands. There are various coding languages that a computer uses; just like how we use English or our Mother Tongue to communicate with our family and friends. The fundamentals of all these languages are the same – the ability to break down problems into smaller pieces (decomposition), think logically and give step-by-step instructions (algorithmic thinking) to the computer.

  • Coding is considered the “new literacy” by many education institutions around the world. Educators and experts agree that it is an important subject that every child needs to grasp in order to thrive in school and life, whether or not they eventually pursue a career in Computer Science. Logical thinking and problem-solving are also important skills that they pick up in the course of learning to code.

  • With the nation’s drive to train up students and workers who are Future Ready, it is common for students to have had some exposure to coding in their schools. Our program enhances what has been learnt, and accelerates your child’s learning. Small class sizes will allow your child to ask questions easily. Our experienced instructors will also provide your child with personalized attention and our progressive series of coding classes will move your child to an advanced level of understanding, which goes beyond the curriculum taught in public schools.

  • Our coding classes are designed for children from the ages of 4 to 18. Our structured curriculum roadmap takes them through their programming journey with age-appropriate exercises that nurture and challenge them at each level.

    Ages 5-6
    Ages 7-9
    Ages 10-12
    Ages 13-18
    Academics

  • We want to ensure that every student who comes to our class benefits and learns. Hence, it is vital that your child is enrolled in the right course to provide them with the right level of challenge. We will need to assess his/her foundation level as the curriculum offered by other avenues may be different.

    We also offer bridging lessons for your child if he/she needs to build their foundation before attending our non-introductory courses.