To submit a request, you can fill out the form on our website or WhatsApp us at +65 8721 8722. Once we receive your request, our coordinators will begin the process of matching your child with a suitable service professional. You will receive notifications via SMS or WhatsApp message regarding any successful matches.
Once both you and the service professional agree on the details and fees for the requested service, our coordinator will arrange the first session. You will also receive a confirmation email and SMS or WhatsApp message to confirm the session.
At Special Minds, we categorise our services into two main categories: education and therapy. Under the education category, clients can request services such as tuition, early childhood education, and enrichment classes. In the therapy category, clients have the option to request services such as early intervention, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, psychological therapy, and counselling.
At Special Minds, we offer a diverse array of service professionals to accommodate your requirements and budget. Our offerings encompass part-time tutors, full-time tutors, and specialised teachers, such as MOE (Ministry of Education) Teachers, Certified Special Needs Trained Teachers, and Early Childhood Educators. In addition to tuition providers, we also feature enrichment specialists, as well as certified therapists and psychologists.
No, our matching services are completely free for clients, including parents and students. Clients are only responsible for paying the agreed fees for the services they request. Administrative or commission fees are deducted from a portion of the fees paid to service professionals. More information about the commission fee can be found here.
To ensure commitment and respect for the time set aside by service professionals for session preparation, Special Minds sends an invoice to the client for payment of the first session fee to confirm the commencement of lessons.
To confirm the first session, clients must provide their full residential address to Special Minds within 2 days of confirming the service professional. The first session fee must also be paid as a deposit by the due date specified in the invoice to secure the session. Due to high demand, time slots cannot be reserved until payment is received. If your preferred slot is no longer available, Special Minds will assist in finding an alternative service professional who can accommodate your request.
Subsequently, Special Minds sends invoices to clients for the remaining administrative fee, to be deducted from the service professionals’ earnings in the first month. Clients must adhere to the payment schedule and due dates stated on the invoice. Client needs to retain and send the bank receipt or screenshot of payment transfer as proof of payment to Special Minds contact through Whatsapp or email.
Once the administrative fees have been fully paid, clients will make payments directly to the service professionals for future sessions. Currently, we accept modes of payment including bank transfer and paynow. Our coordinators will brief you on the payment modes and details before the first lesson.
Before the confirmation of a service request, there are no contractual obligations. However, upon confirmation of the service request, our service professional reserves their slot for you. Therefore, we kindly ask for clients’ understanding to adhere to the requested service. Additionally, there are guidelines in place to ensure fair and respectful treatment for both clients and service professionals. Please click here to read more about our terms and conditions.
Our service professional will conduct the session at your requested location, typically in the home setting. It is essential to determine the location before the first session begins. During the initial session, the service professional will assess your child’s learning and developmental needs to create a suitable intervention plan. We strongly encourage parents and caregivers to communicate and discuss session details, expectations, and the student’s needs with the service professional after the initial session.
Due to high demand, we are unable to reserve time slots until payment is received. To secure your preferred time, please ensure payment is made by the due date indicated on the invoice. If your preferred slot is no longer available, Special Minds will assist you in finding another service professional who can accommodate your request.
Payment must be made by the due date indicated on the invoice. Payment delays may result in the postponement of your first session, as the service professional needs time to arrange and confirm the schedule. We cannot guarantee the availability of your preferred time slot if payment is delayed. If your preferred slot is no longer available, Special Minds will help you find another service professional who can accommodate your request.
Yes. Clients must notify Special Minds at least 48 hours before the scheduled start time to cancel or request a postponement. In emergencies (e.g., medical issues), documentation such as a medical certificate must be provided. Failure to provide adequate notice will result in administrative fees equivalent to at least 50% of the first session fee.
Clients are allowed up to two postponements before the first session, provided valid reasons are given (e.g., medical certificates). Postponements cannot extend beyond one month from the date of payment for the first session. Further delays will incur administrative fees equivalent to at least 50% of the first session fee.
It is mandatory for clients to inform Special Minds of any postponement termination within the first four calendar weeks. If a client terminates their engagement within the first four calendar weeks, they will still need to pay for any sessions that have been conducted. The client should contact Special Minds for instructions regarding any outstanding payments.
After the first four calendar weeks, the client will liaise with the service professional directly for matters about payment and lesson schedules. Clients who repeatedly terminate or postpone sessions may be blacklisted and barred from using Special Minds’ services, as we highly value the time and efforts of our coordinators and service professionals.
Service professionals must notify Special Minds at least 48 hours in advance if they need to postpone or terminate a session within the first month (defined as the initial four weeks of sessions). The client will still be responsible for paying for any sessions that have already been conducted.
After the first month, service professionals are responsible for coordinating changes and postponements directly with their clients. Service professionals exhibiting irresponsible or unethical behaviour may be blacklisted without warning. Each case will be reviewed individually, and appropriate action will be taken.
To register as a service professional with Special Minds, please utilise our online form available on our website. Kindly note that applicants must be at least 18 years old and have completed their GCE ‘O’ level examinations or equivalent. Additionally, relevant certificates and qualifications are required during the registration process.
Yes, at Special Minds, we highly value the credibility, integrity, and quality of our service professional database. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided, we kindly request that you upload your certificates and a professional photograph. This helps us verify your credentials and maintain the high standards of our service offerings.
For MOE, Special Education Needs, or Early Childhood Education Teachers: Please upload the relevant certificates demonstrating your qualifications.
For Therapists, Psychologists, and Counsellors: Upload the certificates that validate your specialisation, including any required practice licenses.
For Enrichment Specialists: Provide the relevant certificates that prove your specialisation and any industry-specific certifications. For example, swimming coaches should upload current CPR and lifesaving certificates, which are required to teach swimming in Singapore.
Yes. If you encounter any issues during the registration process, please don’t hesitate to email us at hello@specialminds.com.sg or WhatsApp us at +65 8721 8722. We’ll be happy to assist you promptly.
After submitting your application for an assignment, please allow up to 72 hours for us to process it. Typically, if the parent is interested in your profile, we’ll reach out to you within this timeframe. While waiting, we recommend applying for other assignments with different time slots to avoid scheduling conflicts. If you need to modify your application for an assignment, please email us at hello@specialminds.com.sg or WhatsApp us at +65 8721 8722. We’ll be happy to assist you promptly.
Service professionals are required to commit to a minimum of one month of service, equating to four calendar weeks. It is expected that they demonstrate professionalism and responsibility by honouring the service agreement unless they encounter unforeseen circumstances such as health issues. Repeated termination of the service agreement without valid proof may result in being blacklisted and barred from utilising our services.
For postponements before the first lesson, if clients inform the service professional less than two hours before the scheduled lesson, they must compensate for the service professional’s time and transportation costs, amounting to 50% of one lesson’s fee or $20 transport fees, whichever is lower. This payment should be made promptly in cash during the service professional’s subsequent visit or via bank transfer if no further visits are scheduled.
Service professionals must inform Special Minds of any postponement or termination within the first four calendar weeks. Service professionals must notify Special Minds at least 48 hours in advance if they need to postpone or terminate a session within the first month (defined as the initial four weeks of sessions). If service professionals terminate an assignment before completing at least 4 weeks of lessons without a valid reason supported by proof, they will not be entitled to receive any fees. Otherwise, the fees will be split equally between Special Minds and the service professional.
After the first month, service professionals are responsible for coordinating changes and postponements directly with their clients. Service professionals exhibiting irresponsible or unethical behaviour may be blacklisted without warning. Each case will be reviewed individually, and appropriate action will be taken.
If service professionals terminate an assignment before completing at least 4 weeks of lessons without a valid reason backed by proof, they are not entitled to receive any fees. Otherwise, the fees will be divided equally between Special Minds and the service professional.
You will not receive payment in advance. Payments are made only after the required lessons have been conducted and after the agency commission has been collected.
The administrative fees for service professionals, aligned with industry standards, are as follows. Only one type of admin fee will apply, depending on whether the sessions are fixed or recurring:
These administrative or commission fees are collected directly from the client by Special Minds. Once the administrative fees have been fully paid, clients will make payments directly to the service professionals for future sessions.
This FAQ provides general guidelines but is not comprehensive. Service professionals are responsible for ensuring they meet the minimum requirements in their respective fields of practice.
This FAQ provides general guidelines but is not comprehensive. Service professionals are responsible for ensuring they meet the minimum requirements in their respective fields of practice.
To become an L1 teacher in Singapore, you need to earn a Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). For an L2 preschool teacher role, a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education is required.
This FAQ provides general guidelines but is not comprehensive. Service professionals are responsible for ensuring they meet the minimum requirements in their respective fields of practice.
To be a Learning Support Educator:
To be an Early Intervention Teacher:
Early Intervention Teachers focus on young children under the age of 7 who exhibit developmental delays or disabilities. They conduct comprehensive assessments to identify the child’s strengths and weaknesses in cognitive, physical, communication, social, and emotional development. Based on these assessments, they create Individualised Education Plans (IEPs) tailored to support the child in reaching their developmental milestones. Early Intervention Teachers may work in diverse settings, including homes and specialised centres, to provide targeted support that addresses the specific needs of each child.
Learning Support Educators work with students who have mild to moderate learning difficulties or disabilities, primarily within a school environment. Their role involves providing support to enhance academic, behavioural, social, and communication skills. They assess students’ learning needs, develop intervention plans, and produce progress reports. Additionally, Learning Support Educators collaborate closely with Early Childhood educators and families to address and support the children’s educational needs, ensuring a coordinated approach to their development and learning.
Therapists must be registered with the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC), a professional board under the Ministry of Health. The AHPC regulates the professional conduct and ethics of registered allied health professionals in accordance with the Allied Health Professions (AHP) Act 2011. This registration is mandatory for practising therapists in Singapore.
The AHPC oversees a diverse range of allied health professions, which include Audiologists, Clinical Psychologists, Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Prosthetists/Orthotists, Radiation Therapists, Radiographers, Speech-Language Therapists, and others. These professionals provide essential health services to Singaporeans and must adhere to the regulations set by the AHPC to ensure high standards of practice.
This FAQ provides general guidelines but is not comprehensive. Service professionals are responsible for ensuring they meet the minimum requirements in their respective fields of practice.
To practice as a Speech Therapist, you need a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Language Therapy or a Master of Science in Speech & Language Pathology through the Graduate-Entry Level Masters (GEMS) Programme.
For an Occupational Therapist, a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy is required. Physiotherapists must hold a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy.
Psychologists should have a Master of Clinical Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, or a Master of Arts in Applied Psychology with a specialisation in Counselling Psychology or Educational Psychology.
There is no formal licensing body for counsellors in Singapore. However, membership in the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) is highly recommended and often required. SAC is the primary professional association for counsellors in Singapore. By becoming a member, you will be listed in SAC’s directory of registered counsellors, allowing individuals seeking counselling services to verify your credentials.
To be a registered counsellor with SAC, you need to hold a minimum of a postgraduate degree or diploma in Counselling and have completed at least 600 postgraduate clinical hours. For more details, please visit the SAC website.
This FAQ provides general guidelines but is not comprehensive. Service professionals are responsible for ensuring they meet the minimum requirements in their respective fields of practice.
In Singapore, swimming coaches must hold certifications in lifesaving and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). For coaching in public pools, coaches should have qualifications from recognised bodies such as the Singapore National Registry of Coaches (NROC) as a Swimming Coach and be eligible for the SwimSafer programme. Additionally, certifications from the Singapore Swimming Teachers’ Association (SSTA) and the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Certification Course are also accepted for teaching in private pool settings.
This FAQ provides general guidelines but is not comprehensive. Service professionals are responsible for ensuring they meet the minimum requirements in their respective fields of practice.
For music teachers specialising in instruments such as piano, guitar, or violin, qualifications typically follow the structure set by major music examination boards like the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and Trinity College London. Both boards offer a range of qualifications including foundational graded exams (from Grade 1 to Grade 8) and advanced diplomas (DipABRSM, LRSM, FRSM for ABRSM; ATCL, LTCL, FTCL for Trinity College London). To teach music, a minimum certification of Grade 8 from either ABRSM or Trinity College London is generally required.
This FAQ provides general guidelines but is not comprehensive. Service professionals are responsible for ensuring they meet the minimum requirements in their respective fields of practice.
Recognised qualifications for ballet teachers include certifications from several prominent organisations. The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD UK) offers Advanced 1 and 2 Certifications, which are often prerequisites for teaching with Overseas Dance Companies, as well as the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies (CBTS) or the Certificate in Dance Teaching; Ballet (CDT). Additionally, the Australia Teachers of Dancing International (ATOD) provides certifications for Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop teaching. The Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD Australia) also offers a Ballet Teaching Certification.
Kindly upload the relevant certificates that demonstrate your qualifications, abilities, and experience in your respective fields. While this FAQ provides general guidelines, it is not comprehensive. Service professionals are responsible for ensuring they meet the minimum requirements and industry standards for their specific areas of expertise. Ensure that you have the appropriate certifications and credentials relevant to your role as an enrichment specialist.