Her oldest child will join the Primary 1 cohort in about one week's time, a milestone in a kid's life that usually gives parents the jitters.

But the Queen of Caldecott Hill Zoe Tay is unflappable.

Asked how she feels about Brayden, six, taking this big step, the mother of three boys told The New Paper: "I'm half-excited. Now that he's going to school proper, I feel he's not a kid any more."

If she's worried, she's not showing it. "Some friends told me what primary school is like and I talked to Brayden about it," Tay said.

"But my husband (air force pilot Philip Chionh) said I fret too much (about it) and that the school will help the pupils adapt..."

"It's Brayden's world and I'll let him deal with it himself."

Tay, who turns 44 on Jan 10, was speaking to TNP at the press conference to announce her new TV drama Double Bonus. In it, she plays a woman possessed by the God of Beauty.

Which school the local actress' son would study in has been the subject of speculation since 2009,when she volunteered to help out at Nanyang Primary School. It's something some Singapore parents do to secure places for their children in choice schools.

Tay lives in Holland Road, more than 2km from Nanyang Primary. That reduces the odds of Brayden getting in there.

Despite volunteering 80 hours at the popular school - Mr Chionh was spotted taking pictures of guests during the school's art exhibition - the couple couldn't get a slot for their boy.

Tay declined to talk to The New Paper about it.

But she let on that they applied for a spot in Henry Park Primary School, Mr Chionh's former school, where Brayden was accepted.

Tay, who ferries her son to and from kindergarten and enrichment classes for English, Chinese and Maths, isn't worried about how the longer school hours will affect the boy.

"It may suit him, since he's so energetic. Maybe school will burn out his energy and he'll sleep better at night," she said.

"He's a boy, he can handle it... He's very sociable and independent."

But Tay won't be there for Brayden's first day of school.

She explained: "I want to be around for Ashton (her second son, who is four) instead. Brayden usually holds his hand and walks him to the school bus.

"Since Brayden will be in school and won't be around, the impact is greater for Ashton, who is more timid."

This article was first published in The New Paper.