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International research suggests that the early childhood years are a sensitive period in which a child’s future development can be influenced.
It is important to give your young children a head start in life. As the saying goes: “We are all born equal but by education different ”
Preschool education is a long term investment in the future well-being of your children.
While quality preschool education is expensive, you should take the perspective of amortising the costs over a child’s lifetime as this education is foundational in nature.
In Singapore, over 95% of all young kids receive some form of pre-school education every year.
There are about 1200 kindergartens and childcare centres in Singapore offering pre-school education.
Preschool education in Singapore comprises of a structured 3-year education program for children aged 3 to 6 years old.
The formal 3-year education consists of Nursery, Kindergarten 1 and Kindergarten 2.
However, preschools with childcare facilities accept kids who are at least 18 months old for pre-nursery classes.
Kindergartens usually run 5 days a week, for about 3-4 hours per session, with 2 sessions each day.
The curriculum covers language skills, basic number concepts, simple science concepts, social skills, creative and problem solving skills, appreciation of music and movement and outdoor play..
According to MOE, the desired outcomes of preschool education are:
- Know what is right and wrong
- Be willing to share and take turns with others
- Be able to relate to others
- Be curious and able to explore
- Be able to listen and speak with understanding
- Be comfortable and happy with themselves
- Have developed physical co-ordination and good habits
- Love their family, friends, teachers and kindergarten
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Age Groups for Pre-School Education
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Class Type
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Children from 18 months to turning 2 years old
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Pre-Nursery
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Children turning 3 years old in that year
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Nursery 1
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Children turning 4 years old in that year
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Nursery 2
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Children turning 5 years old in that year
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Kindergarten 1
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Children turning 6 years old in that year
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Kindergarten 2
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There are various financial subsidy schemes available to low-income families and centre-based financial assistance schemes for working mothers. These schemes are available to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. For the latest information on approved centres and the various financial schemes, visit the website of Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports at: www.mcys.gov.sg
The spectrum of pre-schools and kindergartens in Singapore caters to the diversity of learning and development needs of all pre-schoolers.
To choose the right school or centre for your child, you should consider some of these factors :
- Qualifications, experience and motivation of the principal and teachers ( for example, do they speak Singlish ? )
- Costs
- Overall quality , environment and size of the facilities ( indoors and outdoors )
- Proximity to home
- The teaching philosophy and curriculum
- Teacher to student ratio
- Types of food being served
- How naptimes and showers are organized
- Quality and quantity of learning tools and toys
- Do the children in the school look happy and engaged?
- Religious values ( if appropriate )
- Profile of current children in the school or centre
For your guidance, the information below would be helpful to parents and guardians.
Edupoll’s Top 10 PreSchool Brands in Singapore * :
- Nanyang Kindergarten
- Maris Stella Kindergarten
- Pat’s Schoolhouse
- Newton Kindergarten
- St. James’ Church Kindergarten
- Chiltern House
- EtonHouse
- Barker Road Methodist Church Kindergarten
- Brighton Montessori
- Lorna Whiston PreSchool
(* in random order )
In addition to the Top 10 , the following groups are accorded Singapore Quality Preschool Brand by Edupoll :
- Kinderland ( www.kinderland.com.sg )
- Carpe Diem ( www.carpediem.com.sg )
- Cambridge CDC ( www.cambridgecdc.com)
- Cherie Hearts Group ( www.cheriehearts.com.sg )
- NTUC Childcare ( www.ntuc-childcare.com )
- Modern Montessori International ( www.modern-montessori.com )
- The Little Skool- House ( www.littleskoolhouse.com )
- The Preschool for Multiple Intelligences ( www.pmi.com.sg )
For more information about preschool education in Singapore, you can contact us at:
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Preschool Education 
