Whether you’re already living in Singapore or contemplating a move here with young kids, looking at the best preschools in Singapore will be top of your list. You can search by neighbourhood or the type of learning – for example Reggio Emilia or play-based learning. Hearing the opinions of other parents, their reviews and recommendations for both kindergartens and Singapore preschools – might help you make your decision.
30 families share their recommendations for kindergartens and preschools in Singapore.
CENTRAL – Bukit Timah, Central Business District, Orchard
Chatsworth International School
Founded: 1995
Dates: August to June
Ages: From 3 years
Size: 750+ students
Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
Kari and Jon Goldner, American; Lyle (8), Emme (5) and Béa (almost 2)
“Our family has been living abroad since 2015 and we moved from The Netherlands to Singapore in September 2021.
Lyle and Emme started at Chatsworth International School shortly after we arrived in Singapore. Emme is now in Year 1, Lyle is in Year 3 and Béa will join K1 in the fall of 2024.
Our kids actually started at a different international school in their first couple of weeks in Singapore. However, we felt that it wasn’t going to provide them with the vibrant education we’d imagined for them. When we toured Chatsworth preschool in Singapore with our kids, the school gave all of us such a good feeling that my kids made the switch the following Monday and settled in beautifully.
Chatsworth’s Primary Years Programme (PYP) provides a wonderful platform for learning, taught by teachers who are skilled, motivated and kind.
The jungle campus is beautiful and charming and facilitates learning and fun. We think the classrooms use the right amount of technology, and the play areas are a dream.
At pick-up time, like-minded parents can be found enjoying a chat or reading a book while their children play on.
Our favourite part is the weekly Performance class. Students learn to perform songs and dances in front of an audience and to be confident. This is an invaluable skill to teach children. A few times per year, parents are invited to watch. The best is the end-of-year School Wide Sing and Dance Off, where each class performs a pop song in front of a friendly panel of judges, the student body and parents. The positive energy, school pride and fun is absolutely tangible.
We would recommend Chatsworth as it’s a lovely campus where the kids are provided a rich education and encouraged to play.”
72 Bukit Tinggi Road
6463 3201 | chatsworth.com.sg
Lily Valley Preschool
Founded: July 2022
Dates: January to December
Ages: From 18 months
Size: 130 students
Curriculum: Reggio Emilia-inspired, inquiry-based learning, bilingual English and Mandarin immersion, IEYC and IPC accredited school, afternoon speciality classes and programme
Yinuo Wang and Eugene Cheung, Chinese and Hong Kong; Julian (6.5) and Michelle (4.5)
“We’ve been in Singapore for a year. Julian has attended Lily Valley Preschool since Aug 2022; he’s now in the Kindergarten Two graduating class. Michelle joined in September 2022 and is currently in Kindergarten One.
The curriculum is based on the Reggio Emilia approach. It focuses on our children’s interests during their inquiry-based project time in class. Through the process of discovery and active participation, they learn how to become problem solvers and creative thinkers. Most importantly, they develop curiosity and an innate love for lifelong learning.
The school’s English and Mandarin language Immersion programme lets children acquire both languages through interactive and hands-on experiences daily.
Julian and Michelle get lots of opportunities to collaborate, exchange ideas and work with their peers and with other classes, too.
Their teachers are supportive, engaging and very dedicated. We receive weekly updates on their learning via the school app as well as feedback and suggestions on how we can extend their learning at home.
They both enjoy the afternoon speciality programmes offered such as multi-sports, robotics and coding, creative music and movement, and visual art. There are also specially designed ateliers such as the light and 3D immersive atelier, and a makerspace. The classrooms allow lots of natural light and nature in, which was an important factor for our choice of preschool in Singapore for Julian and Michelle.
We enjoy participating in the community events and parenting workshops organised by the preschool. There’s also a parent coworking space, which allows us to work while being able to be near Julian and Michelle as they attend school. This lets us balance work and daily life as parents, which builds stronger bonds as a family.”
#02-27/28 Marina Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard
9248 4281 | lilyvalley.com.sg
Mosaic Preschool
Founded: 2016
Dates: January to December
Ages: From 18 months to 7 years
Size: 100
Curriculum: Play-based, project approach, multi-electives/enrichments
Fan Feng and Matthew Beck, Chinese and American; Joseph (3.5) and Jackson (7 months)
“We have been living in Singapore since 2014; both our sons were born here. Joseph has been attending Mosaic Preschool since July 2022; Jackson will start next year when he is 18 months old.
Our experience with Mosaic preschool in Singapore is amazing. Joe changed school last July and the transition has been very smooth with zero difficulty due to his teachers, who are super nice and helpful.
At the beginning when he started, his main teachers were constantly updating us with pictures. This was really helpful for us to understand his day in a new environment. He got used to the new school quickly.
We’re particular about our children’s Mandarin. We noticed that since he joined Mosaic, Joe’s Mandarin skill has improved a lot. He also fell in love with the weekly cooking class and he’s always talking about it at home, trying to help me with cooking, which is a super fun thing to do.
The school has a lot of open space for kids to run around. The students also do different co-curricular activities every afternoon and there are many different learning programmes to choose from the school. So we don’t have to bring him for enrichment classes during the weekend.
The teachers are friendly. They’re easy to reach out to and communicate with, whenever we have questions. They’re always willing to chat with us. There’s a good family community at Mosaic.
There are many events arranged throughout the year, with parents’ involvement. We’re very happy with Mosaic – we hope you’ll like it too!”
896 Dunearn Road, #05-01
6909 0470 | mosaicpreschool.sg
Rain Trees International Kindergarten
Founded: 1999
Dates: August to July
Ages: 18 months to 6 years
Size: 80+
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, EYFS
Julie and Bradley Smith, South African; River (5) and Skyler (2)
“River has been attending Rain Trees Kindergarten since January 2022 and Skyler since August 2022.
We moved to Singapore in December 2021 and upon arrival visited five schools. We felt that Rain Trees would be a school community where we would fit in because of the small and happy environment, the friendly staff and the mix of playing and learning.
River has been to different schools over the last few years as we moved across South Africa, and both Jakarta and Bali in Indonesia. Rain Trees is by far his favourite school. Skyler is more reserved yet the transition to Rain Trees has been a breeze.
Every morning, they receive a warm hello from the friendly staff who know every child by name, before going to their classrooms happy and confident. The headmistress and head of admin are always cheerful, friendly and extremely helpful and efficient.
The children’s schedule includes daily Mandarin lessons, weekly baking sessions and water play during Splash Time outdoors on Fridays. There’s a lovely green outdoor space for the kids to run about, including a wooden pirate ship to climb aboard.
They come home with all manner of innovative arts and crafts to reflect the termly themes. These include an array of cultural festivals, the importance of recycling, the solar system and even the adventures of a pirate.
Rain Trees’ intimate educational environment and beautiful setting embody a kind, caring and nurturing spirit that’s so important when fostering a love of learning in the early childhood years.
Knowing that our boys are in the trustworthy and knowledgeable hands of the Rain Trees teams makes us parents smile.
It has become more than a school for us – it has become a little home away from home for our children and a way to make wonderful new friends with families from around the world. It has become one of the aspects we love most about Singapore!”
60 Kheam Hock Road
6474 6181 | raintreeskindergarten.com
NORTH – Ang Mo Kio, Punggol, Serangoon, Woodlands, Yishun
Australian International School
Founded: 1993
Dates: January to December
Ages: From 2 months
Size: Close to 3,000 students
Curriculum: IB PYP from Preschool to Year 5, Australian Curriculum in Years 6 to 8, Cambridge IGCSE in Years 9/10, Higher School Certificate or IBDP in Years 11/12
Cara Lucas and Benjamin Hobbins, Australian; Leo (4) and Ava (2)
“We’ve been living in Singapore for six years. Ava has just started at the Early Learning Village (ELV) of Australian International School (AIS), while Leo started when he turned one.
We learnt about AIS when we were still in Australia. Cara has friends who previously worked there and had a lot of positive things to say about the school.
Our family’s experience at this international preschool has been fantastic. Over time, our positive first impression has enhanced. We’ve also found that AIS teachers will go above and beyond to show our children love, care and respect.
Leo and Ava’s classes have children from all over the world and it’s lovely to see them develop friendships with others from different backgrounds. AIS celebrates many different cultural festivities throughout the year, including the International Cultural Experience day, which is one of Leo’s favourite days. Both our children are also learning Mandarin and Leo loves to impress our family in Australia with his language skills!
The ELV facilities are amazing. Each year group has “pods”, where children of the same ages learn in the same area. There’s lots of outdoor play areas including outdoor spaces within the classrooms and three outdoor playgrounds. Swimming lessons are at a pool near the café, making it easy for parents to observe as the children learn.
AIS makes a priority of building a sense of belonging and community for families. There are often informative talks at the school and family events, from picnics under the stars to barbecues and fish-and-chips nights. Living in Singapore can make us feel quite homesick at times but having a community with an Australian feel gives us a sense of being at home away from home.”
1 Lorong Chuan
6883 8127 | ais.edu.sg
Brighton College (Singapore)
Founded: 2020
Dates: August to July
Ages: From 18 months
Size: Over 270
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, EYFS
Antonia and Rob Cooper, British; Florence (5) and Heidi (3)
“Our family has been living in Singapore since July 2021 and Florence has been at Brighton since November 2022. Coming from a very small local preschool, we didn’t want Flo to get lost in a huge international preschools intake, so a small preschool in Singapore was ideal when researching where to send Flo. Ultimately, the new campus with light-filled classrooms and warm vibe was what put Brighton in the lead for us.
We knew we made the right choice when at breakfast on day two, she looked at us and said, “I wish I was at school already.” Flo settled in immediately and it feels like she’s always been there. She has made loads of new friends and loves dressing up in her uniform every day, getting on the bus, and going off to “big school”.
She instantly bonded with her teachers, Miss Ravens and Mrs Brewster, who helped her feel so welcome. This was especially important as Flo started midway through the term. We get helpful reminders of what to pack each day via the parent-teacher app, and useful tips about how to help Flo with her phonics and handwriting.
Above everything, it was important to us that Flo is happy and having fun at school. She adores the pirate ship playground, swim lessons in the beautiful pool, and free playtime at the sand pit. She has also started in junk modelling and choir extracurricular classes and is loving these new experiences.
As parents, we’ve already enjoyed social events hosted by the school, watched Flo in her first swimming gala, taken complimentary parent fitness classes, and had some great coffee at the school café. We absolutely recommend Brighton!”
1 Chuan Lane
6505 9790 | brightoncollege.edu.sg
International French School
Founded: 1967
Dates: September to early July
Ages: From 3 years
Size: 3,000 students
Curriculum: French Curriculum taught in French and English, IGCSE; non-French speakers accepted until Grade 6
Hairunnisa and Gaetan Jankowski, Singaporean and French; Charlotte Iman (4)
“Gaetan has lived in Singapore for 20 years, and when he first arrived here, he had soccer training at the International French School (IFS) and was amazed by the school facilities.
Charlotte has attended IFS for two years. She learns English, French and Mandarin. Being a native English, Malay and French speaker at home, Charlotte gets to improve her French at school and learn Mandarin at the same time. Her friends at IFS are international and this is good exposure for her to different cultures.
The teachers are patient, and we receive frequent updates on our daughter’s progress in class. During school holidays, IFS organises school camps for the kids that are conducted by external vendors, and Charlotte enjoys it. The school emphasis is on character building, which develops Charlotte’s personality. IFS boasts top-notch facilities that provide an excellent learning environment for its students. Among these is a spacious swimming pool that offers students the opportunity to participate in aquatic activities and develop their swimming skills. Additionally, the school has a dedicated section for Moyenne section students, which is equipped with the latest learning resources and technology to aid in their education.
These facilities, combined with the school’s experienced faculty and engaging curriculum, make IFS preschool in Singapore an excellent choice for students seeking a high-quality education.”
3000 Ang Mo Kio Ave 3
6805 0000 | ifs.edu.sg
Singapore American School
Founded: 1956
Dates: August to June
Ages: From 3 years
Size: 4,086 students
Curriculum: Comprehensive liberal arts education with open admissions
Francesca Tanmizi and Kaspar Hidayat, Indonesian and Singaporean; Eve (3)
“Eve has been attending the preschool programme at Singapore American School (SAS) since 2022.
My cousins attended SAS when they were in Singapore, and they really enjoyed their time there. My husband and I are also impressed by the range of classes offered at SAS, so we’re confident this international preschool can cater to whatever interest our daughter may develop.
Eve comes home so excited every day, with so many stories about how much fun she had. She usually has a bundle of wet clothes in her bag to prove it!
She’s now confident enough to ask her teacher to get her ranch dressing from the staff cafeteria. So I think that says a lot about how comfortable she feels at school and how close the teachers are to the students. We definitely recommend the SAS international preschools programme to other parents.”
40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
The Grange Institution Preschool
Founded: 2018
Dates: January to December
Ages: From 3 years
Size: 63 students
Curriculum: IPC and Cambridge Primary
Dilla Aslam and Nick Boeglin, Singaporean and American; Medina (6) and Audelia (3)
“When I (Nick) interviewed last year to be a teacher at The Grange Institution (TGI), I was blown away by the quality and calibre of the teachers here. It’s a small school so it feels like a family, which I love. Since I’ve started teaching here, my sentiments have strengthened, and I’m thrilled that my children are able to learn and feel safe and happy in this environment.
Audelia started in The Grange International Preschool (TGIP) in January and loves it. Medina graduated from K2 this past December and is now enrolled in Year 1 in TGI.
My first takeaway as a parent of a TGIP student is how nurturing, patient and kind all of the teachers are. They’re very encouraging and allow the students to be themselves and learn through play.
The preschool students also have a lot of the same specialist classes that the primary students take too – Mandarin, music, technology, art, PE. So they’re learning a lot of age-appropriate knowledge, skills and understanding in those areas from a very young age and they love it.
The school also has a lot of green spaces and is a recognised leading green school in Singapore. Audelia’s teacher in N2 is a certified Forest School instructor so there’s a big emphasis on communing with nature. So even though these children are small, their minds are learning and being stimulated from a variety of sources on a variety of real-life aspects, and all from a place of positivity and encouragement.
With its small size and the positive attitudes of the faculty, staff and students, the school really feels like another family. Everyone looks out for each other here, encourages each other and enjoys each other. The positive energy on campus is palpable and comfortable.”
449 Yio Chu Kang Road
6817 3630 | thegrange.edu.sg
XCL American Academy
Founded: 2022
Dates: August to June
Ages: From 2 years
Curriculum: American (AERO, Common Core, Second Step)
Boyoung and Sangwan Kang, Korean; Yunah (7) and Yujun (5)
“Both our children started attending XCL American Academy (XAA) in October 2022. Yunah is in Grade 1 and Yujun is in Kindergarten 1.
Our children spent most of their lives in Guam, where we are from. When we came to Singapore in 2022, we looked for a school with an American school system, a small community and a friendly environment.
XAA’s curriculum is based on AERO and Common Core standards and is balanced with various extracurricular activities like sports, arts, music and languages.
The school has a small group of students, with two teachers in each class. So each student has a better quality of care and attention from the teachers, with more opportunities to speak their opinion in class.
There’s a well-balanced mixture of different nationalities among students. Students are very friendly and close to each other through the different grades. Our kids are always talking about friends and teachers and sharing about their school life.
The teachers of this kindergarten in Singapore are mainly from the US and Canada, and they’re internationally qualified and experienced. Parents use an app to communicate with the teachers and we regularly get pictures of what our children are doing and learning in class.
At the moment, XAA is sharing the campus with XCL World Academy but there’s been no issue with this. There’s an all-weather Olympic-sized swimming pool, a 750-seat auditorium, tennis court, large sports field and a canteen helmed by a Michelin-starred chef with reasonable prices. We’re sure that our children will be amazed with the new school building when it’s completed in August 2023.
Both our kids have loved going to XAA since their first day of school. They love their teachers and say, “We’re learning with fun and XAA is so much fun!”
2 Yishun Street 42
6230 4222 | xaa.edu.sg
XCL World Academy
Founded: 2014
Dates: August to June
Ages: From 2 years
Size: 800+
Curriculum: Nursery, IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
Apipa and Michael Fletcher, Thai and British; Oscar (8) and Austin (3)
“We arrived in Singapore in 2016 and I (Michael) started working at XCL World Academy (XWA) in the capacity of IB Diploma Programme Coordinator, Head of Grades 11 and 12 and teacher. Oscar also started in Nursery, he’s now in Grade 3; Austin started this January in PreKindergarten.
There are many good preschools in Singapore, but we felt that XWA would prepare our boys for an international life – we particularly like the diversity of nationalities at XWA; this melting pot of cultures has created an international environment.
Both our children speak Thai and English, but Austin joined the English-Chinese bilingual programme. After only a few months of learning Chinese, we’re blown away at his proficiency in the language.
Our boys have a balanced and holistic education that focuses equally on academic achievement, sports and the arts. Oscar is very active, and he’s joined the school’s football and swim teams; he’s already looking forward to joining the rugby team when he’s older.
I’ve seen many international schools throughout my career as an international school teacher and XWA’s facilities are second to none. There’s an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a heated indoor learning pool, an impressive design centre and a 750-seat, two-level auditorium. Within each classroom there’s an interactive SMART Board; students have their own iPad from Grade 1 and their own MacBook from Grade 6.
From day one, our children have loved going to school every day. For expat families settling into their new lives in Singapore, XWA makes the transition of school run smoothly. When the time comes for families to leave Singapore, XWA continues to support the children by working with the child’s next school to ensure there is minimal disruption to their learning.
Ultimately, what any parent looks for in a school is that their children are happy and successful, and we absolutely recommend XWA to all families for this.”
2 Yishun Street 42
6230 4230 | xwa.edu.sg
EAST – Aljunied, Potong Pasir, Kallang
Nexus International School (Singapore)
Founded: 2011
Dates: August to June
Ages: From 3 years
Size: 1,200+ students
Curriculum: IB
Jane and Gavin Hayes, British; Arthur (8) and twins Albert and Eadie (5)
“We’ve lived in Singapore for 3.5 years. Arthur joined Year 1 at Nexus in October 2019, Albert and Eadie joined Kindergarten in August 2022. We originally looked only at British curriculum schools as we felt it would be an easy transition for Arthur when we moved to Singapore. However, this didn’t pan out and Nexus came onto our radar through parents already in Singapore.
What jumped out to us was Nexus asking us who our child was as a person and what his interests were – they wanted to have a deep understanding of our child as an individual. This hasn’t changed and it was a huge reason for us also enrolling Eadie and Albert.
Nexus has a caring environment and provides a platform for all students to excel. All our children have different personalities. Although they’re taught the same syllabus, the teachers make an enormous effort to find the best learning path for each student. The range of teachers that our children interact with on a daily basis has made them more adaptable and confident.
One of our children has a very specific learning need. Nexus has adapted his learning environment to suit his needs and also shown us the best way to understand and support him. This has been invaluable and we’re so appreciative of this.
Nexus has a modern campus with excellent sporting services, student engagement and parent spaces. All our children are involved in extracurricular activities.
A welcome surprise is the extent of the community around Nexus. The school puts on numerous workshops for parents. Topics range from online safety to the mental wellbeing of your children. They also have an excellent community group, the NCG, with a team that works closely with the school to host numerous events from international fairs to movie nights, beach clean-ups and quiz nights, which all create a community spirit within the school.”
1 Aljunied Walk
6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg
Stamford American International School
Founded: 2011
Dates: August to June
Ages: From 3 years
Size: 1,200+ students
Curriculum: IB
Conchi Presedo and Miguel Romero, Spanish; Xoel (4)
“We arrived in Singapore from China in August 2022 and Xoel started at Stamford American that same month. On the first days of preschool in Singapore, he spoke only Spanish because his classmates spoke better English and Mandarin than him. His homeroom teacher noticed this and with her help, we were able to help Xoel feel much more integrated.
Xoel has been exposed to Spanish at home, and English and Mandarin at school in China. We got to know another Spanish family with the same situation – after moving to Singapore, their children went to Stamford American because it provides an environment where the three languages coexist. Xoel is currently in the Mandarin-English bilingual programme, where he is exposed to both languages equally with bilingual teachers.
The Early Learning Village facilities are adapted for the little ones – it’s a fun environment that’s very safe. Xoel goes to school happily because the playground is his favourite place, and it has a pirate ship. The school offers many CCAs with no extra charge. We enrolled Xoel in yoga and Lego construction classes, which allow him to interact with children from different grades. He will start in the school choir next term – his music teacher makes it fun for him to learn how to play the violin and other instruments, and now he wants to learn to play the piano.
We’re still new to Singapore but the school community has made it possible to do fun activities and meet other parents in a relaxed environment. Parents can get involved in the education of their children, use facilities such as the library and have a close relationship with the teachers. The best proof is when the weekend arrives, and Xoel asks why he’s not going to school today. That’s when we know we’ve made a good choice.”
1 Woodleigh Lane
6653 2947 | sais.edu.sg
The Winstedt School
Founded: 2008
Dates: August to June (rolling admissions)
Ages: From 4 years
Size: 210 students
Curriculum: English National Curriculum
Isabel and Sean Palmer, French-German-Filipina and British-American; Julian (7) and Celia (5)
“We moved from Tokyo to Singapore in July 2022. For Julian, we were looking for a Singapore preschool that would provide learning support that was more comprehensive, integrated into the classroom and coordinated than what he previously received. For Celia, we were looking for a preschool in Singapore that would lay a strong, rigorous foundation for her academic and social development.
We received several recommendations for Winstedt from teachers and friends, singling out its comprehensive, integrated approach to learning support. Beyond that, we were also swayed by the school’s approach to structuring its curriculum around every child’s individual interests and needs and incorporating social and emotional learning throughout.
The impact of the Winstedt Way on Julian was immediate. From the very first day, his disposition became brighter, more positive and engaged. Academically, he quickly learned strategies that encouraged him to break out of negative patterns. He continues to gain a strong voice of his own, and no longer shies away from independently tackling challenging lessons and homework.
Meanwhile, Celia, who doesn’t require learning support, benefits from an accelerated literacy curriculum that is well ahead of her year group. She also enjoys other subjects at a more moderate pace, thanks to Winstedt’s individualised approach. She’s also surrounded by a truly diverse group of peers and classmates and learns that “everybody has different feelings, and everybody shows them differently”.
As parents, we benefit from constant communication and coordination with Winstedt’s dedicated and experienced teachers, therapists, specialists, leadership and staff. They regularly stay in touch with each other and with us about our children, what they’re learning, how they’re growing academically and socially, and what we can do – at school and at home – to reinforce.
At Winstedt, our children are not just happier students, they’re happier all around!”
1208 Upper Boon Keng Road
6715 5373 | winstedt.edu.sg
WEST – Clementi, Dover, Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang, Queenstown, West Coast
Canadian International School
Founded: 1990
Dates: August to June
Ages: From 2 years
Size: 3,000 students
Curriculum: IB (PYP, MYP, DP)
Ernesztina and Daniel Soos, Hungarian; Amanda (3.5) and Rafael (1)
“We’ve been living in Singapore for nine years and both our children were born here. Amanda started in Nursery at CIS in August 2021; she’s now in Pre-Kindergarten 2. Rafael will follow her soon to this preschool in Singapore. We heard a lot of positive feedback from other students and parents about their experiences at CIS. As Lakeside residents, the school’s location was the most convenient for us. We’re also convinced that CIS has one of the best IB programmes among top international schools in Singapore.
Every morning, the head of school greets the kids upon arrival with a friendly smile and mentions their names. The whole scene is personal but important in a busy city. Amanda loves it and it makes her feel her own importance in this friendly community. All the staff are amazingly kind and caring. They helped our little girl feel safe and supported.
The interior of the new Kindergarten wing is very modern, cosy and absolutely kid-friendly. There’s a kids’ kitchen that functions like a real one, an Outdoor Discovery Centre and a covered 25m solar heated pool. Amanda loves the library; she can easily spend the whole day there.
What makes CIS more attractive than other preschools in Singapore of the same standard are little extras – for example, the concept of making things more personal, good communication between parents and the teachers, the facilities in the new wing, the innovative and caring spirit of the management and, of course, the overall good feeling the school gives us.”
7 Jurong West Street 41
6467 1732 | cis.edu.sg
Dover Court International School
Founded: 1972
Dates: End of August to end of June
Ages: From 3 years (Nursery)
Size: 1,900 students
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, IGCSE, IBDP, BTEC International Diploma Levels 2 and 3 in Business, ASDAN
Annemarie and Cristiano Rinaldi, American and Italian; Francesco (10), Federico (8), Alessandra (8), Daniele (5)
“Before moving from Tokyo to Singapore, we researched international preschools in Singapore. Dover Court International School (DCIS) reminded us of a previous school that the children had attended, where we had had a positive experience and the community was really strong. We like that DCIS has 50 years of history in Singapore and is an inclusive school.
Francesco joined the school in October 2020 and the others joined in August 2022. We moved our younger children from a different international school to DCIS because we believe that it offers the most possibilities for their differing interests, personalities and learning styles.
The school encourages all students to interact, learn from one another and contribute by focusing on the strengths and possibilities that each of them can offer. Our children go to school enthusiastically looking forward to learning and seeing their friends.
The curriculum is varied, and every few weeks a new topic is introduced that allows the children to learn in depth about a subject while incorporating different subject matters. Some areas they’ve covered are Endangered Animals, the Solar System, Natural Disasters and Ancient Civilisations. The school does an excellent job of communicating what the children are learning about.
The after-school activities on offer are varied and our children have participated in CCAs that appeal to their individual interests.
DCIS has a strong parent community. Parents can get involved, from helping decorate the school for festivities such as Halloween, Hari Raya, Christmas and Chinese New Year, to organising events on campus for students and parents such as a Welcome Back picnic. Parents are also able to volunteer in a variety of ways at school such as helping teachers in the classroom and sorting books in the library.
We’ve only had positive interactions at DCIS. Our children are thriving in the multicultural environment that focuses on academics as well as the entire wellbeing of the child.”
301 Dover Road
6775 7664 | dovercourt.edu.sg
Dulwich College (Singapore)
Founded: 2014
Dates: August to June
Ages: From 2 years
Size: 2,870 students
Curriculum: Enhanced English National Curriculum, IGCSE, IBDP, IBCP (Singapore)
Udita Awasthi and Dr Shailendra Mishra, Indian; Atharv (6)
“Atharv has been attending Dulwich College (Singapore) (DUCKS) since August 2019, starting from Nursery. We’ve seen his progress since then until now in Year 2. His learning journey is in the right direction and progressing well.
We like the international preschool’s teaching approach; it combines outdoor and indoor learning, which is holistic and sustainable. Atharv has developed his love for books, numbers, nature, social awareness, art, science, design, performances, cooking and sports.
The English-Mandarin bilingual curriculum ingrained a great interest in Arthav for learning languages, apart from his mother tongue. In Year 2, he took up the responsibility of being a Global Guardian as a leadership role and learned to be more responsible for society and the world.
From Year 2 onwards, parents can choose CCAs for their children to explore a variety of sports and to develop their interests.
DUCKS has a loving, friendly, energetic and nurturing atmosphere. There are various facilities for children, parents and guardians including the library, in-house health clinic, canteen and indoor and outdoor play areas. In addition, Friends of Dulwich is a school community run by parents and guardians and it offers a big helping hand for new and existing parents or guardians.
The holistic learning environment at DUCKS nurtures children and helps them to become well-educated and kind global citizens. As a result, Arthav has become independent and confident; we’re looking forward to seeing his progress in the future.”
71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org
GESS
Founded: 1971
Dates: August to July
Ages: From 2 years
Size: 1,800 students
Curriculum: IB Curriculum in English and German Curriculum International School
Priscilla Law and Oliver Dix, Australian and German; Maximilian (4)
“Oliver has been living in Singapore for 17 years and Priscilla for 12. Maximilian was born in Singapore and has been attending the Toddler playgroup class at GESS since he was 18 months old. (The Toddler programme changed to PreKindergarten in 2020 and now accepts children from two years.)
We wanted Maximilian to be exposed to a play-based curriculum. We learnt of GESS from friends with older children who’ve been attending the school. The preschool, primary and secondary school are under one roof and the campus is relatively new, so the facilities are complete, with all the necessities.
The school’s play-based curriculum gives children the freedom to develop their curiosity and independence, and also exercise their right to speak up when dealing with an uncomfortable situation. GESS recently implemented the new Safeguarding Curriculum, which provides guidance on topics that we may have encountered in our parenting journey but were not sure how to approach. One of these is guiding caregivers on how to protect children from physical and emotional abuse issues.
GESS has an astounding community spirit that begins with the friendly teachers. The preschool director is always reachable for feedback while volunteers of the parent committee help families new to Singapore settle in.
The playground has also shaped this experience – it’s well shaded with plenty of seating and areas for waterplay and sand play, making it a pleasant place to connect with other families while students enjoy the challenges of the playground. With so many aspects of the community spirit in place, we feel GESS is the right fit for us.”
2 Dairy Farm Lane
6461 0881 | gess.sg
International Community School (Singapore)
Founded: 1993
Dates: August to June
Ages: From 4 years
Size: 350+ students
Curriculum: American
Diana Mesquita and Diogo Pereira, Brazilian; Liz Maria (5)
“Liz started in ICS in October 2021, which was when we moved to Singapore. When we were still in Brazil, we started searching online for an international school here. We contacted ICS and something told us that we’d found the right school for our family.
Liz didn’t speak English, but she has felt welcome since her first day at this international preschool. In the warm and friendly environment, we saw how fast she developed her English and made new friends from all over the world.
It’s amazing to see how much Liz has accomplished and we’re sure this is because of the unique environment and teaching that ICS has.
The kindergarten classes have the right number of kids, so each kid receives the proper attention that they need. ICS teachers and staff are super friendly and engaged in the development of each student while respecting the student’s individuality.
The school’s facilities such as the playground, PE court and plots for planting and growing vegetables are fun, and great for young kids to develop and learn how to become more independent.
The cherry on top of the cake is for us parents to be able to be part of our daughter’s school activities. We can read books and participate in festive days and bake sales. We’re not a Christian family but we felt that it would be important for Liz to learn good values and principles. There’s a sense of community that’s welcoming, so we don’t feel alone on this side of the world. We recommend ICS to other families.”
27A Jubilee Road
6776 7435 | ics.edu.sg
One World International School
Founded: 2008
Dates: August to June
Ages: From 3 years
Size: 1,400 students
Curriculum: IB (PYP, DP), modified Cambridge, IGCSE
Annalisa and Massimo, Italian; Gaia (7) and Marta (5)
“We have been in Singapore for nine years. It’s Marta’s second year and Gaia’s fourth year at One World International School (OWIS) Nanyang Campus. Marta is now in EC2, and Gaia is in Grade 1.
When OWIS Nanyang opened five years ago, our neighbours recommended it to us. We visited the school and we all felt very welcome. We like the environment and the school’s key value of kindness.
The Early Childhood classrooms are very big – the ceilings are high and the windows are large, so they let in a lot of light. Our girls have loads of fun activities, both indoors and outdoors. We’ve met all the wonderful teachers; they’re all very caring.
The fees of OWIS are lower than other IB international preschools but we don’t feel that this has compromised the quality of the school. We feel part of the community and recommend the school to other parents.”
21 Jurong West Street 81
6914 6700 | owis.org/sg
Tanglin Trust School
Founded: 1925
Dates: August to July
Ages: From 3 years
Size: 2,800 students
Curriculum: Enhanced British curriculum with an international perspective, A Levels, IBDP
Kathryn and Tim Wright, British; Alana (9), Harry (7) and Jesse (4)
“All our children started in nursery at Tanglin – Alana is now in Year 4, Harry in Year 3 and Jesse in Nursery. When we moved to Singapore 12 years ago, Tanglin was one of the few schools that offered the British curriculum. Tim grew up in Hong Kong and Tanglin has been a school that he’s familiar with; it’s long established and has been consistently recognised for its quality British education. Tanglin offers a rich multicultural community yet has reinforced a deep sense of British identity within our children, which is especially important to us as they’ve never lived in the UK.
The Nursery intake has a very gentle settling-in period of a few days of half-class for the teachers to get to know the children individually. The teachers are warm and welcoming; they made such an impression that Alana and Harry still have very fond memories of when they started.
An early finish is optional throughout the year. This means that, in the morning, Jesse can decide whether he wants to stay at school for lunch or not – more often than not, he wants to stay as long as possible! The Nursery cohort is completely integrated into the larger school community. Through the house system, Jesse feels a great sense of belonging and is excited to be a part of House Raeburn, like his siblings.
The school’s fantastic facilities enable a huge variety of co-curricular activities for all age groups. It’s a very enriching environment and the school community is welcoming. As parents, we enjoy spending time on campus and appreciate the facilities, events and volunteering opportunities that are open to us.
Our children genuinely enjoy their school days. As three very different children, they’ve been supported on their learning journey with pastoral care that suits them as individuals.”
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Alphabet Playhouse
Founded: 1995
Dates: January to December (ongoing admissions)
Ages: From 18 months
Size: 200+ students
Curriculum: Alphabet Playhouse’s award-winning curriculum is based on the Growth Mindset Framework and includes a Bilingual Integrated Programme.
Kate Geraghty and Mark McFarlane, Australian and Scottish; George (8) and Rose (4)
“We’ve had the pleasure of being a part of the Alphabet Playhouse community for a number of years. Our family initially lived on Killiney Road and had the Somerset branch as our neighbour where we could hear the children laughing and having fun in the playground. We’re since moved to Emerald Hill, within walking distance of the school.
George attended Alphabet Playhouse from 2017 to 2019 and Rose has been enrolled since 2021. We’ve been thoroughly impressed with the care and attention that this preschool in Singapore has provided for our children’s educational and personal growth. The genuine interest shown by all the teachers for the happiness and wellbeing of our kids has been truly heart-warming.
The curriculum is thoughtfully structured, striking a balance between fun-filled play and engaging learning activities. Our children eagerly rush into school every day with smiles on their faces. We’ve also noticed significant development in their academic abilities across a range of subjects such as reading, writing, Chinese, and maths.
This Singapore preschool is a safe and welcoming space for children. Every teacher knows the every student by name, even if they’re not their day-to-day teacher. It’s also an ideal school for working parents with low-key and manageable parental involvement.
In the past, we experienced unexpected situations where our helper had to leave the country for an extended period. The school was kind enough to accommodate our needs by temporarily extending the school hours. Additionally, the school has minimal shut-down for holidays, and offers a discount schedule for families who travel outside the country for an extended period, making it easy for parents to plan their schedules accordingly.
We recommend this preschool in Singapore to any parent seeking a caring environment and a well-designed educational experience for their child. In fact, we have recommended this Singapore preschool to several other families who have since enrolled their children, and they too are happy with the school’s offerings.”
• 16 Dublin Road
• 440A Upper East Coast Road
6653 5618 | alphabetplayhouse.com.sg
ELFA Preschool
Founded: 2000
Dates: January to December
Ages: 2 months to 6 years
Size: 22,000+ under Crestar Education Group
Curriculum: Mandarin-English bilingual preschool with strong focus on Mandarin acquisition
Yue Zuo and Alex Gerst, Chinese and French; Leo (3)
“Leo has been attending ELFA Chinese Preschool @ Pandan Valley since our arrival in Singapore one year ago. It’s a small preschool with a family feel. There are slightly over 20 children; the children and teachers of different classes know each other.
We learnt of ELFA when searching for Chinese bilingual preschools online – we wanted to provide our child with a Chinese-English bilingual environment and also an outdoor playground. The Chinese curriculum at ELFA features the teaching of traditional Chinese culture and values. Apart from poems and idioms, little ones also learn other classics like the Three Character Classic and Disciple Rules.
PN class has an almost full Chinese curriculum while N class has 15 percent English content. PN class begins every morning with a Chinese traditional poem accompanied by actions, and Leo loves it.
Every morning and afternoon, the children get to play outside when it doesn’t rain. There are fruit trees and other plants in the outdoor area, where children can discover nature while remaining in school. The school also has an outdoor and indoor playground.
The school uses an app to communicate with parents about daily activities. Our favourite part is the photos taken by teachers, uploaded once a week. We enjoy discovering what Leo does and how he is at school.
Communication with teachers is easy and frank. We feel that we can collaborate together with the teachers at school to provide a healthy and positive growth environment for Leo. The school also organises celebrations regularly covering different themes, including festivals of different races. There are always fun activities on these occasions, like mimicking a dragon boat competition, preparing tangyuan and henna tattooing.
We recommend ELFA to other families who want to provide their children with a Chinese learning foundation and, in particular, exposure to traditional Chinese culture.”
• Blk 202 Hougang Street 21, #03-00
• 3 Pandan Valley #01-316
• Blk 866A Tampines Street 83, #04-01 Tampines Central Community Complex
6881 8818 | elfapreschools.com/singapore
EtonHouse International School
Founded: 1995
Dates: Local preschools, January-December; international preschools, August-June
Ages: From 9 months
Size: 2,400+ students
Curriculum: IB PYP, IGCSE, International A-Levels
Ioanna and Panos Nicolaou, Cypriot; Daphne (4.5) and Chloe (5 months)
“We’ve been living in Singapore for the past eight years and Daphne has been attending EtonHouse Broadrick since last August.
After attending an open day at the school, we were sure we wanted Daphne to join. We really love the facilities, the outdoor space and the super friendly and approachable staff of this preschool in Singapore. Everyone is keen to help and they’re so polite and happy. Daphne joined the bilingual preschool programme, and her Chinese has improved so much. The teachers have a special way of engaging students and accommodating their needs.
The school looks for ways to expose students to a variety of experiences like planting, harvesting, farming fish, sparking their interest in science and technology, and making them confident in presenting and performing in front of an audience. Sports and games play an important role in teaching children the value of being fit and healthy. The school’s initiatives like Forest School promote nature play and spending time outdoors.
Parents are encouraged to be involved as mystery readers or to help with events happening at the school. This gives us the opportunity to get a better idea of how our kids are at school, and how they interact with their friends and their teachers. We attended a few Parents-School Association meetings and it’s clear that the opinion of parents is highly valued and appreciated.
The heart of those who work at EtonHouse Broadrick is in the right place and this has a very positive effect on the children who study there. The campus is very nice, and we love the fact that Daphne can stay at the same campus until she is 12 years old. After Year 6 at EtonHouse Broadrick, students can move on to Orchard campus for secondary and sixth form.”
15 locations island-wide | etonhouse.edu.sg
House on the Hill
Founded: 2012
Dates: January to December (rolling admissions)
Ages: From 2 months
Size: 350+ students
Curriculum: Montessori
Conny and André Gruber, Swiss; Shaliza (6), Kean (3.5) and Dylan (20 months)
“We’ve been living in Singapore for seven years. Shaliza was in House on the Hill (HotH) Balmoral for 3.5 years and just recently started with Primary School. Kean is currently in HotH, starting last August in Playgroup and progressing to K1 in December.
We were looking for a preschool with a caring and nurturing environment near where we lived, and HotH was one of the few preschools in Singapore where there was flexibility on the number of days and length of programme.
We love that as a Montessori school, it mixes children of different ages and abilities in the same classroom. The younger children can benefit so much from their older peers and vice versa. We’re very happy with our kids’ progress and their learning journey.
The experience with HotH has been fabulous at every stage. The teachers are passionate, kind and caring. They know every kid in the school, and communication with each of them has always been great and effortless.
An important aspect is the preschool’s outdoor play area, which we think is crucial for a healthy learning environment. We also appreciate the balanced nutritious meal plan and that our kids get to enjoy freshly prepared meals in school.
We definitely recommend HotH to parents who are looking for a preschool in Singapore with a friendly and warm environment, where teachers help each child to progress at their own pace.
• 33 Mount Sophia | 6337 4635
• 396 Pasir Panjang Road, #02-01 | 6251 6451
• 2H Balmoral Crescent | 6258 6061
• 22 Camden Park | 6530 3955
houseonthehill.com.sg
Kinderland Academy & Preschool
Founded: 1978
Dates: January to December
Ages: From 2 months to 6 years
Size: 22,000+ under Crestar Education Group
Curriculum: Kinderland’s musicinfused curriculum is built around the K.I.N.D.E.R. multidisciplinary lands (Kineticland, Intelliland, Natureland, Digiland, EQ-land, cReativeland). Students at Kinderland Academy @ Yio Chu Kang have the opportunity to participate in the first and only preschool marching band in Singapore.
Yumi and Yusuke Shiraki, Japanese; Emma (2)
“We are living in the East Coast area and were looking for a international preschools close to us. We found Kinderland Preschool & Infant Care @ Marine Parade on Google Maps. Kinderland runs one of the biggest chains of preschools in Asia, which made us feel relieved and confident in our choice.
Emma has been at Kinderland for five months. We can see on the app when she arrives at school. Every morning, she gets breakfast at school; this is really nice because preschools in Japan don’t serve breakfast for students. Emma apparently really likes the food – and she also likes the slide at the indoor playground!
We’re happy that there are some options of enrichment programmes for Emma and we’re looking forward to the music curriculum that she will be exposed to in the near future. As there aren’t many preschools in this area, we got to know the other parents of children enrolled at Kinderland. We get along easily with them.
We absolutely recommend Kinderland preschools in Singapore as they have many locations as well as a good curriculum that would make any child feel really comfortable in school.”
15 locations island-wide | kinderland.com.sg
Maple Bear Singapore
Founded: 2005
Dates: January to December
Ages: From 2 months
Size: 51 Maple Bear schools in Singapore, islandwide
Curriculum: Canadian methodology focused on play-based learning, bilingual immersion and an outcome-based curriculum
Christine Field-Hall, Hong Kong and England; Joshua (3.5) and Jasper (2)
“We have been living in Singapore for nearly two years. Joshua has attended Maple Bear Redhill for nearly a year and Jasper has been there for six months.
One of Joshua’s old teachers transferred to this preschool in Singapore, and we checked them out. We like the curriculum; it’s a good balance of structure and play-based learning. The fact that it’s a bilingual preschool was very important to us; we wanted the children to have a good Chinese base but still have a strong English programme.
We also like that the school offers a lot of extracurricular activities under one roof, from STEM to Chinese Speech & Drama, Ace It Math and Keys 2 Music (beginner’s keyboard). We feel that Maple Bear Redhill offers more than most other international preschools we have visited.
Both our boys really enjoy school. That’s thanks to the teachers who always prepare lots of fun and educational activities for them throughout the day. Since they started Maple Bear, our boys have both improved drastically in their speech and their love of art and craft.
The teachers and principal are always nice and friendly, and we appreciate how the school is always very accommodating. I especially like their regular updates on the Maple Bear school app as it makes us feel more involved in our boys’ school lives.
The school fees are fair, there’s a school bus service, and Maple Bear even offers a specialised educational service to assist if your child needs extra help.”
51 locations islandwide
maplebear.sg
Mulberry Learning
Founded: 2006
Dates: January to December (on-going admissions)
Ages: From 2 months
Size: 1,500+ students
Curriculum: Mulberry Learning’s award-winning iLearn/iExplore/iExperience/iDevelop curriculum features elements from established global pedagogies such as Habits of Mind, Reggio Emilia and Multiple Intelligences
Ashna and Brian Fernandez, Australian; Sonia (3.5) and Cruz (22 months)
“We’ve been living in Singapore for 1.5 years. Two months after we landed here, Sonia started attending Mulberry Cairnhill; she’s now in N2. Cruz started in PN at 17 months old and has been attending for five months.
Mulberry Cairnhill is close to our home. It promotes Reggio Emilia experiential play and structured learning, an environment that Sonia thrives in.
Sonia started three days a week on the flexible half-day programme. The school’s attitude in easing her in illustrated their understanding towards expat parents new to Singapore. After a few months, she started going five days a week. We don’t blame her for wanting to stay at school longer – she’s surrounded with so much love from her personal teacher, teachers from different classes and the administrative staff. Sonia found friends very quickly as she’s able to explore freely and create relationships, while also having structured lessons.
From the age of four months, Cruz would come along to drop his sister off and the teachers would engage with him. When he joined, he was very comfortable walking in on the first day, playing with teachers and peers. Both our children have settled so quickly into Mulberry because the teachers are very caring and understanding.
Both children are learning Chinese and often come home singing Chinese songs. They’re enrolled in Sportybots, an enrichment programme that’s only done in the afternoons; this has increased their stamina and overall interest in sports. They’ve enjoyed field trips to experience aquariums, libraries and parks with their friends now that COVID restrictions are lifted.
Parents get to participate in the many local cultural events that this bilingual preschool puts on. It’s a delight to see the joy, confidence and fun our children have when they prepare and perform at these events. Our favourite is the Chinese New Year celebrations!
Mulberry is a preschool in Singapore that promotes community while having fun. The structured lessons are all done with enjoyment and we see our children’s happy faces in the picture updates. We know we’re in good hands with Mulberry.”
16 centres islandwide
mulberrylearning.com
Raffles Kidz International
Founded: 2014
Dates: August to June
Ages: From 18 months, except Jurong West from 2 months
Size: 600 students
Curriculum: Bilingual, inquiry-based/Montessori
Jessica Mermillon and Jaume Monfort Hernandez, French Indonesian and Spanish; Júlia (4) and Jan (18)
“We’ve been in Singapore since April 2022 and Júlia has been attending Raffles Kids since June 2022 while Jan started in February 2023. We first learned about Raffles Kidz from a few recommendations and were drawn to its proximity to our home. During our visit, we were impressed by its reputation as a bilingual school and its notable awards further affirmed our decision to enrol our children.
It has been a pleasure to watch our daughter enjoy school. She always learns something new and eagerly shares it with us, whether it’s new words, foods, movements or instruments.
We liked how Raffles Kidz adopts an inquiry-based/Montessori approach, where children have the freedom to explore and develop their learning by doing. Teachers have access to a wide range of materials – games and learning tools go from simple wood blocks to a full Lego wall, which makes it amazing for the children to learn. Afternoons are for enrichment classes such as cooking and music, which are important for children, in my opinion.
Fitness is also a big part of the programme. Children have a huge space for movement and creativity in practising their coordination, balance, team effort and more. Their facilities are great as well, with huge outdoor spaces and social pods that give children the freedom to explore and socialise.
As a trilingual family, we really appreciate that for each class, there’s a Chinese-speaking teacher and an English-speaking teacher. Our daughter has already learned so much Chinese since she started school and it’s amazing to see her progress.
The teachers and assistants are very friendly and supportive as well; they communicate a lot with parents and always keep us updated actively and timely, which is super important for us.
We always want the best for our children and that includes school. If we weren’t happy with them, we wouldn’t have put our youngest son there as well. We would definitely recommend Raffles Kidz to all families.”
6 locations island-wide
6282 6319 | raffleskidz.com
UWC South East Asia Infant School
Founded: 1971 (UWCSEA Dover); 2008 (UWCSEA East)
Dates: August to June Ages: From 4 years
Size: 3,060 (Dover); 2,650 (East)
Curriculum: UWCSEA conceptbased curriculum, IGCSE, IBDP
Katherine and Darren, British-Iranian and British; Ava (10) and Elika (6)
“We’ll be celebrating 10 years in Singapore this May. Both our girls joined UWCSEA in August 2022; Elika is currently in Infant School while Ava is in Junior school.
Darren’s cousin went to UWCSEA and nearly all the children in our cluster of houses have attended the school. Three things about UWCSEA appealed to us: students are encouraged to take control of their own learning; it’s a multicultural school; and service to the community/world is strongly built into the curriculum and daily school life.
The campus is large, and our biggest worry was that this would be intimidating and the large number of children attending would make it overwhelming. However, our girls made a really easy and successful transition to UWCSEA from their previous school.
The campus is also segregated into distinct areas for the different schools. As such, each of our girls experiences the particular section that they’re in, forming great bonds with teachers, support staff and fellow pupils – it definitely feels like both girls have their own small communities, despite the size of the campus.
There’s also an incredible array of world-class facilities, which the girls have used as they take part in sports, musical and wellbeing sessions. We like the focus on helping them to become rounded young adults, rather than just pure academics; we think that really helps with the children enjoying the school, too.
We’ve found the teachers to be empathetic to each child’s needs, encouraging and also fostering a message of the children taking control of their own learning. Our experiences have been excellent, and we anticipate seeing even more benefit as the girls progress through the years.”
Dover Campus: 1207 Dover Road | 6774 2653
East Campus: 1 Tampines Street 73 | 6305 5353
uwcsea.edu.sg
Where to find preschools in Singapore
Wherever you live in Singapore, there’s a preschool or kindergarten that’s the perfect fit for your family! Here’s a general overview of where you can find them – plus, some schools have multiple campus locations, so be sure to check online, too.
Which Preschool in Singapore Should You Choose?
Whether you’ve been in Singapore for a while, you’ve just arrived on the island’s shores, or you’re contemplating a move here, selecting the right school for your child, after finding a place to live, is one of the most important decisions to make. And it’s a question every parent grapples with. A visit to a school is generally the best way to make an instinctive decision but hearing the opinions of others about their experiences can be invaluable. The following pages feature the testimonials of 25 families to help you in the decision making process!
8 Questions to Ask
- Is the location of the campus convenient to home and transport options?
- Which education curriculum will suit my child’s educational needs and our family’s future plans?
- How do the class sizes and teacher-to-child ratios vary among preschools on my list?
- Is Mandarin taught as a second language, and is this an experience my child will benefit from?
- Will the extracurricular activities enhance my child’s experience and balance the academic side?
- What are the opportunities for parent participation, such as reading groups, excursions and so on?
- How does the preschool in Singapore communicate with parents about the child’s experiences and learning?
- Is there flexibility around the times and number of days per week that my child can attend?
What’s What? Three Key Terms
PRESCHOOL
Before beginning statutory education at the age of six years in Singapore, many children attend preschool from the age of 18 months upwards. In Britain, preschool is known as nursery school or playgroup, while in the US the terms preschool and pre-K are used.
KINDERGARTEN
In Singapore, many international schools use the term kindergarten to describe the first, and sometimes second, year of primary school education. However, the Singapore Ministry of Education uses the term kindergarten to mean a preschool that provides a structured three-year preschool programme for children aged four to six. Children learn activities that develop language and literacy skills, basic number concepts, social skills, creative and problem-solving skills, appreciation of music and movement, outdoor play, English as a first language, and Chinese, Malay or Tamil.
CURRICULUM
After “fun” and “play”, one of the first words you’re likely to encounter when visiting preschools in Singapore is “curriculum”. The curriculum is essentially the syllabus that underpins the learning principles at the heart of every preschool. There’s a huge range of curriculums and teaching philosophies adopted in Singapore, from Montessori to Reggio Emilia, to the International Primary Curriculum. Many schools have adopted a hybrid or tailor-made curriculum that draws on elements of well-known systems, infused with the individual passions and beliefs of the school founders. Whatever is in place at the Singapore preschools you look at, be sure to find out how it will suit the needs of your child.
This article first appeared in the April 2023 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
