There’s a wide range of preschool curriculums in Singapore – from Reggio Emilia to IB Primary Years Programme, Early Years Foundation Stage and many more. Here are the different early years curriculum at 12 international preschools and kindergartens, so you can see what might suit your child. Some curriculums are bilingual, so that’s something to consider in your choice.
Dulwich College Kindergarten School – early years learning
The Foundation Stage curriculum at Dulwich College (Singapore) Kindergarten (DUCKS) follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, designed to support the education of students from birth to five years old. In Years 1 and 2, the curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England; it focuses on developing successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens. Starting from the age of two, children in DUCKS participate in the school’s Mandarin dual-language programme, where a Chinese co-teacher collaborates with the class teacher throughout the day. By integrating storytelling, role play and meaningful interactions into all areas of learning, this programme empowers children to use language with confidence. In addition to the core curriculum, all DUCKS students attend specialist lessons in swimming, music and PE, led by expert teachers.
Dulwich says that it is the first international school in Singapore to integrate the UK’s Forest School Learning Initiative into the Early Years programme. This outdoor learning experience allows young children to take calculated risks, collaborate with their peers and solve problems in a natural environment, fostering creativity and independence.
Leadership opportunities in roles such as Student Council, House Captains, Global Guardians, Creative Stars, Reading Rockets, Techsperts and Ecowarriors allow each child to follow their unique pathway and take pride in their achievements as confident, engaged young learners. The school adds that this nurtures them to “Live Worldwise”, equipped with the skills, knowledge, and motivation to make a positive impact on society and the planet.
Parents are kept engaged in their children’s learning journey through online journals. The older DUCKS students document their own work, providing a clear picture of their progress. These journals create an interactive home-school partnership by allowing parents to contribute observations and reflections.
71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8
6890 1003 | singapore.dulwich.org
Singapore American School – Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool curriculum
The preschool curriculum at SAS is inspired by the early years philosophy of Reggio Emilia. Learning takes place through inquiry-based projects, and rich literacy and numeracy experiences. Sitting alongside this is the development of essential skills for lifelong learning – social-emotional skills, collaboration, independence, creativity and communication skills.
The SAS philosophy strongly connects to nature by bringing the outdoors into the classroom. This is reflected in the way learning spaces are set up with great intention – a neutral palette and elements of nature visible in the environment.
Children are encouraged to explore, be curious and ask questions, with learning designed to be joyful and age-appropriate. It follows children’s interests, uses open-ended materials, scaffolds skills in small groups, and balances child-led discovery with intentional teaching.
Learning at this international preschool doesn’t just take place at the Early Learning Center. Children can participate in field trips related to their learning community’s project work. Pre-K students can sign up for a variety of after-school activities, too. The greater school campus is used where possible, including being part of schoolwide events in other divisions within the school. There’s also a new purpose-built facility with new play spaces. This provides early years children with multiple exploration opportunities across the school day.
The home-school partnership is important for SAS, and the preschool works closely with families. Teachers document and share the children’s learning via the Storypark digital platform. Parents are invited into school twice a year for learning conferences, report cards are shared at the end of each semester. A learning celebration closes the year. Educators are available for check-ins. Together, the school community ensures each child feels known, safe and excited to learn.
40 Woodlands Street 41
6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg
Tanglin Nursery and Infant School – carefully considered Early Years learning with the English National curriculum
The Tanglin Nursery and Infant School provides a warm, nurturing environment that encourages curiosity and creativity. The team ensures that every child’s early learning journey is filled with discovery and wonder. Following the English National Curriculum, the Early Years curriculum blends teacher-led and child-initiated learning, offering a balance of structure and play each day.
Tanglin was the first school in Asia to achieve the Curiosity Approach Accreditation. This reflects the international preschool’s use of natural materials and beautifully designed spaces that inspire imaginative and purposeful play. Classrooms here are calm, natural environments where children collaborate, explore and develop independence.
Learning also extends beyond the classroom. Forest School sessions, local field trips, and a rich music and art programme encourage children to connect with the world around them. Physical development is also integral: children learn to swim in the Infant pool, ride bicycles as part of the PE curriculum, and enjoy the climbing wall and expansive outdoor playground.
Tanglin Infant School is led by highly experienced educators who understand the needs of both children and parents. Paula Craigie, Head of Infant School, and Victoria Thomas, Head of Tanglin Nursery, work closely together and have taught at Tanglin for over 20 years. And the Tanglin Nursery staff describe their job as the “privilege of shaping a child’s very first school experiences”. This offers reassurance for each parent that their child’s first formative years in education are happy, enriching, and lay the foundations for a lifelong love of learning.
95 Portsdown Road
6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg
Australian International School – inquiry-based preschool curriculum
Infant Care, Early Years and Prep at Australian International School (AIS) follow the Australian Early Years Framework, with children aged three and above following the IB Primary Years Programme. The inquiry-based curriculum encourages children to explore, ask questions and engage with the world around them. The focus is on child-led learning – teachers observe each child’s interests and tailor activities accordingly, ensuring that children have fun while learning.
Lessons and activities incorporate elements of play and exploration such as creative tasks, group activities and hands-on experiences. In the classroom, interactive activities encourage exploration and question-asking. Outside, children connect learning with nature at outdoor play areas, secret gardens and sensory zones. Field trips and excursions offer real-world experiences that complement the curriculum.
Children in this international preschool also get the chance to improve their physical skills and socialise through art, music, physical education and language learning, including Mandarin. There’s also a range of specialist classes and co-curricular activities such as ballet, Lego robotics, karate and more.
At over 50,000 square metres, the Early Learning Village at AIS is the world’s largest facility specifically built for Early Years education. It features outdoor play decks, a 20-metre swimming pool, gymnastics areas, a library and more.
Parents receive regular updates about their child’s progress through Storypark. Videos, photos, learning stories and personalised observations are shared through the private online platform. There are also face-to-face meetings with teachers each term to discuss children’s development. The school also hosts the Celebration of Learning, an annual event where parents and children celebrate the child’s achievements. The showcase of their child’s creativity and activity offers parents a deeper understanding of developmentally appropriate learning.
1 Lorong Chuan
6653 2956 | ais.com.sg
Chatsworth International School – holistic preschool curriculum
The early years programme at Chatsworth follows the IB Primary Years Programme. Learners from three years of age (K1) are introduced to a formal school setting while receiving a holistic international education. An important part of engaging students and fostering exploration is the play-based area for the school’s unit of inquiry. Students play an active role in building it, sharing ideas and incorporating elements that encourage curiosity, exploration and learning.
The environment is a powerful resource to provide different types of experiential learning. Often linked to the programmes of inquiry, teachers bring students out for field trips to enrich their learning experiences. For example, through a field trip to the aquarium, kindergarteners enriched their learning about sharing our planet with animals responsibly. They had a guided discovery tour of the facility, observing the diverse marine animals, exploring their habitats and learning about the importance of conserving the oceans.
On the school’s annual Sports Day, kindergarteners participate in various activities with their friends and parents. They demonstrated their running, jumping and throwing skills. In CCAs and ECAs, K2 students are welcome to participate in activities from Session 3 onwards, thereby allowing them to enrich life at school.
Teachers communicate with parents regularly via email. Electronic newsletters and newsletters share important information relating to school and programmes. Primary school leverages a Digital Portfolio where teachers showcase student work and connect their class and student learning with home. Twice a year, the school issues detailed reports and holds parent-teacher-student conferences.
72 Bukit Tinggi Road
6463 3201 | chatsworth.com.sg
One World International School – inquiry-led IB early years curriculum
One World International School (OWIS) offers learners aged 3 to 6 years a holistic, inquiry-driven curriculum based on the IB Primary Years Programme. It integrates play into the inquiry-led approach and aligns with age-appropriate learning outcomes from the National Curriculum of England.
Lessons are hands-on, playful and exploration-rich. Pretend-play centres, interactive provocations and sensory experiences inside and outside the classroom ensure that learning is engaging and age-appropriate.
Reading, storytelling, role play and collaborative activities are built into daily student life. This helps Early Years children develop creativity, critical thinking, social-emotional skills and strong communication, beyond literacy and numeracy skills.
There are specialist teachers for Art, Music and PE, and additional languages include Chinese, French and Japanese*. Students also have regular outdoor play time and field trips to explore the world beyond school. Small class sizes and caring, experienced educators make sure each child’s progress and individual needs are well supported.
Communication with parents is regular and transparent. Digital portfolios (photos/videos of students at work and play) to parent-teacher meetings, email updates and newsletters keep parents in the loop about their child’s growth and learning journey
Both the Nanyang and Digital Campus are accredited for the IB PYP. Newton, the new campus that opened in August 2025, caters to learners in Early Years and Primary School, and follows an inquiry-based approach to learning. It will also align with the Early Years curriculum at the Nanyang and Digital Campus, and offer the IB Primary Years Programme (subject to approval from the IB).
* Japanese offered for young learners at the mother tongue level.
- Nanyang campus: 21 Jurong West Street 81
- Digital campus: 27A Punggol Field Walk
- Newton campus: Alfa Centre, 99 Bukit Timah Road
Preschool and Early Years at Holland International School – bilingual preschool curriculum
Located next to Bukit Timah’s forests, Holland International School offers a unique learning environment that nurtures young explorers who grow into confident, caring global citizens, ready for wherever their path may lead.
The preschool curriculum for Preschool and Early Years follows the International Early Years Curriculum. In fact, HIS is the only international preschool in Singapore that’s officially recognised as an International Early Years Curriculum school.
Children learn in a bilingual English-Dutch or English-Mandarin setting that nurtures the whole child. The International Early Years Curriculum’s play-based approach blends thoughtful teacher guidance with joyful, child-led exploration, supporting social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth.
Each month, children focus on a personal goal such as communication, collaboration or resilience. These values come to life through engaging play corners and hands-on experiences. Learning extends beyond the classroom – from treasure hunts and nature walks to bug-busting adventures in the lush reserve just behind the school.
Teachers help children make meaningful connections. For example, a child who listens carefully and shares ideas during group play demonstrates strong communication skills, while a child who keeps trying to rebuild a tall block tower after it falls shows resilience.
With small class sizes and a high teacher-to-child ratio at HIS, every learner’s voice is heard and valued. Parents stay closely connected through the Seesaw app, learning showcases and regular family events that celebrate each child’s journey of discovery.
65 Bukit Tinggi Road
6466 0662 | hollandinternationalschool.sg
Canadian International School – IB inquiry-based approach in Early Years curriculum
Central to CIS is the IB inquiry-based framework, which builds curiosity, creativity and a lifelong love of learning. This early years curriculum helps them grow to be thinkers, communicators, and caring global citizens with a healthy self-esteem.
Families of babies up to 18 months can join the international preschool’s Husky Puppies groups. It offers a warm and supportive community where parents can bond with their child, and meet other parents while giving their little one a head start in their educational journey.
As a child grows at CIS, they follow a curriculum that blends the best of international education. Children in Nursery to Junior Kindergarten begin with Early Years Foundation Stage Development. In Senior Kindergarten, they develop literacy through the American Common Core, and build strong maths foundations with the Ontario curriculum. The preschool curriculum is delivered across three core language programmes: English, Chinese-English bilingual, or French-English bilingual.
Each morning, learning moves outdoors. Children explore purpose-built play spaces, music, art and physical education through activities that interest them most. Kindergarteners also take on leadership roles like zookeeper, line leader and gardener. Through this, preschoolers develop practical skills, confidence, and a sense of responsibility. Teachers observe play and interactions closely, gaining insights to engage and support each child’s growth.
Exploration continues across the school with opportunities in the rooftop garden, instructional lab and learning kitchen, as well as through local field trips and cultural celebrations.
Parents play an active role in this journey through Seesaw digital portfolios and the Parent Academy. Both platforms provide practical ways to extend learning at home and stay connected with their child’s progress daily.
7 Jurong West Street 41
6467 1732 | cis.edu.sg
North London Collegiate School (Singapore) – child-centred early years curriculum
At NLCS (Singapore), the bespoke First School Curriculum (from Pre-Kindergarten through to Grade 1) maintains a child-centred approach. Teachers take time in getting to know each child individually. They work in partnership with parents to support each student in “running their own race”. Much of a student’s learning at the First School will be through play and practical activities designed to inspire children, and to foster curiosity, inquiry and reflection. Important values of kindness, respect and responsibility are inculcated in daily activities in class and showcases in assemblies.
From age three, students follow an academically ambitious programme of learning. They receive a strong foundation through daily English and Mathematics skills. Kindergarten 1 students will learn to hear, say, read and write sounds simultaneously while developing their knowledge and understanding of spelling strategies. Pre-Kindergarten students will learn essential speaking and listening skills as well as pre-reading skills.
A Mandarin-speaking assistant teacher and an additional teaching assistant supports each class teacher. There are specialist teachers teaching daily Mandarin lessons, weekly lessons in music, Physical and Health Education, and life skills. Students also have field trips to local temples and mosques, and to the theatre. In addition, there’s a strong emphasis on trans-disciplinary learning, allowing children to make links across the curriculum and discover their own interests.
The school block has a dedicated library, art room, music room and multipurpose hall including separate drop-off for students. There’s also a dedicated indoor and outdoor play area with direct access from classrooms. Teachers update parents regularly about their child’s progress via an app for families to support each child’s learning journey.
130 Depot Road
6989 3000 | nlcssingapore.sg
Dover Court International School – play-based preschool curriculum
The Early Years Programme at Dover Court International School offers a joyful and nurturing start to learning, guided by the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage and inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. This play-based preschool curriculum encourages children to explore, imagine and discover through hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and creativity.
In addition to academic growth, children develop essential life skills at Dover Court. These include resilience, confidence, emotional awareness and social cooperation. Activities at this international preschool are thoughtfully designed to be age-appropriate and engaging. They include painting, storytelling, role-playing and building with natural materials. Outdoor learning is a key part of the day, with children exploring nature, climbing, balancing and observing the world around them.
Educators observe each child’s interests and developmental needs, crafting personalised activities that foster growth and independence. Parents and children can expect a wide variety of experiences, including creative projects, nature-based exploration, and field trips that extend learning beyond the classroom.
Dover Court is an international preschool that recognises that parents are their child’s first teachers. As such, it values the partnerships it builds with families to ensure each child thrives. Parents can follow their child’s progress via the SeeSaw platform, and they receive weekly updates. They can also attend assemblies where children showcase their learning, and join workshops that support learning at home.
301 Dover Road
6775 7664 | dovercourt.edu.sg
Pelican Early Years Programme at The Perse School (Singapore)
The Pelicans Programme (Nursery to Year 2) at The Perse School (Singapore) follows the Cambridge International Curriculum. It blends early literacy and numeracy with hands-on, inquiry-led experiences in art, music, daily beginner Mandarin, and an immersive English-Mandarin Bilingual Programme. The programme’s play-based exploration encourages children to ask questions, engage in hands-on learning, and discover the world around them in ways that feel natural and exciting.
Learning experiences are thoughtfully aligned with both developmental stages and each child’s unique interests. Activities such as games, imaginative play and hands-on exploration foster creativity, curiosity and the joy of discovery. A diverse mix of arts and crafts, music, physical movement and storytelling enrich the early years curriculum. The Waterplay Area, Herb and Spice Garden, Arts Studio, Culinary Lab, Library and Music Room are spaces where children can express themselves and develop new skills under the guidance of experienced educators.
Learning extends beyond the classroom to build independence, teamwork and creativity. Students may be cooking their own pesto pasta in the Culinary Lab or organising a cookie sale or book week, for example.
The outdoor spaces at this international preschool also offer abundant opportunities for exploration and physical activity. Whether it’s time in the spice and herb garden, enjoying the water play area, or venturing into the rainforest at the nearby Bukit Timah Reserve, every outdoor experience encourages hands-on learning, creativity and problem-solving.
The purpose-built campus for students 3 to 18 years offers a seamless through-school experience with specialist facilities and generous open spaces. An inclusive international community of 52 nationalities calls The Perse home. The school prides itself on offering competitive fees with a transparent and family-friendly structure.
58 Chestnut Drive
6233 2183 | perse.edu.sg
Rain Trees International Kindergarten – Early Years Foundation Stage preschool curriculum
The preschool curriculum at Rain Trees Kindergarten is based on the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EFYS), giving children a solid foundation of preschool skills. Aside from the EYFS programme, Mandarin is taught daily within the classroom, with optional Mandarin immersion in the afternoon.
Children at Rain Trees learn through a play-based approach. Expect lots of sensory activities that are fun and hands-on, sparking curiosity and making learning easy. Learning also incorporates music, movement, puppets and musical instruments – as children get older, they begin to learn phonics and reading. Every day, they enjoy the 35,000 square feet garden, whether it’s growing fruit and vegetables, playing in the mud kitchen or sand, riding on bikes, climbing or playing ball.
There are also extra-curricula sessions after school, following a daily theme such as drama, the garden or cooking. Children regularly go on field trips that go hand in hand with the topic for the term. It could be to the Zoo, Chinatown, the Science Museum or to see plays.
The preschool’s small size creates a family-friendly environment, which facilitates communication with parents any time, if needed. This allows the experienced team of teachers and staff at Rain Trees to know each child very well, and ensure all activities are age-appropriate. Parents will meet the principal, admissions officer and classroom teachers daily at morning drop-off. The school uses the school app to provide parents with daily updates, a weekly newsletter and an overview of all activities and reminders. There are also regular progress reports and parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year.
255 Holland Road, McMahon Park
6474 6181 | raintreeskindergarten.com
Liked this article about international preschool curriculums and early years curriculum? Here are the best preschools and kindergartens in Singapore reviewed by parents! We also have a list of the best things to do in Singapore with the family. Planning to live in Singapore or new to our sunny island? Make sure to read the digital edition of our latest City Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – click for the answers!
There’s a wide range of early years programmes offered by international preschools in Singapore, including IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Reggio Emilia-inspired learning, Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) and curriculums based on the English National Curriculum. Different schools blend these with play-based, inquiry-led or bilingual approaches to suit varied learning philosophies.
Each curriculum emphasises different learning frameworks:
- IB PYP & inquiry-based programmes focus on curiosity, exploration, and concept-driven learning.
- Reggio Emilia-inspired approaches nurture self-expression and child-led exploration.
- EYFS emphasises structured development through play and foundational skills.
- International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) blends social, physical, emotional, and cognitive skills in a holistic, play-based way.
Most international preschools in Singapore accept children from around 18 months onwards, with programmes structured from Pre-Nursery up to Kindergarten levels. Entry age may vary by school and curriculum.
Yes — some schools offer bilingual programmes (e.g., English-Mandarin or English-Dutch), where instruction and activities are conducted in both languages to support language development from an early age.
International curriculum programmes typically use a mix of:
- Play-based learning — encourages exploration and social skills.
- Inquiry-led activities — builds curiosity and critical thinking.
- Structured lessons within frameworks like EYFS for foundational literacy and numeracy.
Many international preschools share learning updates through digital platforms (e.g., Storypark, Seesaw), regular parent-teacher meetings, and portfolios showcasing children’s work and milestones.
Yes — the programmes aim to develop early literacy, communication, thinking skills, social-emotional confidence, and curiosity, all of which form a strong foundation for primary education in international and local contexts.
Absolutely — many offer specialist lessons (like music, art, sports) and after-school activities to nurture interests, physical development, and social engagement beyond classroom learning.
Yes. Approaches like Reggio Emilia and IB, as well as other programmes, often integrate outdoor learning and nature play to enrich exploration, motor development, and experiential learning.
Consider:
- Your child’s learning personality (play-focused vs structured).
- Language goals (bilingual vs monolingual).
- Your family’s values and priorities for early childhood development. You may also visit schools or attend open houses to get a feel for the environment and teaching style.
Don't miss out on the latest events, news and
competitions by signing up to our newsletter!
By signing up, you'll receive our weekly newsletter and offers which you can update or unsubscribe to anytime.
