Outdoor play is so beneficial for kids, big and small! Through playing outside, younger children learn and become more aware of their surroundings. It helps them develop useful motor skills and stay active while also having fun. It’s therefore important that the preschool you choose for your child takes this into consideration. Here, we look at three Singapore preschools with outdoor activities or outdoor playgrounds in Singapore for kids and toddlers, and we hear what the parents think of them too.
Daily outdoor play at Mosaic Preschool
Bringing learning outdoors is a regular component of the daily routine of students at Mosaic Preschool. The school believes that the outdoor environment presents huge potential in children’s play exploration and boosting their overall health, learning and development.
The minimum daily duration dedicated to outdoor play exploration for students is an hour. During that time, children can be seen painting in the outdoor yard, playing group games with their classmates, exploring the plants and flowers in the garden or having splashing fun in the water play zone. Besides the fun and learning taking place, Mosaic Preschool believes that when students soak in the morning sun and breathe in fresh air, they’re building up their immunity and physical health.
There are multiple big spaces in this Singapore preschool for children to play and explore. These include a garden, sensory zone, sand pit and water play area. Different equipment such as tricycles, climbing structures and sports equipment are also stored in the outdoor space to challenge children’s gross motor development. In addition, the afternoon co-curricular programme gives them a chance to engage in sports activities with the school’s Sport Specialist on a weekly basis.
A family’s thoughts…
“The teachers of Mosaic Preschool are very engaged with the kids. We saw this during our school tour and so quickly secured a place for our child. They’ve lived up to the expectations! We love all the very friendly teachers, and the school is big and clean, with plenty of outdoor play spaces. We also like the regular updates on our child and what the school doing.” – Federico & Kara
- 896 Dunearn Road, #05-01 | 6909 0470
- 168 Changi Road, #05-01 | 6530 3979
- 20 East Coast Avenue | 6443 7833
Outdoor exploration at EtonHouse Garden School by the Bay
The curriculum at EtonHouse Garden School by the Bay is designed for children to spend 50 percent of their time in outdoor spaces within Gardens by the Bay, where the school is situated.
Teachers make use of these spaces and outdoor playgrounds in Singapore for various aspects of learning such as explorations, nature walks, visual and creative arts, storytelling, games, nature scavenger hunts, and more. Children also take part in curated programmes with nature education specialists and horticulturists from Gardens by the Bay.
Classrooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass panels, allowing plenty of natural sunlight to flood in and visually connect to the natural foliage outside.
The school also has several exclusively created areas that offer children a unique and innovative outdoor play learning experience. An outdoor adventure park enables children to take calculated risks and develop various skills and competencies in cognitive, physical and emotional domains. At the aquaponics farm, they learn about sustainable farming and enjoy fresh produce from farm to table without chemicals. What’s more, EtonHouse embraces the Reggio Emilia approach. So, the environment is the “third teacher” that plays a role in shaping a child’s learning experiences and development. Building a connection with nature also helps children to develop into socially and environmentally conscious global citizens.
A parent’s thoughts…
“We are excited about the school’s location. There’s so much greenery, so many plants and flowers. I think it will be a great environment for the children to learn in.” – Julie Isdahl
18 Marina Gardens Drive, Bayfront Pavilion, Gardens Learning Hub
etonhouse.edu.sg/garden
Outdoor play interaction at Kinderland Academy & Preschools
Kinderland Preschools believes that outdoor spaces serve as platforms for interdisciplinary learning and offer experiences that classroom learning may not provide while fostering social interactions and enhancing motor skill development. Being outdoors provides infinite opportunities for curious children to seek answers beyond books, and helps them develop their large motor skills, muscles and strength for more challenges as they grow.
Within the campus of Kinderland @ Pandan Valley and Kinderland Academy @ Yio Chu Kang are unique outdoor play landscapes where children can witness the wonder of nature. At the Academy, there’s also ample space for Singapore’s only Preschool Marching Band to practice.
For those Kinderland preschools in Singapore locations without dedicated outdoor play areas, neighbourhood walks are regularly organised for outdoor exploration. There’s also at least 30 minutes of daily outdoor activities at most of the school’s locations. A unique feature of Kinderland @ Marine Parade is its proximity to East Coast Park – children head there once a month to enjoy the sea breeze and observe beachside life. The children also supplement their indoor learning experiences through excursions and programmes such as educational holiday programme during the term breaks. Through these efforts, Kinderland aims to promote well-rounded development in children.
A parent’s thoughts…
“Outdoor activities expose my children to many textures – bark, leaves, flowers – that are found outdoors. This helps them appreciate the natural environment around them. Sydney (Nursery) and Jordan (Pre-Nursery 1) enjoy having breakfast in the playground, waterplay and playing at the sandpit most at Kinderland Academy.” – Joy Lim
15 locations island-wide
kinderland.com.sg
This article on Singapore preschools first appeared in the October 2023 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
Looking for more outdoor playgrounds in Singapore or other things to do with kids or friends? You can also read our latest City Guide here for free!