In our children’s younger years, their milestones seem to arrive quickly one after another, especially when they have started going to school. It can be surprising to realise that it is already time for your little one to transit from infant care to playgroup!
Here are some ways playgroup teachers and educators help to ease your child’s transition and make it a fun and joyous one.
Introducing the Playgroup Teachers to the Children
One way to reduce any anxiety in children about the big upcoming change is for them to get used to their new teachers as early as possible.
The infant care teachers would usually hold space for the playgroup teachers to integrate seamlessly into the day’s activities so that they too would become beloved familiar faces to the children.
This ensures that the handover will be smooth and that children will be happy and comfortable with their new caregivers, while removing any potential stress from the upcoming switch to playgroup.
Introducing New Foods to the Children
As infants progress into playgroup, their dietary requirements and meals will change.
From softer foods to more varied textures, teachers introduce a wider range of healthy options to the children as they become more able to handle these interesting and novel foods.
It is one of the most enjoyable changes they will experience, and the children in KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse love the food that is prepared by our in-house cooks.
Introducing the New Playgroup Classroom to the Children
Children in infant care classes will enjoy occasional tours and visits to their playgroup classrooms to familiarise themselves with the new surroundings.
The best playgroups in Singapore will take children’s growth and development into consideration in the way the classrooms are designed and laid out. The way toys and books are displayed may be quite different when children move from infant care to playgroup; there may also be fewer soft elements like mattresses and gym mats.
Their new classrooms in playgroup will be more suited for their age group and their advanced learning needs.
Raising the Bar for Playgroup Curriculum
As the children hit more developmental milestones in infant care, their activities must also change and adapt to fit their growth.
For example, in KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse, children enjoy a purposeful play curriculum approach in playgroup and pre-nursery, where teachers facilitate enjoyable play experiences with appropriate and ample materials, time and space for the children to stretch their minds and engage themselves in play-based learning.
This provides a smooth progression to the inquiry-based learning approach in the nursery to kindergarten years. Just as with play-based learning, inquiry-based learning encourages children to take the reins in their learning, and also focuses more on the growth and development process rather than a specific outcome or goal.
Honing Children’s Bilingual Skills in Playgroup
As children move from infant care to playgroup, they make leaps and bounds in their language acquisition skills.
In KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse, our bilingual curriculum is carefully designed to place equal focus on English and Chinese to prepare our children progressively for primary school.
It is important for children to use their Mother Tongue naturally in their everyday school environments to build a strong foundation in the language and also cultivate a love for Mandarin. Children will be encouraged to start doing so at playgroup with their peers.
Reputation of the Preschool and Playgroup: Certifications, Awards & Accolades
Awards can serve as a clear yet reliable indicator of a preschool's excellence and its playgroup curriculum. Keep an eye out for prestigious industry accolades like the Singapore Pre-School Accreditation Framework (SPARK) Award, and popular choice awards which help reflect the thoughts and sentiments of parents.
At KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse, for our efforts in providing quality learning experiences for our children during their early years, we have been recognised with the following awards and accolades by education partners and leading industry organisations.
FAQs about Playgroups in Singapore
When Should My Child Start Attending Playgroup? How Do I Know When My Child is Ready for Playgroup?
KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse offers full-day and half-day playgroup programmes for children from the age of 18 months to 3 years old. Playgroups are there to encourage learning through purposeful play and allow for early socialisation, communication and encourage experiential learning.
There are different formats of playgroups available in Singapore. Sessions can range from 2 hours, 3 hours, full- and half-day, 2-day week, 4-day week, weekend playgroups, bilingual playgroups, holiday playgroups and also parent-accompanied playgroups. Playgroup sessions help to ease any parental anxiousness, allow strong support, and provide familiarity for toddlers.
Playgroups provide a safe yet immersive space for babies to grow into toddlers with lots of exploratory play, open-ended toys, story time interaction, sensorial activities and child-led play and movement. All of which aid in the development of both fine and gross motor skills outside of little one’s home.
What do Toddlers do in Playgroup?
Playgroups are so much fun and a memorable experience for your toddler. Plus, children thrive when they learn through play. When children engage in various holistic play activities, they have opportunities to learn, hone their skills and practice what they're discovering.
For example, working on jigsaw puzzles helps them develop problem-solving skills through trial and error. Crafting allows them to experiment with various materials and unleash their creativity. Meanwhile, physical activities like jumping and climbing at playgrounds outdoors build both physical motor skills and self-confidence.
A variety of activities are part of a playgroup curriculum:
- Exploring books and phonics
- Making music and experiencing rhythm
- Doing arts and crafts
- Using imagination in activities, and while playing with toys and equipment
- Interaction with children and peers in the same age group
Additionally, playgroups provide young children with a head start in acquiring the skills they'll need for preschool and kindergarten, such as sharing, taking turns, making friends, and being part of a group.
Is Playgroup Compulsory in Singapore?
Playgroup and childcare are optional for young children in Singapore. While the Singaporean government emphasises the importance of early childhood education and provides various options for preschool education, attending a playgroup is not a mandatory part of the formal education system.
However, it is common for children to attend playgroup in their growing years to interact with peers from a young age and develop motor skills. Parents have the flexibility to choose from a range of early childhood education options, including playgroups, preschools, and childcare centers, to suit their child's needs and family's preferences.
Find Out More About KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse Infant Care and Playgroup programmes
KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse children benefit from a respectful environment and teachers who do their utmost to ensure all transitions are peaceful, easy and even enjoyable. Infant care services are available at selected KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse campuses.
Check out our list of campuses here and book a tour at your preferred campus!
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