Choosing the right preschool is a big step, and very often the first major decision you will make about your child’s academic future. The best preschool is not only about prestige, but also about finding the best possible nurturing environment that aligns with your family’s needs while keeping your child’s best interests at heart. Selecting a preschool that works best for your family will ensure that you have peace of mind when you entrust your child into someone else’s hands for a good part of the day.
Before diving into the specifics of choosing the right preschool, it is important to understand the differences between preschool, childcare, and kindergarten. Knowing these distinctions will help you clarify your child’s developmental and educational needs, ensuring a well-informed decision.
Here are some essential considerations to help you make an informed choice on the best preschool in Singapore for your child.
What is preschool and why is it important for your child?
Preschool is an introductory educational setting for children aged 18 months to 6 years and can consist of half-day or full-day care programmes. In Singapore, our children may attend playgroup, pre-nursery, nursery, and/or kindergarten, depending on when you decide your child is ready to start preschool.
Generally, ECDA preschool guidelines suggest these age ranges:
| Playgroup | 18 months - 2 years old |
| Pre-Nursery | 2 - 3 years old |
| Nursery | 3 - 4 years old |
| Kindergarten | 5 - 6 years old |
Each stage provides age-appropriate activities that help children develop essential skills for future learning. Preschools offer structured environments for young children to be fully engaged in learning through play and interaction. These early years are such a wonderful opportunity, a time to spark children’s love for learning by building on their natural eagerness to try new things. In preschool, children get to have a safe space where they can make both friends and memories, and thoroughly enjoy their early childhood.
Early childhood education, particularly in Singapore, is widely regarded as essential, as it prepares our younger children for a future of formal schooling. After all, Singapore’s approach to early childhood education is well-structured and focuses on holistic development, addressing key areas such as language, emotional and social skills, physical coordination, and problem-solving.
In their first encounters with preschool, from infant care to playgroup and pre-nursery, children learn naturally through play. This is a time of pure exploration, where every touch, sound, and interaction help them make sense of the big world around them. By playing with objects, interacting with other children, and moving around their environment, your child is building key cognitive, social, and emotional skills that form the foundation for future learning.
As your child grows and moves into nursery all the way to kindergarten, their curiosity takes on a more focused direction. They become ready for structured, hands-on activities that deepen their understanding of the world. The best preschool educators nurture this curiosity by creating experiences that encourage your child to ask questions, explore ideas, and find answers in a way that is exciting and meaningful. This is all part of helping them grow into confident, capable learners who are ready for the next big steps in their education journey.
Choosing the Best Preschool in Singapore for Your Child
Finding the best preschool in Singapore can be a tricky task, but not if you break it down into several key factors:
Preschool Location
Convenience certainly matters a great deal when you consider preschool location. Choosing a preschool near your workplace or near your home, which can be easily accessed by your preferred transport, is ideal.
Think about how you will be getting there twice a day with your child, who may be too sleepy, tired, or grouchy to walk long distances in the morning or after school. Is there a convenient place to park or drop off if you drive? Is it within a comfortable walking distance if you take the bus or train? Are there steps to negotiate if you will be pushing a stroller? If you have your heart set on a particular franchise, do they have branches near your home, your caregiver’s home or your workplace?
These are all important considerations as you will be going to and from this preschool daily. Simply searching ‘best preschool near me’ will not answer these questions. Ensure that the preschool location is suitable by visiting the venue and assessing transport options.
Preschool Curriculum and Teaching Approach
When choosing between the best preschools in Singapore, you have the opportunity to decide between different types of preschool curricula and teaching approaches. Some of the more popular options that Singaporean parents consider are Montessori, play-based, and bilingual programmes.
● Montessori
The Montessori method of education is an educational method that involves encouraging children's natural interests and activities rather than formal teaching methods. Montessori schools focus on self-directed learning, independence, and a child’s natural curiosity. The best Montessori preschool in Singapore will provide an environment that lets children explore at their own pace.
● Play-based
Play-based learning is, essentially, to learn while at play - something that children instinctively know how to do! This method of learning encourages creativity, social skills, and motor skills through both structured and unstructured play activities. This method is often found in some of the best preschools in Singapore, such as KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse, which builds its curriculum for the early years around the concept of purposeful play.
● Bilingual programmes
A bilingual preschool can help your children excel in their Mother Tongue. Bilingual programmes expose children to two languages at a time when they are able to absorb and pick up language abilities more easily. Designed to provide equal exposure to both English and Chinese, bilingual programmes such as the one at KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse nurture a love of learning which allows your child to grasp all components of the language effectively. Some preschools even offer a third language option for native speakers – for example, KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse offers Japanese, Korean and French at our Orchard branch.
Selecting a curriculum that aligns with your child’s learning style is vital to provide the right balance of structure and independence.
Preschool Teacher Qualifications
Teachers will be some of the most important people in your child’s life after family. After all, they will be spending a great deal of time with your child every day, and you will entrust your little ones into their hands.
Other than being deeply caring and having a heart for education, experienced, well-trained teachers are essential to a quality preschool experience. Teachers with backgrounds in early childhood education are better equipped to create nurturing, engaging environments that support young learners’ needs. This is especially significant in private preschools in Singapore, where quality standards are high.
Preschool Facilities and Environment
A conducive environment plays a major role in our children’s early learning. The best nursery schools in Singapore and kindergartens feel warm, inviting, and safe, a place where young children feel comfortable exploring and engaging. When you are doing a preschool visit, look out for a bright, airy welcoming atmosphere, with cheerfully decorated spaces dedicated to both play and learning.
Many premium preschools have their own outdoor play spaces as well, and some even have dedicated water play areas that allow for sensory learning. Other special features may pique your interest as well - such as sand play areas, food gardens, or even children’s kitchens. These spaces should be well-maintained for child safety, while offering children the opportunity for physical exercise, nature exploration, and unstructured play.
Preschool Fees and Subsidies
It can be tricky to figure out the real cost of preschool education in Singapore, as fees vary significantly across private preschools, international preschools, and public preschools.
| Type of Preschool | Cost | Type |
| MOE Kindergartens | Low | Government-run |
| Anchor Operator (AOP) / Partner Operator (POP) | Low to moderate | Government-supported |
| Private Preschools | Moderate to high | Privately run |
| International Preschools | Moderate to high | Privately run |
Parents can also explore ECDA childcare subsidies and additional subsidies to reduce costs, making it easier to find quality education that fits within the family’s budget. All Singapore citizens are eligible for a basic subsidy, while applicants for Singapore citizen children who are working and have a gross household income below a particular limit may be awarded an additional subsidy.
KiddiWinkie: Leading Premium Infant Care and Preschool in Singapore
KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse stands out as one of Singapore's top premium preschools, known for its engaging, purposeful play-based approach during the early years and focus on inquiry-led learning in the preschool years.
With a well-rounded bilingual curriculum that gives equal focus to English and Chinese, KiddiWinkie strives to nurture children’s curiosity, language skills, and self-assurance in a warm and encouraging environment. Our teachers are well-qualified and are deeply committed to giving every child the highest level of care possible.
With multiple locations across Singapore, including community hubs like Jurong East and town spots like Orchard, KiddiWinkie provides families with many convenient options for quality early education. Infant care services are also available at Cactus, Harbourfront, Orchard and Upper Bukit Timah. For each family’s comfort and convenience, most of our campuses provide school bus services to ferry child to and from preschool.
Though positioned as a premium preschool, KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse remains competitively priced, offering outstanding value for families seeking high-quality care and education for their little ones.
Conclusion
Choosing the best preschool in Singapore means finding a balance between your child’s unique needs, your family’s values, and practical considerations like location and budget. Begin by envisioning the ideal environment where your child can thrive, considering their personality, learning style, and social needs. Research options carefully and take advantage of visits to understand each preschool’s approach, facilities, and culture.
For a trusted, high-quality choice, explore KiddiWinkie’s preschools located conveniently across Singapore. From nurturing inquiry-based learning to offering a bilingual curriculum, KiddiWinkie provides a supportive, enriching start to your child’s educational journey.
Find a KiddiWinkie preschool near you to learn more.
FAQ
● What are the top 10 preschools in Singapore based on reviews?
Determining the top preschools in Singapore involves considering various factors such as curriculum, facilities, teacher qualifications, and parent reviews. Based on available information and reviews, here are ten notable preschools in Singapore:
1. Mulberry Learning
2. MapleBear Preschool
3. Shaws Preschool
4. Raffles Kidz International
5. EtonHouse
6. MindChamps Preschool
7. KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse
8. Little Footprints Preschool
9. Agape Little Uni.
10. The Schoolhouse
Please note that the "best" preschool can vary based on individual preferences, child needs, and specific priorities such as location, curriculum, and extracurricular offerings. It's advisable to visit these preschools, meet with educators, and assess which environment aligns best with your child's development and your family's values.
● What is the difference between Montessori and traditional preschools in Singapore?
Montessori and traditional preschools in Singapore differ in their teaching approaches, classroom structure, and child development focus. Montessori schools emphasise self-directed learning with hands-on, sensory materials in a mixed-age setting, fostering independence and curiosity. Teachers act as facilitators, allowing children to learn at their own pace. Traditional preschools, on the other hand, follow a teacher-led, structured curriculum, typically organised by age groups with a focus on group activities and foundational academic skills. The choice between them depends on the child’s personality, learning style, and family values.
● Are there any preschools in Singapore offering bilingual programmes?
Yes, several preschools in Singapore offer bilingual programmes to foster proficiency in multiple languages from an early age. Notable examples include:
1. KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse: Emphasises a strong bilingual environment with equal exposure to English and Chinese, nurturing a love for learning and preparing children for primary school and beyond.
2. MapleBear Preschool: Utilises a bilingual immersion methodology based on Canadian education principles, enabling children to learn English and Mandarin naturally. With over 50 locations across Singapore, MapleBear provides a play-based learning environment.
3. EtonHouse International Pre-Schools: Offers a dual language program fundamental to their education system, with all pre-schools providing Mandarin as a second language. Some campuses also offer Japanese, Hindi, Malay, and Tamil.
These institutions provide immersive environments where children are exposed to multiple languages daily, enhancing their linguistic abilities and cultural understanding.
● How does the ECDA preschool subsidy work, and who qualifies for it?
The ECDA preschool subsidy in Singapore helps make preschool education more affordable for families with Singapore Citizen children in ECDA-licensed centres. It includes a Basic Subsidy, which all Singapore Citizen children qualify for (higher for working parents), and an Additional Subsidy for lower-income families, providing extra support based on household income. Working mothers (or single fathers) receive higher subsidies, especially for infant care. Non-working mothers receive a lower amount. Eligibility is determined based on employment hours and household income, and applications are processed through the child's preschool.
● What should I look for in preschool reviews or feedback from other parents in Singapore?
When reading preschool reviews or feedback from other parents in Singapore, focus on key areas like curriculum quality, teacher qualifications, and classroom environment. Look for comments on the school's approach to child development and learning styles, as well as insights into the teacher-child interaction and staff attentiveness. Consider feedback on safety and hygiene standards, facilities, and the preschool’s communication with parents. Positive reviews often highlight nurturing, supportive environments and effective, responsive communication, while constructive feedback can provide insights into areas like adaptability and responsiveness to parents’ concerns.
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