A Parent’s Guide for Preschool Education in Singapore

Parents in Singapore know that preschool education plays a vital role in our children’s early development, laying the foundation for their future learning journey. But it can be tricky to navigate the various aspects of preschool education in Singapore: from types of preschools to curricula, activities, and costs, particularly if you are a first-time parent. Understanding these factors ensures that you make the best informed decision about your child’s preschool experience.

What is preschool in Singapore?

Preschool refers to educational programmes for children between the ages of 2 months to 6 years. The main objective of preschools in Singapore is to foster holistic development in our little ones, helping them grow intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically.

What are some benefits of attending preschool in Singapore?
Preschool offers numerous benefits, including enhancing social skills, language development, and cognitive growth. In these crucial beginning years, preschool helps to lay a firm foundation for current and future learning all the way through to primary school and beyond. 

But the benefits are not solely academic. In a social environment like preschool, children are given a wonderful opportunity to interact with others their own age, helping to develop their methods of communication as well as their emotional intelligence. Furthermore, preschools offer children structured learning environments that promote curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. With experienced teachers and specialised curricula for their particular age groups, preschool can truly be a huge benefit to our little ones. 

KiddiWinkie Infant Care

What types of preschools are there in Singapore?

Singapore offers various preschool options, including:

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
  • MOE Kindergartens: Managed by the Ministry of Education, these schools aim to provide quality and affordable Kindergarten 1 (K1) and Kindergarten 2 (K2) education to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.
  • Anchor Operator (AOP) / Partner Operator (POP): These government-supported preschools offer affordable fees and a standardised curriculum. They must continue meeting quality requirements to retain their status. 
  • Private Preschools: These tend to offer premium services, specialised curricula, and enriched programmes, and usually have a lower teacher-to-student ratio. For instance, the ECDA staff-child ratio is pegged at 1:25 for K2 students, but some private preschools bring that down to just 1:15, allowing teachers to better focus on each child. Additionally, private preschools often offer niche programmes and learning extensions that cater to children’s learning styles and interests. 
    KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse, for instance, combines a holistic approach with a carefully curated bilingual learning environment tailored to the needs of a growing child. Specialised programmes such as Pic-a-Book and Backpack Stories enhance and extend children’s learning in creative, fun ways.
  • International Preschools: Known for a more global curricula that may prepare students better for international schools, these preschools often cater to expatriates and emphasise cross-cultural learning.

What types of services are offered in preschools in Singapore?

One thing to note is that not all preschools in Singapore offer infantcare. The term “preschool” is an all-encompassing term that defines any institution that provides early childcare and education. Childcare and kindergartens are two different kinds of preschools that offer different types of care.

  Infant Care Childcare Kindergartens
Licensing Licensed under the Early Childhood Development Centres Act (ECDA)
Age group 2 to 18 months 18 months to < 7 years 3 to < 7 years
Programme length
  • Full day 
  • Half day 
  • Flexi-care (12-24h) 
  • Flexi care (>36-48h)
  • 3 to 4 hours per day
Operating hours

Weekdays: typically 7am to 7pm
Weekends: some schools may open on Saturdays from 7am to 2pm

Closed on Sundays, gazetted public holidays and 6 annual closure days

Weekdays: depending on programmes and sessions

Closed on weekends and MOE school holidays

KiddiWinkie Outdoor Play

Full-day or half-day childcare in Singapore: what’s the best choice for your child?

Childcare services in Singapore typically offer both full-day and half-day options, which allows for parents to choose a schedule that works best for them. When deciding, parents should consider their pick-up/drop-off arrangements, work schedules, and their own child’s needs.

Service Duration Considerations
Half-day 7 to 12 hours Suitable for working parents, extended coverage 
Full-day 4 to 6 hours Flexible option, shorter day 

 

Full-day childcare provides more comprehensive coverage and caters best to working parents who require longer hours of care. Half-day care, on the other hand, may be better suited to parents with flexible schedules or alternative caregiving arrangements.

Preschool Age: When is the Best Time to Start Preschool?

In Singapore, working parents may decide to place their babies in infant care sometime after mothers finish their maternity leave. Thereafter, children typically start preschool somewhere between 18 months to 3 years, depending on each family. 

Infant Care (2-17 months): Supports early development with nurturing activities
Playgroup (18 months - 2 years):  Focuses on social interaction and sensory play 
Pre-Nursery (3 years old):  Develops early language, numeracy, and motor skills 
Nursery (4 years old): Enhance academic readiness, creativity and problem-solving
Kindergarten (5 - 6 years old): Prepares children for independence and primary school 

 

Because preschoolers will have groups of classmates, they will learn to interact, share, and cooperate with their peers - an experience they may not have at home. Through their interactions, they learn emotional self-regulation, empathy, and independence. Developmentally, they gain from exposure to early literacy and numeracy skills. Children in preschool often have broader, deeper vocabularies and stronger communication skills. With the varied activities and engagement, children actively improve both their fine and gross motor skills.

At KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse, the emphasis is on a well-rounded learning experience in a safe and caring environment. A holistic curriculum supports both academic and social-emotional growth from an early age, offering a nurturing and enriching environment.

Types of Preschool Curriculum in Singapore

Preschools in Singapore offer a wide variety of curricula to the discerning parent in Singapore. The dizzying array can be confusing, but they are all simply different approaches to cater to children's diverse learning needs and styles.

  • National Curriculum: Developed by the Ministry of Education (MOE), this curriculum emphasises early literacy, numeracy, and bilingualism. It focuses on structured learning to prepare children for primary school while promoting social, cognitive, and physical development.
  • Montessori: This well-known learning method encourages self-directed learning, where children choose activities based on their interests. The Montessori curriculum focuses on developing independence, fine motor skills, and practical life experiences through sensory-based, hands-on learning.
  • Reggio Emilia: Originating from Italy, this recently popularised approach emphasises child-centred, project-based learning. Children explore their interests through collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, guided by teachers acting as facilitators.
  • Waldorf: The Waldorf curriculum nurtures imagination, creativity, and social skills through storytelling, arts, and hands-on activities. It downplays academic pressure in favour of a holistic approach that promotes emotional and social well-being.
  • Play-based Learning: Children learn best through hands-on activities, and play-based curricula foster learning through indoor and outdoor play. These programmes encourage creativity, logical thinking, and a connection with the natural world. 
  • Inquiry-based Learning: Inquiry-based learning encourages children to ask questions and explore using their senses, fostering logic and reasoning. Teachers guide them in forming hypotheses and discovering answers, promoting critical thinking and deeper understanding through hands-on experiences rather than memorisation.
    At KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse, purposeful play is key to building a strong foundation for future inquiry-based learning.

KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse adopts a holistic curriculum that incorporates elements from these methodologies to create a well-rounded learning environment. The school draws inspiration from child-led learning approaches, such as Reggio Emilia and Montessori, while maintaining academic rigour in line with the National Curriculum. Our focus is on nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a stimulating and supportive setting.

This balance of inquiry-based and structured learning ensures children develop essential skills while fostering a love for discovery and exploration. KiddiWinkie’s aim is to provide children with vast opportunities to learn through play and investigation, hence our Inquiring Minds curriculum taps into purposeful play during the early years and progresses to guided inquiry-based learning for the preschool years.

Our unique inquiry-based approach encourages children to be curious and seek to explore relevant topics that are of interest to them, providing the opportunity for them to freely ask questions and share ideas.

Learn more about our curriculum here.

KiddiWinkie Nature Outdoor Play

Preschool activities and games for learning and fun in Singapore

Preschool activities in Singapore are designed to blend learning with fun, ensuring children develop essential skills while enjoying their early education. In AOP (Anchor Operator) and POP (Partner Operator) preschools, learning activities are structured to promote holistic development, focusing on language and literacy, maths and numeracy, and art. These group-based activities also foster social-emotional growth, helping children develop empathy and cooperation.

At KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse, our special bilingual approach to preschool activities is both comprehensive and engaging. For instance, from playgroup to K2, Playtinkers™ incorporates loose parts play, a way to invite children to think critically and problem-solve creatively. Our early learning activities include a wide range of fun and engaging projects, including starter science experiments that stimulate curiosity in their eager minds. 

Maths activities, such as numeracy games and creative counting tasks, help children build a solid foundation in mathematics. Some of our centres even exclusively offer the Tech Crafters™ programme, a trademarked enrichment coding programme that encourages children to collaborate and innovate while problem solving using technology.

Arts and crafts are a key part of our curriculum which provides children with a creative outlet, not just through preschool art projects and shape activities, but also even incorporating famous artists in a multisensory learning experience. 

As for literacy, our children are nurtured with writing activities, alphabet worksheets, and phonics exercises, which help in the development of strong language skills. Motor skills are developed through fine motor activities like cutting and tracing, while gross motor games support physical development.

Beyond academic and motor skills, KiddiWinkie also emphasises outdoor activities for preschoolers, sensory play, and social-emotional activities that teach children about self-awareness and managing emotions. Activities such as weather-related projects and cooking with preschoolers add variety, making learning more dynamic and hands-on.

Parents can extend their children's learning at home by engaging in simple activities like counting games, art projects, and sensory play. Worksheets, such as number tracing and alphabet exercises, can reinforce classroom lessons and help children continue learning in a fun and supportive environment.

What are preschool fees like in Singapore?

Preschool fees in Singapore vary based on the type of school:

Service Average Monthly Fees
Anchor Operators (AOP)

Up to $720 (full-day childcare) 

Up to $1275 (full-day infant care)

Partner Operators (POP)

Up to $800 (full-day childcare)

Up to $1400 (full-day infant care)

Private and International Preschools Between $1000 - $2800+ (full-day childcare/ infant care)

 

However, parents will be pleased to know that preschool subsidies for Singaporeans and PRs that will ease the financial burden each month. All children who are Singaporean citizens will receive a basic subsidy if enrolled in an ECDA-licensed preschool, and parents can access additional subsidies depending on their household income. 

KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse Mountbatten

List of preschools near me in Singapore

KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse centres are located strategically around the island in both the heartlands and business districts. Click here to find one in your ideal location.

North

Cactus - Yio Chu Kang (Infant Care Available) 
39 Cactus Crescent, Singapore 809741

Central
MacRitchie Park
33 Westlake Ave, Singapore 574244
Newton
420 Clemenceau Ave North, #01-02, Singapore 229492
Novena
1 Novena Terrace, Singapore 307903
Orchard (Infant Care Available)
15 Scotts Road, Thong Teck Building #02-01, Singapore 228218
South
Harbourfront (Infant Care Available)
3 HarbourFront Place, HarbourFront Tower 2, #02-01, Singapore 099254
East
East Coast (Infant Care Available) 
511 East Coast Road, Singapore 429064
Katong
1 Bournemouth Road, Singapore 439659
Mountbatten (Infant Care Available) 
717 Mountbatten Road, Singapore 437737
West
Jurong Gateway (Infant Care Available)
2 Jurong Gateway Road #01-12, Singapore 608512
Upper Bukit Timah (Infant Care Available)
12 Lor Pisang Batu, Singapore 597925

How to choose a preschool in Singapore: tips and factors to consider

With so many things to consider, it is clear that choosing a preschool in Singapore is a significant decision that requires thoughtful consideration and planning. Each family has different circumstances that have to be factored into the decision.

At the heart of this process is, of course, your child. It is important to choose a school that suits not only the parents but also the children. Give your little ones ample time to adapt to their new life as preschoolers, as they will grapple with a lot of changes - a new school environment, new routines, and social dynamics to say the least. The best preschools in Singapore will closely support your child through this transition period.

One of the first things you may want to evaluate is whether the school’s learning environment suits both you and your little one. The environment and facilities of the preschool should be safe, clean, and stimulating. Look for a preschool that offers a balance of indoor and outdoor spaces, equipped with materials that encourage exploration and learning. 

It is always a good idea to tour the school before you sign on the dotted line. Look out for how the classrooms are decorated and how work is displayed. Check in with teachers on how learning takes place - does it match what you have in mind for your child? An ideal school would have a good balance of both play and school readiness to ensure that your child is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge for the years ahead, such as the KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse Inquiring Minds curriculum, which taps into purposeful play during the early years and progresses to guided inquiry-based learning for the preschool years. 

Another crucial factor is the teaching staff. Experienced and nurturing teachers, particularly in a school with a low teacher-student ratio, can make a significant difference in your child's preschool experience. Watch how the teachers and children interact. Teachers should be firm but caring and always have the children’s welfare at heart.

Other than the learning environment, location and convenience are also important. Pick a preschool near your home or workplace, so that daily drop-offs and pickups are easier and travel stress is reduced for both parent and child. Parents should also consider whether the school offers half-day or full-day programmes that align with your family’s schedule and requirements.

Lastly, consider cost and affordability. Preschool fees can vary widely, so choose a school that fits your budget without compromising on quality. By balancing these factors, you can select the most ideal preschool that provides a nurturing and enriching environment for your child's early development.

Choosing the best preschool for your child

This decision is certainly not made lightly, as there are many factors and moving pieces to consider, such as curriculum, environment, and individual needs. But with all the information at your fingertips, the decision does not need to be a difficult one. At KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse, we prioritise your child’s holistic development. With a curriculum honed with years of experience, our teachers know well how to foster creativity, social skills, and a love for learning in our nurturing environment. 

If you are looking for a place where your child can thrive, we invite you to experience KiddiWinkie firsthand. Book a guided tour today to discover how our dedicated staff and enriching programmes can help your child reach their fullest potential. 

FAQ

Is it compulsory to send my child to preschool?

Preschool is not compulsory in Singapore, but it offers significant benefits in preparing children for primary school by fostering early social, cognitive, and emotional development.

What type of preschool curriculum is suitable for my child?

The right curriculum depends on your child's learning style and needs. Common approaches include play-based, inquiry-based, Montessori, and thematic learning, each offering unique ways to develop key skills.

Are there bilingual or language immersion programmes in preschools?

Yes, many preschools offer bilingual programs, especially in English and Mandarin, while some also provide full or partial immersion programmes to enhance language development.

What are the teacher-to-student ratios in preschools?

The teacher-to-student ratio varies by age group, but typically ranges from 1:8 for younger children to 1:20 for older preschoolers, ensuring adequate attention and supervision.

What is the difference between Sparkletots and KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse?

Sparkletots as an anchor operator, operates community-based preschools under the PAP Community Foundation, focusing on affordable early childhood education. KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse, on the other hand, offers a more premium preschool experience with a curriculum based on purposeful play and inquiry-based learning, and a strong emphasis on celebrating the unique strengths in every child.

 

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