Enrolling your little child into a preschool can be an exciting time for both you and your child. While you get to decide on whether or not you like the vibe of the school, your child get to explore the school grounds!
Before doing a school tour, however, it is naturally advisable for you to do more research about any preschool Singapore online and shortlist those that meet your specific preferences. They can include a myriad of external factors as well as your child’s needs.
5 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Preschool For Your Tot (Preschool Singapore)
1. Distance
While getting around the island is generally easy and convenient, you would still want to choose a preschool closer to either your place of residence or where you work. This is to ensure you can send and pickup your child in a timely manner, or in case an emergency arises so you can get to the school quickly. Moreover, you would not want your child to spend long hours commuting to and fro school, wasting precious minutes he or she could be spending at the school or at home.
2. Credibility
If you have found a school that is closest to you and it is seemingly impressive from the outside, you would still need to check the reviews for the school. You might want to note down how long the school has been in existence, who runs or manages the school, and their presence in the online or social media to quickly gauge their reputation. Once you have established their credibility, you can then further inspect the school physically.
3. Teaching Methodology
While some parents are not too concerned about the teaching methodology as long as their kids learn something at school, there are actually a few popular teaching methodologies that children can benefit from based on their needs and interests. Some preschools have curriculums that strictly follow popular methodologies such as Montessori or Waldorf, and then there are some that apply a mixed methodologies. Be sure to find out their teaching methodologies if you have any preference or would like to know more about their curriculum.
4. Campus And Infrastructure
Would you like your child to have a fully class-based experience, or is your child better suited in a big environment where he or she can run around freely? Before doing a school tour, it is better for you to decide on the type of campus or infrastructure the preschool has so that you know what to expect when you do a school tour. Once there, you can then ask more or in detail about what the school campus has to offer for your child, such as outdoor playground, swimming pool, and others.
5. Meals
Some schools offer complete meals for their students while some require parents to prepare meals for their kids from home. While it may seem like a small thing, this actually plays an important role in deciding on a preschool for your child. If you have more time in the morning or would like your child to only consume the food you prepare, then you can opt for schools that require parents to prepare meals beforehand. Whereas if you are a busy parent and need to get ready for work while preparing your kid for school, most likely you will not have enough time to prepare proper meals for your child to bring to school. In that case, it is better to only shortlist schools that provide meals at their premises.
Other factors to consider should also include the school hours, language programmes, special needs, as well as affordability.
20 Preschools You Can Find Islandwide (Preschool Singapore)
1. Early Learning Village, Stamford American International School
The Stamford American Early Learning Village programme is specially curated for the preschool years from Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten 2, welcoming children aged two months to 6 years. Located at Chuan Lane, the preschool is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach with natural wood structures and open spaces to give children the freedom to explore, discover, and express themselves.
Address: 3 Chuan Lane, Gate 4, Singapore 554350
Website: sais.edu.sg
Contact Details: +65 6602 7247 / admissions@sais.edu.sg
2. Rain Trees International Kindergarten
Established in 1999, Rain Trees is an independent international kindergarten, nursery, and preschool for children from 18 months to 6 years old. Their education philosophy is based on the UK National Curriculum where the children learn through play-based and hands-on learning in a fun, friendly, and stimulating environment.
Address: 60 Kheam Hock Road, Singapore, 298824
Website: raintreeskindergarten.com
Contact Details: +65 6474 6181
3. Dover Court International School
The Early Years Foundation Stage at Dover Court International School has been developed in line with the best practice and current trends from the United Kingdom (UK). For their curriculum, the areas of learning and development include explorations through topics that capture children’s interests as they learn communication and language, literacy, expressive arts and design, and more.
Address: 301 Dover Road, 139644 Singapore
Website: nordangliaeducation.com
Contact Details: +65 6775 7664
4. Blue House Nursery & International Playschool
Located at Turf Club Road, Blue House adopts the Reggio Emilia approach in its curriculum that allows children to explore their curiosity to reach their full potential. You will be able to book for a guided tour where you can learn about this history of the school, have a look around its facilities, and meet the educators.
Address: 2 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287988
Website: bluehouseinternational.com
Contact Details: +65 6734 0824 / enquiries@bluehouseinternational.com
5. Emile Preschool
Founded by NUS and former NTU professors, Emile Preschool is dedicated to utilising research-proven discoveries and learning materials from the US, UK, Japan, and Germany to equip children with the right tools and knowledge. Their mission is to provide high quality early childhood program based on best practices.
Address: #01-02, 12 New Industrial Road, Singapore, 536202
Website: emilepreschool.com
Contact Details: +65 6584 3668 / admin@emilepreschool.com
6. Carpe Diem Preschool
Carpe Diem is a pioneer for integrating multiple disciplines into early childhood education in Singapore and to date has 32 preschool centres islandwide. Carpe Diem preschools utilise multiple teaching tools to build positive relationships and to foster meaningful learning experiences for the children.
See here for full list of preschools under Carpe Diem.
Website: carpediem.com.sg
7. Our Children’s House
Inspired by the Montessori teaching methodology framed within thematic, play, and inquiry-based curriculum, Our Children’s House believe in positively reinforcing the children to build their self-esteem and excel in both academics and behaviour. Every child counts at Our Children’s House and the experienced teachers are able to cater to children from 18 months to three years.
Address: 106 Paya Lebar Crescent, Singapore 536186
Website: ourchildrenshouse.com.sg
Contact Details: +65 6635 7668 / enquiries@ourchildrenshouse.com.sg
8. EtonHouse Preschool
EtonHouse preschools offer playgroups, nursery, and/or kindergarten depending on the branch. Catering to children from 18 months old, EtonHouse preschools provide the well-known Reggio-Emilia approach. Children are able to explore their curiosity and communicate within a safe environment.
See here for the full list of EtonHouse preschools.
Website: etonhouse.edu
9. Hundred Thoughts Preschool
At Hundred Thoughts Preschool, children are able to find many ways to learn and discover through their senses with the Reggio-Emilia approach adopted by the school. Its curriculum does not only comprise of inquiry-based learning, but also in specific areas such as gymnastics and coding, which will definitely benefit the children of the future.
Address: 456 Alexandra Road, Fragrance Empire Building #04-01, Singapore 119962
Website: hundredthoughtspreschool.com
Contact Details: +65 8159 9396 / admin@hundredthoughtspreschool.com
10. Raffles Kidz International
Raffles Kidz International school adopts an exploratory and purposeful play approach to learning with an aim to inspire children to be life-long learners. Its comprehensive, structured, and interactive curriculum is built to develop children’s social dispositions and enable them to acquire useful skills and knowledge.
Centre Location:
- 4 Tamarind Road, Singapore 806014
- 9 Galistan Avenue, Singapore 669682
- 200 Ponggol 17th Avenue, Singapore 829646
- 1 Yuan Ching Road #02-01, Singapore 618640
Website: raffleskidz.com
Contact Details: +65 6282 6319
11. Mulberry Learning
With 15 centres islandwide to date, Mulberry Learning adopts the award-winning Reggio-Emilia approach as well as unique Habits of Mind framework from the US to transform a child into a competent explorer, an imaginative thinker, and a creative problem solver. They promise a fun bilingual learning experience for each child while imparting positive attitude by its dedicated educators.
See here for their full list of centres.
Website: mulberrylearning.com
12. Brighton Montessori
Established in 1995, Brighton Montessori has long been a favourite preschool adopting the Montessori approach, having been in the industry for more than 20 years. The Montessori-trained teachers are dedicated in leading children to achieve their potential in a creative, stimulating, and supportive learning environment.
See here for their full list of centres.
Website: brightonmontessori.com.sg
13. GESS International School
The Preschool Programme at GESS International School caters to children aged two to five years adopting the the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) where your child will be exposed to an inquiry-based learning environment. Being a German not-for-profit international school, the programme involves the presence of German and English speaking teachers. The children are immersed in one language at a time, however equal amounts of time in German and English will be allocated to the children.
Address: 2 Dairy Farm Lane, Singapore 677621
Website: gess.sg
Contact Details: +65 6461 0881
14. Australian International School Early Learning Village
The Early Learning Village at the Australian International School has been designed with a purpose inspired by the Reggio-Emilia methodology. Catered to infants and children from two months to six years old, their aim is to develop confident young learners through this award-winning inquiry-based curriculum.
Address: 1 Lorong Chuan Singapore 556818
Website: ais.com.sg
Contact Details: +65 6517 0247 / admissions@ais.com.sg
15. Dulwich College Kindergarten School
Dulwich College (Singapore) is an international school for students aged 2-18 years with a British independent school ethos. Dulwich College Kindergarten School (DUCKS) caters to children aged two to seven, and is the first international school in Singapore to introduce the Scandinavian ‘Forest School’ concept that allows children to develop academic skills, build emotional resilience, and learn to overcome challenges through self-initiated interactions with nature.
Address: 71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Singapore 658966
Website: singapore.dulwich.org
Contact Details: +65 6890 1003/ admissions.singapore@dulwich.org
16. Swallows And Amazons Early Learning Centre
Surrounded by lush greeneries with full grown trees shading the outdoor space, children can learn from real-life experiences and purposeful play as the curriculum focuses on the comprehension and application of knowledge. Children get to do fun activities based on Gardner’s 8 Intelligences learning style that allows the teachers to find the activities that best suit your child.
Address: The Grandstand, South Carpark, 200 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287994
Website: swallowsandamazons.com.sg
Contact Details: +65 6762 8158 / lessons@swallowsandamazons.com.sg
17. Canadian International School Kindergarten Program
Designed to stimulate imagination, creativity, and self-discovery, the Kindergertan Program at Canadian International School (CIS) adopts the Primary Years Programme (PYP) framework curriculum for children aged two to five. Children can enjoy a warm and nurturing learning environment through the inquiry and play-based approach.
Lakeside Campus
Address: 7 Jurong West Street 41, Singapore 649414,
Phone: +65 6467 1732 / admissions@cis.edu.sg
Tanjong Katong Campus
Address: 371 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437128,
Phone: +65 6345 1573 / admissions@cis.edu.sg,
Website: cis.edu.sg/kindergarten
18. XCL World Academy
Formerly known as GEMS World Academy catering to children aged two to six, XCL World Academy is a family-oriented international school aiming to equip children with the academic and lifelong learning skills to be agents of their own success. Its Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum ensures a safe and nurturing environment where children can explored and learn from play-based activities.
Address: 2 Yishun Street 42, Singapore 768039
Website: xwa.edu.sg
Contact Details: +65 6808 7300 / admissions@xwa.edu.sg
19. Star Learners Child Care
With over 40 centres across Singapore, Star Learners Child Care believe that character development is the cornerstone of successful education, which is why invest in creating programmes that will truly bring out your child’s character and achieve their potential. Their programmes are activity- and literature-based to develop children in a holistic manner.
See here for the full list of their centres.
Website: starlearners.com.sg
20. Chatsworth Preschool Singapore
Established in 1995, Chatsworth International School begets from a British founding principal and has played a critical role in empowering children through a comprehensive curriculum. Providing small class sizes enables the teachers to focus on each student so that they gain the attention and support needed to develop into confident, happy individuals.
Website: chatsworth.com.sg
Chatsworth Preschool @ Clementi Woods
Address: 93A Clementi Road, Singapore 129781
Contact Details: +65 6270 6166 / enquiry@sdmchatsworth.sg
Chatsworth Preschool @ Piccadilly
Address: 3 Piccadilly Circus, Singapore 797641
Contact Details: +65 6481 5585 / information.piccadilly@chatsworth.com.sg
We hope you have found this listing useful. Be sure to bookmark this page if you plan to enrol your kid into a preschool in the near future. Best of luck!