Preschools around the CBD

By Aieshah | 10/10/2012

Choosing the best for your child.

shutterstock 74828317 Preschools around the CBD

Work in the city and need to put your child in in full day childcare? Fret not, there are a number of options to choose from:

Cherie Hearts @ Cecil Pte Ltd

Cherie Hearts @ Cecil is a member of Cherie Hearts Group International. Their main branch in Raffles Place has a few childcare sections; offering infant care for 2-17 month babies and childcare for 2-7 year-olds.

What we like:

The large and airy building allows plenty of light to come in through the glass windows and comes across as an ideal space for a child’s development.
Specialised care is provided for the children, with particular consideration for the different needs and requirements of the infants and toddlers.
There is great emphasis on healthcare and the safety of the little tots.

What we dislike:

The infant care area is up a long and winding stairway, which isn’t very convenient when bringing your babies to and from the centre.

Opening : 7.00am-7.30pm on weekdays

Address : 19 Cecil Street
#01-01
Cherie Hearts HQ
Singapore 049704

Contact : 6593 9030

Learning Vision @ Cecil

Learning Vision @ Cecil caters to different age groups, from infants to 6 year-olds.

What we like:

The care and support of the teachers for the children, and how they work closely with parents to monitor the child’s progress.
The convenient location in the middle of the CBD, which allows parents to sneak a peek at their kids during lunch time or tea break.
The programmes which treat and develop each child as a unique individual equipped with a curious mind.
The environment and layout, which ensure that the goings-on of the different groups of children do not affect each other.

What we dislike:

The building and facilities available at Learning Vision@Cecil are not as new as the other Learning Vision centres.

Opening: 7.00am-7.00pm
7.00am-2.00pm

Address: 137 Cecil Street
Aviva Building
Singapore 069537

Contact: 6221 0896

Little Skool-House

The centre offers full-day, half-day and flexi-hour pre-school programmes for children aged from 18 months to 6 years of age, as well as infant care for babies from 2-17 months of age.

What we like:

The ample space available allows children to move about and play without restriction.
The area provided for the different age groups caters to their specific learning and playing needs.
The focus on Singapore’s culture and heritage through tours and field trips around the region develop an appreciation for such things at an early age.

What we dislike:

There might be a slight strain on teachers occasionally, what with the huge intake of students there.

Opening: 7.00am-8.00pm on weekdays

Address: 65 Chulia Street
#02-02
OCBC Centre West Wing
Singapore 049513

Telephone: 6236 0159

Sunflower Kiddie House

The newly-opened centre offers childcare for toddlers of 18 months to children of 6 years old.

What we like:

The spanking new centre means that the facilities and equipment available are equally fresh and brand new.
The cubby-holes and corners for reading and playing are extremely cosy and make you feel like snuggling up there yourself.
Being newly opened, the student-teacher ratio is extremely small, which guarantees very specialised care of your little ones.
The careful consideration in locating the older children on the upper floor, to make sure that younger children do not have to climb too many sets of stairs.
The usage of the Multiple Intelligence Theory (MIT) and Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP) in lessons and games ensure that children get an all-round education experience.

What we dislike:

The washrooms on the ground floor are not located very near the play and learning area, which may be inconvenient in some cases.

Opening: 7.30am-7.30pm on weekdays
7.30am-2.00pm on weekends

Address: 141 Cecil Street
#01-01
Tung Ann Association Building
Singapore 069541

Contact: 6225 5506

*Sunflower Kiddie House opens on the 1st of March 2010

Modern Montessori International

Modern Montessori International has 5 different groups for children spanning the age of 18 months to 6½ years. The centre provides full and half-day care as well as kindergarten.

What we like:

The focus of the lessons on the 5 different sections of Practical Life Lessons, Sensorial Education, Communication, Language and Literacy, Cultural Subjects, Mathematics and Creative Art/ Imaginative Play reflects a holistic approach to the child’s development.
The lessons, which are conducted on an individual basis or in small groups, allow for focused attention on the children and enable the teachers to deal with their individual problems and uncertainties effectively.

What we dislike:

The limited area means that there is no space for leaving prams and such there.
While it is true that children should be allowed to learn to be independent, the parents not being allowed in may be unconducive to some.
The building, with very few windows, does not let much natural light in and may feel a little stifling.

Opening: 7.00am-7.00pm on weekdays
7.00am-2.00pm on Saturdays

Address: 14 Robinson Road
#05-01
Far East Finance Building
Singapore 048545

Contact: 6222 1393

The Brain-Based SchoolHouse

The Brain-Based Schoolhouse provides care for children under the age of six, making use of the Shichida Method™ to expand their brain capacity.

What we like:

The highly specialised Shichida Method™, including neuro-stimulation exercises and skill-based teaching, is designed to stimulate different parts of the brain to be used and developed in a well-balanced way.

What we dislike:

The way they speak about the care provided for the kids, from the “daily brain stimulation”, to the “physical setting” and “enhanced food” make the centre sound like a lab to create the best functioning experiments – i.e. your children!

Opening: 7.00am to 7.00pm on weekdays
7.00am to 2.00pm on weekends

Address: 1 Tanjong Pagar Rd
#02 – 01
Tanjong Pagar Plaza
Singapore 082001

Contact: 62202005

Kinderland

Kinderland Childcare at Shenton Way offers a kindergarten programme for children 2½ to 6 years of age.

What we like:

The curriculum areas are blended seamlessly to provide the children with an overall education and an enriching experience
The theme-based approach they take is well-researched and has had a positive impact on many a child’s early education
The centre places emphasis on self-esteem and social skills

What we dislike: