When it comes to tackling one of the biggest milestones in our little ones' formative years — preschool education — it's all about maximising their potential to the fullest. The majority of preschools in Singapore are now following the bilingual education system closely and parents are placing more focus on the Chinese language. While incorporating Mandarin to your child's curriculum is important, fostering a love for it is another. If you're looking to enrol your child to a Chinese preschool in Singapore, look no further as we have here, a handy list for you!
Chinese Preschool In Singapore: Here Are The Top 8
1. Chengzhu Mandarin Centre
At Chengzhu mandarin centre, this Chinese preschool in Singapore aims to help their learners develop the "tenacity and strength exemplified by bamboo", coupled with the confidence to master the Chinese language.
Their highly qualified teaching team comes from Singapore, China and Taiwan — they share the same philosophy as the Julia Gabriel centre through their EduDrama® methodology.
There are specialist teachers who visit the class each week to teach a myriad of art forms: from Chinese Cultural Arts, Speech and Drama to Music and Movement. Your little ones will be on their way to develop language, creativity, and confidence. Apart from that, they'll also get the opportunity to work with a wide variety of teachers and experts.
Through speech and drama, songs, games, stories and engaging conversations, your child will definitely be immersed in the fun in no time!
For more information, check out their website here.
Chengzhu Mandarin Centre
Address: Rochester Mall, 35 Rochester Dr, Singapore 138639
Tel: 6737 5348
Email: enquiries@chengzhu.edu.sg.
2. Joy Little Schoolhouse
Parents have raved over the quality of education and how devoted the teachers are at Joy Little Schoolhouse.
Their curriculum is specifically tailored to support the optimal development of both the Chinese and English language in children across various age groups.
More importantly, the centre focuses on effective communication, word recognition, Chinese culture and calligraphy. Of course, lessons are conducted in mainly Mandarin, across all classes.
Their forte lies in “Theme Play”, their core programme, where children get to engage and explore freely in a classroom that is designed with fresh themes every term.
In addition, children across all age levels engage in subjects and learning areas including:
- Drama
- Essential life skills
- Social and effective communication
- Math concepts
- Science exploration
- Music and Art & Craft in Chinese
Joy Little Schoolhouse centre
Address: 32 Sin Ming Lane, Midview City, Singapore 573954
Tel: 6684 4111
Email: principal.joylittle@gmail.com
Centre Operation Hours
Full Day
Monday – Friday: 7am to 7pm / Saturday: 7am to 2pm
Half Day (Morning Session)
Monday – Friday: 7.00am – 1.00pm
Half Day (Afternoon Session)
Monday – Friday: 1.00pm – 7.00pm
For more information, check out their website here.
3. BibiNogs
Here at BibiNogs, a Multiple-Intelligences approach is being used. A proprietary BibiNogs BE curriculum covers the child’s overall development through 5 domains:
- Cognitive development
- Numeracy and language skills
- Motor skills
- Social and emotional development
- Creativity and appreciation of the arts
Hands-on and interesting lessons are at the heart of teaching children here, especially when introducing a foreign or second language. Ultimately, it's all about the experience — from the things around the little ones that they can see, touch, smell and hear.
BibiNogs centre Information
BibiNogs Kids Academy
Address: Serene Centre, #02-05/06, 10 Jalan Serene, Singapore 258748
Tel: 6466 4167
Email: enquiry@bibinogs.com
BibiNogs Preschool K.A
Address: King’s Arcade, #B1-01 559, Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269695
Tel: 6466 5357
Email: enquiry@bibinogs.com
To schedule a trial or visit their locations, contact them here.
For more information, check out their website here.
4. EtonHouse Zhonghua Preschool
Exposing children to a considerable amount of time listening, speaking and writing in Chinese is essential in a child's early years to ensure sustainable language development.
And that's what EtonHouse Zhong Hua offers as part of its Chinese immersion programme. The renowned EtonHouse Inquire Think Learn curriculum is delivered entirely in Mandarin.
For them, establishing a strong foundation comes first before constructing proper sentence structure and vocabulary (with the kindergarten level focused on reading(读) and writing (写)).
Apart from the academics, there is a special importance placed on Chinese cultural experiences in the various art forms including:
- Chinese Art (painting, Calligraphy)
- Performance Art (music, dance, drama and songs)
- Literature (stories, rhymes and poems)
- Festivities
Besides, the learning environment is created such that your little ones will be able to experience the beautiful Chinese culture in a conducive and warm, home-like space. From unique art pieces, musical instruments to engaging and meaningful resources, there is nothing like this chinese preschool in Singapore!
For more information and fees, please visit here.
Book a school tour here.
EtonHouse Zhonghua Preschool centre Information
- Full day: 8.15am to 4pm (entitled to after-school care up till 7pm)
- Half day: 8.15am to 1pm
- 3 Half days
- Program A: Monday – Wednesday
- Program B: Wednesday – Friday
Address: 681 Bukit Timah Road, #01-03, Singapore 269782
Tel: 6467 3322
Email: hceh@etonhouse.edu.sg
5. MindChamps Chinese Preschool
Many mums and dads would have heard of MindChamps. Its unique research-based curriculum has led them to be recognised internationally.
Besides nurturing children with the confidence of a "Champion Mindset", what sets the MindChamps Chinese Preschool curriculum unique from the other centres is the amount of time dedicated to teaching the Chinese Language.
The classes conducted are in Chinese; it provides children with more exposure to the language and the opportunity to communicate.
The school also incorporates a Chinese Culture Appreciation Programme. It's a truly immersive learning experience where children will get to try their hands on a variety of Chinese-infused activities from Chinese calligraphy and painting, to tea appreciation, clay sculpting and Chinese knots.
They also incorporate Chinese classic/folk songs that help your little one learn more about Chinese culture and history, while ensuring they develop an interest in the language through these experiential activities.
For more information, check out their website here.
MindChamps Chinese Preschool Centres Information
There are 2 centres that offer the Chinese-infused curriculum,
MindChamps Chinese PreSchool @ Cecil Street
105 Cecil Street, #04-01/04, The Octagon, Singapore 069534
MindChamps Chinese PreSchool @ Thomson
512A Thomson Road, #02-01, SLF Podium, Singapore 298137
For enquiries, contact the MindChamps Chinese Preschool, here.
Register NOW for a complimentary trial class for both Thomson or Cecil Street centres!
6. Odyssey The Global Preschool
Odyssey The Global Preschool provides full Chinese Language Immersion in its curriculum across all levels for children aged 18 months to 6 years.
Unlike other preschools, every class in Odyssey has a designated full time Chinese Language teacher; they remain with the children throughout the day while conversing and interacting with them in Mandarin.
Being exposed to Mandarin in a consistent and all-rounded manner will allow your little one to acquire the language more readily and naturally. Whether it's listening, speaking, building their Chinese vocabulary and word skills, reading, penmanship and writing skills, they will learn the art of Chinese in no time.
Children in N2 can expect to undergo an interesting mix of learning the language through Chinese cultural curriculum, Chinese skills workshops, and project work and inquiry.
For more information, check out their website here.
Odyssey The Global Preschool Centre
All Odyssey centres offer a Mandarin Immersion programme, click for more information on fees and contact details.
De Loyang
Fourth Avenue
Wilkinson (IB Accredited)
Still Road
Tel: 6781 8800
Email: contact@theodyssey.sg
7. Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Preschool
At Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Preschool (SHHK Preschool), your child will get to learn through a home-simulated environment. There will be daily opportunities for your little ones to engage and learn through purposeful play, have quality interactions with the environment, experiment and explore!
Your child will choose what they want to do using a Plan-Do-Review model, which gives them the freedom to plan and embark on activities they have chosen themselves, facilitated by the teachers. This helps them to become more independent learners.
For Nursery 1, Nursery 2 and Kindergarten 1 children, Chinese language makes up 80% of classroom language. In Kindergarten 2, however, Chinese language makes up 60% so as to accommodate teaching English spelling to the kids to prepare them for Primary 1.
Children will learn the language through all sorts of fun activities, including music and dance, apart from academic studies.
There are a total of 12 classrooms and two special rooms – an art room, and a music-and-movement room; all which accommodates more than 200 kids.
Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Preschool Centre
Address: 5 Sennett Road, Singapore 466781
Tel: (+65) 6589 9503 / 6589 9500
Email: enquiries@shhkpreschool.com.sg
Office Hours:
Monday - Fri, 8am to 5pm (Closed on Weekends and PHs)
- Full Day: 8am to 3.30pm
- Half Day (AM): 8am to 12pm
For more information, check out their website here.
8. Camberley International Preschool
At Camberley International preschool, the focus is on both English and Mandarin literacy with an inquiry-based curriculum. They offer a high quality bilingual pre-school education to local and international children aged 18 months to 6 years.
Mandarin lessons in Camberley are conducted in a fun and interactive manner, laying the foundation needed for Primary 1. What their pre-school curriculum include: identification of strokes, hanyu pinyin, radicals, picture description, reading and writing, and comprehension.
Even in older age groups, the teacher-child ratio is small so as to provide each child with the attention needed for holistic development. Fees are the same for both local and foreign children.
Types of Programmes:
Full day (Monday to Friday): 7am - 7pm
Half day (Monday to Friday): 7am - 1pm / 1pm to 7pm
Pre-school enrichment (3-hour programme from Monday to Friday - only at Balmoral Plaza): 8.30am - 11.30am / 3.30pm - 6.30pm
Please call the centre to enquire on enrolment fees.
Camberley International Preschool Centre
There are centres at multiple locations at Loyang, Kovan or Bukit Timah (click on the following centres for more information).
For enquiries and registration, please contact:
- 6235 7555 for Camberley Pre-school Balmoral
- 8568 3322 0r 6387 7555 for Camberley Pre-school Loyang
- 6383 5025 f0r Camberley Pre-school Kovan
- Alternatively, please email them at enquiries@camberley-edu.com
Schedule a private tour of your preferred centre here.
For more information, check out their website here.
Why Enrol In A Chinese Preschool In Singapore?
Most of us are predominantly English speaking and that translates to how we communicate at home. So where does that leave us with speaking Mandarin? Or even if we do, how much of it are our kids actually exposed to? Is that enough to spark an interest in them wanting to uncover more or even cultivate a love of it? Are they able to apply what they have learnt in practical situations?
Enrolling your child to a Chinese preschool in Singapore helps to solidify that. Besides, they incorporate Chinese not only through academic subjects but through the environment and a slew of other activities as well.
Furthermore, exposure to more than one language helps your little ones in shaping their brains.
It's just not enough to learn the language. The key here is to give them the tools and expose them to the language while practicing communication.
Doing so will not only help your children gain confidence, they will become more adaptable, better appreciate different cultures and have the aptitude to adapt to their new schools faster.
Be sure to set up an appointment with your desired Chinese preschool in Singapore as soon as possible as slots may be limited!
Source: Michigan State University, New Scientist
Also READ: Have you heard about the new breed of preschools in Singapore?