Kindergarten Checklist

There's no denying it. We Singaporean's are Kiasu! We want the best of everything. And if it's for our child, then we want even better than the best! So you can imagine the intense pressure when it comes to finding the best class for your child.

Pick Me!

There’s no denying it. We Singaporean’s are Kiasu! We want the best of everything. And if it’s for our child, then we want even better than the best! So you can imagine the intense pressure when it comes to finding the best kindergarten class for your child.

Now of course we can’t tell you which school is the best. Afterall ‘best’ is subjective, but there are many things that you should consider before picking your child’s school. Namely;

1)Legal status of the kindergarten: Is the kindergarten registered with MOE? Do ask the Principal to show you a copy of the certificate to ensure that your child is enrolled in a registered kindergarten.

2)Teachers: Are the teachers qualified, caring and experienced? Does the teacher incite enthusiasm and allows student interest to influence the day’s learning? What about the principle, is she experienced?

3)Teacher to student ratio: Usually, the better schools have teacher’s assistants and no more than 15 students per adult.

4)Communication: Good schools communicate with parents on a daily basis by sending notes home with the child, responding to phone calls and e-mails within 24 hours, and hold parent teacher conferences twice a year. The classroom should be open for parent observation, although this should be scheduled in advance.

5)Balanced emphasis on non-academic skills: Students should be encouraged to develop social skills like group cooperation, leadership, compromise, negotiation and conflict resolution.

6)Reading: Do teachers frequently read aloud to the students? Are there story discussions with opportunities for children to talk and listen?

7)Materials: Are there good materials and toys for your child to play with?Playground equipment should be safe and inspire imagination, social development and creative play.

8)Hygiene, health and safety: Is the kindergarten located in a safe and clean area? Does the kindergarten have procedures in place for the protection of children against communicable diseases? How does the kindergarten ensure the safety and cleanliness of its premises, toys and equipment?

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