With more than 1900 different childcare centres and kindergartens, choosing a preschool in Singapore can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially for first-time parents.
So, what’s the secret to finding the best preschool? Here’s a little tip - choosing a preschool should be more about finding what works best for your child than about finding the "perfect" school.
Having so many choices can be overwhelming, so here is a handy guide to help you make the best decision in your little one’s life.
Why is preschool important for your child?
Let’s start off with WHY preschool education is important for your child and why choosing a preschool in Singapore is a crucial decision to make.
The early years of a child’s life are crucial for cognitive, social, emotional and physical development.
In the first few years of life, more than 1 million new neural connections are formed every second. Although the brain continues to develop and change into adulthood, the first eight years can build a foundation for future learning, health and life success.
Our children are born ready to learn. They are like little sponges absorbing all the information around them and actively making sense of it. Children grow and learn best in a safe environment with plenty of opportunities to play, explore and learn.
A preschool environment is carefully designed to teach children how to be learners - it nurtures their creativity and curiosity and improves their cognitive skills. Children also pick up language skills through exposure to different mediums such as text, music and public speaking opportunities - it helps them to communicate effectively.
Our children develop valuable social skills in preschool - they learn how to make friends, share, cooperate, listen, follow instructions and build conversation skills. They also develop self-regulation and conflict-resolution skills - skills that make them future-ready.
Preschool also fosters independence in children - they learn to take care of themselves, wash their hands, wear shoes on their own, etc.
Research shows that children who attend quality preschools display greater self-regulatory behaviour and academic skills than their counterparts who don’t attend preschool. This is especially significant when considering the rigorous educational system in Singapore.
Things to consider when choosing a preschool in Singapore
Here are some important factors to consider when it comes to choosing a preschool in Singapore:
Your child
In choosing a preschool in Singapore, you must consider the one that truly suits your child's personality. What kind of environment does your child thrive in? What makes them nervous and uncomfortable? Do they need more opportunities for play? What will be most challenging about preschool?
If you have any specific concerns, talk to preschool principals and teachers. Find out more about their teaching styles and how they interact with the children.
As parents, we really want to know what our kids are doing all day at preschool. We don't want to miss out on their little milestones and achievements. Find out how the preschool tracks your child’s development and progress. How will this information be communicated to you?
At PCF Sparkletots, for instance, parents can view announcements and pictures or videos of their child participating in class activities through a parents’ engagement portal. You can also communicate your concerns and gain more insights about your child’s behaviour, preferences and progress through parent/teacher conferences, which are held at least twice a year.
It is also a good idea to visit open houses to get a sense of the preschool's culture and environment. Try to get some feedback from other parents as well on their child’s experience and progress and their communication with the teachers.
Cost and location
While we all want the best for our child, you should choose a preschool that fits your budget. Having a budget in mind also helps to narrow down your search considerably.
Choosing a preschool close to home, your parents or in-laws’, or office can save on time and travel costs. It makes pick-up and drop-off easier and also allows you to get to the centre quickly in case of emergencies.
A big advantage of PCF Sparkletots is their accessibility and affordability. With almost 360 preschools island-wide, you can be sure to find a centre near you.
Your childcare needs
Do you need a half-day or full-day childcare programme for your child? This is an important factor to consider too, depending on your need and whether you have support from other caregivers such as grandparents.
Curriculum and programmes
It is important to select a curriculum that meets your child’s learning style and personality. Preschool education should be holistic and developmentally appropriate.
Find out more about the preschool’s teaching approach and whether their curriculum is play-based or inquiry-based. Also, check what types of activities are available and whether they offer enrichment programmes.
Today, preschools have shifted away from rote learning to a more holistic curriculum. The aim is to ensure that our children grow up to be effective communicators and are future-ready.
You might want to check out some highlights of the curriculum at PCF Sparkletots:
- Joy of Reading: This programme aims to nurture your child’s love for reading and languages.
- Tech-Enabled Learning: By working in groups and by using tech tools like Bee-Bot, Kibo and LEGO®, little ones learn the importance of teamwork and pick up critical thinking skills.
- STEMIE (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Invention and Entrepreneurship): This programme aims to improve children’s cognitive and problem-solving skills and fosters creativity. Currently offered at 61 centres, STEMIE will be extended to all centres offering kindergarten services progressively over the next three years.
- Intergenerational Learning: Singapore is facing an increasingly ageing population and through this programme, children learn to care for and communicate their ideas effectively to the elderly. It helps them develop empathy, kindness and respect for the elderly.
Mother tongue language
If you would like for your child to learn more than one language, look for a preschool that offers bilingual programmes. You should also check on what languages are offered.
At PCF Sparkletots, the Mother tongue curriculum is designed to stimulate children’s interest in their mother tongue and improve their language skills through songs, rhymes, stories, role play, festivals and more.
The activities aim to instil a love and appreciation for their own cultures and to help them better connect with their ethnic values.
Awards
You might want to find out how long the preschool has been around and what awards it has received. Awards are a good indication of a preschool’s quality, and for us parents, it is reassuring to know that our children are in good hands.
PCF Sparkletots preschools and educators have been constantly recognised with national-level awards such as ECDA Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education and the Ministry of Education’s Outstanding Preschool Mother Tongue Language Teacher Awards.
About 90% of eligible PCF Sparkletots preschools have also attained the Early Childhood Development Agency’s (ECDA) SPARK accreditation, which is a mark of endorsement for quality preschools and their programmes.
Special attention for children who may require additional support
Does your child need a little extra attention and help to be at their best? Does he or she have different learning abilities and/or developmental needs that may require support? Talk to the preschool’s principal on the support services they offer, such as early intervention programmes including specialised therapies.
Do note that PCF Sparkletots has a dedicated PCF Inclusive Education team that provides direct support to selected children with developmental needs, as well as guidance and coaching to the teachers so that they can provide a more positive experience for the children.
Selected PCF Sparkletots preschools are also a part of the pilot for the Inclusive Support Programme (InSP) that aims to enhance inclusion and support for children with developmental needs.
Meals and nutrition
It’s important that our little ones are provided with healthy, nutritious meals. Also, you should inform the preschool in case your child has allergies or special dietary requirements.
PCF Sparkletots provides well-balanced meals and participates in the Healthy Meals in Pre-schools Programme (HMPP) endorsed by the Health Promotion Board (HPB).
HMPP empowers preschools to provide healthier meals and encourages them to educate children on eating right.
Safety and hygiene
Your child will be spending a considerable amount of time at preschool every day. So it’s all the more important to ensure that the preschool environment is clean and hygienic and that protocols, such as regular cleaning and sanitising of toys and common surfaces are followed strictly.
For instance, every PCF Sparkletots Centre is equipped with a UV Steriliser for sterilising toys and shared items, on top of the regulatory safe management measures.
You might also want to pay special attention to the hygiene of areas such as toilets and shower rooms.
Check what measures the preschool has taken to curb the spread of diseases such as HFMD and COVID-19. Are there daily temperature checks? Do they ensure that children wash their hands before meals?
Every child deserves the best possible start in life
Our childhood experiences are the foundation on which the rest of our lives are built.
Giving your child quality preschool education will set them up for greater success in every area of life. It gives them a strong foundation for learning and helps with their physical and social-emotional development.
Also read:
Top Primary Schools In Singapore Based On MOE Awards
Primary School Registration in Singapore: A Guide for Parents