Preschool Landscape in Singapore

The Pre-school Landscape In Singapore (July 2015) What is a Pre-school? The compulsory school age in Singapore is 7 years. In preparation for formal schooling, a pre-school is an education institution that caters to children aged 6 years and below Than 99% of incoming primary one students aged 6 years attend at least 1 year of pre-school :TYPES OF PRE-SCHOOLS Infant Care Child Care 18 months - 6 years Kinder 1 5 years Kinder 2 6 years 2- 18 Months Nursery 4 years Child Care Centres Kindergartens 393 1196 499 Infant Care Centres Child Care Centres Kindergardens Ideal for children who require adult supervision outside regular school hours 3 year education structure with half day & full day options 3-4 hours a day located in void decks, bungalows, workplaces etc. located in void decks, bungalows, mosques, churches etc may be private, non-profit or government funded may be private, non-profit or government funded varying programs varying programs varying fees varying fees Government subsidy of S$150/S$300 for working mothers No government subsidy for working mothers Financial Assistance for low income families available Financial Assistance for low income families available Playgroups Follows a less formal curriculum provides opportunity to learn and socialise through structured and unstructured play up to 3 hours a day private varying programs varying fees E 7 MAIN CURRICULUM APPROACHES :: (Teaching methodologies) Montessori Waldorf Steiner Play-Based Regio Emilia High Scope Method Theory of Multiple Intelligences Whole Brain Learning S TOP 15 MOST PREMIUM PRE-SCHOOL BRANDS (Ranking not in order - selection based on price point/branding/centre's facilities) Odyssey Pat's School House Lorna Whiston Shaws KiddiWinkie ChildFirst EtonHouse Little FootPrints Brighton Montessori Alphabet Pibos MindChamps Little Village Mulberry Learning Vision 292 904 Child Care Centres charged more than S$1200 per month Child Care Centres priced below S$1200 per month TOP PRE-SCHOOL GROUPS (With More Than 10 Branches Islandwide) Child Care & Kindergarten PAP Community Foundation NTUC First Campus 361 Busybees 136 45 G8 Education 24 Nurture Education Group 15 Metropolitan YMCA 30 21 12 Global EduHub Star Learners Agape Little Uni 28 20 11 Modern Montessori International Mindchamps Sweetlands Childcare 27 Carpe Diem group 19 Sunflower Childcare Group 11 YWCA 25 Kinderland Consortium Skool4Kidz 15 10 MOE Kindergarden Safari House Playgroups 舟 科科 件 Star tots Apple Tree Smiling Star Little Learners 105 55 12 a GUIDE QUESTIONS WHEN LOOKING FOR A PRE-SCHOOL: Selecting a pre-school for your child can be both exciting and overwhelming. As a parent, you want to make sure that you pick the right fit, but how exactly do you make the best choice? Here are some specific questions you might want to ask. 2$ WHAT IS THE TEACHER STUDENT RATIO? any assistant teacher? maximum dass size? WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE? Can you give examples of leaming activities done in dass? WHAT IS THE FEE STRUCTURE? HOW LONG HAS THE SCHOOL BEEN OPERATING? What curriculum do you follow? How long have the teachers been with the school? DO YOU PROVIDE PARENTS WITH PROGRESS REPORTS / UPDATES? how often do you hold parent-teacher conferences? WHAT'S THE MEAL PLAN? Do you update it regularly? Do you own a kitchen? ANY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, FIELD TRIPS OR EXCURSIONS? How often? NOT TOILET TRAINED is this ok? Do you potty train children? WHAT'S YOUR POLICY ON RUNNY NOSE, COUGH OR OTHER SICKNESS? DO YOU OFFER ENRICHMENT CLASSES? What types? How much are the fees? HOW DO YOU DISCOVER A CHILD'S SPECIAL INTEREST OR TALENT? WHAT VALUES DO YOU INSTILL IN THE CHILDREN? What is your policy on biting, scratching and hitting? Infographic By : skOOlopedia Source: ECDA Child Care Link, LIEN Foundation and Internet powered by Piktochart -I make information beautiful 50