Learn All About Finding the Best Kindergarten in Singapore

Posted by Aaronwatson on June 9th, 2021

Kindergartens although not mandatory are encouraged in Singapore by the Management of Education. It comprises 3 years which begins with Nursery, K1 and K2. It builds the foundation for further education.

Importance of Kindergartens

Helping children to grow in their skills, abilities, interests at an earlier age is of utmost importance. Children are trained in social skills such as making friends, communication, reading, written and oral activities, games, music, languages etc. A passion for learning is encouraged through fun and engaging activities. Kindergartens provide the space for children to express their feelings, speak to a friend; here is where the value of sharing is imparted in a disciplined atmosphere.

Kindergartens in Singapore

Kindergartens in Singapore teach English and their mother tongue, which are Mandarin, Malay or Tamil. Those that don’t teach Malay or Tamil replace it with Mandarin. They are run by private sectors, child care centres and international schools. There are more than 200 kindergartens in Singapore registered with the ECDA (Early Childhood Development Agency).

The PAP (People’s Action Party) community foundation runs more than 370 kindergartens in Singapore. It consists of 29 MOE (Ministry of Education) Kindergartens which should increase up to 50 by the year 2023. Underprivileged children living within the radius of 1 km of the MOE kindergartens are given preference to join these kindergartens.

While looking for a kindergarten in Singapore you should definitely consider - Global Indian International School, Stamford American International School and White Lodge International Preschool and Childcare. 

GIIS (Global Indian International School) located in East Coast and Punggol that includes a Smart Campus.  Birthed in the year 2002 it has successfully branched out globally. The Global Montessori Plus Program (GMP) is taught in these schools. It combines the Montessori and the Modern Preschool Approach. In the case of Children who begin class later than usual, the Bridge Program assists them to catch up with the current curriculum. It assists children of various nationalities under this program.  GIIS private school boasts of a faculty that is zealous, carefully selected and academically proficient in their subject. 

Stamford American International School (SAIS) offers pre nursery, nursery, kindergarten1 and Kindergarten2 which is known as the Early Learning Village. Positioned at Woodleigh Campus, SAIS has large open spaces and wooden structures. The school is well known for the safe environment provided to every child in the school campus. It is based on the USA Head Start Early Learning Outcome framework.  It also follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP) integrated with STEAMInn that is Science Technology Engineering Arts Maths and Innovation. Hands on teaching is emphasised and they use the GOLD assessment to examine the children’s growth and progress. 

The White Lodge International Preschool and Childcare has 10 centres in Singapore .The very first Preschool was established in Bukit Timah on 15th July 1999 with 3 students and 2 teachers.  It has successfully operated for the last 22 years and follows the PYP, UK, USA and Australian frameworks for their curriculum integrated with the theories of High Scope Reggio Emilia and Howard Gardener. Their main areas of focus are emotional and social development of the child.  Their vision is to be known as one of the most in motivating and fostering preschools in Singapore. The WLIP celebrates differences and accepts children of all nationalities and beliefs from all over the world. The 4 R’s are the highlights of the school which is Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and Real World understanding.

The huge transition from the comfort and security of a home to the school needs a place which will allow the child to feel safe and accepted. Kindergarten is the initial place where the child learns lifelong skills and it has a large influence on the talents and intellect of the future of the child.