“Children are our most valuable resource”. Needless to say, pre-schools are an important source of learning skills (socially, academically, emotionally) for the young ones. There are a number of childcare centres springing up all across Singapore. Some centres pulled registrations close to a thousand – with parents of children aged between two months and six years contributing to these huge numbers.
So, why do we see this sudden surge in the number of childcare centres being set up? What purpose does it serve?
These centres are part of a hugely ambitious Government plan to offer childcare to as many kids as possible. The first few years of a child’s life are crucial when it comes to building strong neural connections. Moreover, experts have found that kids who are encouraged to explore and socialise at a very young age have the best chance of succeeding later in life.
The Government also announced that there will be a significant increase in the number of preschools by 2024. To make this initiative accessible to as many kids as possible, the Government has lowered the fees for those children who enrol in Government-supported preschools. In terms of stats, the Early Childhood Development Agency announced that these plans are sure to benefit over 100,000 children in singapore.
Having a wide variety of preschools to pick from is a blessing, but, at the same time, it can be extremely challenging to pick the right one for your child.
So, what kind of pointers do you need to make note of while selecting a preschool for your child?
Check the environment of the preschool
Your child’s environment has a big impact on the development phase of your children. So, it’s important to pick a facility that offers the right attention to your child at an early age. Visit as many centres as you can to choose the one that would be the best fit for your kid and your family as a whole. A good centre should be welcoming, safe and have values and beliefs that are ideally comparable to your own. Find out if they are using appropriate learning tools to provide children the necessary kind of stimulation, helping them develop their motor skills and senses. Most importantly, check if the centre is clean and hygienic.
Check if the preschool is accredited and licensed
Under the Child Care Centres Act (Cap 37A) and Regulations, the Ministry of Social and Family Development is responsible for granting licences to childcare centres throughout Singapore. These centres must also be registered with the appropriate Government body in order to operate legally. Also, think about how long the centre has been open. The longer the duration, the more trustworthy they can be.
Then, find out if the facility has passed the SPARK (Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework) evaluation. Always choose a SPARK accredited centre, since SPARK is a quality assurance framework that helps Singaporean pre-schools improve their standards and promote the overall development and well-being of young children.
Check out the available meal plans
Can the centre accommodate your baby’s dietary requirements? Find out how they prepare formula milk as your baby will only be able to thrive on milk for the first six months of their lives. Make sure the centre has the necessary equipment to cool and store the milk until feeding time if you plan to give your kid expressing milk.
Check the meal plans supplied to the infants and the resulting nutritional value of the food if your child is older than six months and already consuming solid meals.
Check out their location and pricing plans
It’s always beneficial if the preschool is close to your home or workplace and is easy to commute to. It’s not fun to have to rush out of the way every day to drop your child off while trying to go to work on time. The price offered by the preschool is another important factor to consider while making your final decision, so find out if you qualify for any subsidies. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), for instance, states that Singaporean children with working moms can receive a subsidy of up to $600 on monthly school fees, while non-working mothers receive $150.
Check out the school’s curriculum
Singaporean preschools need not follow a particular curriculum or pedagogy. Different preschools use different teaching methods. Most commonly, Singapore offers four different kinds of learning programs to choose from:
- Relationship-based: Aids in teaching children how to interact with adults, other kids, and the environment.
- Play-based: Children are more actively engaged in playing activities and sensory exploration.
- Montessori-based: Places an emphasis on the child’s individuality and freedom, laying the groundwork for self-reliant and self-driven individuals who have free-flowing ideas.
- Whole-brain learning: This program helps maximise every learning opportunity. In this way of learning, each and every child’s needs are satisfied, and the educator gives each child enough one-on-one time.
Check out reviews
Your child’s preschool choice should ideally be discussed with other parents or guardians before being finalised. Ask them about the preschool atmosphere, the meals the kids receive, the teaching and learning methods implemented and what they liked and disliked about it. Ask them if the school fosters learning in a fun and interactive way. You can decide if the preschool is a good fit for your child based on their open responses.
We hope you find this article useful in picking the right preschool for your children.
All the best! 🙂
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