Top 5 Things to Know About Preschool Education in Singapore
Top 5 Things to Know About Preschool Education in Singapore
Students of Mulberry Learning during a class.
We all want the best for our dearest little ones, and that includes providing our children with the best education possible. Whilst the various education pathways in Singapore are pretty straightforward from primary school onwards, it becomes a tad complicated when we look into preschool education. Given that preschool education is technically not mandatory for all children, it is slightly more complex navigating the landscape of preschool education in Singapore.
If you are racking your brains trying to decide on the best option for your child, fret not. Here are the top five things you absolutely need to know about preschool education in Singapore!
If you are racking your brains trying to decide on the best option for your child, fret not. Here are the top five things you absolutely need to know about preschool education in Singapore!
1. Preschool education is not compulsory in Singapore, but…
Unlike some countries such as Cyprus, Czech Republic, and Greece, preschool education is not compulsory in Singapore. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean parents should not invest in quality preschool programmes for their preschool children.
In fact, it is essential to ensure that preschoolers are exposed to quality preschool programmes. Research has shown that students who attend preschool programmes are more prepared for school and displayed clear positive effects on children’s early literacy and mathematics skills.
Quality and holistic preschool programmes are important due to the bevy of benefits children will gain. For instance, it will boost pre-literacy skills and develop foundational knowledge in mathematics. This is not limited to merely the teaching of knowledge. At Mulberry Learning, we pride ourselves on providing a holistic education that teaches knowledge and nurtures core skills and intelligent thinking habits and dispositions.
Given the fast-paced nature of Singapore’s education system, it is crucial to ensure children are well-prepared for primary school education and beyond; and quality preschool programmes such as those provided by Mulberry Learning are pivotal towards establishing the foundation for success.
In fact, it is essential to ensure that preschoolers are exposed to quality preschool programmes. Research has shown that students who attend preschool programmes are more prepared for school and displayed clear positive effects on children’s early literacy and mathematics skills.
Quality and holistic preschool programmes are important due to the bevy of benefits children will gain. For instance, it will boost pre-literacy skills and develop foundational knowledge in mathematics. This is not limited to merely the teaching of knowledge. At Mulberry Learning, we pride ourselves on providing a holistic education that teaches knowledge and nurtures core skills and intelligent thinking habits and dispositions.
Given the fast-paced nature of Singapore’s education system, it is crucial to ensure children are well-prepared for primary school education and beyond; and quality preschool programmes such as those provided by Mulberry Learning are pivotal towards establishing the foundation for success.
2. You’ll be spoilt for choice
There are various operators and options available for preschool education in Singapore, and understanding the various options available is necessary towards deciding on which type of operator is best for you and your child.
There are:
1. MOE Kindergartens
2. Anchor Operators and Partner Operators
3. Private Preschools
There are:
1. MOE Kindergartens
2. Anchor Operators and Partner Operators
3. Private Preschools
Students of MOE Kindergarten at North Vista. PHOTO: CHANNEL NEWS ASIA
MOE Kindergartens
To date, there are currently 43 MOE Kindergartens across Singapore, with a total of 57 MOE Kindergartens set to be opened by 2025. This is a state-funded preschool, designed to provide affordable and quality preschool education to Singapore Citizens and Permanent. The fees are fairly affordable, where the monthly fee begins at SGD$160 for Singapore Citizens in 2022 and 2023, and SGD$320 for Singapore Permanent Residents for the same time period.
Anchor Operators and Partner Operators
Beyond state-funded kindergartens, the government also provides support to a cluster of operators. The Anchor Operator Scheme (AOP) started in 2009 to increase access to affordable early childhood learning centres, including in new housing areas. The Partner Operator (POP) scheme supports childcare operators to improve the quality and affordability of childcare at POP centres. Both schemes necessitate operators to cap their fees and to achieve quality criteria, such as attaining the Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework (SPARK) certification
As of 2022, there are five anchor operators. There are also 324 childcare centres under the new term of the POP scheme (2021-2025), run by 29 operators.
As of 2022, there are five anchor operators. There are also 324 childcare centres under the new term of the POP scheme (2021-2025), run by 29 operators.
Private Preschools
Beyond state-funded options, there are numerous private preschools available. Childcare in Singapore is regulated by the Early Childhood Development Agency and they provide a full list of schools on their website.
While the fees for private preschools are understandably pricier than government subsidised options, private preschools do offer a diversity of education approaches and employ unique teaching methods. Mulberry Learning for instance is an award-winning preschool and is the only school in Singapore to be certified by The Institute for Habits of Mind from the United States of America. It is a premium preschool brand that offers a unique educational approach that you will be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.
Furthermore, parents who prefer smaller class sizes might choose private preschools instead. The ECDA staff-child ratio is at 1:25 for K2 students but some private childcare centres offer a staff-child ratio of 1:15. In fact, at Mulberry Learning, we offer a teacher to child ratio of 1:12 in the first year of Kindergarten because we believe that young children require greater attention and care!
While the fees for private preschools are understandably pricier than government subsidised options, private preschools do offer a diversity of education approaches and employ unique teaching methods. Mulberry Learning for instance is an award-winning preschool and is the only school in Singapore to be certified by The Institute for Habits of Mind from the United States of America. It is a premium preschool brand that offers a unique educational approach that you will be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.
Furthermore, parents who prefer smaller class sizes might choose private preschools instead. The ECDA staff-child ratio is at 1:25 for K2 students but some private childcare centres offer a staff-child ratio of 1:15. In fact, at Mulberry Learning, we offer a teacher to child ratio of 1:12 in the first year of Kindergarten because we believe that young children require greater attention and care!
3. There are subsidies available
For parents who are worried about the dollars and cents, you will be glad to know that there is an array of subsidies and support mechanisms available to support parents with young children. All parents with children who are Singapore Citizens are entitled to a Basic Subsidy for childcare. There is no income ceiling; the sole requirement is that the child be enrolled in an ECDA-licensed childcare centre. The Basic Subsidy is up to SGD$600 for infant care and up to SGD$300 for childcare if the mother is working, and up to $150 for non-working mothers.
If your family’s household income is SGD$12,000 or lower, or works out to be SGD$3,000 or less per person in your household, and the mother is working, you are also eligible for an Additional Childcare Subsidy. You can then receive a maximum of SGD$467 for childcare.
If your family’s household income is SGD$12,000 or lower, or works out to be SGD$3,000 or less per person in your household, and the mother is working, you are also eligible for an Additional Childcare Subsidy. You can then receive a maximum of SGD$467 for childcare.
Type of Subsidy
Basic Child Care Subsidy
Additional Child Care Subsidy
Requirements
Child must be enrolled in ECDA-licensed centre
Income ceiling
Per household: $12,000 or
Per person: $3,000 (larger families)
Income ceiling
Mothers (or single fathers) who work at least 56 hours per month
Per household: $12,000 or
Per person: $3,000 (larger families)
Income ceiling
Mothers (or single fathers) who work at least 56 hours per month
Types of Benefits
For working mothers
Infant Care: $600 / month
Child Care: $300 / month
For non-working mothers
Infant Care: $150 / month
Child Care: $150 / month
Infant Care: $600 / month
Child Care: $300 / month
For non-working mothers
Infant Care: $150 / month
Child Care: $150 / month
Infant Care: Up to $710 / month
Child Care: $467 / month
Child Care: $467 / month
Type of Subsidy
Requirements
Types of Benefits
Basic Child Care Subsidy
Child must be enrolled in ECDA-licensed centre
For working mothers
Infant Care: $600 / month
Child Care: $300 / month
For non-working mothers
Infant Care: $150 / month
Child Care: $150 / month
Infant Care: $600 / month
Child Care: $300 / month
For non-working mothers
Infant Care: $150 / month
Child Care: $150 / month
Additional Child Care Subsidy
Income ceiling
Per household: $12,000 or
Per person: $3,000 (larger families)
Income ceiling
Mothers (or single fathers) who work at least 56 hours per month
Per household: $12,000 or
Per person: $3,000 (larger families)
Income ceiling
Mothers (or single fathers) who work at least 56 hours per month
Infant Care: Up to $710 / month
Child Care: $467 / month
Child Care: $467 / month
Moreover, there is financial assistance granted under the Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) and KiFAS Start Up Grant (SUG) for all children who are Singapore Citizens and who are enrolled in MOE or Anchor Operator kindergartens.
4. Various preschools offer different educational pedagogies
It is important to take note of the education pedagogies and curriculum of the preschool you choose. As mentioned above, there are numerous preschool options available, and they all follow different approaches. Some choose to follow a particular educational system, such as Reggio, Emilia, Montessori, or IB Primary Years Programme, while others are more inclined to blend various educational philosophies in their curriculum. Furthermore, certain schools are more focused on promoting bilingualism than others too, by offering Mother Tongue language programmes. For instance, at Mulberry Learning, we offer a unique blend of Reggio Emilia, Habits of Mind and structured and progressive pathways designed to help children develop intelligent thinking, creativity, and firm foundations in English, Chinese and Math, something that we know will be useful in their formal schooling years.
A student of Mulberry Learning during a Chinese immersion programme.
Ultimately, you know your child best. Do your research into the various educational pedagogies and decide which approach best fits your child’s personality and learning needs.
5. It’s also about equipping children with the right skills
Beyond imparting traditional knowledge such as numeracy and languages, preschools in Singapore also offer various enrichment programmes designed to mould children into individuals well-prepared for the world ahead.
Here at Mulberry Learning, we are extremely cognizant of our mission to equip our students with essential skills. This is why we offer S.T.E.A.M. based enrichment for our students, which is an educational discipline that engages children through Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. We offer various thrilling and fun enrichment activities, such as the Little Tinkerer programme that teaches children coding, and the Busy Baker programme that teaches children to appreciate and prepare food, whilst also exploring science and math concepts in cooking.
Here at Mulberry Learning, we are extremely cognizant of our mission to equip our students with essential skills. This is why we offer S.T.E.A.M. based enrichment for our students, which is an educational discipline that engages children through Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. We offer various thrilling and fun enrichment activities, such as the Little Tinkerer programme that teaches children coding, and the Busy Baker programme that teaches children to appreciate and prepare food, whilst also exploring science and math concepts in cooking.
Prepping your child for success
We love our children, and a part of loving them means ensuring that they are well-equipped for success and happiness in the future. Choosing and investing in a quality preschool is crucial towards making that happen, so do your due diligence and select the best school for your little one!
If you are looking for premium preschool education with an award-winning educational programme, contact Mulberry Learning today!
If you are looking for premium preschool education with an award-winning educational programme, contact Mulberry Learning today!
Mulberry Learning prides itself on making the preschool experience both memorable and enjoyable while transforming a child into a competent explorer, an imaginative thinker, and a creative problem solver. Through our proprietary award-winning curriculum, unique Habits of Mind programme and dedicated staff who are passionate about imparting positive attitudes, Mulberry Learning holds strong in its promise to deliver a holistic education that nurtures the Future Ready Child.
A PREMIUM PRESCHOOL BRAND UNDER GLOBAL EDUHUB