Choosing an international kindergarten or preschool in Singapore

In Singapore childcare centres are designed to cater for the needs of working parents. They operate from 7am to 7pm and predominantly prepare children for local Singaporean schools. Kindergartens and preschools tend to operate for fewer hours and each school will target slightly different demands. There are a number of preschools in Singapore that primarily cater for children from the international community and they are normally classified as ‘Foreign System Schools’ and are regulated by the Ministry of Education.

In Singapore preschool education is not mandatory – although the vast majority of parents will send their children to a preschool. Parents’ need to decide when is the best time for their child to start. This is a very personal decision and depends on the circumstances and preferences of the parent. International kindergartens typically cater for children from 2 years upwards and usually allow for a gently introduction to school by offering half-day sessions for 2, 3 or 5 days a week. It is also common for children in age ranges 2 to 4 to start mid-way through a school year, or a term, and schools will be able to accommodate this.

Distances are not great in Singapore but nonetheless location is an important factor in making a decision about which kindergarten to use. Perhaps look in the first instance at preschools within 20 minutes’ drive of your home or alternatively close to your place of work if that is more convenient.

First impressions do count. If the preschool doesn’t have a well- designed and informative website, is not timely in providing information you request and does not give you a full visit to the school then you should question whether this is the right preschool for your child. The golden rule is to expect, and if necessary demand, transparency in all of your dealings with a school.

Classroom Teachers matter. When you visit the school it is entirely appropriate to ask about the experience of the classroom teachers, how long they have been with the kindergarten and what their previous experience has been. In some circumstances you may even want to arrange to have a quick chat with the classroom teacher most likely to teach your child.You should let the kindergarten know this request in advance of the visit as it might impact on your visit time.

You should expect your international kindergarten to be able to demonstrate that it has your children at the heart of their ethos. A fun, caring and secure environment combined with a well-developed curriculum will provide the ideal platform for the start of your child’s educational journey.

All things being equal parents would prefer a kindergarten that has been in business for a number of years and has shown it can consistently meet parental expectations. When you visit kindergartens it is a good idea to ask for information on the curriculum that is followed and to provide examples of a typical day at preschool.

Whilst it is not practical for a child to trial in a class another way to assess a school is to enrol in a playgroup that some of the international kindergartens offer. This will allow you to get a feel for the school, to see how your child settles and then assess when the best time to start is.

If you have children in preschool than it is natural to look to the existing school for their younger siblings when they are ready – especially if you have had a positive experience already.If you have children in Primary / Secondary school in Singapore then one factor to consider is how well the term structure and term dates coincide with that school. A perfect match is rarely possible but typically kindergartens that offer 3 terms a year are able to be more closely aligned to the international primary and secondary schools.

As in many walks of life, kindergartens are becoming increasingly professional in their reporting and communication on progress. International kindergartens use a range of tools that may include some or all of daily planners, weekly newsletters, photos of children, staff performance assessments, regular school reports as well as school notices.

Personal recommendations are very important as well as being able to see recommendation from existing and past parents (ideally on the website of the preschool). You may also ask the school to put you in touch with current parents so you can ask them for their experience.

Parents from the international community will typically want to send their children to a school that has other children from their home country yet at the same time offers a diversity of cultures and nationalities.

The key factor to consider in any facility is security and safety. Kindergartens in Singapore are required to be inspected and approved by the Civil Defence Force. Other factors that parents typically look for is a green outdoor space that is well integrated into the classroom setting. As Singapore has grown over the decades it has become harder and harder to find kindergartens with outdoor space.

It goes without saying that many people have budgetary constraints which will influence their choice of school. There are significant differences between individual international kindergartens.

Popular schools will often develop wait-lists and therefore it is a good idea to register early once you have decided on your school of choice. Registration fees are payable but you are not contractually committed to the school and could always choose to send your child to another school. If you do not register, and leave your decision later you may find that you cannot get  a place at your preferred kindergarten.

Last but not least is too trust your instincts and make a choice you are comfortable with. Every parent has their own likes, dislikes and personal circumstances to factor into the decision. Approaches to selecting the right preschool will also vary: some parents like to “boil the ocean” whilst others are happy to work from a strong recommendation from a trusted friend.

Whatever your approach, I wish you good luck in you search for the right kindergarten for your child.