1. Preschool landscape

Singaporeans are spoiled for choice when it comes to Preschool education, with approximately 2,800 Preschool options, from full-day infant and child care centres to kindergartens.

The Preschool Education Landscape Infographic above is designed to provide a landscape perspective of Singapore Early Childhood Education which encompasses the following:

• the difference between child care centres, kindergartens and MOE K.
• number of infant care centres, child care centres, kindergartens and MOE K.
• the statistical view of Singapore Preschool operators and education groups
• top questions asked by parents when considering Preschool options in Singapore

2. The number of Preschools in Singapore

Year	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Total no. of infant care centres	578	629	661	702	748	805
Total no. of child care centres	1,479	1,532	1,542	1,578	1,607	1,665
Total Kindergartens	412	404	401	401	373	344

3. The number of preschool enrollments in Singapore

Year	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Total enrolment [infant care]	5,364	6,292	7,365	8,935	9,931	10,485
Total enrolment [Child care]	118,296	124,549	130,062	138,966	145,999	152,634
Total enrolment [Kindergarten]	55,074	51,906	44,482	38,311	31,989	23,859

4. The average preschool fees in Singapore in 2023

Year	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Average full day fees (Infant Care)	$1,516	$1,442	$1,457	$1,451	$1,472	$1,472
Average full day fees (Child Care)	$1,062	$1,013	$1,025	$1,017	$1,037	$1,045
Average fees (Kindergarten)	$200	$190	$200	$200	$160	$160

5. Different Types of Preschool Programmes In Singapore

Once you’ve decided to send your child to a preschool, a world of choice opens up to you! Singapore is home to a huge diversity of childcare centres, playgroups and kindergartens that suit a wide range of parent and child needs. 

Quality preschool will offer your child a stimulating, nurturing environment which should help prepare them for school and to reach his or her full potential.

Infant care
By and large, infant care services cater for infants from 2 months to 18 months. One of the things that new parents tend to stress over, is finding a trustworthy infant care centre for their precious bundle of joy.

Childcare
Though there are distinctions between them in other countries, childcare centres and preschools are pretty much the same thing in Singapore. They take in children from the ages of 18 months to 6 years, their programmes are longer than kindergartens’, the curriculum is usually split between work and play, and they often provide full meals and baths as well. Therefore, childcare is a great option for parents with full-time jobs and who have no guardian or babysitter during the day.

Kindergarten
Kindergartens, on the other hand, offer shorter, structured curricula of about 3-4 hours per day. Depending on the program of each kindergarten, kindergarten takes in children from playgroup (18 months old) to kindergarten level (6 years old). Programmes are generally academia-focused, with the end goal of preparing children for the rigours of formal education.

6. Childcare Operators Scheme/ Certifications

Once you’ve decided to send your child to a preschool, a world of choice opens up to you! Singapore is home to a huge diversity of childcare centres, playgroups and kindergartens that suit a wide range of parent and child needs.

Quality preschool will offer your child a stimulating, nurturing environment which should help prepare them for school and to reach his or her full potential.

Anchor Operators (AOP)

​The Anchor Operator (AOP) scheme provides funding support to selected preschool operators to increase access to good quality and affordable early childhood care and education, especially for children from lower income or disadvantaged backgrounds. The scheme started in 2009 and was further enhanced in 2014. Operators will receive funding to:

1. Keep to a monthly fee cap of $680, $1,235 and $150 (excluding GST) for full-day child care, full-day infant care and kindergarten respectively, and ensure any fee increases are kept affordable for parents.
   
2. Invest in improving the quality of early childhood care and education.
   
3. Support continuing professional development and career progression opportunities for EC professionals.

According to ECDA, there are five childcare chains who receive government subsidies and offer discounted rates for children attending their child care and infant care programmes.

• PCF Sparkletots Preschool led by PAP Community Foundation
  
• My First Skool led by NTUC First Campus
  
• My World Preschool led by Metropolitan YMCA
  
• Skool4kidz led by Kinderland Educare Services Private Limited
  
• E-bridge Preschool by Etonhouse International

Partner Operators (POP)

​ECDA has appointed 323 childcare centres to the new term of this POP scheme (2021-2025). For the new term of the POP scheme (2021-2025), operators will receive funding to:

1. Keep to a monthly fee cap of $720 and $1,290 (excluding GST) for full-day child care and infant care programme respectively for Singapore Citizen (SC) children, and ensure any fee increases are kept affordable for parents.
2. Invest in improving quality through the Singapore Pre-school Accreditation Framework(SPARK), and ​in strengthening organisational capabilities.
3. Support continuing professional development opportunities for centre leaders and preschool educators.

SPARKS

The Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework (SPARK) is a voluntary quality assurance framework introduced to raise the quality of preschools in Singapore.
Preschools with continued efforts in providing quality preschool education can undergo a rigorous assessment conducted by ECDA to attain a SPARK certification. With a SPARK certification, parents can have greater assurance of the quality of the preschool that they enrol their child in.

(Source: ECDA)

7. Best and most popular preschool/ childcare in Singapore

Based on our research, here are the best and most popular preschool/ childcare centres in Singapore. Please click on the link to contact and arrange a school tour with the respective schools.

My First Skool

For more than 40 years, My First Skool has been a leader in early childhood care and education. As the pre-school arm of NTUC (National Trades Union Congress) First Campus Co-operative, My First Skool has grown into one of Singapore’s most respected early childhood organisations since we opened our doors in 1977. Contact My First Skool and read review about My First Skool here.

PCF Sparkletots

Every child can shine at Sparkletots! Gift your little ones with a holistic, educational programme that cultivates lifelong learning skills, builds resilience and prepares them for the future. Contact and arrange PCF Sparkletots school tour and find the nearest childcare near you here.

MapleBear Preschool

Best known for its immersive bilingual learning experience, at MapleBear Preschool your children will be exposed to the best of both Canadian and Singaporean bilingual education. Find out more about Maplebear here. MapleBear offers both infant care and childcare services.

My World

MY World Preschool has a proven track record of nurturing preschool children since 1980. MY World Preschool brings quality child care and preschool education within the reach of today’s families, with a strong emphasis on character development and values. Contact My World and read its review here and find the nearest preschool/ childcare centre near you.

Mindchamps Preschool

MindChamps PreSchool is Singapore’s leading pre-school that offers academic and enrichment programmes for children from 18 months to 6 years old, in the playgroup, nursery and kindergarten levels. The bilingual curriculum nurtures all aspects of your preschooler, facilitating the transition from pre-school to primary school. The curriculum is specially designed for various activities that prepare children for the change in teaching styles, relationships, environment and routine when they enter Primary School. Contact Mindchamps Preschool here.

Sunflower Preschool

With over 30 centres, Sunflower Preschool offer half-day programme and full-day programme. Contact Sunflower preschool here.

CarpeDiem

Immerse your child in a positive environment, where they learn to embrace life with zest and enthusiasm. Our Multiple Intelligence-based learning curriculum helps uncover and develop potentials, nurturing your little ones into little legends.

CarpeDiem preschool strives to be partners with families and teachers equally passionate in shaping young minds. The Carpe Diem family comprises a team of committed educators who mold little ones into 21st century learners, equipping them with essential life skills. Find out more about CarpeDiem here.

Small Wonder

Small Wonder preschool engages the best educators with years of valuable experience under their belt, and only those with a love for children and a passion to engage each child both cognitively and emotionally. Our dedicated educators are empowered to develop learning opportunities complementing the children’s curiosity, developing in them the skills to discover and create knowledge independently. Find out more about Small Wonder here.

The Little Skool house

At Little Skool-House, bilingual programme remains unrivaled by other immersion preschools in Singapore. Their teachers undergo rigorous training to master teaching in English and Mandarin, and your child is immersed in each language separately so that the correct foundation is built in kindergarten, promising readiness for primary school in Singapore. Contact the Little Skool house here.

Kidz Meadow Childcare

True to Kidz Meadow’s tagline “where fun and creative learning begins”, Kidz Meadow Childcare believes that learning through creative play and discovery will develop language, cognitive and social skills in children, in preparation for lifelong learning.

Kidz Meadow Childcare niche programme, Nature Magnified, gives opportunities for the children to interact and have a deep connection with diverse natural elements, and this will aid to unlock the children’s fullest potential. Find out more about Kidz Meadow childcare here.

Please also take a look at our list of preschools that have been awarded the Skoolopedia Parents’ Choice Awards.

8. Top Questions Asked When Looking at Preschools In Singapore

Selecting a Preschool that is a good fit for your child can be exciting as well as overwhelming. As a parent, you want to be confident that you chose the best fit for your child, but how do you make the best choice? Here are some specific questions that parents would usually ask during a school tour.

 

• What is the teacher student ratio? Any assistant teacher? What is the maximum class size?
• What are the operating hours?
• What is a typical day like?
• What is the fee structure?
• How do you give progress report/updates to parents?
• How frequent is the parent teacher meet up?
• How long has the school been established?
• How long has the class teacher been with the school?
• What is the policy on running nose, cough?
• What is the policy on biting/scratching/hitting?
• Is it academic structured or play structured?What play structure is it based on?
• What type of enrichment classes are offered?
• Any outdoor activities/excursions? How often?
• What values do you instill in the children?
• How do you discover the special interest and talent of the child?
• What is the meal plan like? Are meals and snacks provided?
• Is potty training required?

Source of information:

ECDA, Google

Please check out our other infographics here.