Comprehensive Guide to preschools in Singapore
Having children makes parents proud. While this is a great milestone that most people want to achieve, you need to have an elaborate plan for your kid’s future. Children grow fast, and before you know it, you’ll need to enrol them in a preschool if you want them to have a strong educational foundation and vital life skills. Unfortunately, selecting the right Singapore preschools isn’t a walk in the park. There are several such schools, ranging from nurseries and infant care, that can send any parent into a bit of a spin. Read this guide if you’re looking for an institution that will satisfy your kid’s curiosity and isn’t boring to attend. It has done the legwork and will tell you how to identify such an institution.
Important Factors to Consider When Selecting a Preschool in Singapore
Not every preschool may be the right one for your kid. Every child has different individual needs that should be considered when selecting an institution. Here are some factors that will help you land the right preschool in Singapore:
Location
The school you select for your child should be easily accessible. If possible, it should have a bus that picks kids up or should be within an area with transportation routes to drive your kids quickly to school. It wouldn’t be a great idea to send your child to the other side of the island because they may encounter several challenges while traveling. It may also not be easy to pick them up from Monday through Friday.
Nutrition
Kids form their food preferences when they’re young. The school you enrol your kid in should serve tasty and healthy meals. The learners should enjoy eating them, whether vegetables, fruits, or even meat. Moreover, they should be prepared well. The caterers delivering the meals or the in-house cooks preparing them should be qualified, know how to balance the food’s nutritional value and cook in a clean environment. They shouldn’t use much sugar, salt, and other seasonings.
The school you select should also have an HMPP accreditation. This board ensures that every preschool offers healthy meals to learners and encourages institutions to teach their students how to select healthy foods. If your child is allergic to some types of diets or has a medical condition that requires them to eat a separate meal, the school should be able to accommodate them.
Hygiene
The school your kid is attending should be clean and hygienic. Because your child will be spending a large part of their day in these institutions, they should have a clean and safe environment that promotes growth and learning. The toys, furniture, equipment, and other things that learners use should be designed with the kid’s safety in mind. Additionally, the school should employ cleaners and other staff that help maintain the institution’s cleanliness.
Types of Preschools
The education ministry in Singapore has outlined that kids should start their first grade when they turn six. So, the preschools should cater to kids between the ages of three to six. The following are some types of preschools you’ll find in Singapore:
Montessori
Montessori preschools are based on the philosophy of Maria Montessori. She was a physician from Italy who lived from 1870–to 1952. She believed in letting kids learn through hands-on exploration, curiosity, and motivation. She thought that every child is unique and has different developmental needs. Montessori schools use materials like sand and water tables, sensory bins, and puzzles to engage kids in hands-on activities. They also use a multi-sensory approach to teaching. Kids are exposed to language through visual, tactile, or auditory ways. Another important aspect of Montessori schools is a non-didactic approach to teaching. Kids are expected to be independent learners and problem solvers.
Montessori schools are also designed to meet the developmental needs of young children. They aim to cultivate a love of learning, responsibility, and compassion for others in kids.
Reggio Emilia
The Reggio Emilia system uses a philosophy that promotes children’s social and emotional development from birth to about age 6. The curriculum is based on the idea that children are natural scientists and artists, and it’s up to the adults in their lives to provide the right settings to spark their curiosity and let them learn through hands-on exploration.
These schools also offer learners the opportunities to explore their environments and understand their world. Through play, they are encouraged to actively construct their understanding of the world rather than passively receiving information. Children are treated as individuals with their own unique personalities, interests, and developmental needs and are encouraged in their journey of discovery by asking open-ended questions rather than offering answers.
Waldorf
These schools use the approach of teaching kids through a predictable schedule that focuses on acting, singing, and creativity. In Singapore, Waldorf schools offer programs for learners aged 18 months till grade school. They also educate parents on how to train their kids and develop their potential.
Wrapping Up
Most Singaporeans highly value education, so 97% of its adults are literate. The school you enroll your child in should formulate their thoughts, opinions, creativity, and ideas at a tender age.
That said if you want your child to become a successful person in life, check out this infant care in Singapore.
