Choosing quality preschool education for your child is a crucial decision that sets the foundation for their future learning and development. Given the extensive array of preschool options in Singapore, this undertaking can be overwhelming for parents, especially first-time ones. This article delves into the different types of preschool options available and factors for parents to consider when choosing between them.

But first – What are anchor operators and partner operators? The Early Childhood Development Agency’s (ECDA) Anchor Operator and Partner Operator Schemes¹ are government initiatives that provide funding support to operators to ensure that quality preschool education remains accessible.

Operators under both schemes have to meet strict quality requirements to obtain funding support which allows anchor operators like My First Skool and partner operators like Little Skool-House to cap fees to keep preschool education accessible and affordable for all.

Anchor Operators are provided funding support to 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.

Over 60 per cent of preschoolers are enrolled in preschools run by anchor operators, partner operators or MOE Kindergarten.

While anchor and partner operators offer affordable and quality preschool education, private preschools are also an option favoured by some parents. Private preschools often come with a higher price tag, with fees reaching up to $3,000 per month, but they may offer unique advantages such as specialised curricula, smaller class sizes, and advanced facilities. Additionally, private preschools may offer niche programmes or educational philosophies that cater to specific learning styles or interests.

The question on your mind probably then is, is every (pre)school a good school? Partly due to increased government funding and regulatory enhancements in the sector, anchor and partner operators indeed do deliver comparable value to private preschool operators.

Ultimately, the choice between anchor and partner operators and private preschools depends on the individual needs and preferences of the child and family.

Proximity to a preschool might just be the most important consideration for parents as they have to engage in daily drop-offs and pickups. Convenience becomes a key factor in ensuring a smooth and efficient routine.

As of March 2023, there are about 600* centres run by the five AOPs islandwide, ensuring the availability of a preschool in every neighbourhood.

When choosing a preschool, parents should carefully consider the curriculum as it plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s early learning experiences. Different preschools may follow distinct educational systems such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, or the IB Primary Years Programme, while others may opt for a more skills-based curriculum. It’s essential for parents to assess which philosophy aligns best with their child’s learning style and developmental needs.

My First Skool, also an ECDA-accredited preschool, adopts a Relationships-Based Approach. It is a comprehensive curriculum that places a strong emphasis on fostering meaningful connections among children, educators, and the community to develop crucial relational skills like empathy and respect.

On the other hand, Little Skool-House adopts a Literacy-Based Approach for four to six-year-olds, honing children’s proficiency in both English and Mandarin by integrating drama pedagogy into its curriculum to enhance creativity, self-expression, and confidence in young learners.

Understanding and addressing a child’s special needs is a critical consideration when choosing a preschool. Parents should reflect on whether their child requires additional personal attention or has unique learning abilities that may benefit from early intervention. By exploring government initiatives available for differently-abled students, such as specialised schools and early intervention programmes, parents can make informed choices that cater to their child’s specific needs, ensuring a supportive and inclusive educational environment.

NTUC First Campus’s pioneer Development Support Specialist programme is an in-classroom programme being piloted at several My First Skool centres. It addresses the increasing cases of developmental delays in children, offering essential support and resources to enable teachers to seamlessly integrate children requiring medium levels of developmental assistance into their classrooms.

Parents often consider class size when selecting a preschool for their child. Smaller class sizes typically allow for more individualised attention, fostering a learning environment where teachers can better understand each child’s unique needs and abilities, whereas ECDA mandates a 1:20 ratio for kindergarten 1, and 1:25* for kindergarten 2 classes for all preschools.

Every child is unique, with individual strengths, learning styles, and needs. Singapore’s diverse preschool education landscape is just as diverse, with anchor operators, partner operators and private preschools offering unique strengths. By assessing the distinctive offerings of each operator, parents can make informed choices to ensure that their selected preschool aligns with the specific needs of their child.

To explore available preschool options for your child, discover more about NTUC First Campus’s preschools here.

*All figures provided in this article are accurate as of 5 March 2024. Please refer to ECDA’s website for updated information.

1. Choosing a Preschool for your Child. ECDA ↩︎