Finding the right preschool in Singapore can feel overwhelming, with so many options available. Whether you're simply looking for a preschool near you, or searching for the best preschools in Singapore and exploring different teaching approaches, it's important to consider factors like location, curriculum, and the learning environment.

Use our guide to find a preschool in Singapore that suits your child’s needs. We hope it makes the decision process a little easier!

How to search for preschools in Singapore?

Whether your child is a Singapore citizen, permanent resident, or foreigner in Singapore, you can use the LifeSG search tool to shortlist preschools by location, preschool level, and your intended month of enrolment. If you already have a preschool in mind, you can also search by centre name.

Why use the LifeSG search tool? This way, you can be assured that the listed preschools are licensed by Singapore’s Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).

In the search results, you will be able to view preschools and their addresses, the monthly fee range, as well as whether there are available vacancies. If needed, you can also filter the results by:

• Fee range
• Vacancies (available or limited spaces)
• School hours (including full day, half day, and flexi care)
• Mother tongue language
• Food served (including halal and vegetarian)
• Whether school transport is available

Not sure where to start? Currently, these are the most searched for preschools in Singapore:

• Kinderland Preschool
• Odyssey Preschool
• Little Footprints Preschool
• E-Bridge Pre-School
• M.Y World Preschool
• Small Wonder Preschool
• Carpe Diem Preschool
• EtonHouse Preschool
• Superland Preschool

You can visit the websites of these preschools, and see if there are Open House events that you can join. Or contact the preschool directly to schedule a private visit.

What to look out for during the preschool visit?

What makes a good preschool learning environment? Focus on the following when you visit a preschool in Singapore:

• Uncluttered spaces: According to research, heavily decorated classrooms can be distracting for children, which disrupts their attention and learning. You don’t need to look for blank walls or a minimalist aesthetic, but do consider how the decor of the classroom might contribute to learning.
• Natural light: Studies have suggested that more exposure to natural light can boost academic performance and mental health. When you visit preschool classrooms, look for large windows, as well as proper shading — when light is too direct or glaring, it can impede learning.
• Greenery: At least one study has found that students with higher exposure to greenery displayed better performance in English and Math. To let your child reap the benefits of nature, look for a preschool situated in or near a green space. For maximum exposure, check that your child’s classroom offers a green view from the windows, or, at the very least, a view of leafy indoor plants.
• Temperature: Some parents prefer to avoid air-conditioned learning environments for their children, because contaminated AC units could aggravate the conditions of those suffering from asthma or allergies. For those who are not adversely affected by AC exposure, the recommended temperature for indoor spaces in Singapore is 25 deg C. However, the best person to ask would be your child. If they feel too warm or too cold, they won’t be able to focus on learning.
• Class size: Is a small class always better? Parents might hope for their children to enjoy more personal attention, but this comes at a price and the benefits may not justify the cost. Currently, Singapore’s child-staff ratio for Kindergarten 1 is capped at 20 children to 1 teacher, or 25 children to 2 staff. The child-staff ratio for Kindergarten 2 is capped at 25 children to 1 teacher, or 30 children to 2 staff. (Get a list of child-staff ratios for preschools in Singapore.) If your child does not have learning challenges or social issues, you can just make sure that class sizes will stay within the recommended ratios.

Which preschool curriculum is the best for my child?

If you are most concerned about primary school readiness, as well as securing a space in a local primary school, you should look at preschools that fall under the Ministry of Education’s purview, known as MOE Kindergartens. These kindergartens are linked to Early Year Centres, which take in children from two months to four years old. Under this partnership, eligible children are guaranteed a place in an MOE Kindergarten from ages five to six.

But here’s the biggest draw for parents: MOE Kindergartens share premises with primary schools, and there is priority admission when it comes time to register for Primary 1.

For MOE Kindergartens, the curriculum is defined in the Nurturing Early Learners framework, and these are the learning outcomes:

English Language

• Listen for enjoyment and information
• Speak with confidence to convey meaning
• Read with enjoyment and understanding
• Use symbols, letter-like shapes, letters, and words to communicate ideas and information

Mother Tongue Language (MTL)

• Show interest in learning the MTL
• Develop foundational language and literacy skills in the MTL
• Develop awareness of local culture

Numeracy

• Enjoy learning and using numeracy concepts and skills in daily life
• Understand relationships and patterns
• Develop counting skills and number sense
• Understand basic shapes and spatial concepts

You can use the above outcomes as a guideline when you visit other preschools, including private preschools. For other types of preschools in Singapore, it’s better that you read their websites and schedule a visit, in order to understand their curriculum and outcomes. These preschools may adopt one or more of the following approaches:

• Montessori: Child-led learning with hands-on activities
• Reggio Emilia: Project-based learning emphasising creativity and collaboration
• Waldorf Steiner: Holistic development through imagination and nature
• Multiple Intelligences: Activities tailored to diverse cognitive strengths
• Play-based learning: Learning through structured and free play
• Inquiry-based learning: Exploration driven by curiosity and questioning
• Mandarin-focused/Chinese immersion: Language proficiency through bilingual education

Alternatively, you could shortlist preschools by researching these approaches, identifying what suits your child best, and finding schools that use them in their curriculum.

What are some preschools that I can check out?

These preschools offer distinct approaches, from holistic development to language and tech integration:

1. Kinderland Academy & Preschools

Kinderland Academy & Preschools is a pioneer in Singapore’s early childhood education scene, best known for its music-infused curriculum designed to support brain development and nurture well-rounded children. 

At the heart of its curriculum is the K.I.N.D.E.R. framework — six multidisciplinary “lands” that align with the Ministry of Education’s Nurturing Early Learners framework. This comprises Kineticland (motor skills and physical development), Intelliland (language and literacy through multi-sensory learning), Natureland (curiosity and discovery through nature), Digiland (numeracy and logical thinking, including coding), EQland (social-emotional development and character building), and cReativeland (creative expression through music and the arts). 

Through this approach, Kinderland nurtures curiosity, empathy, creativity, confidence, and communication from the very start.

2. ChildFirst Pre-school

ChildFirst Pre-school has a “trilingual” curriculum in English, Chinese, and coding.

The school aims to build proficiency in both English and Mandarin, to give children a competitive edge in the global economy. In addition, they offer a coding programme to equip students with the ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and approach challenges with a logical mindset. These skills are not only essential for future careers in technology, but are also increasingly valuable across industries where AI and digitalisation play pivotal roles.

3. Cambridge Pre-school

Cambridge Pre-school offers a holistic curriculum to develop the following skills:

• Self-help skills: The programme empowers children to develop practical skills for daily tasks. By nurturing independence, children gain confidence, self-reliance, and a sense of agency.
• Academic skills: Cambridge Pre-school goes beyond basic literacy by integrating AI to personalise learning.
• People skills: The curriculum focuses on helping children to develop their executive functions, cognitive flexibility, and character.
• Future skills: The school focuses on innovation, problem-solving, and critical thinking through iSTEAM — an educational approach that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths concepts.

Want to chat with other parents in Singapore about preschools? Join the conversation on the KiasuParents forum!

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