Thinking of sending your child to preschool? With so many schools offering different learning approaches, it can be overwhelming to figure out what’s best for your child. 

This guide covers the basics of preschool education in Singapore, including the types of preschools, how much they cost, and what children typically learn. Read on to discover where to find accurate information, and how to choose a suitable preschool for your child!

What does “preschool” mean in Singapore?

Locally, “preschool” is an umbrella term for schools that take in children below age 7. This includes infant care centres, child care centres, and kindergartens. 

The main difference between care centres and kindergartens is the duration of their programmes. Care centres provide full-day programmes, and they may have half-day or flexi-hour options. Kindergartens typically provide half-day programmes.

For the most accurate information on local preschools, refer to the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). This is Singapore’s regulatory authority for preschools — their website and guidebook are good starting points for parents who are unfamiliar with local preschool options.  

There are also 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. Another plus point is that MOE Kindergartens share premises with primary schools, and there is priority admission when it comes time to register for Primary 1.

Preschools that are managed by the ECDA and the MOE are known as government preschools. These schools receive government support and adhere closely to government guidelines, with the primary aim of providing quality preschool education at an affordable price.

There are also private preschools, which may be managed by individuals or private companies. Such schools have the flexibility to design their curriculum, which may be based on education philosophies that are internationally recognised, such as Montessori and Reggio Emilia. However, they are still required to comply with regulations set by the ECDA. 

Preschools that have met compliance requirements will be featured in the LifeSG search tool. You can search for your preferred preschool by name, to check if they offer daycare or kindergarten programmes, and whether there are vacancies.  

Is preschool compulsory in Singapore? 

It is not compulsory to enrol your child in any school before Primary 1. But in reality, most families in Singapore prefer an early school start for their children. This arrangement suits families where both parents are working, and many parents also hope to better prepare their children for Primary 1. According to recent figures, the local preschool enrolment rate is 88% for children aged three to four, and 95% for children aged five to six. 

For local children who skip preschool, it is usually due to financial constraints. Less common are cases where parents can afford it, but choose not to enrol their children in preschool. These might be stay-home parents who prefer to teach their children reading and writing skills at home, and provide socialisation opportunities through their personal networks, or by linking up with homeschooling communities.

If you decide to let your child skip preschool, do think about how they will adapt to Primary 1. An introverted child who is used to small-group interactions may feel lost in larger and potentially rowdier environments. In addition, if you are unable to provide learning opportunities for your child’s Mother Tongue Language, your child will have to pick up the language quickly once Primary 1 begins. 

Is it OK to skip preschool?

Will children be disadvantaged if they don’t attend preschool? The findings differ across studies.

Advocates for preschool education have cited a well-known UK study called the Effective Pre-School, Primary and Secondary Education project. It was carried out from 1997 to 2014, and more than 3,000 children were assessed at the point of starting preschool, as well as through their primary and secondary school years. These were the key findings:

• Children who had early childhood education gained higher English and mathematics GCSE results, and were more likely to have achieved five or more GCSEs at grades A to C.
• Children who had experienced high-quality preschool education were better at self-regulation and social behaviour, and less inclined to hyperactivity.
• Children who had experienced high-quality preschool settings were more likely to follow a post-16 academic path.

In contrast, other researchers have concluded that there is “no evidence that early-grade retention brings benefits to… reading and math learning toward the end of the elementary years.” Preschools that focus solely on academic skills have even been criticised for killing the joy of learning, leading to a loss of school enthusiasm and poorer performance as its students grew older.

Our advice to parents? Follow your instincts. If you have made the effort to choose a preschool for your child, trust that your child will benefit from their time there. But if you have decided that home is the right place for your child for now, embrace your decision. After all, a child who stays home will have ample time to play and pursue their interests. You will also have the freedom to sign your child up for interesting workshops and classes, giving them unique experiences that a preschool can’t provide.

How much does it cost to send my child to preschool in Singapore?

Preschool fees in Singapore can vary widely. For instance, a kindergarten programme in government-supported preschools might cost about S$160 a month, while monthly fees at private preschools can go up to S$3,000 a month.

For parents with budget constraints, there are two types of Singapore preschools to look out for: Anchor Operator (AOP) and Partner Operator (POP): 

• Anchor Operator preschools have a current fee cap of S$680, S$1,235 and S$150 (excluding GST) for full-day child care, full-day infant care, and kindergarten respectively
• Partner Operator preschools have a current fee cap of S$720 and S$1,290 (excluding GST) for full-day child care and infant care respectively 

You can view a list of Anchor Operator and Partner Operator preschools for consideration.

What do preschools in Singapore teach?

For MOE Kindergartens, the curriculum is defined in the Nurturing Early Learners framework. These are the academic learning outcomes:

English Language

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

Mother Tongue Language (MTL)

• Enjoy and show an interest in learning the MTL
• Develop foundational language and literacy skills in the MTL
• Develop an awareness of their local ethnic culture

Numeracy

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

For other types of preschools, you will have to read their websites or schedule a visit to get a better sense of their curriculum and outcomes. Many preschools in Singapore adopt one or more of these 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

To shortlist preschools, research these approaches, identify what suits your child best, and find schools that use them in their curriculum.

Where can I search for preschools in Singapore?

To find a suitable preschool for your child, use the LifeSG search tool. This lets you search for preschools by location, preschool level, and month of enrolment. From the search results, you can see if there are vacancies.

For parents who are planning ahead, you can also view a list of new preschools that will be opening in 2025.

Want to chat with other parents about child care centres or kindergartens? Join the conversation on the KiasuParents forum!