Update: Get our latest insights in our P1 registration section!

Is your child registering for Primary 1 this year?

All the information that you need is available on the Ministry of Education (MOE) website. Here’s where to get started:

• Check if your child is required by law to register, according to their birth date
• Read about exemptions, if you would like to homeschool, or if your child has special challenges
• If you are registering your child, keep track of key registration phases and dates

We do know that getting ready to enter primary school is a big moment for Singaporean children, as well as their parents. Many parents worry about picking the “right” school, wondering how it might affect their child’s future.

If this sounds familiar, please join us for the KiasuParents Huddle webinar on 25 June 2025, where we’ll unpack what really matters when choosing a primary school. Entry is free, thanks to the generous support of our sponsor Jopez Academy!

What factors do Singaporean parents consider when choosing a primary school?

From our conversations with other parents in our community, as well as our own experience as parents, here’s what we think matters most:

• School reputation and history: Parents who are more achievement-oriented tend to choose schools known for academic rigour. Those who value character development may prefer schools with religious affiliations or a strong values-based tradition.
• Gifted Education Programme (GEP): Although the GEP is being revamped to expand high-ability offerings across all schools, some parents may still prefer traditional GEP schools with a long-standing reputation for nurturing gifted learners.
• Special Assistance Plan (SAP): Parents who value bilingualism — especially strong Chinese and English — often favour SAP schools, which promote Chinese language and culture more actively than regular schools.
• Co-curricular Activities (CCA): For children with clear interests or talents, parents may seek out schools known for excellence in specific areas such as sports, music, or robotics.
• Co-ed or single-sex: Some parents have strong preferences for co-ed or single-sex schools, based on their beliefs about learning environments and peer influence.
• Affiliation: Primary schools with affiliated secondary schools can ease PSLE pressure, as students can gain admission with a lower cut-off. However, some parents feel this advantage is unfair and prefer not to rely on affiliation.
• Special needs: While all schools have Special Educational Needs officers, some schools are better equipped to support specific conditions, such as hearing impairments or mobility challenges.
• Location: For some families, being near home is a top priority, especially if kids are commuting on their own. Others feel that Singapore is small and well-connected, and prefer to focus on a school’s programmes, values, or culture instead.

Are there other factors to consider?

In Singapore schools, there are three official Mother Tongue Languages: Chinese, Malay, and Tamil.

If your child is not taking Chinese as their Mother Tongue Language, you would want to look up the language offerings at your preferred schools, to make sure that Malay or Tamil is available. You can do this using the SchoolFinder tool.

Children who wish to learn a different Mother Tongue Language can refer to the MOE’s guidelines.

Another important consideration when choosing a primary school is access to quality student care, especially when both parents are working full-time. 

Student care facilities may be located within the school or at an external location. Why choose a school at an external location? Centres like PlayFACTO School offer structured after-school programmes that go beyond basic care. Students benefit from daily homework supervision, small-group enrichment such as coding and hands-on math, and activities that nurture social-emotional growth and resilience. Nutritious meals and opportunities to build life skills round out the day in a balanced, supportive setting.

With over 65 locations across the island, PlayFACTO is one example of how student care can complement the school day and give parents added peace of mind.

Which primary schools are getting the most search interest in 2025?

Below, we highlight over 30 primary schools that rank highly in local search trends. While search volume doesn't reveal the reasons behind each query, we’ve included key details to help you explore and compare the schools for yourself.

Want to chat with other parents about P1 registration? Join the conversation on the KiasuParents forum!