Is it time for your child to enter preschool? Is there an official preschool enrolment age for children in Singapore?

There is no legal requirement in Singapore to send your child to preschool. But most children in Singapore enter preschool at age three or four, and almost all children in Singapore have entered preschool by ages five or six.

How will you know if your child is ready to enter preschool? Is there an ‘ideal’ age for starting preschool? What are the different preschool stages that children will go through? Get your answers below!

Is preschool compulsory in Singapore?

No, in Singapore, preschool is not compulsory, and children can enter Primary 1 without having attended preschool.

However, most families in Singapore prefer an early school start for their children. This arrangement works for 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.

You could be thinking of letting your child skip preschool due to financial constraints. If this is the case, do read about the subsidies and financial assistance options for preschool education, which your family might qualify for.

On the other hand, you may simply prefer to teach your child reading and writing skills at home, while letting them have more unstructured playtime before primary school begins. This is valid, but do also consider if your child might find it challenging to adjust to primary school. For instance, if your child is used to small-group interactions, they may feel uncomfortable in a large school environment.

In addition, if you are unable to provide learning opportunities for your child’s Mother Tongue Language (MTL), it may be hard for your child to pick up the language once Primary 1 begins. To ease the transition, some parents join existing MTL playgroups with their children, or form their own. They may also look for language tutors or enrichment classes for their children to join before Primary 1.

What’s the recommended age for starting preschool in Singapore?

Singapore’s Ministry of Education strongly encourages all children to attend preschool, in order to develop essential traits and skills, such as:

• Self-confidence
• Social skills
• A solid foundation in literacy and numeracy

However, there is no official government recommendation about when to enter preschool. Some research has shown that children who have attended preschool for at least two to three years have better outcomes for English and to a greater degree, Maths, at age 16. Those who attended preschool also displayed a more positive attitude towards learning, and better self-regulation.

What are the different preschool levels or programmes in Singapore?

As you start exploring preschools or child care centres, these are some terms that you will encounter:

Please note that not all preschools or child care centres will cater for all the age ranges stated above. Read our guide to find out about the types of preschools in Singapore, how much it costs to send your child to preschool, and where to begin your search.

You can also find all the information that you need about Singapore preschools on LifeSG.

Is my child ready for preschool?

Below are some signs that your child may be ready for preschool:

• They can control their feelings and behaviour. They are able to focus on a task, and adjust their behaviour to fit the situation.
• They notice and understand sensations. They are able to articulate when an environment is too noisy, bright, or warm. They also have awareness of physical discomforts like hunger and tiredness.
• They understand what others say. They can pay attention to adults and other children, and understand instructions, questions, and stories.
• They use words to express themselves, and speak clearly. They can form simple sentences, and pronounce words so that others can easily understand them.
• They can interact positively with others. They are familiar with social norms like sharing, taking turns, and “no hitting.”
• They can follow steps to get things done. They are able to carry out multi-step tasks, like keeping their toys in the appropriate storage spaces.

This list is just a guide — every child develops at a different pace, and preschools have their own guidelines for school readiness. The best approach is to check with your schools of interest, and have them assess your child.

Do be aware that it’s common for preschools to require that children can walk steadily and be potty trained before they join the school. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that readiness for toilet training generally occurs between 18 and 30 months. But in reality, some children are not ready to go diaper free until three years of age. Again, this is a discussion that you should have with your schools of interest.

How to prepare my child for preschool?

Singapore’s Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has these tips to share:

• Visit the preschool with your child before the first day of school.
• Always use positive terms when talking about school with your child.
• Have conversations with your child about what to expect in school, and share stories about school.
• Help your child to develop skills such as self-feeding, toileting, and putting things away after use.
• Establish routines that can continue after your child starts preschool, such as fixed times to wake up and go to bed, as well as consistent mealtimes.
• Create a goodbye routine with your child — reassure them that you will see them again later.
• On the first day of preschool, try to stay with your child in the school for at least a couple of hours.

Above all, we encourage you to communicate with your child’s educators. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions and share your concerns. And do let them know about your child’s needs, preferences, and habits.

Want to chat with other parents about what kids learn in preschool? Join the conversation on the KiasuParents forum!