An Overview of Nursery Schools in Singapore and What Makes Them Great

Singapore’s education system remains one of the best in the world, with its students consistently scoring high in worldwide education rankings.

Just like any other education system around the world, Singapore’s starts with preschool. It’s not mandated by law, but parents choose to send their children to nursery schools to equip them with the necessary skills and attitude that prepare them for lifelong learning.

Read on below for an overview of what makes nursery schools in Singapore great!

Preschools in Singapore

Preschool in Singapore is categorised into four levels: nursery 1, nursery 2, kindergarten 1 and kindergarten 2.

The purpose of nursery and kindergarten schools is to look after children and help them develop a wide range of skills (physical, emotional, social, and cognitive) that will prepare them for Singapore’s rigorous formal education system.

More than anything, preschool should be safe and encourage space for children to grow, play, learn, and discover their interests.

At what age do kids enter nursery schools in Singapore?

Most children enter preschools at age four or five. Generally, though, the decision when children start preschool is solely up to their parents.

Before sending their children to nursery schools, parents need to take several factors into consideration, including maturity, sociability, and of course, age.

Preschool education in Singapore lasts up to four years, so most children are either seven or eight years old when they enter primary school.

What do children learn in preschool in Singapore?

Preschool curriculums in Singapore differ from one school to another. This highlights the importance of parents picking a school whose curriculum and teaching methodologies align with their values.

Most government-operated preschools offer two core programmes: HI-Light Programme and Starlight Literacy Programme.

The HI-Light Programme aims to nurture children’s curiosity, aesthetics, creative expression, fine motor skills, literacy and numeracy skills. Meanwhile, the Starlight Literacy Programme focuses on strengthening children’s language skills in English, Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil.

This is another reason why preschools in Singapore are special! Children are taught to be bilingual (or even trilingual) at a young age, giving them an advantage over other children who can only speak one language.

It’s common for preschools to incorporate as many strategies to cultivate bilingualism in their students. For example, besides having classes in English and Mandarin, Lilly Valley offers additional language classes to supplement the language learning process.

How much do preschools cost in Singapore?

The cost of preschools varies depending on what type of school you enrol your children into. For obvious reasons, it’s generally cheaper to send your child to a government-operated preschool than a privately owned institution.

The cost of half-day programmes can range from $300 to $1,800 per month, while expect to spend around $800 to $2,000 for full-day programmes.

Here’s some good news: if budget is an issue, you may apply for basic and additional subsidies to help offset the often hefty preschool fees.

If your child is a Singaporean citizen enrolled in an accredited childcare centre, your family is automatically eligible for the basic subsidy of $300 for full-day childcare and up to $600 for full-day infant care, irrespective of your home’s total income.

The caveat with the basic subsidy is that the mother’s working status will be considered. Employed mums are given a higher subsidy of $600 for full-day childcare while mums who aren’t working are given only $150.  

Apart from the basic subsidy, you may apply for an additional subsidy provided that your family meets this condition: a household’s gross monthly income of $12,000 or below.