Moving to a new country is exciting — and overwhelming. And when you have young children, one of the first things on your list is finding the right preschool. Singapore has a wonderfully rich early childhood education landscape, but with so many options, so much terminology, and a culture that takes schooling very seriously, it can feel like a lot to navigate. In this guide, we will explore how to choose the right Preschool in Singapore.
This guide is written for expat families who are new to Singapore and trying to make sense of it all. Here’s what you need to know to choose the right preschool and ensure a smooth transition for your child
1. Understand the Types of Preschools Available
The first thing to get your head around is that Singapore has two broad categories of preschool: local preschools and international preschools.
Local preschools follow Singapore’s national early childhood framework — the Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) framework — developed by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). Teaching is primarily in English, with a strong Mandarin component. These schools are regulated, affordable, and often excellent. Many expat families are surprised to discover just how high the quality is.
International preschools cater more specifically to globally mobile families. They may follow frameworks like the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), or other international curricula. Instruction is in English, the environment tends to be more multicultural, and fees are typically higher.
If you plan to stay in Singapore long-term or are considering permanent residency, a local preschool with its bilingual English-Mandarin approach can be a great choice. If your family moves frequently or you’re planning to enrol your child in an international school later, an internationally-aligned preschool may be a better fit.
2. Know the Key Stages
Singapore preschool education is structured as follows:
- Infant Care — from 2 months to 17 months
- Playgroup (PG) — 18 months to 2 years
- Nursery 1 & 2 (N1/N2) — ages 3 to 4
- Kindergarten 1 & 2 (K1/K2) — ages 5 to 6
Children enter Primary 1 at age 7, so the preschool years are your child’s foundation before the formal school system begins. Most children in Singapore attend some form of preschool — it’s considered an important part of early development, not just a childcare arrangement.
3. Think About Learning Philosophy
Beyond local vs. international, it’s worth thinking about how you want your child to learn. Different preschools take different approaches:
Play-based learning centres believe children learn best through exploration, creativity, and hands-on discovery. Academic skills like literacy and numeracy are woven into play rather than taught through drills or worksheets. This approach tends to build confident, curious learners.
Structured/academic approaches introduce more formal learning earlier — phonics, writing, basic maths — in a more traditional classroom setting.
Inquiry-based or Reggio Emilia-inspired schools follow the child’s interests, with teachers facilitating projects and investigations rather than directing lessons.
Most preschools in Singapore blend these approaches to some degree. The key is finding one whose philosophy resonates with how your child learns and what you value. If your child loves to move, explore, and ask “why?” — a play-based environment is likely to be the right fit.
4. Consider Location Carefully
This one might seem obvious, but it’s worth thinking through properly. Singapore’s traffic during school hours can be surprisingly slow, and rushing a young child to school across town every morning will wear thin quickly.
Think about:
- Proximity to home — ideally within 15–20 minutes
- Proximity to your workplace — if you’re doing drop-offs on the way to work
- MRT access — many parents commute by public transport
- Neighbourhood feel — some families prefer a school embedded in a local community; others prefer the convenience of a town centre location
Singapore’s main residential expat clusters — Bukit Timah, Holland Village, Katong / East Coast, and Novena / Braddell — all have strong preschool options nearby. Choose a school in the area you live in, or plan to live in, rather than travelling across the island.
5. Start Early — Waiting Lists Are Real
This surprises many new arrivals: popular preschools in Singapore, particularly in high-demand neighbourhoods, can have waiting lists of 6 to 18 months. If you know your move date, start researching and reaching out to schools as early as possible — even before you arrive.
Most preschools allow you to join a waitlist and will hold a place once you’re in Singapore and can confirm your address. Don’t wait until you’ve settled in to start this process.
6. Ask the Right Questions on Your Tour
Once you’ve shortlisted a few schools, book a tour. Most preschools in Singapore are very welcoming to prospective families and will happily show you around. Here’s what to look and ask for:
- What is the teacher-to-child ratio? Lower is better, especially for younger children.
- What is staff turnover like? Continuity of caregivers matters enormously for young children.
- How do you communicate with parents? Daily updates? An app? Parent-teacher meetings?
- What does a typical day look like? Ask to see the daily schedule.
- How do you support children through transitions — especially relevant for expat children who may have recently moved?
- What outdoor and nature-based activities do you offer? Singapore’s climate allows for year-round outdoor play, and schools that use it well tend to produce happier, more active children.
And beyond the questions — trust your gut. Walk into the school and notice the atmosphere. Are the children engaged and happy? Do the teachers seem warm and attentive? Does it feel like a place your child would thrive?
7. Understand the Fees
Preschool fees in Singapore vary widely. As a general guide:
- Government-linked preschools (Anchor Operators like PAP Community Foundation and NTUC First Campus) have fee caps and are the most affordable, typically S$700–S$1,300/month
- Private local preschools range from approximately S$1,200 to S$2,500/month
- International preschools typically range from S$2,500 to S$4,500/month or more
Note that Singapore Citizens are eligible for government subsidies through ECDA, which can significantly reduce costs. As an expat on an Employment Pass, you won’t qualify for these subsidies — but many private preschools are priced accordingly and offer genuine value.
Why Expat Families Choose Adventure Tree
At Adventure Tree, we’ve built our programme with globally-minded families very much in mind. Our East-meets-West approach blends Singapore’s strong NEL academic framework with a Western emphasis on play, nature, and child-led discovery — so your child gets the best of both worlds.
With campuses in Katong, Bukit Timah, Holland Village, and Braddell, we’re conveniently located in Singapore’s most popular expat neighbourhoods. Our low teacher-to-child ratio means every child is truly known by their teachers — which matters especially for children who are navigating a new country alongside everything else that comes with the early years.
We’d love to show you around. Book a tour at your nearest campus and see for yourself what an Adventure Tree day looks like.
Have questions about enrolling your child? Contact us Here or call us to speak with our admissions team.