Understanding Childcare, Preschools, and Kindergartens in Singapore: Distinct Roles and Services

Understanding the Distinction Between Childcare, Preschools and Kindergartens in Singapore

Navigating through childcare options for your little ones can be overwhelming due to myriad choices avlable like childcare centers, preschools, kindergartens - terms often used interchangeably but representing distinct types of early childhood education.

Let's delve into understanding their differences:

Childcare Centres in Singapore:

Childcare institutions cater to infants and toddlers aged between 18 months to 6 years. Some facilities offer infant care for those aged from 2-17 months, transitioning smoothly to playgroup activities around the age of eighteen months within the same facility.

Full-day childcare runs from early morning till evening typically from 7 am to 7 pm, including learning sessions, enrichment classes and meals along with nap times according to children's needs. Half-day programs run until midday, before their nap time starts for those who opt for full day care services.

Childcare includes two mn meals like breakfast and lunch while snacks are often provided too; however, parents may need to pack a snack box deping on the center's policy. Childcare centers generally remn closed for official reasons only on Sundays and some public holidays throughout the year.

Preschools in Singapore:

Preschool can broadly encompass childcare as well as educational programs. The Early Childhood Development Agency ECDA oversees standards, professional trning, making education accessible to all families with quality, affordable preschool education.

Development goals are established for infants and toddlers, focusing on cognitive skills, , physical growth, social-emotional abilities, and more. Identifying the best preschool involves understanding your child's needs then aligning them agnst avlable options.

Kindergartens in Singapore:

Focused on children aged three to six years old, kindergartens offer programs that are predominantly academically inclined with smaller teacher-student ratios around 15:1 for younger kids and up to 20:1 or more for older kids.

Childcare Centres:

Ratios t to be lower in childcare settings than in some preschools. ECDA sets uniform ratios applicable across all childcare and preschool institutions in Singapore.

Choosing the Ideal Preschool in Singapore:

When making your decision, consider factors beyond cost including environment, educational approach, teacher qualifications, facilities, community integration and more.

Little Footprints Preschools are conveniently spread across Singapore offering infant care, preschool programs and childcare with a focus on integrated learning activities, literacy enrichment, character development, alongside collaborative projects linked to government bodies like the Singapore Kindness Movement and Start Small, Dream Big.

Little Footprints Preschool centres offer a seamless experience for busy parents looking to integrate their children's needs with personal commitments.

Stay connected with us via Facebook, Instagram or TikTok for updates on our activities and center news.

Babilou Family Singapore is part of the global Babilou Family Group headquartered in France, with over 1,000 nurseries worldwide under its umbrella.
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