Factors to Consider when choosing the right Singapore nursery school for your child

A preschool sets the foundation of your child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development and equips them with life’s most important skills. Thus, choosing a preschool should be more about finding the one that works best for your child rather than finding the perfect one.

With hundreds of choices available choosing the right one can be overwhelming especially for first-time parents. The big struggle is to find which school is good as the kindergarten Singapore fees differ from school to school.

6 important factors that you can consider when choosing the best preschool for your child:

1. An Intellectually Stimulating Environment

When choosing a preschool in Singapore, parents should consider the following questions-

• Will the activity areas and classrooms of the Singapore nursery school help in arousing the curiosity of the child? 
• How well are the learning centers set up for the day?
• What does a typical day at the preschool for the child look like?

1. Trained staff and teachers

• Check whether the teachers and the staff are well trained to handle injured children and whether they are educated in first-aid basics and trained in CPR.
• Ask how the staff and teachers of nursery school deal with children’s emotions so that the child feels safe and cared for in the school environment.

1. Cleanliness and Hygiene

Your child will be spending a considerable amount of time at the preschool every day. So, it’s important to ensure that the school environment is clean and hygienic.

Check whether protocols such as regular cleaning and sanitizing of toys and common surfaces are followed strictly in the school. Also, pay attention to the hygiene and cleanliness of areas such as toilets and shower rooms.

1. Well researched Pedagogy & Curriculum

The preschool curriculum should be holistic that emphasizes not only the academic learning outcomes but also the social and emotional development of the child. It should focus on the all-round development of the child.

Find out about the school’s teaching approach and whether their curriculum is play-based or inquiry-based. Also, check what activities are available in the nursery schools and whether they offer enrichment programs.

1. Student-teacher Ratio

It is very important that young children get adequate attention, as they are in the process of developing emotionally and socially. When a single teacher handles a large group of children, she may not be able to give attention to each one of them.

Thus, considering the student-teacher ratio is crucial when choosing the best school for your child. The standard student-teacher ratio should be 1 teacher for every 8-10 children. The smaller the class, the greater the dedicated attention and care the teacher can give to your child.

1. Total Fees payable

Pre-nursery, nursery, and kindergarten Singapore fees are on the rise. Preschool fees have gradually increased over the years, with some occasionally raising them by around 5%. Uniforms, registration fees, excursions, and transportation are some of the possible hidden costs that catch new parents by surprise.

Thus, it is recommended to find out about the nursery and kindergarten Singapore fees by writing in or giving them a call, but be sure to ask if the stated fee is the final payable amount. 

Conclusion

Childhood experiences are the foundation on which the rest of our children’s lives are built. Giving your little one’s quality preschool education from Singapore nursery school will set them up for success in every area of life. It gives them a strong foundation for their physical, social, and emotional development.