Education is the most priceless gift you can give a child. Your child is learning about the world around them and all that it has to offer. As a parent, you must investigate your options and select proper infant care in Singapore for your child. Considering all the available options, this may be a difficult choice to make.
Here are some crucial considerations when selecting the best preschool in Singapore.
1. Philosophy of their education.
Some preschools are more open-minded, while others are more conservative in their belief and value systems. There are also preschools with Montessori education. Whose teaching methods abide by an underlying philosophy. Find an infant care centre in Singapore that teaches your child the values and philosophies you want them to learn.
2. Tuition fees.
It should be a primary concern for parents sending their children to preschool. Private preschools can be pricey, so you’d want to guarantee you’re getting your money’s worth, particularly now when every peso counts.
3. A stimulating environment.
While walking around an infant care centre in Singapore, it should be evident that a great deal of learning is occurring. You should see equipment and resources, and children engaged in learning and occupied with activities. And if it is playtime, have the teachers brought out equipment such as beanbags, balancing beams, hula hoops, and tyres? Or is it always just a bare area with one climbing frame? Consequently, note that children can show off their creations. So when you drop off your child in the morning, they should have puzzles, games, playdough, a cutting/pasting table, etc.
4. Location.
It is one essential consideration you should examine when selecting a top preschool in Singapore. After all, you’ll be transporting your child to and from school every day for the next few years, so choose a school close to your home or office/somewhere convenient for your commute. Additionally, commuting to a preschool that is too far away will tire your child.
5. Quality of artwork.
A single glance at the children’s artwork can reveal a lot about their education. And if every child’s artwork looks the same, or if it appears altered by the teacher, your child’s stimulation is halted at that school. Any qualified educator from the best preschool in Singapore understands the importance of art and free speech.
Your child’s artwork should reflect the style of their artwork at home. Until their drawings become more detailed, they should likely not resemble much of anything. They should bring home copious amounts of free collages with various papers and objects glued to them and constructions made with toilet paper rolls and boxes that do not resemble anything until you have a detailed explanation.
6. Age requirements for enrollees.
The minimum age requirements for a top preschool in Singapore may vary. Depending on your child’s age, you would need to find a place that offers lessons and activities that are appropriate for them. Some schools accept younger children, while others have a minimum age requirement of three years.
7. Qualifications and training for teachers.
Some nations place a high value on early childhood education while others do not. Not all preschool teachers are required to possess a qualification. And preschools are frequently less regulated than elementary schools. A school that does not pay qualified teacher salaries and crams as many students as possible into a classroom is typically motivated solely by profit. It is the number one minimum requirement. If an infant care centre in Singapore does not employ qualified teachers, look no further, especially if your child is three or four years old.
They need a teacher with extensive knowledge of child development, not just the ability to keep children occupied and amused. This issue should not be compromised. Ensure that the teachers are either credentialed, currently enrolled in school, or, if they lack a degree, have completed courses or diplomas in child development or are engaged in continuous staff development. Additionally, teachers should have first aid training that is regularly updated. If a school has not sent teachers for training, this is a serious omission and an obvious red flag.
8. Curriculum.
Preschool curriculum in Singapore and early childhood education techniques may vary between preschools. The most well-known are the Montessori method, the Reggio Emilia approach, and the Waldorf method. Some curricula are more focused on play, whereas others are more focused on work. Choose the option that best meets your and your child’s needs and learning style.
9. Reporting process.
Minding the process of reporting is often ignored when choosing a top preschool in Singapore. Some parents believe that as long as their child is receiving an education in school, it will suffice. But when it comes to your child’s development, feedback is crucial, so the school needs to have a reporting system that focuses on a child’s learning pattern, strengths, and weaknesses, so that parents have an idea of which areas to focus on.
10. Online learning capability.
Some children are currently physically unable to attend school, which complicates the decision-making process for selecting an infant care centre in Singapore. Examine schools with online learning capabilities and ask how they made the transition from colourful physical classrooms to computer screens, how they handle virtual classrooms, and what activities can be adapted for home learning.
11. Adult-to-child ratio.
As recommended by the Early Childhood Development Agency, a low student-to-teacher ratio is required for a top preschool in Singapore. It ensures that each child’s needs are met and optimal learning blossoms.
If class sizes increase, aides must either work in each class individually or circulate among classes. And if a teacher needs to use the restroom or take a student to the first-aid room, the class cannot be left unattended for even a second. Consequently, ensure that the school employs a sufficient number of responsible adults.
While there are numerous factors to consider for your child’s first school, their first learning environment begins at home. You can get them started by introducing them to educational books and toys. In addition, as your child’s collection of books and toys expands, you may want to consider storage solutions for their collection.
To know more about their preschool curriculum in Singapore, call Little Skool House today!
