In Singapore, an Early Childhood Development Centre, or ECDC, is an educational facility designed to cater to children’s development needs below the age of seven. Comprising childcare centres, preschools and kindergartens, the early childhood education sector here is a diversified one.
Kindergartens vs preschools: which is better for your child as they grow beyond infancy?
Given the variety of choices, parents certainly need help to choose the best option for your child.
If you’re looking to familiarise yourself with the local early educational landscape, read on to find out more!
What is a Preschool?
In Singapore’s context, a preschool is defined as a centre that offers early childhood development programmes to children below the age of seven. Preschools serve as the foundation for academic learning by preparing children for primary education, with different programmes offered to different age groups.
Parents may hear terms such as Playgroup, Pre-Nursery and Nursery, which are all considered preschool programmes. Here’s how they’re classified according to the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), which is the regulatory and development agency for the early childhood sector:
- Playgroup is for children aged 18 months to two years;
- Pre-Nursery–referred to as Nursery 1–is for three year olds;
- Nursery–or Nursery 2–is for four-year-old kids;
- Kindergarten 1—or K1—is for five-year-old children; and
- Kindergarten 2—or K2—is for six-year-olds.
According to ECDA, preschools comprise both kindergartens and childcare centres. These may be run by community foundations, cooperatives, the government, religious bodies, as well as registered businesses which operate as franchises or are licensees of a specific educational methodology.
Some of these entities have also been appointed by the ECDA as anchor operators. They are often the larger preschool groups that run multiple centres around the island.
Singapore also has private-owned operators such as Heartfield Kindergarten. Unlike larger preschool operators, these independently-run early childhood education providers have the autonomy to develop their own unique curriculum based on the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Nurturing Early Learner’s framework.
What is a Kindergarten?
Let us now look at what a kindergarten is like in Singapore. Here, all kindergartens regardless of operator status have to be registered with the MOE under the Education Act.
The word kindergarten literally translates to “children’s garden” from German—it is a term coined by German educator Friedrich Froebel when he established the very first kindergarten programme in 1837. Froebel’s philosophy was to stimulate learning in children through play-based activities where children are given the freedom to express themselves and use their own imaginations.
In kindergarten, a child’s intellectual, social and spiritual development is encouraged via hands-on play, interaction with nature, music and creative activities such as painting.
For kindergarten programmes, parents have the option to enrol them in one that’s run by the MOE, an anchor operator, a franchisee, a faith-based organisation or an independent school. Classes are usually three to four hours long at MOE kindergartens and anchor operators, with “kindercare” combining full day childcare (7am to 7pm) with a curriculum for children with working parents.
Differing from anchor operators or MOE kindergartens where children have to reach the ages of five or six to register for a place, private kindergartens like Heartfield Kindergarten embrace a broader definition of the term “kindergarten” as they can accept tots as young as 18 months old. Heartfield’s range of enrichment and learning programmes actively promotes Froebel’s vision of child-directed early learning, with classes designed specifically for your little one’s learning needs.
What about Child Care Centres?
In Singapore, all child care centres are licensed by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and regulated under the Early Childhood Development Act.
Typically, child care centres in Singapore may fall into the following categories, based on MSF’s definition:
- Infant Care Centre: Covers care and education for very young kids aged two to 18 months of age. Typically includes full day programmes (7am to 7pm) or half day or flexible options. Available for five or five-and-a-half days a week excluding Sundays and gazetted public holidays.
- Child Care Centre: Care and education for children aged 18 months to below seven years old. From full day programmes (7 am to 7 pm) to half day or flexible hour options. Similarly operates for five or five-and-a-half a week excluding Sundays and gazetted public holidays.
- Kindergarten: Provides education for children 18 months to below seven years. Typically half-day programmes spanning three to four hours per session, and covers five days a week.
As MOE preschools usually offer full day care services on top of preschool programmes, the term child care is often used interchangeably with preschool. Some centres may also call themselves daycare centres or creches.
(Most parents in Singapore also switch between the terms child care centres, preschools, and kindergartens, hence leading to the slight confusion.)
Differences Between Kindergartens and Preschools
Given the above, how do kindergartens and preschools differ?
Both preschools and kindergartens equip children with the necessary soft and academic skills during the early years to prepare them for formal education.
Although a kindergarten caters to preschoolers, it is not commonly referred to as a preschool but is a description that is used almost exclusively by itself instead. Sounds confusing? Here are the main operational differences between a preschool and kindergarten:
| Preschool | Kindergarten |
| Typically offers a range of childcare services such as full day/half day care or other flexible arrangements that meet the needs of both working parents and their children | Timings may vary, but classes are usually three hours long, with the option of extended enrichment programmes |
| Meals and snacks are provided, even baths | Only light bites are provided, with children encouraged to bring their own packed meals |
| Closes only on Sunday, gazetted public holidays and allowed to close for up to seven-and-a-half days a year which includes three half-days on the eves of public holidays | Follows the primary school terms set by the MOE which is about 10 weeks per semester. Also closes on gazetted public holidays |
| Accepts children that are at least 18 months old | Usually offers programmes to children between three and six years old with some private kindergarten centres accepting younger ones from 18 months old |
Preschool, Kindergarten or Childcare: How Do You Choose?
Now that you’ve learned the similarities and differences among preschools, kindergartens and childcare centres, you may wonder which institution suits your child better.
Preschools cover a wide gamut of educational philosophies, pedagogies and approaches. Some may adopt a more classroom- and academic-focused approach. Others embrace a more child-directed approach.
Opting for half-day or full-day child care options really depends on how much time you’d like your child to spend in school. For parents or grandparents who prefer to spend more time with their children, a half-day or two-hour programme may be a viable option. Those who work an entire-day or are unable to take time off to bring their kids back home in the afternoon would opt for a full-day child care option.
A kindergarten learning pathway offers numerous benefits for a child before they enter primary one. As outlined earlier, Friedrich Froebel’s early childhood education approach is geared towards child-initiated, play-based exploratory learning through interactions with people, materials and nature.
Parents who are keen to expose their child to Friedrich Froebel’s concept of kindergarten education can seek out the nurturing environment of a high-quality kindergarten that allows children to develop holistically from a very young age. Connecting a child with these positive early childhood experiences gives them a headstart—academically, socially and emotionally.
Why You Should Choose Heartfield Kindergarten
A quality option for you to consider is Heartfield Kindergarten. We accept children from the ages of 18 months to six years and immerse our kids in a multi-sensorial learning journey across a variety of programmes designed especially for their needs.
As a private and independent ECDC, Heartfield Kindergarten’s philosophy of bringing learning to life while empowering every child is cemented with its highly personalised approach. Led by Heartfield Kindergarten’s founder Sherlyn Lee, a veteran in the field of early childhood education, our local and internationally trained educators regularly engage with parents throughout their child’s learning journey.
A familiar and friendly face to both parents and children, Sherlyn and her team strive to unlock the potential of every child in the Heartfield family, where she is involved in the teaching, mentoring and curating of the curriculum on a daily basis.
As an independently owned school, Heartfield offers a stimulating and overarching curriculum that is tailored according to the abilities, interests and learning profiles of each child. Outdoor exploration and classroom time are reinforced with planned thematic learning activities that promote literacy, self-help and motor skills, academic readiness, creative expression and more.
Heartfield Kindergarten’s trained and dedicated team of educators serve as facilitators that allow their young charges to take the lead in uncovering their individual gifts and talents. The low student-to-teacher ratio further ensures that every child receives optimal individual attention, with a 4:1 student-teacher ratio for 18 months to two-and-a-half year olds; 6:1 ratio for two-and-a-half to four year olds, and 10:1 ratio for other children up to the age of six.
Located in a heritage house surrounded by lush greenery at 31 Balmoral Road, Heartfield Kindergarten is a choice option for toddlers and pre-primary school children and is registered under the MOE-ECDA. To learn more, get in touch with us at tel: +65 6835 2354, email: info@HeartfieldKindergarten.com or visit our contact page for details.
