For many working parents in Singapore, the decision to place their child in a childcare centre is complicated by the dilemma of where to place them.
Is it better to place your child in a childcare centre near home or work?
If the childcare centre is near your home, you can reduce your travelling time when you drop off your child in the morning or pick them up after work.
If the childcare is near work, you have the peace of mind to pop in to check on your child during lunch time, and if there are any emergencies, you can get to your child quickly.
Some parents might consider the type of childcare centres and the curriculum offered before choosing a suitable location. Fortunately, many childcare centres in Singapore like Little Footprints Preschool have centres located island-wide, thus making it an easy decision for parents.
Childcare Near Home or Work in Singapore: Which is Better?
To help you decide on the best childcare centre for your precious little one, here are some key factors for you to consider:
How long is your commute between home and work?
Parents must decide who is the one doing the daily run? Ideally, the distance between home and work for this parent should be a short one to minimise stress en route home and work.
The shorter distance will also help to save travelling time that can be used on parent-child bonding. Also, consider the toll it might take on the parent if your drop-off or pick-up timing coincides with peak hours for travelling.
Do you want to be nearby in case your child needs you?
Parents might want to consider their parenting styles. Some parents want to be near their children in case of emergencies such as fever or separation anxiety. Others, not so much. Still, the option to pop in to see your child is a great one to have, whether you exercise it or not.
Do you have another child’s schedule to take into consideration?
Parents with multiple children will have to consider their other children’s schedules and make the logistics work for all parties. For example, if you have an older child in primary school, what is the logistics plan for this child and how will it be affected by the childcare routine?
Does your spouse travel a lot?
If your answer is yes, this might affect your daily agenda. For parents who operate alone in their daily childcare routines as their spouse travels often, they might look for childcare that is most optimum to their needs.
Many Little Footprints Preschool centres are situated at the void deck of HDB blocks or within office/commercial buildings. This makes them an ideal choice for parents who are looking for childcare near home or work.
Do you have family staying close by who can help you in case of emergencies?
Consider emergency backups for times when you might be delayed from picking up your child because of work emergency or traffic jams.
External family members like grandparents are a great source to lean on during these times. You might consider placing your child at a childcare centre close to home so that the grandparents have easy access to them.
What kind of curriculum does the childcare centre offer?
Childcare centres in Singapore offer preschool programmes on top of the childcare services many working parents need. These 2-for-1 options are ideal for parents who view education as an important priority for their children.
You may want to visit their centre to learn more about their curriculum and determine if it is the right one for you and your child.
What is the cost of the childcare centre?
Prices for childcare centres in Singapore vary depending on locations, child’s age, type of programmes offered and government subsidies.
The fees for childcare centres under the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA)’s Anchor Operator and Partner Operator Programmes are generally affordable because of government subsidies.
Fees for full-day or half-day programs differ and are also factors for parents to consider. Many of the ECDA childcare centres are located in resident neighbourhoods to provide the convenience for parents.
Book a Tour with Us!
Now that you have a better idea of how to decide where you want to place your child, come visit us at your preferred Little Footprints Preschool centre and check out our academic programmes for your little one.
Book a tour at the centre most convenient for you and let us be a part of your child’s early childhood education journey.
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