There is a vast number of childcare centres in Singapore to choose from. When it comes to your precious little one, it is obvious that parents are determined to make the right choice.
However, it is overwhelming to be faced with so many options and not know where to start!
Here are some key points to consider so that your decision will be easier to make.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Childcare Centre in Singapore
Is the childcare centre's location convenient?
Location is a key consideration. It would be hard on both parent and child if starting their day at childcare involves long travelling time and distance.
To help you determine this, test the journey in the mode of transportation you are likely to use – especially if it is going to be via public transport.
A childcare centre that is easily, safely accessible and strategically near your home or workplace would be the best solution for everyone.
Is the childcare centre accredited?
Many childcare centres in Singapore actively pursue accreditation for it is a great way to assess a school’s standards.
For example, SPARK-accredited schools must meet many stringent requirements, and can be trusted to provide quality education.
Some schools also receive accolades from various regulatory bodies in Singapore, which affirms the quality of programmes offered.
Does the curriculum align with your philosophies?
As parents, we all have different ways of bringing up our children and preferences on how they learn.
To find out if lessons at the childcare centre are in line with your beliefs, you might want to consider the following:
- Does the childcare offer a rich curriculum that fully engages and interests children?
- Apart from academics, what other aspects do the childcare centre focus on during lesson time?
And if you’re one who is keen to play an active role in your child’s learning process, you might want to find out if the childcare centre encourages participation from parents and what are some ways you can contribute towards the children’s lessons.
At Little Footprints Preschool, we nurture a love for learning in children through an integrated approach. Beyond that, we also see parents as our most valuable partners in the children’s learning journey – and with that, we create plenty of opportunities for our mums and dads to be involved in our parent-school programmes throughout the year.
Are the children happy?
Whether you are enrolling your child for playgroup, nursery or kindergarten level, they will spend more time during the day at the childcare than they are at home. This means that we need to find a place where they feel safe and happy.
When you visit the school, observe and see if the children are cheerful and happy or if they appear bored and disinterested. Equally important, do also look out for how teachers deal with the sad faces and tears.
Are the teachers happy?
The key to your child’s happiness in the childcare centre in Singapore lies at the hands of the teachers. So do keep a lookout to observe how the teachers carry themselves and when they are in the company of a classroom of children.
When teachers are happy, they will most definitely enjoy caring for and nurturing young learners. You might also want to find out about the staff turnover at the centre which says a lot about the stability of the teaching team.
What will the children eat?
Snacks and meals are provided to children at childcare centres in Singapore, but the preparation process may vary from centre to centre. While at some centres, the meals are prepared by an in-house cook, others opt for catered meals that are typically prepared in a central kitchen.
You can request to have a look at a sample menu to see that the food offered to children is balanced in terms of nutrition, and is healthy. Should your child have any food allergies or dietary concerns, be sure to make this known to the preschool and find out if they can cater to your child’s needs.
How do teachers communicate with parents?
While you are eager to know what your child does at school during the day, your little one may not be adept at expressing their thoughts and feelings about the things they did in school.
That is where schools that have clear, open communication channels with parents come in handy. Apart from updates on how your child is doing at school and his/her food intake, you get to view cute photos of him/her participating in lessons and activities too.
Go through the parents’ handbook
This is handy to find out about the school's hours, fees, and policies on safety, discipline and holidays. If you are happy with everything you read, you can then make plans to tour the school before committing to enrol your child in the childcare centre.
Ready For a School Tour?
Book a tour at the nearest Little Footprints Preschool centre to see our teachers and children in action and learn more about our programmes and curriculum.
We look forward to welcoming you soon!
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