A Guide to Preschool Options: Anchor vs Partner Operators

In Singapore, not all preschools are the same – and understanding the differences can help you make a more informed choice. From government-supported schemes to privately run centres, each preschool operator offers unique benefits in terms of affordability, curriculum, and availability. Let’s take a closer look at what sets each type apart.

Preschool Operators in Singapore

Selecting a suitable and quality preschool for your child is a vital step in shaping their early learning and development. With a wide range of preschool types and choices in Singapore, the decision can feel overwhelming, particularly for first-time parents. This article explores the differences between the various preschool operator schemes in Singapore – anchor operators, partners operators and private operators – to guide you in your choice. 

Anchor and Partner Operators

What are anchor operators and partner operators? Under the Early Childhood Development Agency’s (ECDA) Anchor Operator Scheme and Partner Operator Scheme, the government provides funding support to selected preschool operators to ensure that quality preschool education remains accessible and affordable for all. Operators under both schemes must meet stringent quality standards in order to receive funding support and be able to cap their preschool fees. 

In 2024, over 65% of preschoolers attended government-supported preschools, which comprise Anchor Operator (AOP) preschools, Partner Operator (POP) preschools, and Ministry of Education (MOE) Kindergartens. 

Anchor Operator Preschool  

Anchor Operators like My First Skool receive funding in order to keep our monthly fees to a cap of $680 and $1,235 (excluding GST) for full-day child care and full-day infant care respectively. These monthly fees may be further reduced if children are eligible for basic subsidies of up to $300 and $600 per month under the Infant and Childcare Subsidy Scheme (for full-day child care and full-day infant care, respectively). 

The AOP scheme helps to ensure that more children can enjoy access to good quality and affordable early childhood education and care. The funding support provided will also help Anchor Operators:

• ensure any fee increases are kept affordable for parents;
• invest in the quality of our facilities, programmes and services; and
• enable continuing professional development and career progression opportunities for our early childhood educators and staff.

Apart from My First Skool, the other Anchor Operators are PCF Sparkletots Preschool, M.Y World Preschool, Skool4Kidz and E-Bridge Pre-School.

Partner Operator (POP) Preschool 

Partner Operators, such as selected Little Skool-House centres, are provided funding support to keep to a monthly fee cap of $720 and $1,290 (excluding GST) for full-day child care and infant care programmes respectively, for children who are Singapore Citizens. These monthly fees may be further reduced if children are eligible for basic subsidies of up to $300 and $600 per month under the Infant and Childcare Subsidy Scheme (for full-day child care and full-day infant care, respectively). 

Similar to the AOP scheme, the POP scheme is also intended to improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of childcare and infant care services in Singapore. The funding support received will also help Partner Operators:

• ensure any fee increases are kept affordable for parents;
• invest in the quality of their services through the Singapore Pre-school Accreditation Framework (SPARK) and ​in strengthening organisational capabilities; and
• enable continuing professional development opportunities for their preschool educators and centre leaders. 

There are currently 323 appointed Partner Operators. For a list of the current Partner Operators, please visit ECDA’s list. 

Private Preschools 

While anchor and partner operators provide affordable and high-quality preschool education, some parents opt for private childcare centres and kindergartens, which usually come at a premium – with some schools charging up to $3,000 a month. However, these preschools often offer distinct benefits including smaller class sizes and specialised curriculums. 

That said, with increased government funding support from the government as well as regulatory enhancements in the early childhood education sector, parents should be assured that anchor and partner operators can now offer preschool education of a quality that closely matches that of private preschool operators. 

Choosing between preschool options

Ultimately, in choosing between these preschool options, parents should carefully consider their family’s preferences, as well as their child’s learning needs and preferences. In particular, it is crucial to assess if the preschool’s curriculum and learning environment is aligned with your child’s learning style and developmental needs, to ensure a good fit. 

My First Skool has been appointed as an Anchor Operator by the ECDA and has 45+ years of experience in child care and preschool education. Our relationships-based curriculum provides facilitated play experiences that encourage active exploration, critical thinking and making meaningful discoveries. These diverse approaches ensure that children receive a comprehensive early education tailored to their unique learning styles.

For children who may experience developmental delays and require more assistance, we also run NTUC First Campus’s pioneer Development Support Specialist (DSS) programme in selected My First Skool Centres. The DSS Programme is focused on children aged 18 months to 6 years old who require a medium level of early intervention support. 

160+ Locations Islandwide

Every year, over 26,000 families all across Singapore see their children benefit from our relationships-based curriculum – one that emphasises forging strong bonds between children, teachers and parents. Find a centre near you or take a virtual tour to explore our learning environments and learn how your child can thrive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the types of services and programmes available at My First Skool?

At My First Skool, we offer full-day childcare services and preschool programmes for children aged 18 months to 6 years old, as well as infant care services for infants aged 2 to 17 months. 

Which are the age groups for the different preschool levels?

The age groups for the different preschool levels are as follows: 

• Infant Care: 2 to 17 months
• Playgroup: 18 months to 3 years old
• Nursery 1: 3 years old
• Nursery 2: 4 years old
• Kindergarten 1 (K1): 5 years old
• Kindergarten 2 (K2): 6 years old

Do note that the preschool level that your child will be enrolled in is based on your child’s age in the year of enrolment (e.g. if your child will be turning 3 in 2025, he/ she will enrol in Nursery 1 in 2025).

Find out your child’s preschool level based on your child’s date of birth and preferred enrollment date by registering your interest in our preschool registration page.

What subsidy schemes are available for preschool education in Singapore?

In Singapore, parents of Singapore Citizen children may be eligible for Basic and Additional Subsidies under the Infant and Childcare Subsidy scheme, or subsidies through the Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS). These subsidies significantly alleviate the financial burden of early childhood education.

Apart from these, My First Skool also offers a number of financial support schemes, such as the Bright Horizons Fund (BHF), to benefit families from lower-income or disadvantaged backgrounds. We have been appointed as an Anchor Operator by the ECDA, and are dedicated to keeping our childcare fees affordable and accessible.