What’s the Right Preschool Age in Singapore? Is It Compulsory?

Preschool is also known as Pre-primary school and comprises multiple levels:

– Infant Care

– Playgroup

– Nursery 1 (N1), also referred to as Pre-Nursery

– Nursery 2 (N2), also referred to as Nursery

– Kindergarten 1 (K1)

– Kindergarten 2 (K2)

What are the ages for each preschool level?

According to guidelines set by ECDA, preschools in Singapore are divided into stages that correspond with the child’s age and developmental progress:

Is Preschool Compulsory?

No, preschool attendance (whether nursery or kindergarten levels) before primary school is not compulsory. However, although it is not mandatory, preschool education is highly encouraged by the Singapore government for all children as it offers significant benefits and can help your child achieve important learning goals. We cover these in detail below.

Why is preschool important for your child?

Enrolling your child in preschool can be an incredibly enriching and positive experience, and allows your child to benefit from the resources and social interactions that may only be found in a preschool setting. Beyond the obvious academic benefits, preschool helps children:

– Build confidence, independence and emotional resilience

– Develop strong social skills with their peers

– Gain a solid foundation for primary school and subsequent stages of education, including in literacy and numeracy skills.

Taking reference from the Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) Framework, which was introduced by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to guide preschool centres in designing and implementing a quality curriculum for children aged 4 to 6, the desired outcomes of preschool education include children being able to:

– Know what is right and what is wrong

– Share and play with others

– Show care and respect for others

– Explore and be curious

– Communicate their thoughts and feelings

– Be comfortable and happy with themselves

– Develop physical co-ordination, and healthy habits, and enjoy a variety of arts experiences

– Love their families, friends, teachers and people in their community

By the end of their preschool journey, children should possess a good sense of self-awareness, a sound moral compass, and the necessary skills and knowledge to take on future challenges. Each level of preschool is designed with age-appropriate activities to equip your child with the essential skills and mindset needed to thrive in primary school and beyond, and a well-structured preschool programme will lay the groundwork to achieve the above goals.

Infant Care Age & Developmental Milestones

Infant care services cater to infants from 2 months to 17 months old. At this stage, a child’s development is centered around sensory exploration, development of fine and gross motor skills, and early social connections. In these early years, infants learn primarily through interactions with caregivers and their environment, and through activities that are designed to stimulate their cognitive and physical development.

Playgroup Age & Developmental Milestones

From 18 months old, children will join playgroup programmes. At this stage, learning takes place primarily through exploratory play, with activities designed to enhance social interaction, sensory skills, and simple motor coordination. 

Pre-Nursery / Nursery 1 (N1) Age & Developmental Milestones

Nursery 1 (or pre-nursery) programmes cater to children aged 3 years old and provide a more structured environment compared to playgroups. At Nursery 1, children are introduced to basic educational concepts, but the focus is still largely on play-based learning. Tailored activities such as arts and crafts, sensory play, singing and storytelling help to develop children’s fine motor skills, language abilities, and even early problem-solving.

Nursery / Nursery 2 (N2) Age & Developmental Milestones

At 4 years old, children will enrol in Nursery 2 programmes. At this stage, children are introduced to more academic and structured learning activities, such as English and Chinese classes and learning about current affairs, alongside artistic activities and outdoor play.

Kindergarten Age & Developmental Milestones

Kindergarten 1 (K1) and Kindergarten 2 (K2) programmes are for children aged 5 to 6 years old respectively. In these two years, the curriculum becomes more structured and is designed to equip children with foundational academic skills (such as early numeracy and literary skills), social behaviours, and emotional resilience required for their impending transition to primary school.

How to choose the best preschool in Singapore for your child?

Choosing the best preschool in Singapore for your child is highly subjective and will ultimately depend on your child’s and family’s unique needs. Parents should consider several key factors, such as:

– the preschool’s curriculum and available programmes;

– its experience and certifications;

– its educators and their qualifications;

– the programme fees; and

– its proximity and available locations.

At My First Skool, we are dedicated to ensuring a well-rounded educational journey for your child, through an enriching learning environment and a curriculum designed to support holistic development. We have 45+ years of experience in child care and preschool education, and 100% of our eligible centres are SPARK-certified, an assurance of quality by ECDA. 

At My First Skool, we empower our children to learn through a pedagogical approach called PETAL© – Playing, Exploring, Thinking, and Applying Learning. This approach provides facilitated play experiences that encourage active exploration, critical thinking and making meaningful discoveries.

We recognise that children are unique individuals. They explore their environment, form opinions, and want to be heard. As such, we centre our curriculum around relationships, forging close bonds, and building genuine connections with the children and parents.

We take children on excursions designed to enhance their experiences and deepen their understanding of the world around them. We also offer a varied combination of mother tongue languages across our centres and train children in digital literacy to ensure they are equipped with the skills to navigate digital tools in today’s technological era. These diverse approaches ensure that children receive a comprehensive early education tailored to their unique learning styles.

My First Skool offers programmes for children across all early education levels, with 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. This allows children to have a seamless transition as they progress through each preschool level. With over 160+ conveniently located centres across Singapore, My First Skool provides families with access to quality preschool services near work or home. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What age can a child go to daycare or childcare in Singapore?

A child can attend daycare or childcare centres in Singapore from as early as 18 months, with some centres also providing infant care for children aged 2 to 17 months. 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. 

What are the preschool enrolment periods at My First Skool?

Enrolment for placements in My First Skool is open all year round, depending on the availability of vacancies. Registration may be submitted up to 12 months before your child’s preferred enrolment date. This is available for Singapore citizens, permanent residents and foreigners.

How do I arrange for a visit or tour at my preferred preschool centre?

Go on a virtual centre tour of a preschool near you and explore our learning environments from the comfort of your own home. 

Are there government subsidies available for preschool?

Subsidies provided by the government can greatly alleviate the cost of preschool education for families. All Singapore Citizen children enrolled in ECDA-licensed infant or childcare centres and in kindergartens operated by Anchor Operator (AOP) or the Ministry of Education (MOE) are eligible for preschool subsidies, which comprise the basic subsidy and additional subsidy under the Infant and Childcare Subsidy Scheme, and subsidies under the Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme. 

Note that you can only apply for a preschool subsidy after securing a place for your child with a preschool. On the first day of your child’s enrolment, parents should submit a Form 1 (Child Care Enrolment and Subsidy Application) or KF1 (Enrolment and Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) application), acknowledgement letter, and relevant supporting documents to the preschool.

At My First Skool, we are dedicated to keeping our childcare fees affordable and accessible. Families with household income of $6,000 and below will enjoy priority for enrolment. Further, we also offer a number of financial support schemes to benefit families from lower-income backgrounds.