Different Types of Early Education Centres for Children in Singapore

1. Weecare.com.sg Different Types of Early Education Centres for Children in Singapore In Singapore, the preschool is also known as childcare centre or kindergarten. Learning in playgroup Singapore has been found to be essential for the brain development of each child. There are more than 1600 preschools in Singapore. The number of preschool operated by the MOE (Ministry of Education) may be a handful. However, there are several childcare centres run by the premium operators, anchor operators and partner operators. In preschools of Singapore, learning is combined with games or fun-filled activities. The students of preschool are trained by teachers with the relevant certificate from the NIEC (National Institute of Early Childhood Development) or WSQ. A trained tutor can create a learning experience that is essential for the emotional, social and personal development of a child at the early stages of life. The majority of the children in Singapore attend the preschool due to this reason. The preschools can be divided in different categories based upon the operators and age of the students. Operator Based Categorization The ECDA (Early Childhood Development Agency) is the regulatory and developmental authority for the early childhood sector in Singapore. In Singapore, every childcare centre is supposed to have the license under the Early Childhood Development Centres Act 2017. ‘Premium’ Childcare Centres Privately run childcare centres that receive no funding. Childcare Centres Run by Anchor Operators Privately run childcare centres that receive funding from government to regulate the monthly fees for - 1.Daylong infant care 2.Daylong child care 3.Kindergarten 4. Childcare Centres Run by Partner Operators Privately run childcare centres that receive funding through the POP (Partner Operator) scheme. This type of childcare centre is supposed to have at least 300 child-care places.

2. Weecare.com.sg Categorization Based upon Students’ Age Infant Care (2 months to 18 months of age) The infant care centres encourage the physical, psychological and cognitive development of the infants whilst ensuring optimum level of care, safety and hygiene. Playgroup (18 months to 2 years of age) In a playgroup Singapore, children learn through activities that encourage them to learn about themselves, their surroundings and the world. Childcare (2-4 years of age) The learning programme combines play and work. Kindergarten (4-6 years of age) Children have structured curricula that focus on general academia. The learning time usually lasts for 3-4 hours per day.