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June14
PRE-SCHOOLS
W
e are spoiled for choice in Singapore, with
dozens of preschool options providing a broad
spectrum of learning opportunities, experiences
and facilities. Most international preschools have
a very multicultural environment, too, with students from a
diverse range of backgrounds and countries.
For many of us, selecting the right school for our children
is, after choosing where to live, the most important decision
we have to make when moving to a new country. And while
a visit to a school is often the best way to make an instinctive
decision based on the individual needs of your children,
hearing the opinions of other families about their experiences
can be invaluable. The following pages feature a multitude of
referrals from
Expat Living
readers to help you in your preschool
decision-making process.
Checklist
A few things to take into account when
choosing a preschool:
✓
Check the location of the campus,
convenience to home and transport
options.
✓
Ensure the curriculum fits your child’s
education needs and your future plans;
the right fit may minimise the disruption of
moving to another country and changing
schools.
✓
Class sizes and teacher-to-child ratios vary
from preschool to preschool.
✓
Mandarin is widely taught as a second
language.
✓
Extra-curricular activities can offer children
a balance to the academic experience.
✓
Most international preschools come with
a higher price tag than expats may be
accustomed to in their home countries.
✓
School holidays and term dates vary from
preschool to preschool.
✓
Depending on the age of your child,
schools of ten encourage parent
participation; if work commitments allow,
this can be a wonderful way to meet new
people and get to know the school.
✓
Because of the tropical climate, outdoor
experiences feature in most preschools;
check the facilities available.
✓
Most schools offer flexibility with the
number of days per week that a child
attends, depending on age.
✓
Find out about the preschool’s daily and
weekly programmes, and the activities the
children will be engaged in.
According to Singapore’s Ministry of
Education, by the end of their preschool
years (age six) children should:
•
know what’s right and wrong;
•
be able to relate to others;
•
be curious and able to explore;
•
be able to listen and speak with
understanding;
•
be comfortable and happy with
themselves;
•
have developed physical coordination
and healthy habits, and participated
in and enjoyed a variety of arts-related
experiences;
•
love their families, friends, teachers
and school.