Looking for a toddler playgroup in Singapore? Luckily for you, there are so many options. But of course, you want to make sure you choose the right one for your child’s needs.
There are several things to place at the top of the list when going over the criteria here. For most parents, these should be the crucial considerations:
1. Location and accessibility
This practical consideration is the first one most parents think of. That’s because the closer the preschool playgroup is to your home or workplace, the smoother your daily routine is.
This can make a big difference in setting the tone of each day for your little one. Less time during the commute also means a less tiring trip, which can prevent someone from getting grumpy.
At the same time, it can save you valuable time during drop-off and pick-up. And if there’s ever an emergency, you can get to your child as quickly as possible!
2. Learning approach
You should also find out how the preschool approaches learning and education. There are so many different educational philosophies available, and you may prefer some over others for your child.
While investigating this, look into what the school’s curriculum is. Is it well-rounded? Does it account for more than just cognitive development?
At this stage of your toddler’s life, every aspect of growth should be catered to. You may want to check if they go beyond the standard curriculum to also provide options for enrichment.
3. Qualifications
You want to ensure your child is in the care of people who have the right qualifications for childcare and actually know what they’re doing.
Ask the preschool about its curriculum and its staff’s qualifications. Here in Singapore, preschools have to meet ECDA guidelines on those.
Try to identify how much training they get to further improve their qualifications. It’s a good indicator of the preschool’s dedication to ensuring quality of service and care.
4. Class sizes
The rule is simple: aim for smaller class sizes. The smaller the class sizes in the playgroup and the better the teacher-to-child ratio, the better for your child!
That’s because smaller classes give teachers more time and space to pay students individual attention. They can better tailor their efforts to suit each child’s needs.
ECDA specifies a minimum of 1:8 for playgroups, so that’s the baseline you should be looking for. That means 1 teacher for every 8 children.
5. Safety provisions and systems
You can’t forget about safety! See if the preschool has safety measures in place, whether for things like natural disasters or man-made ones.
You should check too if they have an in-house nurse or provision for medical concerns. Who would provide first aid if your toddler is hurt? Who determines if a case needs to be escalated to the hospital?
Make sure that the preschool you pick has provisions for that in playgroup. One hopes for nothing bad to happen to their child, of course, but it’s always better to have a plan!
If you’d like to explore preschool options in the Marina Square area in Singapore, check out Lily Valley Preschool. They run programmes for learners aged 18 months to 6 years old, with a Reggio-Emilia-inspired curriculum that focuses on play-based learning.