Breaking Down the Difference Between Childcare, Preschool and Kindergarten

1. Blog01-Havenschoolhouse.sg Breaking Down the Difference Between Childcare, Preschool and Kindergarten Choosing an educational facility for your child can be an overwhelming process. Right from assessing the teaching methods, to finding the right location, there is a lot that needs to be thought upon. Deciding whether to send your child to kindergarten or childcare is one of the. Before making the choice, it’s important to understand the difference between childcare, preschool and kindergarten as they are used interchangeably among parents of children having younger kids. Preschool in Singapore It’s a common term used in Singapore that is used to describe any institution providing childcare services along with some educational programmes. From this, the category is further divided into childcare and kindergarten. According to ECDA (Early Childhood Development Agency) preschools, childcare and kindergarten in Singapore need to maintain certain standards of early childhood programmes, training and development of early childhood professionals, thereby making the preschool programme affordable and fit for all families. Childcare in Singapore Childcare centres in Singapore provide care and learning programmes for children from the age of 18 months to 6 years. Some child care centres offer care programmes for babies aged 2years-17 months. Full-day childcare programmes typically run from 7 am to 7 pm. This includes learning activities, enrichment lessons as well as meals and nap times for the children. Some centres may also offer half-day care services for parents who need them. Teacher-child ratio is decided by ECDA for all childcare and preschool centres.

2. Blog01-Havenschoolhouse.sg Kindergarten in Singapore Kindergartens in Singapore are designed for 3-6 years old and these tend to be more academically focused. With sessions of 3-4 hours a day, lessons are very comprehensive as there is a lot to be covered. Meals are not provided at kindergarten due to their short duration, however, some schools do offer snack options. It’s important for parents to check with meal arrangements and whether there is a need to pack a snack box. Teacher child ratio is 1-15 with an assistant teacher for younger children. Curriculum-wise, you will come across different learning approaches such as Montessori, Reggio or Waldorf both in preschool and kindergartens in Singapore but as a parent, the curriculum must be academic-oriented, and age-appropriate.