Go directly to content

Pre-school Education

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) Update

Due to the acute increase in the numbers of HFMD cases in Singapore pre-schools, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has, on 23 Apr 2008, reviewed its criteria and thresholds when assessing whether a pre-school should be closed.

For more information on MOH’s press releases, HFMD advisory to parents, latest update on daily number of cases, and the list of pre-schools that have reached mandatory or voluntary closure, please visit the MOH website.

Kindergartens are ‘schools’ that provide a structured 3-year pre-school education programme for children aged 3 to 6. The 3-year programme consists of Nursery, Kindergarten 1 and Kindergarten 2. Kindergartens function daily, five days a week, with schooling hours ranging from 3 hours to 4 hours each day. Most kindergartens function at least two sessions a day.

The daily programme of each level includes learning activities that develop language and literacy skills, basic number concepts, simple science concepts, social skills, creative and problem solving skills, appreciation of music and movement and outdoor play. Children will learn in two languages, English as the first language and Chinese, Malay or Tamil as a Mother Tongue language.

Kindergartens, except for foreign system kindergartens, follow the school year observed by schools in the formal education system. The school year consists of four 10-week terms beginning on 2 January each year. There is a one-week vacation after the first and third term, a 4-week vacation mid-year and 6 weeks at year end.

Kindergartens conduct their own pupil enrolment/ registration exercises as early as March each year for admission to programmes in the following year. Parents will need to contact the respective registered kindergartens directly for further information on admission.

Kindergartens in Singapore are run by the private sector, including community foundations, religious bodies, social organisations and business organisations. Under the Education Act (1985 Edition), kindergartens are defined as private schools that have to be registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE). There are foreign system kindergartens and foreign system / international schools that offer kindergarten programmes for children of expatriate parents.

Child care centres also offer kindergarten programmes to children aged 3 to 6. Kindergartens are registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE) while child care centres are licensed by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS).

Desired Outcomes of Pre-school Education

At the end of pre-school education, children will: