How to Choose a Preschool in Singapore
Choose a preschool on the things that matter for your child: location and hours, the curriculum's approach, the teacher-child ratio, safety and hygiene, and the centre's licence tenure and SPARK accreditation. Visit in person, ask questions, and pick what fits your family — there is no single 'best' centre.
On this page (7 sections)
There is no official ranking of preschools, and the right centre depends on your child and your routine. What you can do is check the things ECDA and MOE point parents to, visit in person, and ask good questions. Here is a practical checklist.
1. Location and hours
Pick somewhere convenient for drop-off and pick-up — near home, work, or a grandparent. A full-day childcare centre (7am–7pm) suits two working parents; a half-day kindergarten may suit a family with more flexibility.
2. Teacher-child ratio
Smaller groups mean more attention for each child. ECDA sets maximum ratios by age:
These are maximums; ask what the centre actually runs.
| Level (age) | Max staff-to-children ratio |
|---|---|
| Infant (18 months and below) | 1 : 5 |
| Playgroup (18 months–below 3) | 1 : 8 |
| Pre-Nursery (turns 3 in the year) | 1 : 12 |
| Nursery (turns 4 in the year) | 1 : 15 |
| Kindergarten 1 (turns 5) | 1 : 20 |
| Kindergarten 2 (turns 6) | 1 : 25 |
Ask what the centre’s actual ratios are — many run below the maximum.
3. Licence tenure
Every ECDA-licensed centre holds a licence of 6 to 36 months. The length is a quality signal: a 6-month licence means some requirements were not met; 12 months signals acceptable standards; 24 months and above signals the centre has exceeded ECDA’s requirements. ECDA also makes unannounced visits.
4. SPARK accreditation
SPARK (Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework) is a voluntary quality mark from ECDA, separate from licensing. There are two levels — Certification and the higher Commendation — and accreditation is valid for six years. It is a useful extra signal, not a requirement, so a strong centre may or may not be SPARK-accredited.
5. Curriculum and philosophy
Centres use different approaches — play-based, Montessori, HighScope, Reggio Emilia and others. There is no single best one; match it to your child’s temperament. Ask how the centre assesses learning (learning stories, portfolios, observations) and how it involves parents.
6. Safety, hygiene and health
Ask about supervision, emergency procedures, how the centre manages outbreaks (like hand, foot and mouth disease), and whether CCTV is installed and how footage is handled. ECDA requires centres to notify parents of infectious-disease cases.
7. Visit in person
Open houses and tours tell you the most. Watch how teachers speak to the children, look at the displays of children’s work, check that spaces are clean and well-stocked, and talk to the principal about their philosophy. Current parents are a good source of honest feedback.
Related
General information. We do not name or rank a “best” preschool — use ECDA’s preschool search and visit in person.
Sources
- Choosing a preschool for your child — Early Childhood Development Agency (as of October 2026)
- Minimum qualified programme staff-child ratios — Early Childhood Development Agency (as of October 2026)
- SPARK Certified Preschools — Early Childhood Development Agency (as of October 2026)