A Parent’s Guide on How to Pick the Best Preschool

January 29, 2024

The early years of a child’s life are pivotal for their social, emotional, and physical development. As parents, the quest to provide the best possible preschool education for your child is both natural and essential. However, given the vast number of options available, making the right choice can be overwhelming. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve prepared some tips on how to pick the best preschool for your child.

Prioritise a Comprehensive Curriculum

When choosing a preschool for your child, it’s important to consider a well-rounded curriculum that extends beyond traditional academic learning. Look for programs that also focus on developing a variety of skills, including visual-spatial understanding, language proficiency, logical reasoning, physical coordination, emotional intelligence, and social abilities.

MindChamps, for instance, employs the S.M.I.L.E.S.™ approach, designed to nurture a child’s Sensory, Motor, Intellectual, Linguistic, Emotional, and Social skills. This balanced curriculum ensures that children are exposed to a diverse range of educational experiences, preparing them for both academic and life challenges.

Plan an Onsite Visit

Prior to finalising your preschool choice, schedule a visit to the centre with your child. This firsthand experience will give you an in-depth view of the facilities and allow you to observe the teaching methods in action. You’ll also gain insight into whether the overall atmosphere aligns well with your child’s needs and preferences.

At MindChamps, we invite prospective students and their parents to tour any of our preschool centres. This provides an opportunity to explore our facilities and experience the authentic feel of our classes and the educational environment we offer.

Prioritise Location

One crucial consideration in choosing a preschool is its location. Selecting a preschool close to home ensures your child enjoys shorter travel times and enables a more relaxed morning routine, facilitating a more comfortable experience for both the child and parents. A convenient location also makes it easier for you to participate in school activities, attend parent-teacher meetings, or effectively address any situations that may arise.

MindChamps operates 39 centres across Singapore, strategically located in the North, South, East, West, Central, and North-East regions. Our centres are easily accessible by both public transportation and nearby amenities, ensuring convenience for families, wherever they reside.

Evaluate Teacher Qualifications and Student-Teacher Ratio

The quality of educators and the attention they can give to each student are pivotal factors in any preschool experience. Research the qualifications of the teaching staff, their experience, and their approach to child development and learning. It is important to explore the qualifications, experience, and educational philosophy of the educators involved. At MindChamps, our curriculum is the result of collaborative work among experts from four distinct domains: Education, Psychology, Neuroscience, and Theatre.

To ensure the highest quality of education, all MindChamps preschool teachers undergo up to 200 hours of extensive training and accreditation, inclusive of their prior early childhood qualifications. This rigorous training ensures your child receives guidance from only the most qualified and dedicated professionals.

Additionally, inquire about the student-teacher ratio. Smaller ratios generally mean more individualised attention and could be crucial in the early developmental stages.

Student Teacher Ratio Set by the ECDA vs MindChamps

Level Age Ratio Set By ECDA MindChamps Ratio
Playgroup 18 months to 2 years old 1 : 8 1 : 6
Nursery 1 The year they turn 3 1 : 12 1 : 7
Nursery 2 The year they turn 4 1 : 15 1 : 9
Kindergarten 1 The year they turn 5 1 : 20 1 : 11
Kindergarten 2 The year they turn 6 1 : 25 1 : 12

Set Your Child Up for Success

We hope the insights shared above assist you in identifying the ideal preschool to meet your child’s unique needs.

At MindChamps, we are committed to nurturing a new generation of MindChampions, individuals empowered to navigate the world with self-assurance while also respecting the views and rights of others.

Moreover, our 3-Mind Approach to pedagogy is built on cutting-edge developments in early childhood education and developmental science. The aim is to unlock your child’s full potential by instilling a Champion Mindset.

We invite you to schedule a visit to any MindChamps PreSchool near you to learn more about our curricula, enrichment activities, and facilities.