Preschool Mini Guide 2018

24 • Parents’ advice & first-hand experiences • Ten tips for choosing the right school • Handy location map schools to choose from!

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SEMBAWANG

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6

WOODLANDS

YISHUN

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ANG MO KIO

23

5

BUKIT BATOK

1

3

TAMPINES

20

JURONG WEST

21

19

16

BUKIT TIMAH

9

BEDOK

2

15

7

14

NOVENA

4

8

22

17

24

12

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BUKIT MERAH

SENTOSA

Australian International School

13 Marlborough College Malaysia ^ 14 Melbourne Specialist International School 15 Nexus International School (Singapore) 16 Rain Trees International Kindergarten 17 Shaws Preschool * 18 Singapore American School 19 St Joseph’s Institution International 20 Stamford American International School 21 Swallows and Amazons 22 Tanglin Trust School 23 UWC South East Asia * 24 White Lodge *

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2 Between Two Trees 3 Blue House Nursery & International Preschool 4 Canadian International School 5 GESS

6 GEMS World Academy (Singapore) 7 Global Indian International School 8 International Community School 9 Integrated International School 10 ISS International School 11 Kinderland Educare Services 12 MapleBear Preschool Singapore *

*Multiple locations; refer to individual websites for more details ^Not shown on map Note: Map not to scale, approximate locations only

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WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Learning Centre There are dozens of learning centres to choose from, also known as enrichment centres or educational play centres. Babies and children can get involved in music, Mandarin, arts and crafts, maths, dance, drama and gym classes. Preschool Before beginning statutory education at the age of six years in Singapore, many children attend preschool from the age of 18 months upwards. In Britain, preschool is known as nursery school or playgroup, while in the US the terms preschool and pre-K are used. Kindergarten In Singapore, many international schools use the term kindergarten to describe the first, and sometimes second, year of primary school education. However, the Singapore Ministry of Education uses the term kindergarten to mean a preschool that provides a structured three-year preschool programme for children aged four to six. Children learn activities that develop language and literacy skills, basic number concepts, social skills, creative and problem-solving skills, appreciation of music and movement, outdoor play, English as a first language, and Chinese, Malay or Tamil. A QUESTION OF CURRICULUM After “fun” and “play”, one of the first words you’re likely to encounter when visiting preschools is “curriculum”. The curriculum is essentially the syllabus that underpins the learning principles at the heart of every preschool. There’s a huge range of curriculums and teaching philosophies adopted in Singapore, from Montessori to Reggio Emilia, to the International Primary Curriculum. Many schools have adapted a hybrid or tailor- made curriculum that draws on elements of well-known systems, infused with the individual passions and beliefs of the school founders. Whatever is in place at the schools you look at, be sure to find out how it will suit the needs of your child.

Things to Think About When Choosing a Preschool Selecting the right school for our children is, after finding a place to live, one of the most important decisions we have to make when moving to a new country. And it’s a question that every parent grapples with. A visit to a school is generally the best way to make an instinctive decision, but hearing the opinions of other families about their experiences can be invaluable. The following pages feature the experiences of 24 Expat Living families to help you in the decision-making process. 1 Is the location of the campus convenient to home and transport options? 2 There are many education curriculums – which will suit my child’s education needs and our family’s future plans? 3 How do the class sizes and teacher-to-child ratios vary among the preschools on my shortlist? 4 Is Mandarin taught as a second language, and is this an experience my child will benefit from? 5 Will the extra-curricular activities enhance my child’s experience and balance the academic side? 6 How do the school’s holiday and term dates vary from those of my child’s siblings? 7 What are the opportunities for parent participation, such as reading groups, excursions and so on? 8 How does the preschool communicate with parents about the child’s experiences and learning? 9 Is there flexibility around the times, and number of days per week, that my child can attend? 10 What do I know about the preschool’s daily and weekly programmes, and the activities the children will be engaged in?

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Ryan and Suzanne Quan- Chai, South African; Charlotte (5) and Jenson (3)

Australian International School

Our children joined AIS in August 2017. The school provides a well- rounded environment for them to develop, from structured academic learning to social development. The teachers are specialists in their field, with warm hearts that easily connected with our children. Also, Charlotte and Jenson get exposure to Mandarin, which they would not have been exposed to back home. The facilities at AIS are amazing, and from day one our children always felt comfortable and welcomed – many days, it’s even a struggle to get them to come home! We had our heart set on another school, but before we committed we decided to look at a few more, and one of them was AIS. When we walked around the school, we

immediately felt a warm feeling of community, and we knew this was the school for our children. In South Africa, they’d also been in a Reggio Emilia-inspired school, so we relate to this philosophy and we wanted them to continue with this approach of learning. As parents, we always want to provide our children every opportunity to be prepared for the real world with a well-rounded education. In the time that our children have been at AIS, we’ve seen them develop so much, from being very quiet children to becoming confident and social children. Jenson’s vocabulary grew literally overnight and we were so proud of Charlotte when she performed in the year-end concert. We can see the development in our children, and to us that is priceless.

Many days, it’s even a struggle to get our kids to come home!

1 Lorong Chuan 6653 2958 | ais.com.sg

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Between Two Trees

Both Clara and Maya started attending Between Two Trees when they turned 18 months old. Clara has since finished K2 and joined Lycée Francais de Singapour (LFS). From the first time we visited the school, we fell in love with the place. Both of us attended small schools when we were kids and we wanted the same thing for our girls. Green and natural outdoor areas were a must for us, too. We like the school’s use of the Reggio Emilia approach, their management and teachers. Over the years, we’ve witnessed constant refining and improvements to the premises, communication with parents, curriculum and activities. Sand play, water play, walks in the jungle, museum outings and cooking with the school chef are just a few of the many activities our children have enjoyed. We only speak French at home but that doesn’t prevent them from becoming fluent in English and Chinese. Clara also had no issue joining the bilingual (French/English) class at LFS where she excels at English and quickly picked up French reading and writing. We were also concerned about the switch from the preschool to LFS, but the transition was very smooth. The learning and social skills she developed at Between Two Trees definitely played a huge part! We heard about the school through friends and decided to enrol our girls as the children looked happy and the staff showed a lot of passion. At Between Two Trees, children develop their personality, learn about the world (not just academics) with the support of an amazing team.

Gael and Emma, French; Clara (6) and Maya (4)

Children develop their personality and learn about the world.

7 Ming Teck Park 6733 9768 | betweentwotrees.sg

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BlueHouse Nursery & International Preschool

The children are happy while learning, and this is clearly visible.

We came fromSydney and have also lived in Mexico, England and Israel. Max has been attending Blue House for five months. The school follows the child-led Reggio Emilia approach to learning, which sees children as capable and unique individuals. This child-led curriculum allows their voice to be heard. We’ve seen wonderful changes in our son since enrolling; he has grown leaps and bounds in his confidence, resilience and interest in learning new things – he says things like “Let’s test that hypothesis” and “How can we find a solution?” We’re most grateful for the calibre of his teachers – they’re highly experienced early childhood educators, loving, and relate well to the children. There’s always warmth and laughter in their interactions, and theymake themselves available to parents to talk through questions or concerns. A friend recommended Blue House to us. Having a background in psychology (Nagmeh), we are aware of how critical the early years are in forming a good foundation. We wanted a school that not only addressed literacy and numeracy, but had a strong focus on social and emotional development. The school environment is also well-connected to nature, with lots of outdoor play space, and classrooms feel more like home than school. Take a tour and see for yourself the beautiful classrooms

Nagmeh Hatami and Payam

Motallebi, Australian; Max (4)

and environment, the interactions between children and teachers, and the kids being kids while exploring and learning. The children are happy while learning, and it is clearly visible.

2 Turf Club Road 6734 0824 bluehouseinternational.com

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Canadian International School

We moved to Singapore from Japan around two years ago. Shogo started attending the school’s Pre-Kindergarten class and is

now in Junior Kindergarten, while Keiya is in Pre-Kindergarten. When Shogo first started school, his class teacher was very supportive and

helped him a lot. Shogo has since enjoyed music, physical education classes and mud play. He’s now able to read English books by himself and also can speak English fluently. He is also able to sing Chinese songs that he has learnt in school. He really enjoys going each day! We are from Japan where

almost everyone speaks Japanese only, so our kids were never exposed to English until we moved to Singapore. Therefore, we were worried that they would not be able to enjoy school. We visited a couple of schools and looked out for a few key features: whether the teachers were supportive of non- English-speaking children learning English; the Chinese learning opportunities; support for allergies (for Keiya) and lastly if the children looked like they were enjoying their classes. CIS was the one that met all our requirements! We highly recommend the school for its diverse environment where children are able to gain mutual understanding of other cultures and nationalities.

The diverse environment allows children to gain an understanding of other cultures and nationalities.

• Lakeside Campus, 7 Jurong West Street | 6467 1732 • Tanjong Katong Campus, 371 Tanjong Katong Road | 6345 1573 cis.edu.sg

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GESS

Leila Boukarim and Haig Ghokassian, Lebanese; Luca (8) and Alexander (5)

Communication is open and easy, bringing parents closer to teachers.

Luca has been at GESS since we moved to Singapore in 2013. This is his fifth year and he’s currently in Grade 2. Alexander started in January 2017 and is currently in Kindergarten. Before our eldest started at GESS, going to school was a nightmare for all of us. He always felt out of place and overwhelmed. Being slow to warm up, he was never given what he needed, which led to him kicking and screaming on a daily basis. As soon as he joined GESS, all of this stopped. His teachers understood and respected his nature. They gave him the time and space he

needed, even if that meant that he sat in the reading corner while everyone else was engaged in a group activity. They met with me regularly, always reassuring me that they had Luca’s best interests in mind. Through this strong partnership, we established routines and strategies at school and at home. By the end of the school year, he was a confident little boy who enjoyed group activities and being with his friends. We will always be grateful for the amazing work of his loving and supportive teachers. With my husband being half German, we wanted our children to

have some exposure to the language, which is why we chose GESS. The teachers, their passion and their relationship with parents are what I value most. Communication is open and easy, which brings parents closer to teachers, resulting in more effective, individualised teaching strategies and happier children. And when your child complains about not being able to go to school on weekends, you know they must be doing something right!

• 72 Bukit Tinggi Road • 300 Jalan Jurong Kechil 6461 0881 | gess.sg

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GEMS Azaan is currently attending KG2 in the Early Years programme. He’s excited about going to school and loves his teachers. He is a reserved and sensitive child, and we’ve seen how his home- room teachers have made an effort to map his traits and characteristics. He has been encouraged and given platforms to express his ideas, boosting his self-esteem and confidence.

World Academy (Singapore)

Riaz and Tahmina Saadullah, Bangladeshi; Azaan (5)

At GEMS (Singapore), the kids have indoor and outdoor classroom activities as well as weekly slots for physical activities, swimming, music, Mandarin and visits to the school library. With a low student-teacher ratio, kids receive individual attention. We like the app the school uses to share the day’s highlights – we get pictures, videos and notifications every day! The daily updates allow us to have informed conversations with Azaan after school, and it makes us feel very connected. The children get to use interesting tools like ProScopes and Dash robots as part of their learning and to pick up ideas through a range of fun activities. Early Years’ students have a dedicated playground, pool, library and lobby area. The school organises activities, workshops and sessions to share with the parents on how to be more involved in their children’s learning and development. When we were stationed in Dubai, we heard good things from friends who sent their children to GEMS (Singapore). When we moved to Singapore, we toured the school and felt that it met our expectations. It is a truly international school, with a good mix of students from various nationalities. We felt that it would foster openness and teach Azaan to value different opinions.

Our son has been given platforms to express his ideas, boosting his self-esteem and confidence.

2 Yishun Street 42 6808 7300 | gwa.edu.sg

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Global Indian International School (GIIS)

Hasini started attending GIIS Mountbatten in June 2017 and we’re extremely happy to have sent her there. We’ve had many positive experiences in the short time she’s been there. The school offers activities beyond academics; my daughter has since participated in several

contests and has won trophies. The teaching approach encourages children to step out of their comfort zones and

Hasini is now confident to speak in front of a large audience. Parents are given opportunities to interact with their children in class. During our visits, Suganya has enjoyed doing science experiments, acting and baking with Hasini and her classmates. I also like the school’s many initiatives such as Joke of the Day, Tongue Twisters, Tell A Story, Brain Blitz and the various assembly presentations that keep the children engaged. The teachers also call us up to encourage us and ensure that our daughter is actively involved in school. We havemany friends who recommended the school and all offered positive feedback of their experience there, particularly about the co-curricular activities and teaching methodology. Besides the helpful and easy admissions process, the new campus facilities (designed for kindergarten children) gave us more confidence that we were making the right choice. The school sees the children’s potential, offering them the right opportunities to exhibit their talents. Besides academics, it’s important to have your child develop good attitude and character. Also, the school should be a place that leverages on your child’s talents. I’m confident that my child is in the right hands and, most of all, that she’s excited to go to school!

The teaching approach encourages children to step out of their comfort zone.

GIIS has 4 locations island-wide 6508 3715 | sg.globalindianschool.org

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International Community School (Singapore)

We’ve been living in Singapore for eight years. Kayley is currently in Second Grade and has been attending ICS since Junior Kindergarten. Ezra began in Junior Kindergarten and is currently in Kindergarten. The teachers at ICS are really invested in the character development of our children, in addition to academics. The Christian values taught have resulted in positive character development in our children. The school has an incredible sense of community and is very welcoming. The class sizes are small and children get individual attention and are well- nurtured. We’re allowed to be part of our children’s learning and development journey by receiving regular and informative progress updates from the teachers that enable us to help our children at home. The kids also have Mandarin classes and learn valuable skills from their extra-curricular activities. The students at ICS are a testament to the values taught; they are polite, courteous and considerate. We’ve seen our kids grow incredibly since going to ICS and we appreciate the Christian values taught. Having said that, while the school is a Christian school, you don’t have to be a Christian to attend and there are students from all faiths. There are also many opportunities for interaction among the school community; from the parents you meet in the canteen after school to the school carnivals and concerts. We’ve built many great friendships with other families.

Sam and Brenda Ringwaldt, Australian; Kayley (7), Ezra (5) and Silas (2)

The school has an incredible sense of community and is very welcoming.

27A Jubilee Road 6776 7435 | ics.edu.sg

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The school focuses on strengthening skills and working on areas of improvement.

Integrated We’ve lived in Singapore for five years and Sasha has been attending IIS for six months. We met the director Dr Vanessa von Auer and told her about our struggles to find the right place for a child who needs more support from a mainstream education. Since enrolling, we’ve seen positive changes in Sasha’s academics and behaviour. She has also had her first graduation ceremony, moving from Preschool to Grade 1. results and areas of improvement, and to ensure that our objectives are aligned. There’s a real focus on helping children strengthen the skills they are good at and work on areas of improvement. The school recently moved to a new location which is well equipped, offering a bright environment with an outdoor recreational area. We appreciate the activities planned for after-school hours, such as dance, soccer and language learning. They’re quite diverse, and the programme is reviewed quarterly. We feel like a part of the IIS community; we’re IIS offers strong academic support with low student-teacher ratios. As parents, we have regular catch- ups with the teachers to discuss

well-connected with other parents and we organise playdates regularly. We came across the school online when we were looking for international schools with small class sizes and additional developmental support. The teachers and specialists are very professional and offer children both academic and personal development; it’s exactly what we were looking for! International School

41 Sunset Way, #01-01 Clementi Arcade 6466 4475 | iis.edu.sg

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Sofia started attending ISS in 2016. Our experience at the school has been excellent. Sofia used to be shy, but her home-room teacher has helped her significantly gain confidence. Show & Tell is one of Sofia’s favourite activities in class and she is always excited to choose a toy or a book to present in class. We visited several preschools in our area and spent time speaking with the school staff at each of them. We eventually decided on ISS because the class sizes are small, and the teachers encourage the children; they have certainly helped Sofia and offered her the opportunity to express herself. We also like that there is a big covered playground; this gives Sofia the opportunity to play outdoors, regardless of the weather! The fact that the school is near our home so she doesn’t have to travel far to get there is a bonus too. We highly recommend ISS to any parent who is looking for a warm and caring environment. Our daughter has settled in well and loves going to school and learning. The school balances academics and play very well and provides the students with the best opportunities they can have. It’s a great start for a child’s school journey! ISS International School

Oystein Bell and Kyoko Teratani, Norwegian and Japanese; Sofia (6)

Our daughter has settled in well and loves going to school and learning.

25 Paterson Road 6737 9171 | iss.edu.sg

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Kinderland Educare Services

Channah is currently attending K2 at Kinderland. My older children also attended the Yio Chu Kang centre since Pre-Nursery and they have wonderful preschool memories. They’ve all learnt helpful skills such as greater focus, perseverance and teamwork, and have enjoyed participating in the marching band. The band performance is held annually and only offered to K1 students from the Yio Chu Kang campus. Your child would need to commit to three months of training, so the journey isn’t easy, but seeing their transformation makes it worth it! You’ll be impressed by how they can remember all the marching steps, while striking beats on the drums. Kinderland also has a programme where children stay back after school to learn Mandarin. For two hours daily from Monday to Friday, the children are taught to speak and write in Chinese, enhancing their proficiency in the language. My son Chace improved his Mandarin after attending this programme previously and it helped to build a good foundation for him before he entered Primary One. The main reason for choosing Kinderland (Yio Chu Kang) was its proximity to my in-laws’ home. My husband’s sister also attended the preschool more than 20 years ago! With its long history, we believe that Kinderland is a reputable and well- recognised school, and we’re happy to have sent our children there. Also, the Yio Chu Kang campus has a big school compound and the children are given chances to perform each term – this certainly builds their self-confidence.

Viviane Liew and Ivan Peh, Singaporean; Chloe (12), Chantel (9), Chace (8) and Channah (6)

The children are given chances to perform each term, which builds their self- confidence.

Kinderland has 22 locations islandwide kinderland.com.sg

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MapleBear Singapore

We’re happy that Philip now speaks three languages.

Olena Yankovska and Yegor Trukhin, Ukrainian; Philip (4)

We’ve been living in Singapore for almost three years; before coming here we lived in Malaysia, where our son was born. He started attending MapleBear from November 2016 and he goes there for five full days a week. The school has a lot of space, new and clean rooms and thoughtful teachers. There are also different art activities that Philip adores. It’s great not needing to think about where to find extra-curricular activities as the school offers music and enrichment classes, including Chinese, drama,

mathematics, logic and sports. We’re happy that Phillip now speaks three languages – our native language (which only we speak to him with), English and Chinese. His two new languages are becoming more and more natural to him. He enjoys his time at school so much that it’s hard to bring him home every evening as he still wants to play! We initially enrolled Philip in another school, but decided to change to MapleBear. The campus is located close to our home and has

smaller class sizes that give the kids greater attention. The classrooms are also clean and hygienic. Most importantly, the kids don’t just stay in their classrooms but they move around during the day. Every parent has their own preference, but we feel that the school is a good choice for our child’s development.

MapleBear Singapore has 25 locations island-wide 8646 8846 | maplebear.sg

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Marlborough CollegeMalaysia

We moved to Malaysia from Ireland three years ago for my husband’s job. Both of our sons currently attend the school; Benjamin is in Year 3 and Isaac is in Reception. We’ve been impressed with the school since day one, especially with the feel and ethos; it’s so friendly and there is a warmth amongst the staff and children that is unique. We’ve always felt that it has been a happy and good environment for our children. Both boys are learning Spanish and Mandarin and have also been enjoying sports and activities such as taekwondo, tennis and swimming. We heard that MCM had a great reputation for teaching so we enrolled the boys there. Schooling has been a great success for the boys. They settled into the school easily; and, though Isaac only joined in September, his teacher and head of the Pre-Prep school visited him at home the week before he started, giving him that extra bit of confidence for starting school for the first time. The class sizes are relatively small, so both boys get more focused attention from the teachers. MCM has so much to offer in terms of its curriculum and extracurricular activities. It has given our boys the best start in school and we are delighted with the progress they’ve both made since they started.

Neasa and Dudley Neary, Irish; Benjamin (8) and Isaac (4)

The class sizes are relatively small, so both boys get more focused attention.

Jalan Marlborough 79250 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia

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International School Melbourne Specialist

Ophelia has been attending MSIS since she was three years old. She started with three days a week and slowly increased to five days. What appealed to us was the location and environment. There’s

a big outdoor playground surrounded by greenery, and there are wonderful facilities nearby such as the gymnasium, which consists of an indoor padded play area with trampolines.

We don’t have much experience with other special needs schools but we like the school’s curriculum of having a mandatory subject surrounding a creative activity every day, such as art, dance or drama. Being quite involved with the school, I’ve also seen the teachers at work and I’m amazed by their efforts to provide each child with an environment where they are respected and emotionally cared for. A friend of mine sent me a message telling us about the school when they were just starting up. We had attended an introduction day and chose the school as it offered us flexibility in tailoring Ophelia’s education. When choosing a school, look at the classes they offer, the facilities and services, and whether the tuition price suits your needs. I believe education is a hugely important part of every child’s upbringing. Decide what your priority is, what you consider important skills for your child to learn and how the school can facilitate that. For Ophelia, we wanted a safe environment where she can build up her social skills as well as increase her knowledge through learning at her own pace.

75C Loewen Road 6634 8891 | msis.edu.sg

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Nexus

Danielle and Keith Barnett, American; Mason (10), Finley (8) and Graham (5) International School (Singapore)

We lived in Dublin for two years before moving to Singapore in July 2016. Graham is in his second year at Nexus and is currently in kindergarten. Our older children attend Nexus as well and are currently in Year 4 and Year 6. We couldn’t be more pleased with the early learning programme at Nexus. The teachers are patient and kind, warm and fun, yet firm. Watching them interact with the children, it’s clear that they love their job. Graham’s confidence and love of learning have both blossomed. He brings home books to read with us and he writes cards for us. The classrooms in the early learning pod are displayed with work by the children, manipulatives objects for hands-on mathematics learning, a reading nook, writing centres, art centres and more. The outdoor space

is wonderful and the children spend a good amount of time there. We touredNexus with our relocation agent prior to our move. Out of the six schools we toured, I knew Nexus was the school for us. As a primary school teacher, I love the school’s approach to learning. In early learning, it’s about exploring and discovering, learning through touching, moving, listening and observing. The IB PYP curriculum is new to us, but our kids are thriving. We were also drawn by the smaller size of the school, the community feel, diverse population and the strong parent-school relationship. It gives us peace ofmind that Graham is in a safe and happy environment. He is excited about learning and loves going to school, and that’s what’s most important to us for our five-year-old.

Watching the teachers interact with the children, it’s clear that they love their job.

201 Ulu Pandan Road 6536 6566 | nexus.edu.sg

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International Rain Trees Kindergarten

We’ve been living in Singapore for four and a half years since moving here from Dubai. Johnny officially started at Rain Trees Kindergarten when he was two and a half, but before this, we attended the Mums and Tots sessions. George recently attended them too, before starting school in February. Coming from New Zealand, we felt that the environment and teaching approach was very familiar – it reminded me of community kindergartens from my childhood. Each morning, the classroom is set up

with creative and engaging activities to welcome the kids into class. Johnny has recently started showing off his Mandarin skills at home (which his dad is especially proud of!). Ms Angie, the Chinese teacher, also spends time in each Mums and Tots session so George will be catching up soon! Johnny’s week is very varied: parent- led cooking sessions, mystery readers, cultural celebrations, field trips and weekly Splash Time. The school also teaches the children about giving back to the community and helping the less fortunate.

When we went on our school tour, we saw lots of smiling faces and met the lovely staff – I immediately thought that it had to be a lovely place to be enrolled! I feel really lucky that we are part of the Rain Trees community, and I can’t wait to see what the teachers will bring out in George. School drop-off and pick-up are really happy times, as class parents get to know each other and forge friendships. There’s a lovely community feel that has made navigating the expat world a little easier!

The lovely community

feel has made navigating the expat world a little easier!

Alex and Nadia Shepherd, British and New Zealander; Johnny (4) and George (2)

60 Kheam Hock Road 6474 6181 raintreeskindergarten.com

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Shaws

Preschool

Sabina and Ricardo Pinto Goncalves, Australian- Portuguese; Leonor (4) and Pedro (1)

The curriculum is very hands-on, with learning done through experimenting and exploring.

Leonor started school in August last year, a few months after we arrived in Singapore from Australia. Pedro started at the beginning of this year and so far it has been amazing. The children love it very much and are happy to go to school. The curriculum is very hands-on, with learning done through experimenting and exploring. The teachers are very caring, friendly and well-qualified, teaching in a funny and interesting way, and keeping the kids engaged; they’re also always willing to help when needed. The programme is awesome and the children learn so

much while having fun. Since my kids started, they’ve never refused or cried about going to school. The school offers excursions throughout the year and there are loads of other activities, from sports, robotics and dance, to languages, music and arts. There is good communication between families and the school, so we always know what’s happening. We v i s i t e d o t h e r s c h o o l s prior to visiting Shaws; we were recommended to do so by our neighbours who sent their children there. We fell in love with the cosiness of the campus and with the staff. The

school was organised and clean, and the kids appeared interested in the class. Leonor was with us when we visited schools and this was the one she liked the most. I recommend you to visit potential schools with your children – it’s good to get the little ones’ perspectives. Talk to teachers and ask as many questions as possible.

Shaws Preschool has 6 locations island-wide 6382 0314 | shaws.com.sg

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Singapore American School

Amelia is in her second year of preschool at SAS and is now in Pre-K. Kyle is the Director of Communications at the school and he attended SAS in his senior year of high school, graduating class of 2002. Our experience at SAS has been beyond our expectations. We were somewhat prepared with Kyle’s previous experience, but as a parent, seeing the resources and support Amelia has received is incredible. The Early Learning Center (ELC) has been renovated in the Reggio Emilia style of learning: floor-to-ceiling glass walls, open concept spaces, student mobiles, indoor and outdoor exploration tables. Amelia’s teachers are inspired by the Reggio Emilia method and their classrooms reflect that. Amelia comes home singing Mandarin songs, talking about the latest visiting artist puppeteer and demonstrating techniques from her Move-and-Groove classes. We heard of the SAS preschool programme through Kyle’s position at SAS. The best part of SAS is definitely the teachers. We may only have a child in Pre-K, but the level of personal care and interaction from Amelia’s teachers has been above and beyond. The teachers are amazing across the board. Even though Amelia is the youngest in her class, she is thriving as a leader and learner. It’s because she is surrounded by incredible teachers who are invested in her and nurture her daily. A school

Leah and Kyle Aldous, American; Amelia (4) and Eleanor (2)

Our daughter is surrounded by incredible teachers who are invested in her and nurture her daily.

like SAS is hard to find. The teachers and staff truly know and care about my child personally, and have set her up with the tools to succeed.

40 Woodlands Street 41 6363 3403 | sas.edu.sg

PHotography | Leah Aldous

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Institution International St Joseph’s

Carly and Iain Twine, Australian; Rupert (6) and Harvey (4)

Because our sons are excited to go to school every day, it makes everyone’s morning easier!

Rupert has attended St Joseph’s Institution International since Prep 1 in January 2016. He started Grade 1 in January 2018, whilst Harvey commenced Prep 1 then as well. We’ve loved the school ever since we joined, and the school community has become a significant part of our lives in Singapore. Rupert has had committed teachers and enthusiastic specialist teachers for PE, Music, Art, ICT, Library and Mandarin, and he’s enjoyed making friends. Watching your children make and grow friendships is truly rewarding. They are excited to go to school every day and it makes everyone’s morning

a little bit easier! We heard of the school through various networks and it also came highly recommended by a good friend, whose daughter was going there. I completed a school tour and it reminded me of the primary school I attended in Australia. You can feel the sense of community upon arriving at the campus. It’s a smaller school, but with the facilities and advantages of larger international schools. We’ve been expats for over 12 years now, and we were very keen for our children to have an international education. Rupert’s Prep 1 class had over 15 nationalities which was

such a wonderful experience for him. Additionally, SJI International operates the Virtues Project, which offers a solid basis for character education. The school provides holistic education, focusing not just on academics, but also on character education and a cultural experience. It has provided our family with a supportive and friendly community. The dedication and commitment of the staff alone is reason enough to recommend St Joseph’s!

490 Thomson Road 6871 5202 | sji-international.com.sg

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Stamford American International School

Ruben Magloire and Mariangel Gonzalez, Venezuelan; Gabriel (7) and Samara (4)

The teachers constantly challenge and encourage the children to learn and do better.

We’ve been living in Singapore for nine years now. Both Samara andGabriel are attending Stamford American; currently, Samara is in KG1 in the Early Learning Village, while Gabriel is in First Grade at the main Stamford campus. Our Kids started at Stamford when Gabriel was in KG1 and Samara was in Pre-K. First and foremost, the teachers are simply great; they build excellent relationshipswith the kids and parents, and they constantly challenge and encourage the children to learn and do better. The well-rounded programme drives kids’ development and independency. We are pleasedwith the additional support and detail- oriented screening the kids get. We love the facilities, particularly the new Early Learning Village – it’s a great facility for the younger kids. Samara loves it! The facilities at the

main campus are fantastic as well, and, although we struggled a little having one child at each campus, it’s been worth it. We decided to enrol our kids at Stamford after our own thorough research, and from our friends’ experiences with kids attending the school. It’s a great school that

offers fantastic opportunities for children, preparing them for the future. Stamford allows the children to learn on their own, moulding and developing them into independent individuals.

3 Chuan Lane (Early Learning Village) 6653 7907 | sais.edu.sg

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Swallows Both our children have been attending the school for four months. We feel welcomed here, and Amazons and

the teachers are knowledgeable on to how to handle new children and are used to a diversity of cultures.

The school’s curriculum is based on learning through enquiry. My daughter’s vocabulary has increased dramatically

and my son is now steadier on his feet and walking well. The school also

offers a nutritious lunch. Both our children have made many friends and always speak fondly about them and about their teachers. I like the way we get daily emails so we know what the kids get up to during the day. Teachers are easily contactable for any questions and there is an amazing outdoor space, too – the kids spend a good amount of time outdoors. I had a long list of things I was looking for in a school, including learning through enquiry, a nice outdoor space, a school bus and extra-curricular activities such as swimming. Swallows and Amazons fit the bill! I met with Jackie the Director and she told me about the curriculum and ethos; the school is just as she described it. The teachers are caring and the children are happy learning through play – my daughter loves yoga and play gym, in particular. The teachers also make an effort to know all the children in the school. I’m so glad we found the school; we’re all very happy here!

200 Turf Club Road 6762 8158 | swallowsandamazons.com.sg

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Rachael and Matthew Day, British; Charlotte (4) and Annabel (6 months) Tanglin Trust School

It’s a supportive, fun and diverse community where we’ve felt warmly welcomed.

We’ve been living in Singapore since 2001 and our daughter Charlotte attends Tanglin Nursery. For us, Tanglin strikes the perfect combination of traditionally strong educational standards, a non-profit foundation and a genuine belief in nurturing and caring for children as individuals. The curriculum is international, unique and vibrant; cementing important basic skills in an exciting and relevant way that I wish I had experienced as a child! Thoughtful philanthropic projects run throughout the year with meaning and substance, engaging even the youngest members of the community. My daughter has asked

whether we could take the bus to school in order to help to save the planet, and she’s also learning to read, count and write. Tanglin discovers staff who believe in learning far beyond the classroom Children are greeted each morning with genuine warmth and positive energy, and there is a continuous aim to create a small, friendly environment within the larger school context. We have regular communications with Charlotte’s teacher who not only has an astute knowledge of her educational needs, but also takes time to know her personality and what makes her tick. Our rather shy little girl feels liked, valued and inspired

on a daily basis and she skips into school eager to absorb the day ahead. She’s making friends from different cultural backgrounds and as a family we are enjoying meeting so many lovely people. At its heart, Tanglin is about family values, vibrant learning, and an attitude of endless possibilities for children and their families. It’s a supportive, fun and diverse community where we have felt warmly welcomed, reassured and confident in our children’s exciting journeys ahead.

95 Portsdown Road 6770 3480 | tts.edu.sg

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UWC South

East Asia Our highlight is seeing Jack learn life skills that shape him as a person.

Geoff and Valerie Stockwell, American and Singaporean; Jack (6), Luke (4) and Grace (2)

We moved to Singapore in 2013, having previously lived in Sydney for two years and before that in New York. Jack is currently attending K2 at UWCSEA East campus. Luke attends EtonHouse and we hope both he and their sister will join the school in the next few years. Jack loves going to UWC; he looks forward to school every day, comes home happy and even feels disappointed when he falls ill and has to miss a day of school. Academics are taught in a creative manner. You can see the joy in learning when your child comes back wanting to create stories, be

his own author and illustrator, and thinking of numeracy concepts when doing daily activities such as grocery shopping and baking. Academics aside, our highlight is seeing Jack learn life skills that shape him as a person. Kindness is a consideration in his mind, recycling is part of his routine and mindfulness is a technique he has practised. He even tells us to breathe and imagine blowing out a candle when emotions get the better of us! We considered several other schools, but felt that UWC offered the best combination of an all-rounded

• East Campus, 1 Tampines Street 73 | 6305 5344 • Dover Campus, 1207 Dover Road | 6775 5344 uwcsea.edu.sg education, global diversity and a commitment to making learning enjoyable. What makes the school great comes down to the wonderful teachers and teaching assistants who so gently but relentlessly guide the children along their learning journey. Both the teaching and non-teaching staff truly make UWC feel like a big family.

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White

Lodge

Joey is currently attending Pre-Kindergarten at White Lodge East Coast, while June graduated in December 2017. They’ve both been attending the school since September

2016. We were originally at another preschool in the area, but were looking to change schools. We felt that White Lodge was a

warm and loving place for our children. The school was very welcoming to us as parents and helped us ensure that our kids transitioned easily. They adapted well and love going to school. They’ve had fantastic teachers, amazing art projects to share and they love learning with the programming robot. The school really puts in an effort to teach in fun and engaging ways. There are so many ways

to get the parents involved at school as well. Our favourite day is UN Day, where families share the food, dance and culture of the country they’re from. The school embraces the diversity of its students and teachers, and our kids get to learn about Singapore and cultures from all over the world. We first saw the preschool listed on a blog. We originally picked another school because of the distance, but our kids never adapted to the environment. White Lodge felt more like home, and our kids have been very happy there. It offers a good mix of academics with play and art, and that’s what our children need to flourish. Our kids love school and learning, and they love their teachers and friends, and that’s what matters to us!

White Lodge has 7 locations island-wide whitelodge.edu.sg

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