Every parent’s goal is to make sure their children succeed. But every country is different, and each has its own set of admissions guidelines. This blog post will go over the admissions process for kids into kindergarten in Singapore and what you need to know if your child is headed that way soon.
In Singapore, kindergarten is an optional pre-primary level of schooling that starts at age 3 or 4 years old. The duration usually ranges from 1.5 – 2 years, depending on the school offering it. It is common for Singaporean students to enter primary school at 6 or 7 years old after spending one or two years in kindergarten.
Admissions into Singapore kindergartens can be quite competitive, and admission criteria are usually quite strict, especially for international students who are non-Singaporeans, Singaporeans with foreign parentage, or Singaporean Permanent Residents with foreign parentage.
Here are some tips to ensure that your child gets into a good kindergarten in Singapore.
1 – Assess the kindergarten fees in Singapore
You need to check carefully to ensure that kindergarten fees in Singapore are affordable. There are plenty of kindergartens available in Singapore. The fees vary widely, ranging from a few hundred dollars per month to as much as $3000 per month in some elite tuition-based kindergartens. So make sure to determine if a school’s fees align with your budget outlay.
2 – Spend time with the teachers
Visit the class and speak with the teacher to view the curriculum and teaching methods of each school prior to submitting your child’s application. You really need to be sure that your child has a good year ahead of them, and you should feel comfortable with their new teacher’s technique.
If you sense any negative vibes talking or interacting with the CBSE teacher, then it will be wise to consider another school. Their negativity is sure to have a detrimental effect on young children’s minds.
3 – Check the CBSE kindergarten school facilities
Most schools in Singapore offer room for children to play and take part in some recreational activities. But if the school does not have this benefit, then you should look for another school for your child.
A nice playground with a big-sized ground is an important factor to consider before sending your kid to a kindergarten overseas. Plus, additional resources like an auditorium, library, and school bus facilities will go a long way in your decision-making process.
4 – Look at the teacher-to-pupil ratio
It is better to have a low teacher-to-pupil ratio during admission to Singapore CBSE. This means that your child will benefit from more attention and help provided by teachers regarding education.
Quite often, CBSE schools in Singapore that offer lower teacher-to-pupil ratios are the ones that produce significantly better results. Lower ratios mean that the teacher is better able to look into the academic growth and development of every student individually.
5 – Admissions Test in Kindergarten Singapore
Some schools require applicants to take an admissions test prior to admission into their school. If your chosen school needs this criterion for admissions, then make sure to know about it. This way, you will be able to prepare your child well.
In most cases, CBSE kindergarten students are asked about basic concepts like the alphabet, numbers, colours, and shapes. So it will help if you prepare your kid at home some days prior to the interview on these topics.
If the kid is able to take names accurately, then it will enhance the likelihood of them gaining admission into the school. Now, all that will remain is to visit the fees counter and pay the kindergarten fees in Singapore.
6 – Check the location of the CBSE school
If the school location is nearby to the home, it offers a world of convenience to the parents and to the kids. Parents can pick up and drop off the kids individually without having to herd them away in school buses.
Plus, the child will remain fresh even after school is over. This is because they need to cover a short distance to reach home and freshen up. They don’t become lethargic after the dreary bus or public transportation ride home from school or from home to school in the morning.
Just make sure that the distance between home and school doesn’t exceed 20 minutes by car. Most schools in Singapore require a student to stay within their vicinity during their preschool program. So this point will be taken care of during the admissions process.
Read also: Why do Abu Dhabi Indian Schools focus on fostering creativity in kids?
Last few words
For a child, the kindergarten years are a golden window to future academic success. If they grasp the basics of the alphabet, numbers, and colors, it will help them a great deal in the future.
Make sure to check for your targeted school in Singapore on the above factors. Doing so will help you pick the most suitable CBSE kindergarten school for your kid to get admission into.
