Sorting through your options for early education centres in Singapore can feel like a chore. Parents are arguably spoiled for choice here – to the point where the choice becomes daunting!
Having specific criteria to narrow the field helps. For example, looking for one that specifically offers the child-led Reggio Emilia approach can help you control your options.
There are only a few Reggio Emilia preschools in Singapore that offer quality playgroup programmes today. To illustrate, we can take you through the top choices. All of these offer an environment where your toddler is sure to be listened to instead of being lectured at.
1. Lily Valley Preschool
Lily Valley Preschool is among the most prominent preschools offering a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach. It’s known for providing a rich array of opportunities for children to learn through purposeful play.
The preschool has a number of specially designed ateliers for learning within its centre. These are curated spaces with various materials and media that support children’s exploration and curiosity.
Examples of the ateliers include an outdoor garden that ties into garden-to-table experiences, as well as a light atelier with various set-ups that prompt children to discover and explore the world around them. The preschool also regularly exhibits the children’s projects or work, which reaffirms the value of the learners’ discoveries.
Note that the minimum age for admission for playgroup is 18 months at the establishment. Programmes also include both full-day and half-day options.
2. Blue House International Preschool
This is another Reggio Emilia preschool to consider, with at least three locations on the island. Its playgroup programmes also start children at 18 months of age.
Like the other establishments on this list, the preschool also adheres to the concept of the environment being a third teacher. This means its centres are equipped with various items designed to encourage children to play and construct projects themselves.
The playgroup programme here also offers both full-day and half-day options. The former includes a nap or rest time for the little ones, and both follow an educator-to-child ratio of 1:6.
3. Odyssey The Global Preschool
Odyssey The Global Preschool focuses on innovative and exploratory learning approaches. The playgroup programme here is called the Early Years Programme and it also starts at 18 months.
As you may expect from a Reggio Emilia playgroup, this programme is mostly unstructured. Emergent learning forms the backbone of the experience here, with the curriculum just offering general and gentle guidance towards developmental milestones.
Examples of the experiences offered are Chinese language immersion activities, outdoor learning, and emotional cultural quotient initiatives.
4. EtonHouse International
EtonHouse is an established educational group, so most people may recognise the name instantly. It also offers a Reggio-inspired playgroup programme at certain campuses, including the one at Sentosa.
Again, sensory play, music, and organic exploration as well as experimentation are enabled and encouraged here. You can expect much the same as with the other preschools on this list.
EtonHouse’s programmes also offer a bilingual environment for those who want their children to pick up Mandarin early, though. In addition to that, the preschool offers a special parent-accompanied programme to make the transition easier on both parent and child.
5. Mulberry Learning
Mulberry Learning is Reggio-inspired, combining the Italian approach with its “Habits of Mind” framework. The latter emphasises training the thinking skills, which the preschool does through fun learning experiences.
Again, you’ll find the hundred languages of children honoured here, with environments set up to support children’s self-chosen activities. Spaces are divided into thematic sections to enable the realisation of those activities even better.
Like the other Reggio Emilia playgroup options we’ve listed here, they also keep their ratios low. The typical playgroup class here also has one educator for every six toddlers.
