Choosing the best infant care in Singapore for your little one can be exciting and overwhelming because the hunt for the perfect professional care can be challenging. Hearing the personal reviews and experiences of other parents can help in decision-making.

This blog lists a set of factors that you should consider while picking the perfect infant care for your child. There could be other factors, but the list includes the most important factors to be considered.

Studies show that infants and toddlers enrolled in the infant preschool programme gain exponentially in their cognitive development, social skills, and psychomotor skills necessary for their daily lives.

The challenge of finding the best infant preschool in Singapore that meets all your requirements can be daunting. The key factors that you should consider while picking up good infant care for your child are:

1. Location

This is one of the key factors that you should look into while considering an infant school. You will be bringing your child to this centre daily for the next few years. It is better to choose one that is close to your office or home. In short, somewhere convenient for you to commute.

If the infant care in Singapore is too far from your home or office, your infant will be tired during the commute, and it will be a waste of time. In case of an emergency or if the child is sick, it would be hard for you to reach your child. 

If you have family members or caregivers at home, you may prefer an infant care centre near their home, as they can help you with pick-ups and drop-offs. If you do not have that privilege, you can opt for a centre that is close to your office.

2. Accreditation

Ensure that the infant preschool you have chosen is recognized by the government of Singapore. SPARK accreditation is a certificate for the school to show that it has been evaluated by the concerned authorities. This accreditation was introduced by the Ministry of Education with the aim of raising the standards of preschool education in Singapore.

 

3. Duration of care centre

Most infant care centres offer a full-day service (7 a.m.–7 p.m.). A few offer a half-day session. You can choose the timings as per your convenience or office timings. Most infant preschools suggest sessions as per the infant's age.

Experts suggest starting off with a shorter half-day session. Since it is your child's first time away from you, a shorter duration will help them familiarise themselves with the surroundings and settle down too.

4. Fees

The pricing of infant preschools depends on various factors, such as size, location, type of infant growth programmes and school reputation. You may choose the option that best fits your budget. You should be aware of the government subsidies, which you can consider if you qualify for them.

5. Daily schedule

Good infant care in Singapore will generally have a daily schedule to help your child form a regular pattern for feeding, toileting, and napping. The schedule should be flexible enough to accommodate your infant's changing needs.

For children below eighteen months, the key areas of learning and development are outlined in a framework called “Early Years Development Framework” that is adopted by all preschools. The programme should include learning process in domains such as

  •     Physical development
  •     Social-emotional development
  •     Language and communication development
  •     Cognitive development

The primary focus of the infant preschool programme is on routine care, tasks, and play that boost the learning and developmental needs of infants. Routine care should be a key part of the curriculum, where interactions and communication between the caregiver and child will proceed towards learning, building relationships, and stimulating the infant's development.

So, while researching infant care, you need to consider this part too.

6. Curriculum

Toddlers and infants tend to be uncomfortable in a new setting. If you wish to keep your little one in the same centre for toddler care and nursery, you should consider the curriculum they would follow for preschool.

Most infant preschools vary in curriculum and early childhood teaching methodologies. The most popular ones include Montessori, the Reggio Emilia approach, and the Waldorf approach. A few of them are more inclined towards play-based teaching techniques, while others are work-based.

You can pick one that suits you and your little one's learning style. Also, try to find the levels of parent involvement in instilling confidence and creativity in children, because more parent involvement is suggested.

7. Teachers, discipline, and administrative policy

Get to know the teachers. You can do so by looking them up online or talking to them in person. Make sure that caregivers are educated and trained to take care of your little one. Check if they are positive and caring towards the child and willing to communicate with parents at regular intervals about the infant's development.

Your child could misbehave, and that's not uncommon. You can inquire about Singapore's infant care's disciplinary measures and principles.

Ensure that the concerned authorities use positive reinforcements, as the little ones are too young and still learning to behave and what is expected of them.

You can also make yourself aware of the registration process and withdrawal policies. It will help to keep yourself up to date with enrollment, the deadline for fees, and more.

8. Food

If your infant is on breast milk, you can pack it and hand it over to the care provider. You can do the same with formula milk, too. If you have started on solids, you can discuss it with the provider. You can opt for food if the infant care is ready to provide for the little one. Inform the concerned authorities if your infant is allergic to this type of food.

There could be other factors that could help you decide on the best infant care for your infant. These questions will be 8 Key Questions for Choosing the Best Infant Preschool in Singapore. Help in the process of choosing the best infant preschool, but the most important thing is for your child to be comfortable in the preschool that you have chosen. Try attending open houses, which could help in assessing the environment and meeting the staff.