Best Childcare Centres in Singapore

Parenting is incredibly rewarding, but let’s face it—it’s also a full-time job. With endless to-do lists and daily chaos, finding time for yourself can seem impossible. That’s where BusyKidd steps in. We know that self-care is crucial for us busy moms, so we’ve curated a list of fantastic childcare centers in Singapore. These spots offer top-notch care for your kids, so you can enjoy a much-needed break—whether it’s sipping a coffee or just catching your breath. Because taking care of your own well-being is a necessity.

Related Reading: Check out our guides to the Best Diaper Bags, Kids and Baby Haircuts, Best Infant Care Centres, Best Places to Drop Off Kids in Singapore.

Childcare, Infant Care, and Kindergarten in Singapore: What’s the Difference?

As a parent in Singapore, especially if you’re juggling a full-time job, understanding the difference between childcare, infant care, and kindergarten can make life a lot easier. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from each type of early childhood development agency education option.

Childcare Centres in Singapore

Childcare centres here cater to kids aged 18 months to 6 years old. These Childcare centres are perfect for working parents since they typically offer both half-day and full-day programs. Most Childcare centres open their doors at 7 am and close by 7 pm, ensuring you’ve got a safe space for your child while you’re at work. Some even open on Saturdays with half-day sessions, although this option is being phased out by 2025.

One of the big pluses of childcare centres is that they don’t shut down during MOE school holidays. They’re only closed on Sundays and for seven additional days a year. That’s super convenient when you need reliable care! Meals are all sorted too—most centres provide breakfast, lunch, and a tea-time snack. Plus, some places even have shower time for the little ones.

Singapore Infant Care

If you’ve got a tiny one at home—babies as young as two months old—infant care is a great option. Some childcare centres also offer infant care programmes, providing the same full-day and half-day arrangements. But since infants need a lot more care and attention, you can expect higher fees compared to childcare programmes.

Like childcare centres, infant care follows a similar schedule, so you can rely on them during weekdays with minimal closures. It’s peace of mind for parents who have to head back to work soon after maternity or paternity extended mom childcare leave in Singapore 2024.

Preschools and Kindergartens in Singapore

Preschools and kindergartens usually offer half-day programmes for children aged 18 months to under 7 years old. These programmes typically run from Monday to Friday and follow the public holiday and school term schedules set by MOE. However, if your child attends an international kindergarten, the dates may differ depending on the academic calendar.

Whether you’re looking for a full-day childcare option or a part-time preschool programme, understanding these differences can help you pick the right fit for your family’s needs.

Childcare Preschool Subsidy in Singapore

As fellow moms in Singapore, we know how important it is to find affordable and reliable childcare. If your little one is a Singapore Citizen, there are some great financial subsidies that can help ease the burden of childcare and infant care costs. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Basic ECDA Subsidy for Childcare. You can get up to $300 a month for full-day childcare or up to $600 a month for full-day infant care as long as the centre is ECDA-licensed. Super helpful, right?
ECDA Additional Subsidy. For working moms like us, there’s even more support available. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you could get an extra boost to help cover fees.
Higher Subsidies for Lower-Income Families. Families with a lower household income can receive even bigger subsidies, making childcare more accessible to everyone.

If you want to dive deeper into all the details, definitely check out the ECDA website. Just remember, the fees below are what you’d expect to pay before these awesome subsidies kick in!

Carpe Diem Preschool Childcare Singapore

Carpe Diem Preschool Childcare is a fantastic option for many Singaporean families. With 32 centres spread across the island, finding a Carpe Diem location near you is a breeze. They cater to children from 18 months to 6 years old and offer a unique bilingual program that helps kids confidently learn both English and Mandarin.

If you’re curious about fees, just give your nearest centre a call. Carpe Diem childcare is perfect if you want your child to grow up fluent in two languages while enjoying a welcoming and supportive learning environment.

Is this child care centre in Singapore near me? Multiple locations in Singapore, including Toa Payoh, Bukit Panjang and Hougang
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Cherrybrook Preschool @ Thomson

The Cherrybrook Childcare programme is inspired by the Montessori Philosophy, tailored for children aged 2.5 to 6 years old (18 months to 6 years at our East Coast school).

The classroom is thoughtfully designed to support independent learning. It’s equipped with materials and activities covering Practical Life, Sensorial, Mathematics, Languages (English and Chinese), Cultural Studies (History, Geography, and Science), Creative Arts (Art, Music, Movement, and Dance), and Physical Education.

Beyond the Montessori environment, children also participate in specialized English and Chinese language classes with peers of the same age. In the afternoons, they enjoy extended Montessori and Chinese Language activities, rest time, creative play, and opportunities for social interaction.

Cherrybrook Preschool Childcare @ Thomson takes a holistic approach to child development, focusing on:

Language and Literacy
Motor Skills Development
Aesthetics and Creative Expression
Discovery of the World
Numeracy
Social and Emotional Growth

In their mixed-aged Montessori classrooms, children learn through hands-on activities with guidance from their experienced chilcare teachers.

Address: Cherrybrook Preschool Thomson, 14A Marigold Drive, Singspore 576416
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Little Footprints Preschool @ Thomson

Image Credit: Little Footprints Preschool via Facebook

Little Footprints Preschool Childcare is a community-focused brand under Babilou Family Singapore, part of the Babilou Family Group from France. This global network boasts over 1,000 nurseries worldwide.

The Little Footprints Preschool @ Thomson is conveniently located in the centre of Sin Ming, surrounded by both residential and commercial buildings. The centre offers the best infant care and childcare programs in Singapore.

Children at the centre benefit from a variety of engaging learning corners and recreational facilities.

The preschool offers programs for different age groups: infant care for children aged 2 to 17 months and childcare for those from 18 months to 6 years old.

Is this child care center near me? Little Footprints Preschool @ Thomson, 157 Sin Ming Road Amtech Building #02-01, Singapore 575624
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:00 am-7:00 pm, Saturday: 7:00 am-2:00 pm, Sunday: Closed
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Mulberry Learning Preschool Centre

Mulberry Learning Childcare, established in 2006, is a top choice for childcare in Singapore. They’re award-winning and the first preschool network certified by the USA for the Habits of Mind framework. Their learning spaces, inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, encourage creativity and curiosity through areas like the Imaginary Playscape.

Kids develop strong vocabularies in English and Mandarin, and enjoy field trips and learning journeys. For infants, they offer unique programs like Little Explorer and Muscle Master, plus activities like infant spa and massage.

They cater to children from 2 months to 6 years old. Full-day Mulberry preschool childcare fees starts from S$2,000, and full-day infant care from S$2,400.

Address: Multiple locations in Singapore, including Alexandra, Jurong East and East Coast
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PCF Sparkletots Preschool

PCF Sparkletots Childcare is like the go-to for many Singaporean parents, including me! With over 360 centres island-wide, it’s literally everywhere, making it super convenient for working moms like us. Established way back in 1986, Sparkle tots has been a trusted name for decades, providing both infant care and childcare for kids aged 2 months to 6 years old.

What I really love about Sparkletots is how they offer a full-day programme, so I don’t have to stress about picking up my little one in the middle of a workday. The PCF Sparkletots childcare fees are reasonable too, with full-day childcare starting at $741.20 and Sparkletots infant care at $1,346.15. For the quality of care and the peace of mind you get, it’s totally worth it. Plus, with so many day care centres around, you’ll likely find one just a short drive from home or work!

Is PCF Sparkletots near me? Multiple locations in Singapore, including Simei, Yishun and Clementi
Opening Hours: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, Monday – Friday
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Star Learners

Image Credit: Starlearners.com.sg

With 43 centres spread across the island, Star Learners Child Care makes it super easy to access top-quality care and education for the little ones in Singapore. Their curriculum is fantastic—literature-based, so kids as young as 2 months to 6 years old enjoy storytelling while developing essential skills through engaging, interactive activities.

As the largest partner under the ECDA Partner Operator (POP) scheme, Star Learners is committed to providing excellent early childhood education without breaking the bank. Full-day childcare starts at 0, and the full-day Star Learners infant care fee is priced at S$290.

If you’re on the lookout for a place where your kids can learn, grow, and have a blast, Star Learners review says that it is worth considering!

Is this childcare near me? Multiple locations in Singapore, including Star Learners Rivervale, Star Learners Boon Keng, Star Learners Sengkang
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Raffles Kidz International

Image Credit: Raffleskidz.com

Since 2013, Raffles Kidz International has been a go-to preschool for parents seeking a trusted and nurturing environment for their children. With awards like ‘Best Bilingual Preschool’ and ‘Best Preschool for Building Strong Academic Foundation,’ it’s clear why this place gets such glowing reviews from moms and dads alike!

Raffles Children’s centre focuses on more than just academic growth. They’re all about nurturing every aspect of a child’s development, from cognitive to emotional, social, and physical. Lessons are run by passionate, highly-trained teachers who know how to keep kids excited and engaged.

The learning spaces are thoughtfully designed and filled with everything your little one needs to explore and grow, from well-equipped classrooms to fun indoor and outdoor areas.

Is this childcare near me? multiple locations in Singapore including Yio Chu Kang, Punggol and Yishun
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My World Preschool

Since 1980, MY World Preschool has been helping kids grow. They focus on teaching children good values. This helps them develop into kind and curious individuals.

One cool thing about MY World is their ‘spiral’ way of teaching. They keep building on what kids already know. This helps them learn new things while remembering the old.

At MY World, kids are encouraged to explore and ask questions. They offer care and education for little ones from two months old up to six years. Whether it’s infant care, playgroups for toddlers, or preschool classes, MY World has something for every stage.

Is this childcare near me? Multiple locations
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Posso Preschool

Posso Preschool in Singapore is dedicated to getting kids ready for a changing world. They focus on building confidence and resilience through a well-rounded education.

Their approach uses the Multiple Intelligences method and aligns with the Ministry of Education’s Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) framework. This means kids get a rich learning experience.

At Posso, children start exploring different areas of learning early on. They offer a fun, bilingual program with lots of hands-on activities. The teachers are experienced, and the low child-to-teacher ratio ensures each child gets plenty of individual attention.

Is this day care near me? 5 locations, including Jurong East, Tampines, West Coast Rise, Rivervale, and Fernvale
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Plus, you can explore these spots for even more variety and options that suit your needs.

FAQ

What age is childcare in Singapore? In Singapore, childcare services are typically available for children from 18 months to 6 years old. Some centres also offer infant care for babies as young as 2 months.

Is preschool the same as childcare? Preschool and childcare are related but not the same. Childcare centres cater to younger children (from 18 months) and often offer full-day or half-day care. Preschools, on the other hand, focus on early education for children typically aged 3 to 6 years, and may operate only during school hours.

What does childcare cost per hour? Childcare fees in Singapore vary depending on the centre and type of care. Generally, full-day childcare costs range from $720 to $1,200 per month, while half-day care ranges from $540 to $900. To get an hourly rate, divide the monthly fee by the number of hours the centre is open each day.

How to get a 1-year-old used to daycare? Getting a 1-year-old used to daycare can be gradual. Start with short visits to the centre so they can get familiar with the environment. Gradually increase the time they spend there. Establish a consistent drop-off and pick-up routine to provide stability. It’s also helpful to talk positively about the daycare and encourage them to explore and play.

Featured Image Credit: Little Footprints Preschool via Facebook