In Singapore, the terms "preschool" and "nursery school" are often used interchangeably, and both refer to early childhood education centers that provide learning experiences for young children before they enter primary school. There are slight differences:
Preschool:
In Singapore, the term "preschool" is commonly used to describe early childhood education centers that provide care for children aged between 18 months and 6 years.
Preschools in Singapore typically offer a comprehensive early childhood curriculum that includes activities focused on cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
Preschools often prepare children for the transition to primary school and may have programs for Nursery, Kindergarten 1 (K1), and Kindergarten 2 (K2) levels.
Nursery School:
"Nursery school" is a term that is sometimes used in Singapore to refer specifically to programs for very young children, usually from around 18 months to 3 years old.
Nursery schools may focus more on early socialization, basic motor skills, and foundational learning experiences.
These programs often serve as an introduction to formal education and may not cover the same range of subjects or skills as a full preschool program.
For this reason, it's important to carefully review the specific program and offerings of an early childhood education center before choosing it for your child in Singapore.