13 Best Infant Care, Childcare, & Preschools in Singapore | Best of Baby 2023

While every parent desires to take care of their own child, sometimes life gets in the way and that may not be possible. For busy working parents, most either seek help from their parents or turn to options like infant care. Some opt to hire someone to care for their child, either a babysitter, nanny, or domestic helper. Each option has its pros and cons, but in this article today we will focus on covering the best infant care options in Singapore. Infant care is designed for babies and toddlers aged 2 months up to 18 months old, catering to parents who are both working. Most infant care centres have part-time and full-time programmes for your baby to cater to your working schedule. Let’s check out the best infant care in Singapore.

This article was last updated on 16 March 2023.

1. My First Skool by NTUC (from $1,364.25/month)

Since 1977, My First Skool has been a leader in early childhood care and education for over 40 years and has served over 20,000 families. As one of the more affordable infant care centres in Singapore with many locations (over 140 preschools) islandwide, My First Skool is also one of the more popular infant care in Singapore. Getting a spot might take more time and patience than you would expect, so if you know you are planning on infant care as a childcare solution, it is better to register early and ahead of time as slots fill up very quickly.

My First Skool prides itself on a well-devised curriculum that encourages learning through non-traditional modes to develop interest and all-around development in children. Their aim is to provide a comfortable and engaging learning environment for the children. Check out this My First Skool review by Mothership. SG Budget Babe has also reviewed My First Skool positively for their learning environment amongst many other factors!

Monthly fees for infant care costs $1,364.25 for Singaporeans and $1,705.31 for PRs (before subsidy). See their full price list here. The teacher-to-child ratio at My First Skool is 1:5. You can register for preschool here. After preschool, you can also opt for their nursery and kindergarten program for toddlers aged 4 years and up.

2. SparkleTots by PCF (from $1364.20/month)

SparkleTots Preschool is Singapore’s largest preschool operator and is an Anchor Operator funded by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). SparkleTots has over 360 preschool centres located islandwide with an enrolment of over 40,000 children.

Run by the PAP community foundation, their infant care rates are affordable to ensure that every child has access to good preschool education. Their mission is to constantly raise the bar of preschool education. Understanding that every child is different, their curriculum offers a diverse range of learning programmes to cater to different learning styles. If your child’s age permits, they even take learning beyond the classroom for outdoor adventures! Very importantly, the centre ensures to constantly improve facilities to ensure that it is safe and comfortable.

Their childcare programme caters to children aged 18 months to 7 years old. It is a combination of focused education complemented by quality care for meals, naptime, and play. For Singaporeans, the monthly fees cost $1364.20 for infant care and $770.40 for child care (excluding subsidy and registration fee of $53.50). Rates for PR and foreigners can be found here.

3. Mindchamps (from $2,300/month)

Mindchamps is a leading private early education, childcare, and enrichment provider in Singapore. Founder and CEO David Chiem created Mindchamps as an “educational approach that is in tune with the rapidly changing world”. Their unique ‘3-Mind’ approach (Champion Mind, Learning Mind, and Creative Mind) underpins everything they do. Their flagship outlet is located at Marina Square and they have 9 locations islandwide for your convenience.

This school’s infant care service caters to local and international children aged 2 to 18 months. With a teacher-child ratio of 1:3, you can be assured that your child gets dedicated attention. Their curriculum features S.M.I.L.E (Sensory, Motor, Intellectual, Linguistic, and Emotional) elements to stimulate your child’s development. You can simply book a visit to see their centres in person.

Infant care school fees cost $2,300 for half-day (7 am – 1 pm) and $2,500 for full-day (7 am – 7 pm), excluding GST and subsidies. 

4. Cherie Hearts (from $1,400)

Cherie Hearts is one of Singapore’s leading childcare centre and education providers with 20 locations located islandwide. Their multi-literacy curriculum caters to enhancing a child’s holistic growth, developing their joy of learning, and prime them for future success. Their staffs are well-trained in nurturing children to have a solid learning foundation, to develop 21st Century skills and a lifelong learning mindset.

This school’s infant care programme caters to precious babies and curious toddlers alike. Their curriculum for infants and toddlers provides them with a variety of activities that stimulate development in various learning domains, whether it is Language & Communication, Emotional, Social, Cognitive, and Physical. Their mission is to create a stable, caring, and loving environment facilitated by attentive staff to care for their first milestones. After infant care, Cherie Hearts has playgroup (18 months), pre-nursery (3 years), nursery (4 years), Kindergarten (5-6 years), and preschool services that your child can graduate to.

Cherie Hearts has been recognized by the Health Promotion Board and Ministry of Health for healthy eating, so you can be sure your child is getting the nutrition they need. Simply book a tour here.

Infant care at Cherie Hearts costs S$1,400 to $1,880/ month. Their teacher-to-child ratio ranges between 1:3 and 1:4.

5. Agape Little Uni (from S$1,498/month)

Since 1995, Agape Little Uni’s philosophy is to build firm foundations and cultivate strong values in your child. Their firm belief in character development leads them to develop an inquiry-based learning curriculum that is driven by concepts and questions to create learning experiences relevant to current world trends. Agape Little Uni is one of the first ISO-certified academic institutions, and on top of providing outstanding childcare and education services, its mission is to shape inquisitive minds. Over 200 qualified staff take care of a full enrolment of over 1,000 children at their 12 islandwide locations.

Their infant care service caters to babies 2 months to 17 months, with a teacher-child ratio of 1:4. On top of providing a safe and nurturing environment for your little ones, their curriculum consists of play-based activities, character building, and values-infused learning. They accommodate natural feeding times and daily routines to create a safe and secure space for all children.

As a POP centre under the ECDA scheme, their rates are reasonable to give fair opportunities to families of varying economic statuses. Rates start from S$1,498 for Singaporeans. You can submit your enrolment application here.

6. Pat’s Schoolhouse (from $2,033/month)

At Pat’s Schoolhouse, they focus on being bold, vivacious, and inspiring. Their teaching approach is specially designed for each growth stage, to work holistically with your child’s current and potential abilities and development. Their immersive curriculum uses inquiry-embedded play and engaging activities to teach and develop active, inquisitive, and competent learners. They also have an enhanced music-integrated curriculum to promote confidence, and discipline and encourage motor and social skills among others.

Cheer, energy, movement – you name it, you got it – it’s the perfect place for energetic pre-schoolers! Pat’s Schoolhouse has 15 preschools and 2 infant care centres conveniently located islandwide. You can schedule a visit here.

Rates range from S$2,033 to $2,515.50/month. Their teacher-to-child ratio is 1:3. 

7. Kinderland (from S$1,600/month)

Kinderland Educate Services, a member of Crestar Education Group, has over 40 years of experience in the early childcare and education industry. Their specialty lies in providing quality infant care and bilingual preschool education for children from 2 months to 6 years old. Check out their curriculum here.

Every infant in Kinderland is well-tended to by qualified and experienced caregivers, to provide responsive, tender, and loving care for proper development. Safety is one of Kinderland’s highest priorities. Their learning environment also provides opportunities for sensory stimulation and motor skills development during your child’s growing months. Their strong belief in using music as a tool to aid language literacy development in young children has led to a music-infused curriculum that utilizes the keyboard, percussion instruments, singing, and rhythm training. If you want your child to develop their inclination toward music, Kinderland is a great preschool for you.

Their rates start from S$1,600 to $2,160/month. Register your interest here.

8. Mulberry Learning (from $1,712/month)

Mulberry Learning started with the dream of creating well-rounded children with imaginative young minds, positive attitudes, and strength of character.  It is the first and only preschool in Singapore to be certified by The Institute for Habits of Mind from the USA. Their infant care programme for children aged 2 to 17 months focuses on experiential learning, which has been deemed one of the most interesting, engaging, and effective ways to acquire new concepts.

Taking a peek into the Infant and Toddler Programme, we find their curriculum features self-exploration, music and stories, muscle development, thematic discovery, and multi-sensory experience. Infants here are encouraged to be expressive mini-explorers as they achieve their developmental milestones!

Mulberry has been recognised for their vibrant Reggio-inspired learning spaces, comprehensive bilingual programmes, holistic development outcomes, and strengths in character development, of which they have received awards. They have also been featured in popular publications like The Straits Times, CNA, and Young Parents. Mulberry Learning also offers a Chinese preschool curriculum that integrates the Chinese language into your child’s learning routine for a strong foundation.

Their rates start from S$1,712 to S$2,354/month. Their teacher-to-child ratio is 1:3. They have 11 locations islandwide.

9. Brighton Montessori (from $2,000/month)

Believing that every child is unique and develops at his/her own pace, Brighton Montessori focuses on an individualised approach. This private preschool’s mission is to challenge every child to their maximum potential. They pride themselves on creating a creative, stimulating and supportive environment supported by dedicated Montessori-trained teachers who utilise a hands-on approach. Their teaching style comprises of both concrete and abstract methods for phonics and mathematics.

Since 1955, they have grown to 6 preschool centres located islandwide. While being one of the pricer infant care and preschool options in Singapore, Brighton Montessori promises to be a home away from home. At Brighton Montessori, you can be assured that their educators are trained to observe, monitor and evaluate your child’s progress daily.

Brighton provides nursery classes for 1.5 to 2 years, and their teacher-to-child ratio is 1:6. Their rates start from S$2,000/month. Schedule a visit here.

For younger babies, you can reach out to Blue House International. Their infant care programme caters from 6 to 36 months.

10. St. James’ Church Kindergarten (from $1,440/month)

Established in 1977, St. James’ Church Kindergarten is a Christian preschool registered with the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and is certified under the Singapore Preschool Accreditation Framework (SPARK). Their mission is to provide quality education to develop children into well-rounded individuals that display godly character traits. Their environment focuses on cultivating a positive and nurturing atmosphere so children can feel safe and secure to express themselves.

St. James’ Church Kindergarten’s curriculum features a foundational, multi-pathways, nurturing, and integrative approach. Their pre-nursery programme includes art and craft, construction, cookery, dramatic play, music and movement, outdoor activities, physical development, sand and water play, and story-telling sessions. They have 3 locations at Harding Road, Leedon, and Gilstead Road.

Their rates start from S$1,440.50/month.

11. Little Skittles

A preschool that offers a safe environment for children, Little Skittles is a play-based kindergarten where every child is celebrated and nurtured. They ensure that all the children in their care reach their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional developmental goals and develop a strong foundation for future schooling and a positive attitude toward education. Moreover, they follow the International Preschool Curriculum (IPC), with units of study presented thematically. Each theme connects different subjects in a logical and integrated manner to give children a holistic understanding of the world around them. As a licensed and recognized preschool, they also adopt aspects of the Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) – Kindergarten Curriculum Framework (KCF) of the Ministry of Education (MOE) Singapore. This guarantees that their preschool provides a rich, thorough, and developmentally appropriate educational program that effectively prepares their students for a successful transition into their preferred formal primary school upon graduation.

12. The Little House

Since its inception in 1994, The Little House has amassed a close group of teachers who are well-trained and dedicated to children. Montessori’s approach was based on the simple idea of tailoring education to children’s natural tendencies rather than imposing adult world rules on them. Instead of entirely unstructured play or a completely controlled environment with a teacher and quiet, listening students, Montessori schools maintain a balance in which children are most comfortable. Furthermore, their teachers are sensible, gentle, and well-organized individuals and the children have learned that adults can be friends.

13. Rain Trees

Founded in Singapore in 1999, Rain Trees is an independent, international kindergarten, nursery, and preschool that offers an enjoyable, friendly, and challenging environment for children aged 18 months to 6 years. Here at Rain Trees, the emphasis is on learning through play in an environment designed to promote independence, discovery, and social interaction. The children are encouraged to help themselves and take the initiative to develop self-esteem, social competence, and independence. Moreover, the children’s learning and development are not limited to the internal setting of the classroom but extend to a large and safe outdoor play area, which they regard as another classroom. Their educational philosophy is based on the UK National Curriculum (EYFS), and their children learn through a ‘hands-on’ play-based approach, thus gaining a solid foundation of preschool skills in preparation for primary school.

Other infant care services in Singapore include:

• E-bridge Pre-school
• Skool4Kidz
• Learning Vision
• Safari House Preschool
• My World Preschool

I hope our infant care and preschool article has helped you to find a suitable option for your child! If you’ve found this useful, please do share it with your family and friends, thank you!