Early childhood education in Singapore

Abstract

Although preschool education for children aged six years and below is not compulsory in Singapore, about 99% of children attend at least one year of preschool in Singapore. Since their beginnings in the 1940s, preschools (kindergartens, child care centers, and infant care centers) have evolved and mushroomed all over Singapore, providing care and education services for young children and their families from different social and cultural backgrounds. Realizing that early childhood education (ECE) is essential and contributes to later development, learning and behavior, the government has introduced new policies, measures and initiatives to increase the number of preschools as well as improve the access, affordability and quality of ECE for all children in Singapore. The formation of the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) in 2013, and the setting up of the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC) in 2018 are two of the many important milestones in the development of ECE in Singapore. The ECE sector has undergone tremendous changes, especially in teacher education (teacher preparation and professional development). The ECDA has introduced several changes to enhance teacher education, including a training and career pathway to attract and retain good personnel in the ECE sector and improve teacher professionalism, work conditions and well-being.