The Best Nursery & Toddler Care Centres in Singapore Local Parents Approve
One of the best decisions a parent can make is signing up their kid for a quality nursery or toddler care centre.
The benefits are massive. Beyond learning how to count or colour inside the lines, your tot can pick up social skills, become confident, grow independently, get physical, and develop creatively.
It’s not just great from them, either. My sister, for example, rediscovered what “me time” is once her son started nursery school.
Choosing where to enrol can get tricky, though, so we’ll make it easier for you. We found only the best in terms of curriculum and record for this review.
How much do nursery and toddler care centres cost in Singapore?
Full-day nursery and toddler care centres in Singapore typically cost around S$697.60 per month for Singapore citizens, S$981 for permanent residents, and S$1,170 for foreigners.
1. The Starry Way
Address: 45 MacPherson Rd
Contact Details: +65 9118 3181
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri – 7:30 am to 7 pm
Centred on an inquiry- and project-based curriculum, The Starry Way is best described as well-rounded. My nephew’s learning, for instance, is guided by his own curiosity and honed through hands-on projects with definitive results.
Another highlight is their focus on non-traditional bilingual education. Mandarin and English are both taught engagingly, often incorporating play and outdoor activities into the lessons.
As for credentials, they meet our criteria. Li Li (the founder) alone has 30-plus years in her resume, with master and senior lecturer stints at NIEC and SUSS.
Class sizes aren’t bloated either. The nursery’s 1:8 ratio (it’s 1:5 for toddlers and 1:10 for kindergarten) allows personalised support and participation, as I’ve seen with my nephew.
Late responses have been noted, though, plus the fees (S$1,220 to S$1,460) might be too high for some.
On the upside, referral programmes, subsidies, and discounts can lower the costs.
Focuses More on Building the Kids’ Self-Confidence and Independence,
My younger girl graduated in 2024 with the new management, The Starry Way. During the transition, there were changes for the kids to adapt to the new learning style. The new management focuses more on building the kids’ self-confidence and independence, which I think is very important for growing children.
They even organised a 2-day, 1-night graduation camp at school for the graduating class to experience a night without parents and outside their comfort zone. Many parents were worried about whether the little ones could sleep well, but to our surprise, the kids enjoyed themselves so much—sleeping over with their friends and teachers, taking public buses to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, watching movies, and more. It was such a memorable graduation for the kids!
Additionally, my girl speaks more Chinese after the new management took over. For parents who want their kids to learn as they play, this is the place to check out and consider. 💪🏼😊
– Grace Lim, Google Review
Nurturing and Enriching Environment
My son has been attending The Starry Way Preschool in Singapore for the past year, and we are very pleased with his progress. The teachers are dedicated and nurturing, creating a warm environment where children feel safe and encouraged to learn.
The “Project-based” curriculum is well-rounded, focusing on both academic and social skills. My son’s confidence and social interactions have improved significantly. The preschool also offers various extracurricular activities that keep the children engaged.
The facilities are clean and well-maintained, and communication with parents is excellent. I highly recommend The Starry Way Preschool for its nurturing and enriching environment.
– Daryl Quek, Google Review
2. Viv’s Schoolhouse
Address: Hotel Royal Queens, 12 Queen St, #04-01 Hotel Royal Queens
Contact Details: +65 6909 1311
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 7 am to 7 pm
- Sat – 7 am to 2 pm
Experiential, sensory, and bilingual learning are at the heart of Viv’s Schoolhouse approach. Sessions are built to engage the five senses, so expect meticulously curated activities, such as drama lessons, field trips, craftwork, water play, and gym classes.
The awards are strong evidence that their method works. Notable ones include 2018’s Best Experiential Learning Programme (SPH Magazine) and 2019’s Best All-Rounded Curriculum (Parents’ World).
We also hit up the parents, and they spoke highly of the regular excursions, as well as the consistent updates sent via the school app.
Viv’s facilities and services also deserve praise. Honestly, I was shocked they have an actual swimming pool (these coaches can help with practice), a gym, a climbing wall, and consultants on site.
Unsurprisingly, the rates aren’t the lowest in town.
Those within Singapore’s CBD are in for a 22-minute drive, too. That’s not bad, but most entries here are closer to the city.
Reachable and Responsive
Our daughter was previously at one of the leading premium preschools, but we felt their entire approach was commercially driven and lacked genuine care for the children. When we were looking for a new school, while the program was important, what truly mattered was the quality of the teachers and management. After meeting with the school owner and visiting the facility, I was quickly convinced that my child would be in good hands and decided to transfer her, despite a much longer commute.
I have been proven right. We have no issues with drop-offs; she genuinely enjoys going to school, loves her teachers and friends, and looks forward to the monthly school excursions and special event celebrations. The school also provides optional curriculum classes such as swimming and sports. We’ve signed her up for these, as they are perfect for working parents like us, saving us time sending her to external classes.
Additionally, the teachers and principal are always reachable and responsive whenever we have queries. At the end of each term, we have a Parent-Teacher Meeting where we are updated on our child’s progress and learning. We are so grateful to them for taking the time, on top of their usual workload, to maintain close communication with us at all times, all in the interest of our child’s development.
Choosing this preschool has been one of the best decisions we’ve made for our daughter’s early education, and we highly recommend it.
– Jeslyn, Google Review
Engaging and Well-Rounded
This is our third preschool, and we couldn’t be happier with Viv Schoolhouse. From the moment we enrolled our daughter, H, we have been impressed by the welcoming atmosphere and the dedication of the staff. The teachers are genuinely caring and provide a nurturing environment where our child feels safe and excited to learn.
What I love most is the engaging and well-rounded curriculum, which balances educational activities with creative play and social interaction. We’ve seen remarkable growth in H’s confidence and abilities since she started, and we attribute much of this to the supportive and stimulating environment at the school.
Communication with parents is regular, with quarterly PTM meetings and updates on our child’s progress.
Overall, we are thrilled to have found Viv Schoolhouse and can’t wait to enroll our second child next month. Seeing all the kids so happy at school brings us comfort as parents. Thank you to the entire team for making our daughter’s preschool years so wonderful.
– S, Google Review
3. The Schoolhouse Gentle Road
Address: 12 Gentle Rd
Contact Details: +65 6781 2288
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri – 7 am to 7 pm
The Schoolhouse’s well-designed classrooms caught our eye. Washed in natural light and packed with interactive bits, it’s both calming and stimulating.
Curriculum-wise, theirs is inquiry-, play-, and relationship-based, with bilingual immersion at the core. This is often implemented through activities that develop core skills (writing, reading, and arithmetic), experiments, collaborative work, and identity exploration.
There’s a lot of outdoor work, too. In fact, the parents and students often rave about the regular nature walks and field trips.
Their popularity, however, can be a snag. Enrolment slots can be taken quickly.
A few parents aren’t fond of the “unfairly” strict health protocols either. For example, one complained about their child being sent home for having a mildly runny nose.
No massive red flags beyond that, especially in terms of parent-teacher communication. Updates are timely, moms and dads are involved, and concerns are handled efficiently.
Great Variety
My son loves this school! The school director and all the teachers are caring and kind, you can tell that they really love children from the bottom of their heart. The curriculum has great variety and is really fun to let kids learn through playing. We plan to send our second son here too!
– Fiona Chen, Google Review
A Complete Package
Our child has been with Busy bees at Gentle Road
since the last 02 years. Our choice of school has been a life changing decision. This school is a complete package – with a fine balance of academic support, exploratory learning and a strong focus on building life skills. There has never been a dull day for our child.
A special mention to the School Director Ms Poompavai – a strong and caring leader – with kids at the heart of everything. Ms Pavai has been a strong influence on our child’s development journey and an individual easily accessible to parents. Her leadership / mentorship and a focus on staying ahead of the curve is unmatched.
I will always remain a strong proponent of the school, the school director and the teachers. You can never go wrong with this school. Well done!
– Mohamed Shafraz Saleem, Google Review
4. Brainy Child Montessori Learning Centre
Address: 150 Orchard Rd, #05-38/43 Orchard Plaza
Contact Details: +65 6733 7669
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
- Sat – 9:30 am to 1 pm
- Sun – 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
Grounded in Montessori principles, Brainy Child is a child-led centre. In other words, your kiddos will learn at their own pace, with their personal styles and interests shaping the learning experience.
The teachers are also more like “guides on the sides” than “sages on the stage,” meaning their responsibility is to support, not instruct. It’s a strong formula for building autonomy, creativity, social growth, and motivation.
Brainy Child’s decorated teachers make that happen. The majority of their personnel studied in London, Melbourne, and North Carolina, some even finishing with honours and holding master’s degrees.
The drawbacks? Montessori education isn’t exactly known for being cheap, and the “looser” curriculum may leave some students unprepared for traditional school settings.
If you, however, value independence, small 1:8 class sizes, and a child-centred setup blending mathematical, English, practical, sensorial, and cultural studies, this centre fits the bill.
Incredibly Kind
My son has been attending this Montessori school since he was 19 months old, and I’m so happy with our experience. The teaching methods are excellent— child-centered and easy for him to follow. Over time, I’ve seen such amazing progress. He used to say only a few words, and now he’s talking so much more with confidence!
The teachers are incredibly kind, patient, and genuinely care for the children. My son used to be shy at school, but now he looks forward to going every day. As a parent, it’s such a comfort knowing he’s in a safe, loving, and supportive environment. I’m truly grateful for this school and highly recommend it to any parent looking for a nurturing place for their child to grow.
– Evelyn Rosiana, Google Review
Very Flexible
My daughter thoroughly enjoyed her time at Brainy Child Montessori Learning Centre. The educators made sure she progressed at a speed she was comfortable with and knew when she needed a break. She has exceeded our academic expectations and life skills. They have been very flexible allowing me to schedule her days that suited our calendar. I highly recommend this centre for those who are looking for somewhere more than a playgroup, but don’t need the hours of a child care centre. Brainy Child was the perfect option for us.
– Molli Wallace, Google Review
5. MindChamps PreSchool @ Paragon
Address: Paragon Shopping Centre, 290 Orchard Rd
Contact Details: +65 6955 9854
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri – 7 am to 7 pm
MindChamps champions their very own S.M.I.L.E.S. curriculum, which stands for Sensory, Motor, Intellectual, Linguistic, Emotional, and Social development. In short, holistic growth is their main focus.
The centre is also big on honing literacy skills early on, with a reading and writing programme developed by Brian Caswell. Who’s the guy? He’s an award-winning author with over 200 books and the mind behind S.M.I.L.E.S.
Teacher quality isn’t an issue either. MindChamp’s teaching force undergoes 200 hours of compulsory accreditation and training, regardless of their previous experience.
Plus, their facilities are open, well-lit, colourful, soft-padded, and equipped for both neural and physical development.
All of that comes with expensive fees, predictably. The range is somewhere around S$2,225 to S$2,555 (subsidies can lower these, but still).
On top of that, the school is nearly 30 minutes (by car) from the Singapore CBD, the farthest on this list.
Very Interactive
Thank you to Principal Ms Shermaine, VP Han Laoshi, & all MC Paragon Teachers for organising the Family Sports event at Delta Sports Hall. The games were very interactive for our kids & we enjoyed the family bonding time. All of the game materials were hand made from recycled materials, showcasing the creativity of the teachers! My boys enjoyed the ‘fishing for bottle’ game the most 🙂 Grateful to the teachers for the time spent preparing the event, including the special printed Tshirt designed by the classes!
– Raine Du, Google Review
A Wonderful Experience
We’ve had such a wonderful experience at the centre, and we’re so grateful to all the teachers who have been part of our kids journey. Ms Nur has been incredibly loving and nurturing, creating such a safe and happy space for my 2 year old. Ma Laoshi and Leong Laoshi have been instrumental in building their confidence with Mandarin, always finding fun and engaging ways to teach. Ms. Sheela’s warmth and attentiveness has also made a big difference in their growth and comfort at school.
As parents, we’ve felt reassured knowing that our kids were surrounded by teachers who genuinely care, and we’ve seen how much they’ve grown, both academically and emotionally. We couldn’t have asked for a better team to guide them during these formative years. Thank you Ms.Shermaine and teachers for everything—you’ll always hold a special place in our hearts!
– Akshya Suresh, Google Review