When selecting a preschool in Singapore, how do parents determine the right childcare centre for their child’s early development?
When selecting a preschool in Singapore, how do parents determine the “right” childcare centre?
While each family may make different decisions when selecting a preschool, one of the primary factors parents consider is whether the centre has a SPARK certification. This endorsement is synonymous with quality standards and distinguishes various childcare centres in Singapore.
Introduced by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in 2010 and administered by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), SPARK is a quality assurance framework that helps local preschools enhance their quality of care and education. It provides recognition and support for preschool leaders in their efforts to improve teaching and learning, and management processes to ensure the holistic development and well-being of children up to 6 years old.
You may have noticed ‘SPARK-certified preschool’ banners at some kindergartens and childcare centres in Singapore, including My First Skool.
To obtain SPARK certification, preschools voluntarily undergo a comprehensive assessment to evaluate various parameters, including:
The first tier is a mandatory regulatory effort to ensure that the centre has adopted a minimum standard of operation (SOP) as outlined by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).
From the second tier onwards, the process is completed voluntarily. At this stage, the preschool team is required to conduct annual self-assessments after registration is completed and accepted.
In the third tier, the preschool’s self-evaluations are validated and assessed by an external assessor.
Reviewed across various criteria, the results are shared with the school. Only those centres that meet the required quality standards are awarded the ‘SPARK-certified’ accreditation as a testament to the excellence they uphold.
100% of My First Skool’s eligible centres hold SPARK certification or Commendation status, demonstrating our commitment to ECDA quality standards across our islandwide locations.
What distinguishes a SPARK-certified childcare in Singapore from one that has received the SPARK Certification (Commendation)?
The main difference is the level of recognition. SPARK Certification indicates that a preschool has met the required quality standards and demonstrated fundamental competencies in key areas. SPARK Commendation is a higher level of recognition awarded to preschools with strong processes and practices in Teaching and Learning, as well as Leadership, Curriculum and Pedagogy. Under SPARK 2.0, Certification is based on Bands 1 and 2, while Commendation is based on Bands 3 and 4.
Parents can rest assured that SPARK-certified preschools, such as My First Skool, offer a well-developed preschool curriculum that integrates strong teaching pedagogy and a conducive environment to support learning.
After striving to maintain stringent standards, these schools are motivated to sustain their certification or commendation over the years. This heightened commitment from the accredited centres means that the teams must ensure their centres continuously uphold that distinction. In turn, this provides parents with further confidence that their children are in good hands.
Further along in 2025, to further enhance the quality of early childhood education, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will introduce SPARK 2.0. This updated framework aims to foster a culture of ownership and accountability among preschools, encouraging them to take charge of their quality journey through reflective practices and continuous improvement.
SPARK 2.0 is built upon three key tenets:
By focusing on these tenets and changes, SPARK 2.0 aims to elevate the overall quality of the early childhood sector, ensuring a strong foundation for our youngest learners.
As of 2025, 100% of My First Skool’s centres are SPARK-certified, with 29 centres receiving the prestigious SPARK-certified (Commendation) award. Visit our nearest branch for a tour or visit our website to learn about our programmes and curriculum.
At My First Skool, we believe every child deserves a strong start. As one of the most trusted providers of childcare, preschool, kindergarten, and infant care in Singapore, we offer a nurturing environment where little ones can grow, learn, and thrive. With experienced educators and a proven curriculum, we’re here to support your child’s journey—every step of the way. Registration only takes 5 minutes.
SPARK is a quality assurance framework by ECDA that recognizes preschools for excellence in teaching, learning, and school management.
Many of our centres are SPARK-certified, and we continue to work towards full certification across all centres.
SPARK-certified centres provide a strong, holistic learning environment that supports your child’s growth and development.
SPARK certification is valid for six years, with regular reviews to maintain high standards.
Our teachers are trained to deliver high-quality education, ensuring we meet and exceed SPARK standards.
