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MOE Kindergarten vs Private Preschool Singapore: Which is Best?
April 16, 2025
Learning Environment
Preschool
In Singapore, selecting the appropriate preschool for your child is a significant decision. As you evaluate your options, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the environment both nurturing and stimulating?
- Are the teachers compassionate and attentive?
- Do they ignite your child’s curiosity for learning?
- Are the fees within your budget?
Preschools in Singapore are primarily categorised into three groups:
- Anchor Operators Partners (AOP)
- Private Childcare and Partner Operators (POP)
- MOE Kindergartens (MK)
Each category offers unique features. Let’s explore the distinctions between childcare and kindergarten in Singapore.
Distinguishing Anchor Operators Partners (AOP), Private Childcare, and MOE Kindergartens
Anchor Operators Partners (AOP)
As of 2025, there are five brands under the Anchor Operator Scheme (AOP):
- My First Skool
- PCF Sparkletots Preschool
- MY World Preschool
- Skool4Kidz
- E-Bridge Pre-School
Under the AOP scheme:
- Full-Day Childcare Fees: Capped at $640 (excluding GST) per month.
- Full-Day Infant Care Fees: Capped at $1,235 (excluding GST) per month.
- Kindergarten Fees: Capped at $150 (excluding GST) per month.
These centres generally operate from 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays, with some offering services on Saturdays, ideal for parents working weekends.
Private Childcare and Partner Operators Scheme (POP)
Most private childcare centres in Singapore are licensed by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). They cater to children aged 18 months and older, with some offering infant care for those as young as two months. These centres typically operate on weekdays from 7 am to 7 pm, accommodating working parents.
Fees and Subsidies:
- Full-Day Childcare: Fees vary, with some centres charging up to $2,505 per month before subsidies.
- Full-Day Infant Care: Fees can be up to $2,305 per month before subsidies.
An increasing number of private childcare operators also participate in ECDA’s Partner Operator Scheme (POP), aiming to enhance the quality and affordability of preschool programs. Under this scheme:
- Full-Day Childcare Fees: Capped at $680 (excluding GST) per month.
- Full-Day Infant Care Fees: Capped at $1,290 (excluding GST) per month.
MOE Kindergartens (MK)
MOE Kindergartens accepts 5- and 6-year-old children who are Singaporean citizens or Permanent Residents for their Kindergarten 1 (K1) and Kindergarten 2 (K2) programs. Registration opens the year before your child turns 5 years old for K1, while K2 admission depends on availability at your preferred MOE Kindergarten.
Fees:
- Singapore Citizens: $160 per month.
- Permanent Residents: $320 per month.
Fees are also payable during the June and December holidays.
Operating Hours:
- Sessions: Four hours daily, with morning (8 am–12 pm) or afternoon (1 pm–5 pm) options.
Kindergarten Care (KCare) is a care service available in all MOE Kindergartens (MK). Your child will be in KCare before and after the MK session within the same premises. This is for working parents who require full-day care for their child. KCare fees are capped at $415 per month and payable during school holidays.
Government Subsidies for Childcare
Government subsidies are available to ease the financial burden:
- Basic Subsidy: For full-day childcare, $300 per month; for full-day infant care, $600 per month.
- Additional Subsidy: This subsidy is available based on household income and working status. It ranges from $80 to $467 for full-day childcare and from $40 to $710 for full-day infant care.
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) website provides detailed information on childcare and infant care subsidies.
Subsidies information is valid till Dec 2024
Choosing Between Private Preschool (My First Skool) and MOE Kindergarten
When selecting the best preschool and childcare in Singapore, there are a lot of factors to consider. To get a better idea of this, we’ll compare a standard MOE Kindergarten to My First Skool, one of Singapore’s best private preschools with over 160 centres.
1. School Hours
- MOE Kindergartens: Provide a limited 4-hour program with morning (8 am–12 pm) or afternoon (1 pm–5 pm) sessions. KCare extends care before and after these sessions.
- Private Childcare Centres: Generally on a 12-hour schedule, from 7 am to 7 pm, catering to working parents.
2. School Fees
- MOE Kindergartens: Up to $575 per month for Singapore Citizens (including KCare) and $735 for Permanent Residents (including KCare). Fees are payable during school holidays.
- My First Skool (Anchor Operator):
- Full-Day Childcare: Starts from $640 (before subsidy & GST) per month.
- Full-Day Infant Care: Starts from $1,235 (before subsidy & GST) per month.
Singapore Citizens can utilise childcare and infant care subsidies to offset costs.
3. Primary School Affiliation and Priority Admission
Enrolling your child in an MOE Kindergarten co-located with a primary school may offer priority in Phase 2A for Primary 1 (P1) registration. This can alleviate concerns about primary school admission.
4. Curriculum and Languages
All MOE Kindergartens follow the standard uniform curriculum based on the Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) framework. Other childcare centres, like My First Skool, offer additional learning experiences through various approaches tailored to your child’s needs.
At My First Skool, the emphasis is on our pedagogical approach called PETAL – Playing, Exploring, Thinking, and Applying Learning. This approach provides facilitated play experiences that encourage active exploration, critical thinking and making meaningful discoveries.
5. Enrichment Programs
MOE Kindergartens do not offer additional enrichment programs beyond their 4-hour curriculum. However, many private preschools in Singapore, including My First Skool, provide curated enrichment programs. Some centres charge extra for these, so inquire with your chosen preschool.
6. Preschool Open Houses
Attending open houses allows you to familiarise yourself with the school and staff:
- MOE Kindergartens: Typically host an open house once a year before registration.
- Private Preschools: Most have their own open house schedules, with some hosting them multiple times a year. My First Skool, for instance, invites parents to tour the premises and meet the staff before enrollment.
7. Centre Locations
As of February 2025, there are only 53 MOE Kindergartens in operation, with two new ones in Elias Park and Hougang planned to open soon. This limited number poses challenges for parents seeking quality early childhood education options. The scarcity of MOE Kindergartens leads to increased competition for enrollment, making it difficult for many families to secure placements for their children.
In contrast, My First Skool has over 160 preschool centres across Singapore, each providing a safe, conducive learning environment with dedicated teachers, including locations where MOE Kindergartens slots are limited and competitive.
160+ Locations Islandwide
Every year, over 26,000 families all across Singapore see their children benefit from our relationships-based curriculum – one that emphasises forging strong bonds between children, teachers and parents. Find a centre near you or take a virtual tour to explore our learning environments and learn how your child can thrive.
Conclusion: Which is Right for Your Child?
Understanding the differences between childcare and kindergarten allows parents to make informed decisions based on their child’s learning needs, daily schedule, and family priorities.
Key Takeaways:
- MOE Kindergartens are ideal for structured 4-hour programs, following a curriculum that aligns with the Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) framework. They also offer priority admission for co-located primary schools.
- Anchor operators, such as My First Skool, offer longer care hours (7 am to 7 pm), a nurturing environment, and various enrichment programs that cater to working parents.
- Financial Considerations: MOE Kindergarten fees are lower, but parents needing full-day care must also factor in KCare costs. Private childcare centres may charge higher fees but also provide more comprehensive learning and care.
Parents should assess their priorities—whether affordability, curriculum, school hours, or primary school admission advantages—before deciding on the best preschool option for their child.
Distinguishing Anchor Operators Partners (AOP), Private Childcare, and MOE Kindergartens
Anchor Operators Partners (AOP)
As of 2025, there are five brands under the Anchor Operator Scheme (AOP):
- My First Skool
- PCF Sparkletots Preschool
- MY World Preschool
- Skool4Kidz
- E-Bridge Pre-School
Under the AOP scheme:
- Full-Day Childcare Fees: Capped at $640 (excluding GST) per month.
- Full-Day Infant Care Fees: Capped at $1,235 (excluding GST) per month.
- Kindergarten Fees: Capped at $150 (excluding GST) per month.
These centres generally operate from 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays, with some offering services on Saturdays, ideal for parents working weekends.
Private Childcare and Partner Operators Scheme (POP)
Most private childcare centres in Singapore are licensed by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). They cater to children aged 18 months and older, with some offering infant care for those as young as two months. These centres typically operate on weekdays from 7 am to 7 pm, accommodating working parents.
Fees and Subsidies:
- Full-Day Childcare: Fees vary, with some centres charging up to $2,505 per month before subsidies.
- Full-Day Infant Care: Fees can be up to $2,305 per month before subsidies.
An increasing number of private childcare operators also participate in ECDA’s Partner Operator Scheme (POP), aiming to enhance the quality and affordability of preschool programs. Under this scheme:
- Full-Day Childcare Fees: Capped at $680 (excluding GST) per month.
- Full-Day Infant Care Fees: Capped at $1,290 (excluding GST) per month.
MOE Kindergartens (MK)
MOE Kindergartens accepts 5- and 6-year-old children who are Singaporean citizens or Permanent Residents for their Kindergarten 1 (K1) and Kindergarten 2 (K2) programs. Registration opens the year before your child turns 5 years old for K1, while K2 admission depends on availability at your preferred MOE Kindergarten.
Fees:
- Singapore Citizens: $160 per month.
- Permanent Residents: $320 per month.
Fees are also payable during the June and December holidays.
Operating Hours:
- Sessions: Four hours daily, with morning (8 am–12 pm) or afternoon (1 pm–5 pm) options.
Kindergarten Care (KCare) is a care service available in all MOE Kindergartens (MK). Your child will be in KCare before and after the MK session within the same premises. This is for working parents who require full-day care for their child. KCare fees are capped at $415 per month and payable during school holidays.
