Kindergartens, also known as pre-schools, provide structured pre-school education to children between 3 - 6 years old.

Characteristics Of Pre-Schools & Child Care Centres
Statistics & Trends
Government Programmes & Assistance
Licences, Permits & Registrations
Laws & Regulations
Trade Associations
Key Government Agencies

• A kindergarten is a “school” that provides a structured 3-year preschool education programme for children aged 3 - 6.
  
  
• The 3-year preschool education programme consists of:
  
  
  • Nursery
  • Kindergarten 1 
  • Kindergarten 2
    
    
• Kindergartens may operate daily/five days a week. School hours are typically 3 - 4 hours a day. Most kindergartens have two sessions a day.

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Statistics & Trends

• Kindergartens fall under the “General Education” sub-sector. Here are some statistics and trends that you may be interested in:
  
  
  • Overview Of The Education Industry
    The Education sector, including private education organisations, contributed S$3.9 billion or 2% to Singapore’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2005.
    
    
  • General Education Sub-Sector Statistics
    A snapshot of the number of establishments, number of workers, operating receipts, profitability ratio, etc.
    
    
  • Recent Trends & Future Developments In Education
    Higher education standards, better student protection, positioning Singapore as a “Global Schoolhouse” and other developments.
    
    
• For more statistics and trends, please refer to the Education Industry Statistics & Trends section.

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Government Programmes & Assistance

• There are no programmes and assistance specifically for kindergartens. You may, however, apply for programmes and assistance open to all private education organisations.
  
  
• For more details, please refer to the Private Education Programmes & Assistance section.

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Licences, Permits & Registrations

Kindergartens must obtain these licences and permits, or register to operate or carry on certain business activities in Singapore.

Essential Licences, Permits Or Registrations

• Compulsory Registration Of Kindergartens
  All kindergartens offering pre-school education to 10 or more children aged 3 - 6 must register with the Ministry of Education (MOE).
  
  
• Child Care Centre Licence
  Kindergartens that are also child care centres must obtain this licence.

Other Licences & Permits For Education-Related Activities

• You must obtain licences or permits to carry on certain activities. These activities, typically carried out by kindergartens, require licences or permits:
  
  
  • running a canteen within the school
  • placing TV sets in your school
  • importing educational materials
    
    
• For details, please refer to the Private Education Licences, Permits & Registrations section.

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Laws & Regulations

Accreditation, Certification & Registration

• Compulsory Registration Of Kindergartens
  All kindergartens offering pre-school education to 10 or more children aged 3 - 6 must register with the Ministry of Education (MOE).
  
  
• CaseTrust For Education
  You may need to be certified under CaseTrust for Education to enrol international students.

Other Laws & Regulations

• The name of your school, your domain name, premises, activities, etc. must comply with various laws.
  
  
• Accredited or certified schools must also comply with the rules imposed by accreditation/certification programmes.
  
  
• For details, please refer to the Private Education Laws & Regulations section.

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Trade Associations

• These trade associations are open to kindergartens and/or their employees. They work with the Government in a variety of ways to improve the Education industry.
  
  
  • Association For Early Childhood Educators (Singapore) (AECES)
    Qualified teachers and early childhood educators may wish to join AECES.
    
    
  • Association Of Private Schools And Colleges Singapore (APSC)
    Privately run kindergartens may wish to join APSC.
    
    
• For a full list of education-related trade associations who work with the Government, please refer to the Private Education Trade Associations section.
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Key Government Agencies

• There are several Government agencies involved in the Education industry. To learn more about each one of them and their role in the Education industry, please refer to the Role of Key Government Agencies in Private Education section.

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