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

Training Grants

• TEACH - For Mandarin Preschool Teachers
  Get a grant of up to S$13,200 to train your new Mandarin preschool teachers.

Other Programmes & Assistance

• You can also tap into other programmes and assistance available to all private education organisations. For a full list of these, 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 centre