For parents of infants and toddlers, selecting from a list of reputable child care centres in Singapore may be a daunting task. It is a vital decision which troubles parents as child care centres are given the responsibility of enriching the life of the toddler while the parents are away for work. There are a variety of options available for parents who are looking for the best child care centres. Parents are advised to learn as much as they can with the variety of options available for them prior to finalizing on one.
Child care centres are licensed to handle groups of more than 5 children under seven years of age. In Singapore, these centres are monitored and regulated by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports or MCYS. This is different from kindergartens which are monitored by the Ministry of Education.
As compared to kindergartens, child care centres do not have a strict academic curriculum but revolves more on providing activities so children can take care of themselves. There are numerous sites which feature child care centres with recommendations from various other parents. One important consideration is that parents should make sure that the centre is licensed with the MCYS prior to making any final plans.
To better accommodate working parents, centres are required to be open from 7am in the morning until 7pm in the evening during weekdays and until 2pm in the afternoon during Saturdays. Centres are open for 6 days a week except for a few holidays. As these are open almost every day of the year, parents can choose when they can visit the centre with their child and see what it has to offer. Scheduling a meet will also allow parents to meet the staff and ask any vital questions.
Parents are advised to check the facilities and equipment on whether these are clean and safe for kids to use. As this will be similar to child's second home, make sure that the rooms are conducive for activity, well lit and ventilated. Check the credentials of the staff as much as possible. Depending on the position, personnel are required to have a diploma as well as training in relation to child care and development. As these are only minimum requirements in Singapore, parents can also ask how long their staff have been looking after children. Take note of temperament with children, if they are patient and friendly with those in the centre. Another factor worth noting is the ratio between the staff and kids. For children between 30 months to 3 years of age, there should be at least 1 trained staff for every 12 kids.
Although child care centres are not focused on the academics, there are common types of curriculum being followed. Some of the more common include curriculum that are theme-based, Montessori techniques or learning through play. Parents can ask how the centre balances the activities enhancing the physical, mental, emotional and creative aspects of the child. Parents are advised to ask as many questions as they can that may feel more at ease when looking for child care centres.