14 Best Reggio Emilia Preschools and Schools: A Comprehensive Guide for Families in Singapore

Inside the Reggio Emilia Classroom In Singapore

The environment where the student is learning (namely, the classroom and school itself) is often referred to in the Reggio Emilia method as the ‘third teacher,’ where children make sense of their world through how they interact with their environment.

The pre-school environments are generally designed in wide-open spaces which contain a lot of natural light and usually easy access to outdoor play areas. The classroom is created to be a common area where children are able to move about the space and interact with one another.

There is also a lot of hands-on learning materials like toys, blocks, and more. Like other classrooms, you’ll find display walls where the students' work is shared. Additionally, other areas will contain the more long-term projects that are accessed to continue to be worked on (like growing plants, for example).

The Role of the Educator in the Reggio Emilia Classroom In Singapore

In the Reggio Emilia classroom, the educator is often seen not just as a teacher, but as a facilitator of children's learning. Their primary role is to listen attentively to each child's needs, answer questions, and uncover individual interests. Rather than adhering to a strict, pre-planned curriculum, educators create learning opportunities that emerge organically from the children's passions and inquiries. This responsive approach allows for dynamic and engaging projects that reflect what the children share. In Singapore, teachers who adopt this method follow these guiding principles, ensuring a rich and responsive learning environment that nurtures each child's unique journey.

Benefits of the Child-Centered Approach in Reggio Emilia Learning

• Validation and Engagement: The child-centered approach ensures that your children feel seen and heard, validating their experiences and promoting active engagement in their learning.
• Adaptability for Short Attention Spans: This teaching style is particularly effective for children with short attention spans, allowing them to explore changing interests and pursue their questions naturally.
• Enhanced Social Skills: With a focus on discussion, collaboration, and interaction, children develop strong social skills as they engage more with teachers and peers compared to traditional learning methods.
• Nurturing Curiosity: By encouraging questions rather than silencing them, this approach nurtures children's innate curiosity, contributing to their overall well-being and happiness.
• Connection to the Environment: Children are encouraged to interact with their surroundings, fostering a deep connection to the world around them, including natural environments, and learning from the spaces they inhabit.

E-BRIDGE PRESCHOOL: Affordable Reggio Emilia Inspired Preschool In Singapore

E-Bridge Pre-School celebrates a commitment to nurturing well-rounded learners through its unique Reggio Emilia-inspired approach. The curriculum is designed to spark curiosity and support children's growth in a multilingual environment. With a focus on inquiry-based programs, E-Bridge encourages exploration and critical thinking, laying a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

Guided by the EtonHouse Inquiry.Think.Learn framework and the MOE NEL curriculum, E-Bridge's program ensures that children develop confidence and competence. Activities are designed to engage children in meaningful learning experiences that promote inquiry and creativity.

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Why Parents Love E-Bridge Pre-School In Singapore:

• Holistic Development: The curriculum nurtures not only academic skills but also emotional and social growth, ensuring well-rounded development.
• Engaging Learning Environment: Children thrive in a joyful, supportive atmosphere where they are encouraged to ask questions and explore.
• Multilingualism: The approach promotes language acquisition, preparing children for a globalized world.
• Experienced Educators: Dedicated teachers are committed to fostering a love for learning and guiding each child's unique journey.
• Affordable Quality Education: As an Anchor Operator under the ECDA, E-Bridge makes quality early childhood care accessible to all families.

E-Bridge Pre-School In Singapore, 460 Alexandra Road #27-04/05/06, mTower, Singapore 119963, +65 6336 3322, enquiry@e-bridge.edu.sg, https://www.e-bridge.edu.sg

LILY VALLEY INTERNATIONAL PRESCHOOL: Reggio Emilia Preschool Located in Marina Square, Singapore

Lily Valley Preschool, located in Marina Square, offers a unique Reggio Emilia-inspired learning experience that captivates both children and parents. This non-profit preschool embraces a child-centered approach, fostering curiosity and creativity through inquiry-based learning. Parents appreciate the enriching programs in areas like science, art, and coding, which expand their children's horizons while making learning fun. Their philosophy and pedagogy are child-centered and nurture children’s potential and creativity by providing rich learning environments for exploration. They are a preschool that cultivates collaboration and participation in a diverse community with meaningful partnerships with children and families.

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Why Parents Love Lily Valley Preschool:

• Child-Centered Learning: Focuses on children's interests, promoting self-directed exploration.
• Enriching Programs: Offers diverse activities, including art, dance, and gardening.
• Strong Community: Encourages parental involvement and support systems.
• Bilingual Immersion: Provides early exposure to Mandarin and English, enhancing language skills.
• Holistic Development: Emphasizes emotional, social, and cognitive growth.
• Innovative Ateliers: Features specialized spaces for creative exploration and hands-on learning.

Lily Valley International Preschool, Marina Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard, #02-27/28
S039594,  info@lilyvalley.io, www.lilyvalley.com.sg

ODYSSEY THE GLOBAL PRESCHOOL: Reggio-Emilia Inspired Preschool In Singapore For Kids Ages 3-6

Odyssey The Global Preschool offers a dynamic nursery and kindergarten program for children aged 3 to 6 in Singapore, emphasizing a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach. The curriculum promotes purposeful learning, focusing on developing essential skills, language competencies, and social-emotional growth. With a structured environment, children engage in hands-on explorations and inquiry-based projects, which foster their curiosity and creativity. The program prioritizes autonomy and independence, preparing children for future challenges while nurturing a lifelong love for learning. Odyssey offers a vibrant and supportive environment that inspires children to explore their interests and develop critical thinking skills.

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Why Parents Love Odyssey Preschool In Singapore:

• Purposeful Learning: The program shifts from emergent strategies to a structured approach that promotes understanding of content, skills, and concepts.
• Language Development: Children use their developing language skills as tools for communication and learning, enhancing their overall competency.
• Physical and Social Growth: Emphasis on autonomy, self-help skills, and emotional regulation fosters confidence and independence.
• Inquiry-Based Learning: Project work allows children to explore topics of interest, encouraging curiosity and problem-solving.
• Creative Curriculum: Core experiences in art, music, and fitness promote creativity and holistic development.
• Bilingual Immersion: Chinese language immersion helps children learn through real-world interactions.

Reggio Emilia-Inspired Curriculum Highlights:

• Literacy Curriculum: Focuses on print concepts, writing, phonetics, and reading through Phonics (Letterland).
• Math Inquiry Curriculum: Develops mathematical skills through inquiry-based strategies and structured learning.
• Creative Projects: Includes Little Chef and Outdoor Learning Experiences that enhance life skills and social-emotional development.

Odyssey The Global Preschool, https://theodyssey.global/sg/our-programme/preschool-years/

BUCKET HOUSE PRESCHOOL: Nature Oriented Reggio Emilia Inspired Preschoo In Singapore

This preschool is all about nurturing young minds through curiosity and open-format child-centric learning. The preschool was founded in 2018 by Amber Koh. She is a strong advocate for outdoor nature-based learning and the Reggio Emilia teaching method. With the balance of structure integrated into the inquiry-based curriculum, the overall experience that children have at Bucket House Preschool is supportive, encouraging, and warm. The wooden structures of the spaces, both indoor and outdoor, give an organic feel to the classroom environment. You’ll find a lot of greenery in the inclusion of beautiful plants, too. Nature-lovers appreciate this Singapore preschool.

Their bilingual immersion curriculum, featuring Mandarin as a second language, is grounded in the esteemed Reggio Emilia Approach and enriched by elements from the Singapore Early Years Development Framework (EYDF) and Nurturing Early Learners Framework (NEL).

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Why Parents Love Bucket House Singapore:

• Holistic Development: Our curriculum fosters a comprehensive understanding of key learning areas, promoting cognitive, emotional, and physical growth.
• Engaging Learning Environment: Children thrive in a creative space that encourages exploration and self-expression through diverse, hands-on activities.
• Personalized Learning: The emphasis on autonomy allows children to pursue their interests, fostering a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.
• Bilingual Immersion: The incorporation of Mandarin as a second language enriches their communication skills and cultural awareness.
• Experienced Educators: Our passionate teachers play multiple roles, guiding children through their learning journeys while fostering independence and curiosity.

Bucket House Preschool, 39 Woodlands Cl, #01-62 Mega at Woodlands, Singapore, +65 6909 8373, enquiry@buckethousepreschool.com, www.buckethousepreschool.com

PRIMUS SCHOOLHOUSE: Reggio Inspired Bilingual Preschool In Singapore

Primus Schoolhouse offers a Reggio-inspired bilingual preschool experience, focusing on nurturing character and inspiring young minds. Their childcare programmes cater to various developmental stages, ensuring a comprehensive education for children. The Early Years Curriculum serves Pre-Nursery, Playgroup, and Nursery One, emphasizing exploration and foundational skills. The Preschool Years Curriculum for Nursery Two, Kindergarten One, and Two builds on prior learning, promoting critical thinking and creativity. Additionally, the Chinese Immersion Preschool Programme enhances language skills through immersive experiences. Character development is central to the curriculum, fostering emotional intelligence and resilience in young learners.

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Primus Schoolhouse, https://www.primus.edu.sg/our-childcare-programmes

MULBERRY LEARNING: Reggio Emilia Preschool Offering Bilingual Learning In Singapore With Full And Half Day Learning Options

Mulberry Learning offers a comprehensive model that provides children with a bilingual learning experience starting from infant care. After completing the infant care program, children transition to the preschool that incorporates both the Reggio Emilia method and the Habits of Mind framework. This unique framework, developed in the US, is exclusively offered by Mulberry Learning, making it the only certified preschool in Singapore to provide this regime.

The preschool curriculum is designed to nurture well-rounded children with imaginative minds and positive attitudes. It promises a fun and holistic education by fostering core skills and intelligent thinking habits. Through their proprietary iDevelop / iExplore / iLearn / iExperience model, children engage in hands-on discovery learning, develop strong literacy and numeracy skills, and participate in exciting S.T.E.A.M. enrichment programmes.

Mulberry Learning, 16 locations across Singapore, +65 6653 8082,  enquiry@mulberrylearning.com, www.mulberrylearning.com

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS OFFERING REGGIO EMILIA PRESCHOOL:

Australian International School Singapore: The unique curriculum of AIS draws on the principles of Reggio Emilia philosophy, which places the child at the center of the learning experience. The learning spaces on campus guide each child’s exploration of the world around them, celebrating their ideas in mathematics and literacy, music and movement, or learning a new language. Teachers work with students to develop their innate wonder and develop their love of learning. The inquiry-based approach of the IB Primary Years Programme is introduced from 3 years old, providing the foundation for success in Elementary School.

• Australian International School Singapore, 1 Lorong Chuan Singapore 556 818, tel: +65 6517 0247, admissions@ais.com.sg, www.ais.com.sg/

XCL World Academy: The nursery learning center at the XCL World Academy school in Singapore has been inspired by the Reggio Emilia method. The school (formally known as the GEMS World Academy) features modern facilities with many different sports centers, small class sizes for personalized learning, and expert teachers. They pride themselves on developing successful students who reach IB Diploma results well above the world’s average scores. Your children can stay at this school from 2 years old all the way to 18 years old.

• XCL World Academy, 2 Yishun Street 42, Singapore, +65 6871 8809, admissions@xwa.edu.sg, www.xwa.edu.sg/

Stamford American International School Early Learning Village: This school caters to children from 18 months to 18 years of age, taking them through their whole schooling journey. At the Early Learning Village, the Reggio Emilia approach has inspired the hands-on, child-centric approach. They have natural wooden structures, open classroom spaces, and a teaching environment based on facilitating your child’s interactive, self-guided learning. This approach is taught to children from 2 months to 6 years old, with the added services of infant care for busy parents.

• Stamford American International School Early Learning Village, 3 Chuan Lane, Gate 4, Singapore, +65 6602 7247, admissions@sais.edu.sg, www.sais.edu.sg/

Sir Manasseh Meyer International School: The indoor sensory gym of the preschool at SMMIS is designed to foster Reggio Emilia-style education for young children. They begin educating children from 18 months old in this early learning section and continue with their studies up to 16 years. The school is intentionally small and affordable for people of all nationalities and religious backgrounds to feel welcome and nurtured. Along with their collaborative education model, they provide state-of-the-art facilities like a rooftop swimming pool, science labs, art and drama spaces, a sports hall, and more.

• Sir Manasseh Meyer International School, 3 Jalan Ulu Sembawang, Singapore, +65 6331 4633, admissions@smm.edu.sg, www.smmis.edu.sg/

UWC South East Asia: UWC South East Asia (UWCSEA) embraces the Reggio Emilia approach, emphasizing child-led exploration and collaborative learning. This educational philosophy fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a deep respect for each child's unique potential. By integrating Reggio principles, UWCSEA creates a nurturing environment that empowers students to engage meaningfully with their surroundings and each other.

• UWC South East Asia, Dover Campus, 1207 Dover Road, Singapore 139654. East Campus, 1 Tampines Street 73, Singapore, +65 6260 0602, uwcseaeast@uwcsea.edu.sg, www.uwcsea.edu.sg/