The early years of a child’s education create a vital foundation for future developments (in both academic and personal lives). Helping parents through the journey of placing their child in a private preschool within Singapore and understanding what to expect from Nursery 1 and 2 can help make informed decisions that will benefit your child in the long term. Providing a second home for learning, nursery programmes lay the bedrock for character development, social skills, and emotional well-being. So let’s explore what parents (Like you!) can expect from Nursery 1 and 2 in Singapore:
Is Nursery Education Necessary?
Nursery education forms the basis of a child’s educational development. The Nursery 1 and 2 programs offered in any private preschool in Singapore focus on introducing curious children into the world of learning through a structured yet nurturing environment. Social interactions and emotional attributes will develop as children are exposed to new environments and start interacting with their classmates!
Nursery 1, often referred to as Pre-Nursery, is usually meant for two- to three-year-old children. Kids are oriented with the school environment and begin developing knowledge through play-based learning. Nursery 2, for three- to four-year-old children, builds on what they learned in Nursery 1 by introducing them to more formal activities that lay a strong foundation in early literacy.
The general goal of a nursery is to offer the child a secure environment for growth and learning. These programs lay down lifelong learning paths and help children build confidence and resilience toward life’s challenges.
What to Expect From Nursery 1 in Singapore
Nursery 1 children are oriented to adjust from home to school. It is a period for establishing a child’s sense of security and comfort in a “new” group of people. A typical pre-nursery school in Singapore would engage a child in numerous activities that would raise a child’s curiosity to explore unfamiliar things. These are sensory plays, storytelling, music, and movement activities that should help foster the child’s senses and encourage development.
Nursery 1 is all about social interaction. The children are put into a group whereby they will play and work together; this, in turn, helps them develop their social ways of sharing, cooperating, and being empathetic to others. Simple routines and structure are introduced to the children, where they have to sit in a circular arrangement in many group activities; this way, they follow instructions and develop a sense of time.
The other important focus of Nursery 1 involves the fine and gross motor skills development. In this regard, the children are taken through several activities that help them learn to control their movements.
Character development, therefore, starts from Nursery 1 through respect, kindness, and responsibility. Teachers in most private preschools in Singapore are the models that guide children on how to treat others. Kids can build healthy and thoughtful relationships with other people if they’re able to develop respect and empathy at an early age!
What You Should Expect from Nursery 2 in Singapore
Nursery 1 in Singapore lays a foundational framework and Nursery 2 is more structured. Some things included in the nursery class program in Singapore include early literacy and numeracy activities, which include recognizing letters and numbers, simple counting, and simple reading skills. All such activities develop a child’s cognitive ability and set a platform for formal schooling.
Proper language and communication skills are emphasised in Nursery 2. Children are encouraged to speak up, converse, and express their views during group discussions. Storytelling and show-and-tell sessions are usual features that help them develop their vocabulary and instil confidence in speaking.
Character development also continues in Nursery 2’s curriculum in Singapore. Children are taken further with the values of honesty, justice, and responsibility during this level. They are taught to be responsible in the classroom and respect their peers. These character lessons are incorporated into daily activity and interaction; hence, children can internalise them as they progress into a more formal educational environment.
The environment for learning in Nursery 2 is both stimulating and supportive. In the classrooms, various learning materials take into account children’s different learning styles and are at children’s disposal to explore and discover at their own pace. Teachers in private preschools in Singapore have been trained to guide and facilitate yet allow children to take the initiative to decide and think independently.
Character Development: A Nursery Education Imperative
While academic readiness is also important, character development in nursery education is indispensable. The effects of learned values and behaviours will later inform interaction with people they meet, shaping the children’s attitudes towards learning and life.
Teachers become role models and allow students to practise these values in different environments. Parents should reinforce these values in the home as well! By working with teachers closely and fostering open communications, parents may ensure that the child’s character building is not left unsupported at school and outside.
Nurseries 1 and 2 in Singapore focus on character development. By opting for a private preschool that provides an all-rounded curriculum and attentive environment, parents are guaranteed that the child will develop the skills and the values necessary for success later in life. These formative years lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning and personal growth. Hence, finding a suitable preschool requires matching the needs of the child with those of their family values.
Give your child the best start in life. Contact Brighton Montessori today to learn more about their Nursery 1 and 2 programmes and how they can help your child reach their full potential.
