The Pricier Playgrounds: Top 10 Preschools Singapore Doesn’t Want You to Drop Your Wallet On
Parents are always on the hunt for the ultimate “once‑in‑a‑lifetime” early‑learning experience. Whether it’s a fancy playground, a vibrant curriculum, or star‑rated teachers, the price tag is often the headline. Let’s spill the tea on the ten most expensive preschools in Singapore, and see what the dollar‑digging deities actually offer. Fine‑print note: school fees can shift like the tides; we’ve ranked them by their base fees as of the latest update.
1. Stella School International
- Base fee: SGD 21,500 per annum
- “Creative Kids” program: art, music, and a mandatory potato‑scramble lesson
- Mobile app-exclusive “Imagine Library” with GPS‑tracked stories
- 24‑hour baby‑proof playground – because safety really matters
2. Ascend Academy
- Base fee: SGD 19,800 per year
- STEM‑first curriculum replete with laser pointer science experiments
- 1‑on‑1 “Future‑Creator” mentorship after school
- Taste‑testing of global snacks – no, we’re not offering pizza for every lunch
3. Bright Horizons Primary
- Base fee: SGD 18,400 per year
- One‑hour daily storytelling, hosted by a live puppet puppeteer
- Fully‑equipped science lab (minus the “Exploding Bubble” module)
- Afternoon “Nap Lab” – professional nap‑counseling available
4. Global Glimpse School
- Base fee: SGD 17,900 per year
- Bilingual immersion: Mandarin+English+French for breakfast talks
- Weekend camp trips to the Sentosa Adventure Island
- Weekly teacher‑parent interaction “Knowledge Café”
5. Edgewood International
- Base fee: SGD 17,300 per year
- Design thinking workshops with mini‑Arduino kits
- Age‑appropriate “Volunteer Corner” – toddlers helping in the garden
- “Build‑Your‑Own laptop” project series (yes, we actually build laptops)
6. Pastime Pioneers Preschool
- Base fee: SGD 16,700 per year
- Board games revamp: Monopoly meets Montessori
- “Digital Art Fest” launched every semester
- 2 hr outdoor exposure daily for the “Mini‑Geeks” club
7. Visionary Village
- Base fee: SGD 15,900 per year
- Water‑based learning: pools, fountains, and interactive splash zones
- 2‑hr gardening session a Monday next week (and on Wednesdays)
- Monthly science outreach to local hospitals
8. Harmony Horizons
- Base fee: SGD 15,100 per annum
- Mindfulness & yoga for tiny tots – noticeable breathing improvements so far
- Remote learning option for kids with asthma (so parents can keep your little one at home)
- Pairing of kids with “Mentor‑Bot” for interactive lessons
9. The Exploratory Edge
- Base fee: SGD 14,250 per year
- Exploratorium‑style labs with 5 different “fun science” stations
- Construction zone with “LEGO®‑style” wooden blocks
- Dedicated play‑time for “Mr. Grown‑Ups” participation
10. Future Focus Academy
- Base fee: SGD 13,500 per year
- Customizable curriculums for talented early learners
- Virtual reality mini‑thymoons for math and science courses
- Regular parental guidance workshops (because a parent in charge is the best policy)
Final Word
Sure, the price tag might raise the waistline, but if your child can enjoy a world of enriching experiences, those dollars might just pay for themselves in the long run. Check your local root‑to‑skin tone of the school’s painting style and get a feel for whether this “high‑cost playground” will match the heartbeat of your family. Bon voyage, big‑budget parents! Happy preschool hunting.
10 most expensive preschools in Singapore
1. EtonHouse
EtonHouse International: Singapore’s 20‑Year‑Old Kid‑First School
For two decades, EtonHouse International has put little explorers at the very center of learning in Singapore. From playful play‑dates to guided quests, every child gets a front‑row seat in the classroom.
Curriculum Choices That Keep Little Minds Engaged
- IB‑Themed Centers: These schools follow the International Baccalaureate framework, giving students a solid foundation in inquiry and critical thinking.
- Inquire‑Think‑Learn (ITL) Centers: Here, teachers and kids team up to shape the weekly agenda. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, adventures are built around each child’s interests.
Language & Literacy: From Mandarin to Mysterious Languages
Every year, our kids sharpen their reading and speaking skills. At select sites, we launch a Chinese Immersion Programme that runs entirely in Mandarin, turning storytime into a cultural journey.
And if you’re curious about other tongues, we’ve got:
- Malay
- Hindi to Spanish
- Japanese
Fees & Locations
Fees differ depending on the center, but at the Mountbatten 223 campus, a full‑day 10‑week term starts at approximately $6,476.40.
Looking for the precise campus nearest you? You can find a comprehensive list of all 12 center locations for this school network.
Want to dive deeper? Head over to the official website for more details, photos, and enrollment info.
2. The Little House (Montessori)
https://www.facebook.com/198682123498363/photos/a.3186610911372121/3186611001372112/
The newly revamped The Little House Montessori style preschool/kindergarten gives off a home-away-from-home vibe that makes one feel like settling into it immediately.
Both English and Mandarin are spoken in equal proportion here, and there are a variety of activities to hone the skills of little ones:
From music movement to weekly science experiments and cooking sessions where each child gets to whip up their own dish. Plus, the school has its own garden for outdoor play — definitely a bonus.
The Little House also focuses on equipping the kids with life skills such as leadership, being a team player, to building empathy and self-confidence. You can view their daily schedule here.
School fees: $3,950 per term (10 weeks) for full-day sessions
Address: 200 Turf Club Road, The Grandstand, #06-08 Singapore, Singapore 287994
Website
3. Blue House Nursery and International Preschool
Blue House International: Where Little Minds Take Flight
Hey parents, ever wondered what it feels like to hand your baby over to a place that treats them like tiny geniuses? Blue House International is that place—think of the Reggio Emilia school vibe, but with a fun twist.
What’s Inside the Blue House?
- Primary School Programme – All‑day learning for kids who love to explore.
- Discover Classes – Optional weekly courses in Music, Art, and Mandarin, taught by specialists who actually talk about the subjects.
- Super‑Small Teacher‑to‑Child Ratio – Because a crowded classroom is like a jam session without the right instruments.
For the Tiny Trailblazers (6‑36 Months)
A separate “Infant & Toddler Atelier” lets parents drop in for short play sessions. Flexibility is the name of the game—drop‑in or splash‑out, whichever fits your schedule!
Costs in Numbers (Not good for your budget dreamer, but we’ll put it out there)
Full‑day sessions: $8,741 per term (3 terms a year) – about $2,913 each term. If you want the full breakdown, head over to their website.
How to Find Us
2 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287988 – right in the heart of a family‑friendly neighborhood.
Ready to Dive In?
Just click through to the Blue House web page for more details, admission requirements, or simply to chat with their friendly admin squad.
4. Lorna Whiston
https://www.facebook.com/LornaWhistonSingapore/posts/4130876286940016
At Lorna Whiston, each child is placed on an individualised reading programme where his or her reading progress is carefully monitored on a weekly basis — such as reading comprehension and fluency — to ensure that he or she is progressing at the right pace.
With the support and encouragement of teachers, the school aims to help them develop a lifelong love of reading.
There’s also an exciting programme of Master Classes for children attending the full-day sessions to help enhance and develop their skills, including Stories & Rhymes, English Speech and Drama, Art Studio, Chinese Arts and Culture as well as Fun with Phonics.
School fees: $2,321.90 per month (full-day session). View their complete school fees here.
Address: Two centre locations at Kallang Wave Mall and Winchester. View them here.
Website
5. White Lodge International Preschools & Childcare
White Lodge: Playful Learning Meets a Global Curriculum
Why White Lodge is a Top Choice
- Curriculum inspired by the United States, Australia, and the UK
- Play‑centric approach means learning happens while kids are having fun
- Great mix of structured lessons and spontaneous play
Outdoor Adventures for Tiny Explorers
The playground is a wonderland designed with safety in mind:
- Child‑safe climbing frames that make everyone feel like a superhero
- Trampolines for bouncy joy (no landing on the teacher’s hat though)
- Paint stations where creativity runs wild—no paint on the furniture, promise!
- Sand and water play to get those little sensory neurons firing
These activities help kids develop creativity and sensory skills while they laugh and learn.
Fees and Logistics
Tuition varies by term for full‑day sessions:
- Starting at $2,235.00 for the Lowen Gardens campus
- Other locations have comparable rates—contact us for a detailed quote
Locations
- Eight centers across the region (details upon request)
- River Valley, Upper Bukit Timah, and Upper East Coast houses fully‑featured childcare centers
- All other sites serve as preschools, giving start‑to‑finish learning options
Ready to Join?
Contact White Lodge for a tour, and let your little one jump into a world where learning and play go hand in hand!
6. Pat’s Schoolhouse
https://www.facebook.com/PatSchoolhouse/posts/3428233430556823
The school adopts an Inquiry-Embedded Play Approach where teachers and children create the teaching plan together to incorporate and deliver themes, subjects and topics in a cohesive and immersive bilingual environment.
Children can look forward to an enhanced music-integrated curriculum where they are exposed to songs, stories, rhymes, games, movement and the playing of percussion instruments by in-house music specialists.
Also, it’s an open secret — Pat’s Schoolhouse is the first preschool to integrate Mandarin into their curriculum! Since then, they have gone beyond the usual Chinese class by weaving Mandarin into every aspect of a child’s day.
School fees: $2,118 per month (full-day session)
Address: View all 15 centre locations here.
Website
7. Brighton Montessori
https://www.facebook.com/brightonmontessori.sg/posts/2823297267894173
With a legacy of 25 years, Brighton Montessori is well-known for its hands-on and individualised teaching approach.
Curriculum highlights include practical life skills lessons, sensorial exercises as well as culture studies.
Using Montessori materials, teachers help to cultivate each child’s interests as he or she explores a variety of subjects at their own pace.
The school also offers enrichment programmes after school hours such as speech and drama as well as computer literacy and educational games.
Parents who are seeking to foster a love and appreciation of Chinese in little ones can also look to Brighton Montessori’s well-structured Intensive Chinese Immersion Programme.
School fees: $2,140 per month (full-day sessions)
Address: View all 5 centre locations here.
Website
8. Chiltern House Preschool
Chiltern House Preschool: Turning Early Years into an Adventure
Founded by the beloved early‑childhood pioneer Julia Gabriel, Chiltern House Preschool Singapore invites your little ones into a world where learning feels like a magic show. From math tricks to science experiments, from Mandarin chat to creative crafts, every day is a new chapter.
What’s on the Lesson Menu?
- Mathematics & Science – think “numbers that climb” and “tiny telescopes.”
- Language & Literacy – words that dance, stories that sparkle.
- Mandarin – because bilingual kids are twice as clever (and a little adorable).
- Art & Craft – splashes of color that even your toddler can proudly show off.
- Speech & Drama – little thespians rehealing in “two‑voice” duos.
- Music – rhythms that turn the classroom into a mini‑band.
- Computer Literacy – teaching kids to navigate the digital world safely.
- Physical Education – sprinting, flipping, and belly‑laughing.
Why Parents Love It
Intimate Class Sizes: Small groups mean our teachers can give every child the attention they crave. It’s like a boutique shop but for tiny tots.
Cheerful Teachers: Specialists straight from Julia Gabriel Centre will steer weekly speech, drama, and music sessions that feel more like playdates than classes.
Fees & Locations
Just $2,000 per month for a full‑day session – that’s a pretty sweet deal for a day of fun, learning, and a few extra cartoons.
- Locations: View all centre locations here.
- Website: Chiltern House Preschool.
In Short
Chiltern House isn’t just a preschool; it’s a playground for the mind, a stage for creativity, and a safe harbor for the little explorers who’re ready to take on the world. Join us and watch your child grow into a curious, confident, and downright charming future adult!
9. MindChamps Preschool
https://www.facebook.com/MindChampsFamily/posts/3342998942414664
Catered to both local and international children aged between 18 months and 6 years old, MindChamps Preschool incorporates highly experiential classroom activities while utilising a structured, academic-oriented approach.
The school adopts the S.M.I.L.E.S. method, which includes the Sensory, Motor, Intellectual, Linguistic, Emotional and Social skills for pre-schoolers that’s specifically designed to prepare students for changes in teaching styles, environment and routine when they transition into primary school.
MindChamps also seeks to instill a love for Chinese in their curriculum as well and parents looking towards a Mandarin focused programme can look towards Mindchamps Chinese Preschool, which conducts all classes in Mandarin.
School fees: From $1,965 per month (full-day session)
Address: View all 38 centre locations here.
Website
10. Little Village on the Grange
https://www.facebook.com/littlevillage.com.sg/posts/3578578345495079
The Little Village adopts an inquiry-based learning curriculum that is closely related to the Play-Based methodologies.
It seeks to support children in exploring, experimenting, hypothesising, and problem-solving—skills that are extremely sought after today.
Strongly focused on outdoor education and nature, teachers here work and learn alongside children to support them in discovering their passions and interests and nurture their natural sense of wonder.
The centre boasts multiple playgrounds, water play troughs, sandpits, bikes, scooters, and even a cycling track! Children also have the freedom to choose the activities they want to do indoor.
School fees: $1,600 per month (for full-day session)
Address: 41 Grange Road Singapore, Singapore 239704
While their website is currently unavailable, you can check out their Facebook page here.
This article was first published in theAsianparent.
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