Preschool Programs in Singapore: Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten 2

(Ages 3 – 4 Years)

Pre kindergarten at Stamford American is where structured inquiry begins. The IB Primary Years Programme is formally introduced at this level, with children exploring foundational concepts – form, function, and connection – through hands-on activities.

Our Pre-K program uses Universal Design for Learning (UDL) – a teaching approach that gives children multiple ways to engage with content, so every learner can participate regardless of their starting point. In practice, this means:

• Choice boards – children select from multiple activity options, building independence
• Differentiated stations – teachers set up varied difficulty levels
• Small and whole group sessions – balancing collaborative and focused instruction

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) – teaching children to understand their emotions, build friendships, and manage frustration – is embedded in the daily routine. Morning check-ins help children name their feelings, build empathy, and develop the self-regulation skills they will carry through every stage of school.

A Suzuki-inspired music program begins at Pre-Kindergarten, with all students learning violin. Children also participate in the Second Step program, an award-winning social-emotional learning curriculum integrated into their daily schedule. Second Step builds skills in cooperation, communication, and decision-making, and is used across Stamford American through Grade 5.

A Pre-K day balances guided inquiry with free exploration. Children rotate between learning centers tailored to the current unit of inquiry, with time for outdoor play, specialist sessions, and language instruction built into every day. Morning circle time sets intentions, and afternoon reflection helps children articulate what they learned and what they want to explore next.

Watch a day in the life of Pre-Kindergarten students.

Pre-Kindergarten classrooms at the ELV each connect to a nature-themed discovery space designed for safe, guided exploration. Children work with natural materials – plants, water features, and sensory stations – that extend their classroom inquiries outdoors. Take a 360 virtual tour to see the Pre-K learning spaces and outdoor areas.

Children enter Pre-Kindergarten the year they turn 3 (by the start of the school year). This is the level where the IB Primary Years Programme formally begins – making it an ideal entry point for families joining an international kindergarten in Singapore for the first time.

If your child is new to Stamford American, our admissions team can help you understand whether Pre-K is the best fit. Book a personal tour to visit a Pre-K classroom.

(Ages 4 – 5 Years)

Kindergarten 1 at Stamford American delivers the IB Primary Years Programme in full. Learning is organized around four units of inquiry per year – investigations that connect subjects and build conceptual understanding.

What makes KG1 distinctive is the range of specialist instruction alongside the core program:

• Suzuki violin – group violin lessons through the Suzuki method
• Swimming – 8 weeks of lessons per year in the on-site pool
• Daily language instruction – Mandarin or Spanish with native-speaking teachers
• Art, music, and PE – specialist-taught sessions twice weekly

Differentiation is central to KG1. Teachers plan for multiple ability levels within every lesson, using Teaching Strategies GOLD assessments to track each child’s progress and adjust instruction accordingly. Your child’s learning is paced to where they are.

Kindergarten 1 days are structured around thematic investigations that connect subjects across the curriculum. A morning might begin with a whole-group inquiry session, move into small-group literacy or numeracy work, and then shift to a specialist lesson – Suzuki violin, swimming, or art. Afternoons include language instruction, makerspace time, and outdoor play. The pace is purposeful but allows room for children to follow their curiosity within each activity.

Watch a day in the life of Kindergarten 1 students.

Each KG1 classroom at ELV is attached to a dedicated makerspace where children build, experiment, and create with real tools and materials. The makerspace supports the hands-on inquiry at the heart of the IB PYP – children move between classroom learning and physical making throughout the day. Take a 360 virtual tour to explore the makerspaces and specialist learning areas.

KG1 is designed for children aged 4-5. At this level, children begin building leadership skills and collaborative habits that prepare them for the academic expectations of Kindergarten 2.

Both half-day and full-day schedules are available for KG1 (see Schedule section below). If you are considering a private kindergarten in Singapore for the first time, KG1 is a strong entry point – the IB PYP is well-established and specialist programs – Suzuki violin, swimming, daily languages – are part of the weekly routine.

Book a personal tour to see a Kindergarten 1 makerspace session in action.

(Ages 5 – 6 Years)

Kindergarten 2 is the most academically detailed year of the Early Years. Your child follows the IB Primary Years Programme through units of inquiry that integrate STEAM subjects – science, technology, engineering, art, and math – into connected learning.

The curriculum draws on established, evidence-based frameworks:

• Science: Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) – the same standards used in leading US schools – guide hands-on experiments and scientific thinking
• Phonics and reading: the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) phonics program – a structured, evidence-based approach to teaching reading – is paired with Fountas and Pinnell reading assessments to track each child’s level. Children participate in readers and writers workshop daily
• Math: Teaching Strategies GOLD objectives (measurable developmental milestones) structure numeracy instruction
• Social-emotional development: the Second Steps program teaches empathy, emotion management, and conflict resolution through structured classroom activities

Specialist lessons continue – Suzuki cello, art, PE, and Mandarin or Spanish language instruction daily – alongside these academic frameworks. The combination ensures children are not just academically prepared but socially and physically ready for elementary school.

Our Kindergarten 2 students will not just have age-appropriate playground areas, or an open-space indoor air-conditioned gymnasium to play with, but each KG2 ELV classroom is attached with a makerspace for children to freely imagine and create with their senses. Take a 360 virtual tour to explore the makerspaces and specialist learning areas.

KG2 runs on a full-day, five-day schedule that mirrors the structure of elementary school. Mornings focus on literacy and numeracy – readers and writers workshop, phonics, and math – followed by a unit of inquiry session that integrates STEAM subjects. Afternoons include specialist lessons, language instruction, and collaborative project work. The daily rhythm is intentionally more structured than earlier levels, preparing children for the expectations of Grade 1.

Watch a day in the life of Kindergarten 2 students.

Kindergarten 2 is for children aged 5-6 – the year before Grade 1. If your child is already at Stamford American, the transition from KG1 to Kindergarten 2 is seamless. If you are joining Stamford American for the first time at KG2, our admissions team will assess readiness and help your child settle in.

This is a foundational year. The skills built in KG2 – early reading and writing, scientific inquiry, social-emotional development – set the tone for your child’s elementary school experience.

Book a personal tour to visit a KG2 classroom and meet the teaching team.