Looking for a home away from home for your little person? There’s no shortage of good international nurseries, preschools and kindergartens in Singapore, but when your tiny human is exactly that – tiny! – it’s crucial that you feel good about where they’re spending their time, while also not having to auction off your organs to afford it. We recently spent some time at White Lodge, and quite honestly, we could have stuck around all week. Here are a few reasons why we’d be happy to send our kids there…
It’s cost effective
While making your decision based solely on cost is fraught with danger, for most of us, it’s high on the list of considerations. White Lodge prides itself on the quality of education it provides at a cost that’s reasonable in this wonderful but expensive city we call home! The founder of White Lodge recognised the need for competitively priced education when she started the school back in 1999, and the legacy has continued. The school teaches for 47 weeks of the year, so you don’t wind up spending money on nothing, and it offers a range of options for kids aged from six months to six years (including half day, full day, and two, three, or five day programs). This year, White Lodge has introduced a sibling discount for families with more than one child enrolling, and until 30 June, new students can take advantage of a registration fee waiver.
We love the creative, hands-on approach
While this is a school with a comprehensive curriculum (the Primary Years Program), it has always acknowledged the value that creative education brings to preschool-aged kids. Children are encouraged to play and interact in lots of ways, ensuring they’re always learning from the process of discovery. The teaching approach is very hands-on and active – on our visit we saw teachers getting involved in a spirited tug-of-war battle, and getting their hands dirty with the kids in some outdoor sensory and water play activities. The teacher-child ratio is high, and the teaching staff boasts a good mix of well-trained locals and expats.
It’s convenient in more ways than one
With eight centres spread across the island, if you can’t find a White Lodge near you, you’re really not trying. From Bukit Timah to the Upper East Coast, and from Central North to Tanglin, they’ve got Singapore covered. Not only that, the White Lodge team recently noticed an increase in the incidence of both parents working, so the school is now offering an extension to the daily program until 5pm (kicking off at 8am). Child care, sorted!
The school community is diverse and inclusive
At the latest count, almost twenty nationalities were represented at White Lodge centres across Singapore. Kids are taught to respect each other and the world they live in, and the school recognises that each child brings a special something from their own personal background to complete their class community. White Lodge is also a big advocate of inclusive education, and this year a new inclusive preschool and childcare program will be launched. With the aim of tailoring each individual’s education as needed, class sizes will be limited to a 1:4 ratio and supported by a collaborative approach from educational psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists. The school prides itself on listening to its families and working together to help kids continue their development.
In the end, when deciding on a nursery or preschool, you have to balance practical concerns such as cost and location with what your gut tells you. So, we’ll hand the decision-making over to you, dear parents, with a message from our gut: this place feels good!
Curious to know what a day in the life of a White Lodge student is like? On November 25, White Lodge Upper East Coast opens its doors for a morning filled with fun activities including art, games, and a musical sing-a-long. You’ll also get a chance to meet White Lodge’s friendly teachers and find out more details about White Lodge’s curriculum as you take a tour of the facilities. To sign up for White Lodge’s Open House, please register at [email protected].
Date: Saturday, November 25, 2017
Time: 9:00am – 11:30am
Venue: 36 Toh Drive, Singapore 507889
Check out our video interview with White Lodge founder Jayne Nadjaroo about her vision for White Lodge and the school’s focus on cultural diversity, its broad-based curriculum, and how the school nurtures independent, happy learners.
This post is in partnership with White Lodge (currently Invictus International Preschool).