Thinking of enrolling bub in infant care but not sure how to go about choosing one? We’ve got you covered with a simple checklist of all the must-haves and must-knows.
Infant care is one of the most popular options for those of us who need child care services for bub, especially if you work full-time and don’t have a live-in helper. Lucky for us, many preschools in Singapore offer excellent infant care programmes. These programmes usually cater to babies as young as two months old until they turn 18 months.
Now here’s the tough part: since no two infant care programmes are the same, how do you choose one that’s suitable for your baby? We’ve listed some of the top factors you should consider.
1. Location
For maximum convenience, you’ll want to check out the infant care services that are near your home or workplace. Trust us, this will make drop-off and pick-up so much easier. Plus, you or your baby’s caregiver can get there as soon as possible should there be any emergency.
2. Environment
The environment can make or break your little one’s learning experience. First off, it goes without saying that a preschool or infant care centre should always be kept clean. That aside, it’s important to have a spacious environment for bub to move around and play; it should also be warm and inviting so they feel safe and at ease – and we’re not just talking about the physical space. Book a tour to check out your shortlisted centre to check out their infant spaces and teacher-child interaction.
Pro-tip: Some signs to look out for include how responsive the teachers are towards the babies, as well as whether there’s eye contact during their interactions. For example, Little Paddington Preschool’s teachers always use eye contact when talking to the babies under their care as a sign of respect. They’re also trained to respond to babies’ verbal and non-verbal cues – the latter is especially important as most kids at this age are still developing their verbal skills.
3. Child-teacher ratio
When it comes to caring for the little ones, Singapore’s Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has clear guidelines to ensure every kiddo gets the attention they deserve, which differs according to age group. For infant care programmes, the stipulated ratio is one infant educator or programme helper to a maximum of five infants.
That said, some preschools go the extra mile. Take Little Paddington, for instance – this school keeps its ratios even lower, with only three infants per teacher! That means more one-on-one time and personalised care for your little one.
4. Curriculum or programme structure
All infant care programmes should cover the necessities like meals (milk as well as solids if bub has started weaning or is above one year old), diaper changes, naps, and play. However, they differ in approach and curriculum.
At Little Paddington, its infant care activities are tailored to specific age groups and developmental needs. The littlest ones will have more sensory exploration and tummy time to develop foundational skills; communication and social skills as well as crawling is encouraged when they hit seven months old; and early language development commences when bub hits one year old. On top of that, the preschool uses a play-based approach and interesting themes to teach babies about everyday experiences.
Ask the teachers at your shortlisted centres to give you a walkthrough of what a day is like for the infants under their care. This will give you a better idea on whether the infant care programme is a right fit for your baby and family.
5. Cost
Last but not least, don’t be shy to ask about the fees upfront, which usually starts from $1,200 per month. The good news is that all Singaporean citizen children are entitled to a basic subsidy of at least $300, provided you or your spouse is a working mother, and your child is enrolled in a ECDA-licensed preschool. Depending on the programme and your household income, you may be entitled to additional subsidies as well – just use the subsidy calculator to check your family’s eligibility.
We found an infant care programme that’s designed to help the little ones thrive
If you’re looking for an infant care programme that fosters holistic development through play, then Little Paddington could be the right fit for your family. The preschool’s infant experts use activities like gross motor play, sensory play, as well as music and rhymes to foster growth in all your baby’s key developmental areas.
Meaningful themes are also incorporated into these activities, such as learning about the different fruits and vegetables through sensory exploration, identifying different animals through music and movement, or even picking up simple physics during gross motor play.
And if you appreciate a little flexibility in bub’s day-to-day activities, Little Paddington is all up for it too. Babies thrive on structure – while that’s true, we also have to remember that they’re constantly growing and changing. The preschool understands this, which is why it makes allowance for tiny schedule changes to cater to your baby’s developmental needs. You’ll be surprised how much this little gesture could mean to your little ones, as it makes them feel safe, heard, and respected.
Sounds like a happy place for bub? You can check out Little Paddington’s sample infant care schedule on its website, or book a tour to visit your nearest centre* today.
* Infant care programmes are available only in Little Paddington Preschool’s Balmoral, Kent Ridge, Kovan, Stirling, Tanglin, and Winchester centres, for infants aged three to 17 months old.
Bonus: Quote “HONEYKIDSASIA” to enjoy $1,800 savings on Little Paddington Preschool’s infant care fees, applicable at its Balmoral, Kent Ridge, Kovan, and brand new Winchester centres.
This post is in partnership with Little Paddington Preschool.
