Ever heard of a preschool with an arts-themed curriculum? We speak to parents of NAFA Arts Preschool to find out what it’s like, and why they chose an arts-focused early years education for their kids.
Picture this: it’s a regular day at school with outdoor or sensory play, as well as English and Chinese lessons… on top of piano, speech and drama, and dance thrown into the mix. That’s what kids experience at NAFA Arts Preschool, which is the only preschool in Singapore that includes visual and performing arts into its daily curriculum! Using a Reggio Emilia approach, the school encourages little ones to learn through play and exploration in both its Luzerne (Bendemeer) and Bencoolen campuses.
We sat down with a few sets of parents to find out how they found out about NAFA Arts Preschool, what led them to choose this school, and how their child is faring.
So, how did NAFA Arts Preschool come into the picture?
Interestingly, one mother, Cui Qin, found out about it whilst she was still pregnant! Indeed, the school’s reputation precedes itself, especially since it’s the pioneer preschool that focuses on the arts.
Karen and Dionne affirm this, attaching credibility to how the preschool is set up by Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), a highly respected art school in Singapore. Dionne adds on, “NAFA Arts Preschool has also been around for close to 20 years in Singapore, and this itself is a testimony that its curriculum is relevant and beneficial to children even in today’s context.”
The school also naturally appealed to parents who placed priority on arts exposure. Take Saumya as an example: “NAFA Arts Preschool’s arts-based curriculum aligns perfectly with how we want our child to perceive learning in the early years — not as something rigid or forced, but as something joyful, sensory, and meaningful”.
First impressions of NAFA Arts Preschool
Passionate and reliable team of educators
One of the first few things that immediately caught Hui Yen’s attention is the teachers, many of whom have been with the preschool for years. “This speaks volumes about the nurturing and stable environment they’ve built. It also contributes to a positive and enriching experience for the children,” she observed. On top of that, all parents have noticed the teachers go above and beyond to make school a safe space for their students, which made NAFA Arts Preschool the little ones’ ‘happy place’. Being parents ourselves, it’s especially heartening to hear these.
Plenty of natural light
Hui Yen described the school’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows at Luzerne Campus (Bendemeer) to be an instant eye-catcher and was delighted by how they created a bright and inviting environment by allowing “abundant natural light to flood the space”.
A line-up of creative work on display
Imagine your child puffing up in delight when their work is displayed for all to see. During a school visit, Cui Qin was impressed to see lots of creative works all around the school. Aside from that, parents get to attend quarterly showcases put up by their children, something that Dionne really appreciates and sees value in, “The contribution of each child is valued and respected, and this is evident in the way children interact with each other in school.”
What goes on at NAFA Arts Preschool
All parents often wonder what their children are up to in school when they’re out of our sight. In this case, the parents share that NAFA Arts Preschool keeps them well-informed with thoughtful weekly updates.
“Art, music, and dance are seamlessly woven into the curriculum. Music lessons are held in a dedicated music room equipped with proper instruments – a rare find in Singapore,” Hui Yen described. Excursions are also built into the academic calendar, which is a highlight for many of the children.
Most importantly, parents are kept informed about their children’s activities and progress through thoughtful weekly updates. “Teachers also share resources, which help us stay connected and supported with my daughter’s learning at home,” Cui Qin added.
And they’ve seen their children flourish!
Seeing your children grow and thrive is one of the biggest indicators that you’ve found the right preschool for your children. This is exactly what the parents we spoke to noticed in their children.
Cui Qin: “You Xuan has truly blossomed. One day she’s singing, the next she’s dancing or using new vocabulary. At bedtime, when we talk about what we’re grateful for, she often mentions her teachers with such warmth.”
Karen: “I was pleasantly surprised to see Jimi becoming quite good with the piano. It’s a testament of being a student at NAFA Arts Preschool — being able to nurture and unlock art or music inclinations that would otherwise be overlooked or neglected.”
Zixin: “The early exposure to arts at NAFA Arts Preschool has been instrumental in helping Ziyad unleash his creativity and expression.”
Effective curriculum and approach aside, this could also be attributed to how safe and welcomed the children feel at NAFA Arts Preschool. All of the parents have described the preschool as “an extended family” to them, where their children are happy to attend every day.
Photography: NAFA Arts Preschool
Could this arts-themed preschool be the right one for your children?
Come experience the magic for yourself at NAFA Arts Preschool’s upcoming open house. Keep your calendars free this 12 July 2025 from 9am till 1pm to discover what NAFA Arts Preschool has to offer.
There’s even this sweet deal where if you enrol and pay within a period of 10 days, you’ll be able to snag $500 off every four months for 1 year. Want a taster? You’ll also enjoy 50% off a pre-nursery and playground trial class, on top of a waived registration fee and two free sets of uniforms. Register to attend today.
This post is in partnership with NAFA Arts Preschool.
