Childcare centre visit checklist Singapore: what to check and ask

Open this on your phone during the visit and tick as you go. The ratios and licence rules come from ECDA's Code of Practice.

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Before you go

Shortlist centres on LifeSG Preschool Search
Fees shown are before subsidies. Centres in dark green have vacancies now. Our preschool directory Source: LifeSG, ECDA
Check the licence fits your child's age
Infant care centres (Class A) take 2 to 18 months. Child care centres (Class B) take 18 months to below 7 years. Source: ECDA
Check whether it is an Anchor or Partner Operator
Anchor Operators cap full-day child care at $610 and infant care at $1,235 a month; Partner Operators at $650 and $1,290 for citizen children, all before GST. Fee cap checker Source: ECDA
See if it is SPARK certified
SPARK is ECDA's quality accreditation; ECDA keeps a list of certified preschools. Source: ECDA

At the centre

Find the licence on display
It must hang where parents can see it. Ask how long the licence tenure is: 6, 12, 24 or 36 months. Source: ECDA
Infant room: 1 educator to 5 babies
And at least 2 staff present at all times, one of them an infant educator. Source: ECDA
Older classes: check the ratio for your child's level
During programme hours: playgroup 1 to 8, pre-nursery 1 to 12, nursery 1 to 15, K1 1 to 20, K2 1 to 25. Source: ECDA
Watch how teachers talk to the children
Ask about their training and experience. Source: ECDA
Ask what happens in an emergency
Source: ECDA
Ask about CCTV and whether parents can view footage
Source: ECDA
Talk through allergies and dietary needs
Source: ECDA
Ask what you supply: diapers, milk, bedding
Packing list Source: ECDA

Before you sign

Read the policies and terms before paying
Source: ECDA
Note the subsidy step: a LifeSG form within 14 days of starting
The centre triggers it on or after the first day. Subsidy calculator Source: ECDA

Your ticks and date stay in this browser on this device. Nothing is sent to us. Clearing your browsing data or opening the list on another phone starts it again, so print it if you want a copy.

Questions parents ask

What is the staff-child ratio for infant care in Singapore?

ECDA's Code of Practice sets 1 educator to 5 infants aged 2 to 18 months, with at least 2 programme staff present at all times.

How do I check a childcare centre's licence?

The licence must be displayed where parents can see it. ECDA issues licences of 6, 12, 24 or 36 months and decides the tenure partly on the centre's compliance record.

Where are my ticks saved?

In this browser on this device, and nowhere else. Nothing is sent to us. Clearing your browsing data or opening the list on another phone starts it fresh, so use Print if you want a paper copy.

Childcare centre visit checklist

Before you go

At the centre

Before you sign

Questions parents ask

Sources

Our Company

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