ADMISSIONS
Q: What is the preschool’s vision?
A: We’re very focused on the environment, and aim to build strong partnerships between families, the children, school, and the community in order for each child to have with a positive, joyful, and nurturing experience.
Q: What ages do you serve?
A: Our core programmes cater to children from 18 months to 5 years old. We also provide parent accompanied programmes for babies from 6 months old. If your child is younger than 18 months old, consider enrolling them in our weekly Sproutling programmes, a primer to our core programme, that advocates environmental awareness through play to children from 15 months old.
Q: What will my child learn from the emergent curriculum?
A: While our curriculum is largely Reggio-inspired, our focus is on building a unique curriculum based on what the children’s interests are, their experiences with one another, and the world in which they live. Our approach is grounded in interest-based investigations, creating observational opportunities, and building understanding and respect for the natural environment. By allowing children to work on projects they find meaningful, they get to discover the world on their own terms. Children will achieve creative confidence, be articulate at self-expression, and most importantly, find the joy in learning.
Q: Will my child be ready for big school once they graduate?
A: Yes. We focus on equipping children with the skills of how to learn, which not only prepares them for big school but in all areas of their development. By working hands-on on projects that children take a personal interest to, we cement their foundation skills in literacy, mathematics, and science, as well as develop their creative, motor, and social skills that they will need in their later school years. Our programme is also supplemented by ecological and environmental advocacy, which instills a sense of responsibility and pride in a child from their formative years.
Q: What is the application process for new students?
A: Applications are done online. We highly recommend applying only after visiting the preschool.
Q: How are admissions decisions made?
A: Priority is determined by several factors like date of application and if the applicant has had an older sibling attend our school. While we do not publish waitlist numbers, we strive to be fair to all our applicants and upfront about your waitlist status.
Q: What are your fees like?
A: Good question! We’ve put a lot of thought into keeping quality education affordable, so we’ve prepared a whole host of information on the available programmes and tuition fees. Just drop us a note at hello@thegardenhouse.com.sg and we can walk you through it!
Q: When is tuition due?
A: School fees are billed at the beginning of each term.
KNOW OUR SCHOOL
Q: What’s your academic year like?
A: We run 4 terms in a year. Term 1 begins in September.
Q: What are your operating hours?
A: Our flexible programme offers class from 8.30am-12.30pm with the option to stay till 3.30pm every weekday.
Q: Are you open on weekends too?
A: Family time is very important to our team, so we’re currently closed on weekends to let our teachers spend time with their families too.
Q: Do you offer holiday programmes?
A: Our holiday programme runs every other term and is open to children from other schools who are on holiday. They’re usually held during May/June and November/ December. Drop us a line at hello@thegardenhouse.com.sg to find out more or apply to our holiday programme.
Q: Do you provide transport?
A: Yes, we partner with transport companies, but the exact route will be worked out directly with them depending on where you live.
Q: How big are your classes and what is the ratio of children to teachers?
A: Our classes have a maximum enrollment of 12 children. We have 1 teacher for every 4 toddlers (that’s 3 teachers per class) and 1 teacher for every 6 older children (2 teachers per class).
Q: Does my child need to be potty-trained?
A: No. But if you feel your child is ready, talk to the teachers who will help with the process.
Q: What do I need to bring for my children?
A: Sun hat, water bottle and a change of clothes! Nappies if they’re not potty-trained.
Q: How will your vegetable plots feed all the children?
A: We supplement our home-grown organic veggies with locally sourced organic produce. With that said, you’d be surprised at how much produce we’re able to harvest from our garden!
Q: What will you do when it rains?
A: We believe a little rain never hurt anyone, so the children are free to play outdoors when it’s drizzling. In the event of heavy rain, exploratory play will continue indoors! We have a whole indoor world of experiences for children to discover.
Q: Do you use air-conditioning?
A: As The Garden House Preschool is an eco-literate school, we keep cool with large ceiling fans and open windows. While we have air-conditioning installed in our toddlers’ room, we do not use them daily. If the winds aren’t in our favour (e.g. when the haze comes to visit), we bring in standalone air-con units to use.
OUR STAFF
Q: What are the staff qualifications?
A: All our teachers have diplomas or degrees in Early Childhood Education. We’ve put together a team that not only believes in the foundation of an emergent curriculum, but also values and respects the rights of each child. You can meet our Principal here.
Q: Does the teaching team have ongoing training sessions?
A: Yes, our teachers undergo an intensive professional development course twice a year.
Q: Are you equipped to handle emergencies?
A: Yes, all our teachers have valid first aid licenses and we keep medical supplies on our site at all times. We also conduct emergency drills every term to keep on our toes!
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
Q: I want to get involved too! What can I do?
A: Parents are such a big part of our community and we welcome you to support the children’s learning in a variety of ways. We believe in having strong home-school connections and start by visiting each family before their child begins school with us to keep things personal. We invite parents to get involved by reading stories to the children, sharing a skill or interest with them, donating to our recycling centre, or getting down and dirty in the gardens with us. We always have extra gardening gloves!
Q: Can we speak to a family with their preschooler currently enrolled?
A: Drop us a line at hello@thegardenhouse.com.sg and we’ll be happy to connect you with one of our parents.
