Quick answer
Compare the same facts for every centre: fees and extras, one-off costs, commute, hours, programme, Mother Tongue languages, settling in and how staff update parents. Mark anything you do not know as unknown, never zero. Each unknown becomes a question for your tour. Then decide on what fits your family. No site can rank centres for you.
The useful number: Compare 2 to 4 centres side by side. Every unknown becomes a question on your tour checklist.
Who is this for?
Parents choosing between a few preschools, for infant care, childcare or kindergarten. Use it after you shortlist and before you accept a place.
How do you compare centres fairly?
- Shortlist on LifeSG preschool search. ECDA points parents there and to the centres directly for enrolment.
- Add 2 to 4 centres. Use a label only you understand.
- Fill in what you know: monthly fee, monthly extras, one-off fees, commute, opening and closing times, programme, languages, settling in and staff updates.
- Leave anything you do not know blank. It stays unknown, never zero.
- Tick up to 3 priorities. They only change which rows you see first.
- Take the tour checklist on visits. Your unknowns are added as questions.
- Track each enquiry. The workbook suggests a follow-up 14 days after the last reply, and you can change it.
How are costs added up?
- Monthly cost
- Fee plus monthly extras, when both are known
- First-year cost
- 12 times the monthly cost, plus one-off fees, when all three are known
- Tour checklist
- 22 points in 7 parts, from before the visit to after the visit
If any part is unknown, the total stays unknown and says which part is missing. The workbook shows where centres differ. It never gives a score or a “best” badge.
Compare, then tour
The Preschool comparison workbook keeps your notes on this device. Prefer paper? Use the Preschool comparison worksheet and the Preschool tour checklist.
Next, check how much leave you have for settling-in weeks with the Childcare leave entitlement checker.
What the workbook will not do
It holds no fees, vacancies or ratings for any provider, and it never predicts a place or a wait time. Fees, subsidies and vacancies come from each centre and ECDA. For subsidy maths, use the Childcare subsidy calculator.
Printables for this guide
Preschool comparison worksheet
Compare two to four centres on fees, extras, commute, hours, languages, settling in and waitlist status. Unknowns stay as questions, not zeros.
Preschool tour checklist
What to look for and ask at each centre visit. Tick boxes for up to three centres, and a page of questions to fill in on the day.
Put your centres side by side
Add 2 to 4 centres with your own notes. See what differs and what to ask next. Your notes stay on this device.
Compare your centres →Frequently asked questions
How do I compare preschools in Singapore?
Compare the same facts for each centre: fees, extras, one-off costs, commute, hours, languages, settling in and staff updates. Mark gaps as unknown and ask on the tour. Try the preschool comparison workbook.
What should I ask on a preschool tour?
Ask whether the fee is before or after subsidies, which charges are extra, how settling in works and how teachers update parents. Our checklist has 22 points in 7 parts.
Does the workbook rank preschools?
No. It shows where centres differ and what you still need to find out. The choice is yours.
Is my information sent anywhere?
No. Your notes stay on this device. You can export or delete them at any time.
Keep this guide for the next big decision.
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Sources & assumptions
The tour checklist is our own editorial list, not an official one.