Choosing a preschool in Singapore can feel overwhelming, especially once you realise how different each teaching philosophy can be. Some focus on early academics. Others emphasise structure and routine. And then there’s a growing group of schools that lean into something much more intuitive — play-based learning.
This approach isn’t about “just playing.” Done well, it’s a structured method where children learn through exploration, social interaction, imagination, and hands-on discovery. Research and local preschool guides consistently highlight that play-based environments help develop creativity, confidence, and social skills while keeping learning enjoyable and meaningful.
In Singapore, play-based learning often overlaps with approaches like Reggio Emilia, inquiry-based learning, and forest school models, all of which emphasise curiosity and child-led exploration.
Below is a curated list of some of the best play-based preschools in Singapore, with different strengths depending on your child’s personality, learning style, and your family’s priorities.
| Preschool | Best For | Approach | Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaws Preschool | Pure play-based | Child-led | Open & flexible |
| Best overall for authentic play-based learning. | |||
| Adventure Tree Preschool | Outdoor play | Nature-based | Large outdoor spaces |
| EtonHouse | Creativity | Reggio Emilia | Project-based classrooms |
| Mosaic Preschool | Holistic development | Play-inspired | Sensory-focused |
| Odyssey Preschool | Forest school | Outdoor immersion | Nature campus |
| Mulberry Learning | Balanced learning | Structured play | Modern classrooms |
| Little Footprints | Accessibility | Guided play | Childcare setting |
Shaws Preschool
Shaws Preschool has long been one of the most recognisable names in play-based early education in Singapore.
The environment is intentionally designed to feel open and exploratory rather than structured. Classrooms flow into outdoor spaces, and children are encouraged to move between activities freely. There’s a strong emphasis on child-led learning, where teachers guide rather than instruct.
What stands out is how natural the learning feels. Activities are often woven into play — building, storytelling, role-playing — instead of being delivered as formal lessons.
Best for: Pure play-based learning with minimal academic pressure
Locations: Katong, Mountbatten
Website: https://shaws.com.sg/
Opening hours: Weekdays
Adventure Tree Preschool
Adventure Tree Preschool leans heavily into outdoor, nature-driven learning.
Its play-based curriculum includes gardening, sensory play, outdoor exploration, and creative activities, with large play areas designed for movement and discovery. Children regularly engage in activities like scavenger hunts and nature walks, helping them build a strong connection with their environment.
This is the kind of preschool that works especially well for energetic children who learn best through movement.
Best for: Outdoor play and nature-based learning
Locations: Thomson area
Contact: https://adventuretree.com.sg/
Opening hours: Weekdays
EtonHouse International Pre-School
EtonHouse blends play-based learning with the Reggio Emilia approach, which is centred on inquiry and creative expression.
Children explore ideas through projects, art, and collaborative activities rather than fixed worksheets. Teachers act more like facilitators, helping children develop their own questions and solutions.
It’s structured, but in a very different way — the structure supports exploration rather than controlling it.
Best for: Creative, inquiry-driven learning environments
Locations: Multiple across Singapore
Contact: https://www.etonhouse.edu.sg/
Opening hours: Weekdays
Mosaic Preschool
Mosaic Preschool is built entirely around play-inspired education.
Its framework focuses on play experiences that are engaging, social, meaningful, and joyful, with activities designed to stimulate all five senses.
The approach is holistic. Instead of separating learning into subjects, everything is integrated into the child’s daily experiences.
It’s particularly suitable for parents who want a strong emphasis on emotional and social development.
Best for: Holistic, sensory-based play learning
Locations: East Coast
Contact: https://mosaicpreschool.sg/
Opening hours: Weekdays
Odyssey The Global Preschool
Odyssey The Global Preschool offers one of the most immersive forest school-style environments in Singapore.
At its Dempsey campus, children spend significant time outdoors, exploring natural spaces, gardening, and interacting with the environment. The school integrates sustainability concepts and real-world experiences into its curriculum.
This goes beyond typical playground time. The outdoors is treated as a primary classroom.
Best for: Forest school and outdoor immersion
Locations: Dempsey
Contact: https://theodyssey.global/sg/
Opening hours: Weekdays
Mulberry Learning Centre
Mulberry Learning takes a slightly more structured approach to play-based education.
Its curriculum blends play, inquiry, and cognitive development frameworks, helping children develop thinking skills alongside creativity.
It’s a good middle ground for parents who want play-based learning but still value some academic readiness.
Best for: Balanced play-based and structured learning
Locations: Multiple
Contact: https://mulberrylearning.com/
Opening hours: Weekdays
Little Footprints Preschool
Little Footprints Preschool integrates play into its early years programmes through multi-sensory and hands-on activities.
Younger children engage in playgroup sessions that build motor skills and social interaction, while older children gradually transition into more structured learning through exploration.
It’s a practical option for families who want play-based foundations within a more traditional childcare framework.
Best for: Accessible play-based programmes with structure
Locations: Multiple across Singapore
Contact: https://littlefootprints.edu.sg/
Opening hours: Full-day childcare options available
Final Thoughts
Choosing a play-based preschool in Singapore isn’t really about finding the “best” school. It’s about finding the right fit for your child’s temperament, energy level, and how they naturally learn.
If you’re drawn to a fully child-led environment where structure takes a back seat, Shaws Preschool stands out for how naturally it integrates play into everyday learning. It’s a good match for children who thrive when given space to explore at their own pace.
For children who are constantly on the move, outdoor-focused schools like Adventure Tree Preschool and Odyssey The Global Preschool offer something quite different — environments where nature isn’t just a backdrop, but a central part of the learning experience.
If you’re looking for a middle ground, where play is still important but gently guided toward school readiness, Mulberry Learning Centre and Little Footprints Preschool provide a more structured rhythm without losing that sense of exploration.
And for parents who value creativity, expression, and inquiry, EtonHouse International Pre-School offers an approach where ideas are developed through projects rather than prescribed lessons.
At this stage, the details matter less than the environment. The right preschool should feel like a place your child wants to return to — where curiosity is encouraged, not managed, and where learning feels like something they discover on their own.
