A Guide to Preschool Options: Anchor vs Partner Operators

Choosing the right preschool for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. It lays the foundation for their early learning and development, shaping their future success. In Singapore, parents are presented with a variety of preschool options, including Anchor Operator (AOP) preschools, Partner Operator (POP) preschools, and private preschools. This guide will help you understand the differences between these operator schemes so you will be equipped to choose the right preschool for your child. 

Anchor and Partner Operators: Ensuring Quality and Accessibility

The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) oversees two key schemes to ensure quality preschool education remains accessible and affordable for families: the Anchor Operator Scheme and the Partner Operator Scheme. Both schemes provide funding support to selected preschool operators, enabling them to maintain high standards while keeping fees affordable.

In 2024, over 65% of preschoolers in Singapore attended government-supported preschools, which include Anchor Operators, Partner Operators, and Ministry of Education (MOE) Kindergartens.

Anchor Operator Preschool  

Anchor Operators receive significant government funding to cap their fees, ensuring affordability for more families, especially those with lower income or disadvantaged backgrounds. The AOP scheme allows AOPs like My First Skool to keep their monthly fees to a cap of $680 and $1,235* (excluding GST) for full-day child care and full-day infant care respectively.

This government funding also allows AOPs to:

• Keep fee increases affordable for parents;
• Invest in high-quality facilities, programmes, and services;
• Provide professional development opportunities for their educators.

Other AOPs include PCF Sparkletots Preschool, M.Y World Preschool, Skool4Kidz and E-Bridge Pre-School.

Partner Operator (POP) Preschool 

Similar to AOPs, Partner Operators are also provided funding support to improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of childcare and infant care services in Singapore. At Little Skool-House, we have a network of centres across Singapore, 14 of which operate under the POP scheme. Under this scheme, our POP centres are able to keep to a monthly fee cap of $720 and $1,290* (excluding GST) for full-day child care and infant care programmes respectively, for children who are Singapore Citizens. 

The funding provided enables Partner Operators to:

• Maintain affordable fee structures;
• Invest in the quality of our services and curriculums; and
• Support the professional growth of our educators through continuous development programmes.

At present, there are 323 Partner Operators in Singapore. For a full list of the current Partner Operators, visit the ECDA website.

Private Preschools: A Premium Option

While AOP and POP preschools provide high-quality, affordable education, some families may prefer to opt for private preschools, which often charge higher fees as they do not receive funding from the  government. However, the higher fees can translate to private preschools being able to offer niche programmes, a lower teacher-to-student ratio, more extracurricular activities, and state-of-the art facilities. Private operators may also adopt unique educational philosophies or methodologies, and programmes that are designed to align with specific learning styles and interests.  

Choosing the Right Preschool for Your Child

Understanding the differences between these preschool options can help parents make a decision that is aligned with their family’s preferences and values. When selecting a preschool, it is also important to consider your child’s learning style, and the school’s educational philosophy. 

At Little Skool-House, we believe in nurturing each child’s unique potential through a holistic curriculum that gives equal emphasis to academic excellence, character development and creative expression. We’re committed to providing a nurturing and stimulating learning environment for your child, with highly-qualified teachers who are dedicated to fostering your child’s growth.

With 20 centres islandwide —14 under the POP scheme and 6 operating as premium private preschools—Little Skool-House offers flexibility and choice for families seeking the best early education for their children.

Choose from 20 Conveniently-Located Centres

For over 27 years, we’ve been helping more than 6,600 preschoolers in Singapore build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. With award-winning teachers, a proven bilingual curriculum and diverse enrichment programmes, Little Skool-House is committed to delivering a quality preschool experience that prepares your child for the future. 

Find A Little-Skool House Near You

Frequently Asked Questions about Little Skool-House

What is the difference between Little Skool-House centres that are under the Partner Operator (POP) scheme and those that aren’t?

At Little Skool-House, we have a network of centres, with 14 centres operating under the Partner Operator (POP) scheme governed by ECDA. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility, affordability, and quality of childcare services for working parents.

Besides our consistent core curriculum and teaching approach, our 6 non-POP centres offer supplementary enriching programmes such as music, sports, and our exclusive REACH (Read Chinese at Home) programme. The REACH programme provides weekly take-home books and accompanying audio guides for learning support at home, empowering parents to be more involved in their child’s education. These centres also boast superior facilities for a comfortable and stimulating environment. Parents are also able to chat real-time with our teachers and be updated on their child’s progress via our Parent App. Additionally, these centres maintain a lower teacher-child ratio to ensure that each child receives personalised attention and support. 

What are the types of programmes available at Little Skool-House?

At My Little Skool-House, we offer full-day and half-day preschool programmes for children aged  18 months to 6 years old, as well as infant care services for infants aged 2 to 17 months. 

Which is the age range for the different preschool classes at Little Skool House?

The age range for the different preschool class levels are as follows: 

• Infant Care: 2–17 months
• Toddler: 2 years
• Nursery 1: 3 years
• Nursery 2: 4 years
• Kindergarten 1: 5 years
• Kindergarten 2: 6 years

Do note that the preschool class that your child will be enrolled in is based on your child’s age as at 31 December in the year of enrolment.

What is the curriculum offered at Little Skool-House?

We offer 2 types of curricula designed to allow your child to reach their physical, social and emotional, language and cognitive potential:

• Relationships-Based Curriculum (2 months to 3 years old):
  We believe that our youngest children need good, positive and secure attachments and relationships in order to develop life-long positive learning dispositions. We focus on nurturing your child’s confidence by supporting them in routines for the development of independent self-help skills. We provide quality experiences and exploration opportunities so that your child can construct their own knowledge and apply their learning.

• Literacy-Based Curriculum (4 to 6 years old):
  We believe that stories shape how children see the world, introducing them to far-flung places, extraordinary people and eye-opening situations. Through bilingual, guided reading, writing, listening, speaking and problem-solving activities, we equip your child with the skills and knowledge they need to develop positive learning habits that will last a lifetime.