Two educators engaging an infant climbing the open-ended gym set.

In The News

The Thinking Behind Preschool Environments

Designed with purpose, see how thoughtfully planned spaces optimise children’s development, well-being and safety.

If learning environment is the ‘third teacher’, a well-designed preschool environment will help children feel safe, calm and confident, creating the foundation for meaningful learning to take place. Beyond what we can see, there are in fact careful considerations that go into the planning of these spaces.

Four preschools share how the furnishings and design elements in their classrooms benefit children and enable educators to implement learning objectives safely and effectively.

Spotted at M.Y World @ Tengah Garden Terrace and M.Y World @ Tengah Garden Court

WIN-WIN FOR CHILDREN AND EDUCATORS

The Interactive Smart Monitor, used in the infant-care environment, provides real-time updates on infants’ daily routines, including feeding, nap time and diaper changes. It includes audio-visual notifications, enabling educators to focus on responsive caregiving and meaningful interactions with infants, while the timely automated updates let parents know their child is safe and thriving in a nurturing environment.

WIN-WIN FOR CHILDREN AND EDUCATORS

Acoustic ceilings absorb noise and reduce echo to help children hear and comprehend instructions clearly without feeling overwhelmed. Improved acoustics also help educators reduce vocal strain, stress and fatigue, enabling more effective classroom management and a more positive teaching experience.

WIN-WIN FOR CHILDREN AND EDUCATORS

M.Y Tinker Bay enhances children’s fine-motor skills, eye-hand coordination, social interaction and collaborative play through interactive water play. Water troughs of varying heights ensure children aged two to six years can access and enjoy the space comfortably, promoting independence and confidence. The environment is infused with the exclusive M.Y Nature Scent that strengthens children’s connection to nature and makes learning through play a restorative and engaging experience.

WHAT EDUCATORS SAY: “The open set-up allows clear visibility across learning areas while facilitating small-group and individual interactions,” shares Ms Charmian Lee, an educator with M.Y World @ Tengah Garden Terrace. Fellow educator from the Tengah Garden Court branch Ms Nor Athirah appreciates the water play area for its sensory-rich and calming environment that encourages creative exploration and collaborative play among children.

Spotted at PCF Sparkletots Preschool @ Tampines Boulevard Blk 662C

UNHURRIED AND OPEN-ENDED EXPLORATION

The open-ended gym set supports infants’ motor development by enabling them to pull up, climb and explore at their own pace. Children learn the foundations of calculated risk-taking, exploring with caution, reading social cues and building confidence and resilience as they progress from crawling to walking across different developmental stages.

UNHURRIED AND OPEN-ENDED EXPLORATION

The same gym set can be set up differently based on the educators’ intent to help children develop specific gross motor skills. Here, a child demonstrates creativity and problem-solving skills by sliding down the ramp on his tummy, using the gym set in his own way.

UNHURRIED AND OPEN-ENDED EXPLORATION

For the younger children, modular cushion blocks can be configured to create a soft gym. Here, a child strengthens gross motor skills and coordination, as well as spatial awareness, by crawling through the tunnel set up. They also develop confidence and perseverance in completing the course.

WHAT EDUCATOR SAYS: “The flexible use of the gym set and modular blocks enable educators to meet different learning needs, encourage guided play, and integrate concepts such as spatial awareness and self-regulation into daily routines.” says Ms Celine Chin, Infant Care Lead.

Spotted at E-Bridge Pre-School Hougang Olive @ Blk 176 Hougang Street 13

SAFE & CONFIDENT PLAY

Padded flooring in the infant care classroom provides a soft and secure surface for infants to move, roll, crawl and explore with confidence, encouraging longer engagement. This allows educators to focus on responsive interactions and nurturing meaningful learning experiences within a supportive environment, shares educator Ms Nurharyani Binte Johar.

SAFE & CONFIDENT PLAY

Convex safety mirror is placed at this learning corner to improve visibility across the space, allowing educators to supervise children more effectively and respond quickly to potential risks. The mirror also supports self-awareness and spatial awareness as children observe their movements and reflections, paying attention to details such as the shape of their eyes and facial expressions. It also encourages conversations about emotions, similarities and differences.

WHAT EDUCATOR SAYS: “These features give me a peace of mind when conducting my lessons. With safety well-supported, I can focus on observing, guiding and extending children’s learning, while exploring creative, engaging and developmentally appropriate teaching approaches,” shares Ms Nurharyani Binte Johar.

Spotted at Little Greenhouse @ Jurong West 502

MAXIMISING SPACE WITH MULTI-PURPOSE FURNITURE

At the Numeracy Lab, modular shelves allow children to access learning materials independently. When the materials are stowed away, the closed cabinet also functions as a learning board.

MAXIMISING SPACE WITH MULTI-PURPOSE FURNITURE

The whiteboard in the Art Lab can be used as a learning board for large-group lessons and flipped over to double as a drawing space. The board also functions as a moveable partition to demarcate different learning zones for children. Modular furniture like this allows educators to plan lessons more purposefully by setting up spaces that better match the learning focus.

MAXIMISING SPACE WITH MULTI-PURPOSE FURNITURE

The Light & Sound Factory has built-in projectors for children to explore light and shadow play. While seemingly a blank canvas, this sensory experience helps children develop cognitively as they experiment with cause-and-effect relationships, as well as concepts like spatial relationships, size comparisons, and geometry.

WHAT EDUCATORS SAY: “Modular furniture helps support children’s learning by encouraging creativity and choice. Purposeful layouts and accessible storage also encourage children to take responsibility for school materials and care for the learning environment,” shares educator Ms Dana Tan.