Programme
KINDERGARTEN 1: BUILDING STRONG FOUNDATIONS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SINGAPORE
The transition to Kindergarten 1 (K1) marks a crucial step in your child’s educational journey. At this stage, typically for five-year-olds, children move beyond the initial play-based exploration of the early years and begin to embrace more structured learning, independence, and leadership.
Our K1 programme builds confidence and school readiness through engaging, project-based learning. With strong emphasis on language development and academic rigor, children master critical thinking, focus, and social skills essential for success in Singapore’s primary schools.
INTRODUCTION
DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN IN THE YEAR THEY TURN FIVE
By Kindergarten 1, children emerge as confident, capable, and thoughtful learners. They navigate routines with increasing independence, naturally display empathy by helping younger peers, and build strong social connections, often taking on early leadership roles.
With the help of our bilingual curriculum, their language skills can advance rapidly, allowing them to express complex ideas clearly and contribute actively to discussions in both English and Chinese. They can also approach challenges with determination, utilising creative thinking and problem-solving strategies while simultaneously building solid foundations in literacy and numeracy.
Our K1 programme combines academic preparation with engaging, hands-on projects that connect classroom concepts to real-world experiences. Consequently, they’ll have a smooth transition to Kindergarten 2.
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS
CORE LEARNING AREAS
Our Kindergarten 1 curriculum is a comprehensive framework designed to smoothly transition children from playgroup or N2 activities to structured academic success. Through a combination of teaching methodologies and nurturing guidance, we help every child develop the strong foundational skills, intellectual curiosity, and emotional maturity required for their subsequent move to K2.
Phonics, Literacy and Writing
Building on Nursery 2 foundations, children master all 42 letter sounds through our systematic Jolly Phonics programme. Our K1 students progress confidently from simple sounds to digraphs and tricky words, developing the full range of letter-sound relationships essential for independent reading and writing.
Thematic Learning
Under our Kindergarten 1 curriculum, children explore meaningful themes through hands-on projects that last 2-4 weeks. Each theme becomes a journey of discovery where students discover and create.
Math, literacy, science, and art naturally connect through their explorations. Students work independently and together, developing skills while engaged in discussions.
Each theme concludes with students sharing their discoveries and creations. This approach builds confidence, critical thinking, and academic foundations.
Mathematics
Our mathematics programme builds confident problem-solvers through the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) approach. Kindergarten 1 students develop deep conceptual understanding while exploring numbers to 20, mastering addition and subtraction within 10, working with number bonds and ten-frames, and building place value foundations with tens and ones up to 40.
Social-Emotional Development
Children develop empathy and collaboration through group activities, classroom responsibilities, and teamwork. They learn to resolve conflicts, work with diverse peers, and support one another. Our Kindergarten 1 curriculum also includes a Kindness Time programme that uses carefully selected books to discuss emotions, friendship, and community values. These regular sessions help children identify feelings, manage their responses, and build social skills needed for school success and positive relationships.
ENRICHED LEARNING EXPERIENCES AT OUR KINDERGARTEN 1 IN SINGAPORE
At Hess Preschool, learning extends beyond the typical classroom subjects, ensuring a well-rounded experience for our students in Kindergarten 1. We blend structured learning with inquiry opportunities, encouraging children to question, experiment, and discover.
Through dedicated Science & Discovery sessions, children engage in mini-experiments and design challenges that spark curiosity and develop early cognitive skills, aligning with a foundation in STEAM education.
Through our immersive bilingual curriculum, children enjoy rich, interactive experiences in both English and Chinese, deepening their language skills naturally through songs, stories, and communication.
Furthermore, Music & Movement and purposeful Outdoor Play help develop gross motor skills, coordination, and creative expression. Our thematic project learning, culminating in ‘Show and Tell,’ integrates all these elements, connecting concepts to real-world relevance.
This holistic approach ensures every K1 student at Hess Preschool is nurtured, confident, and ready for future academic challenges.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A KINDERGARTEN 1 CHILD AT HESS PRESCHOOL
The Kindergarten 1 daily routine at Hess Preschool is designed to offer a general overview of activities, which may be adjusted based on children’s learning progress or spontaneous opportunities.
The curriculum integrates foundational academics like Numeracy and Chinese Literacy with English Language learning through themes and specialist activities such as Kindermusik, STEAM Project Adventures, and Robotics & Coding. The schedule also incorporates dedicated time for active play, imaginative play, and essential daily routines.
TIMETABLE
| Kindergarten 1 | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM (1.5 hours) | |||||
| 8:30 AM (30 mins) | |||||
| 9:00 AM (15 mins) | |||||
| 9:15 AM (45 mins) | English Language Through Themes: Vocabulary Building & Discovering Our World | English Language Through Themes: Vocabulary Building & Discovering Our World | Kindermusik (Group A) Revision (Group B) 9:15 – 10:00 AM | English Language: Photo Chat & Conversation/ Monthly Show & Tell (English) | Kindermusik (Group B) Revision (Group A) 9:15 – 10:00 AM |
| 10:00 AM (30 mins) | Chinese Literacy: Reading & Writing | Chinese Language: Photo Chat & Conversation | Chinese Literacy: Reading & Writing | Chinese Literacy: Reading & Writing | Chinese Literacy: Reading & Writing |
| 10:30 AM (45 mins) | Numeracy: Concept Learning, Workbook & Learning centres | Numeracy: Concept Learning, Workbook & Learning centres | Numeracy: Concept Learning, Workbook & Learning centres | Numeracy: Concept Learning, Workbook & Learning centres | Numeracy: Concept Learning, Workbook & Learning centres |
| 11:15 AM (30 mins) | Building & Imaginative Play (Play Room) | Active Play & Movement (Playground) | Active Play & Movement (Playground) | Building & Imaginative Play (Play Room) | Active Play & Movement (Playground) |
| 11:45 AM (30 mins) | |||||
| 12:15 PM (15 mins) | |||||
| 12:30 PM (1.5 hours) | |||||
| 2:00 PM (30 mins) | |||||
| 2:30 PM (60 mins) | English Literacy: Phonics, Reading and Writing | English Literacy: Phonics, Reading and Writing | English Literacy: Phonics, Reading and Writing | English Literacy: Phonics, Reading and Writing | English Literacy: Phonics, Reading and Writing |
| 3:30 PM (60 mins) | Chinese Language Through Themes: Vocabulary Building & Discovering Our World | Chinese Language Through Themes: Vocabulary Building & Discovering Our World | Robotics & Coding Group A 3:00 – 4:00 PM Group B 4:00 – 5:00 PM English/Chinese/STEAM Group B 3:00 – 4:00 PM Group A 4:00 – 5:00 PM |
Chinese Language Through Themes: Vocabulary Building & Discovering Our World | Chinese Language Through Themes: Vocabulary Building & Discovering Our World |
| 4:30 PM (30 mins) | STEAM Project Adventures Monthly Show & Tell (Chinese) | Waterplay | Robotics & Coding Group A 3:00 – 4:00 PM Group B 4:00 – 5:00 PM English/Chinese/STEAM Group B 3:00 – 4:00 PM Group A 4:00 – 5:00 PM |
STEAM Project Adventures | STEAM Project Adventures |
| 5:00 PM | Active Play & Movement (Playground) | Building & Imaginative Play (Play Room) | Building & Imaginative Play (Play Room) | Active Play & Movement (Playground) | Building & Imaginative Play (Play Room) |
| 7:00 PM | |||||
7:00 AM
Arrival & Choice Activities
8:30 AM
BreakfastWashroom Routine & Breakfast Time
9:00 AM
Interactive Circle Time (English/Chinese)
9:15 AM
Kindermusik/English Language Through Themes
10:00 AM
Chinese Literacy: Reading & Writing
10:30 AM
Numeracy: Concept Learning, Workbook & Learning centres
11:15 AM
Active Play / Imaginative Play (Playground/ Play Room)
11:45 AM
Lunch and Munch
12:15 PM
Toileting, Teeth Brushing & Clothes Change
12:30 PM
Nap Time (2.5 hours)
2:00 PM
Snack Time
2:30 PM
English Literacy: Phonics, Reading and Writing
3:30 PM
Robotics & Coding / English/Chinese/STEAM (Staggered Groups)
5:00 PM
Active Play / Imaginative Play (Playground/ Play Room)
7:00 PM
End of Day – Home Time
This sample timetable reflects part of, but not all, the learning areas and activities we explore with your little ones. Lessons and activities may vary day to day based on the children’s needs, interests, and special events.
The Hess Advantage: Extended Hours for Modern Families
We understand the demands on working parents in Singapore. That is why Hess Preschool offers a schedule designed to support your family’s lifestyle.
We are open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
While many international preschools typically operate within a shorter 9:00 am – 3:00 pm window, Hess Preschool provides a full-day program. This extended timeframe not only offers parents greater convenience but also gives your child more time to engage with our enrichment curriculum, socialize with peers, and enjoy a paced, unhurried learning environment.
Browse Our Other Programmes
PARENT-TEACHER COLLABORATION
PARTNERING WITH PARENTS FOR A MEANINGFUL KINDERGARTEN 1 EXPERIENCE
At Hess Preschool, we believe that a child’s success in Kindergarten 1 is built through a strong, collaborative partnership with parents.
By maintaining open lines of communication, we ensure a seamless extension of learning between our classroom in Singapore and your home, ultimately maximising the effectiveness and relevance of their academic growth.
We facilitate this collaboration through several key channels:
- We use the Taidii App to provide instant notifications on your child’s daily activities, including mealtimes, nap times, and any important notes, ensuring total transparency.
- Weekly summaries offer detailed insights into the activities and learning themes your child participated in.
- Bi-annual parent-teacher meetings provide deeper discussions on your child’s development, milestones, and next steps for their learning journey.
WHY CHOOSE US
WHY CHOOSE HESS PRESCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN 1 IN SINGAPORE
Choosing the right school for your child’s Kindergarten 1 journey can be among the most important educational decisions you’ll make. At Hess Preschool, we combine academic rigour with a nurturing, experiential environment to ensure your child thrives beyond the programme.
Selecting Hess Preschool means gaining access to the following resources:
Integrated Bilingual Immersion
Our Kindergarten 1 curriculum provides daily, authentic exposure to both English and Chinese. This seamless integration ensures your child develops strong linguistic abilities and cultural awareness, preparing them for the demands of the bilingual education system in Singapore.
Inquiry-Based Projects & STEAM Focus
Our thematic projects go beyond rote memorisation, encouraging genuine curiosity and problem-solving, integrating STEAM education concepts (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics). By integrating this approach into the Kindergarten 1 curriculum, we can help your child connect learning to real-world relevance.
Strong, Systematic Literacy Foundations
Our K1 curriculum ncorporates methodologies, like Jolly Phonics, to build confidence in reading and writing. As an academic preschool in Singapore, we focus on developing strong literacy skills early in our children's educational journey.
Dedicated Team & Low Ratios
Our experienced educators foster a secure and supportive learning atmosphere. What’s more, our carefully maintained low teacher-to-child ratio (1:11) ensures every student receives the individual attention and guidance necessary for success in Kindergarten 1.
Here to Help
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR KINDERGARTEN 1 PROGRAMMES IN SINGAPORE
What age is Kindergarten 1 in Singapore?
Generally, Kindergarten 1 in Singapore is for children who are turning five years old in the year they attend. The Ministry of Education (MOE) framework defines the K1 year as the first of two years of kindergarten education, immediately preceding the K2 year. It’s also a critical period focused on building the academic and social foundations necessary for the successful transition to Primary 1.
What is taught in the Kindergarten 1 curriculum?
Our comprehensive Kindergarten 1 curriculum nurtures every aspect of your child’s development. Through thematic-based learning enriched with projects, show and tell presentations, and STEAM education, we create meaningful learning experiences. Children master literacy systematically through Jolly Phonics while building mathematical understanding via the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) approach, all within an integrated bilingual environment. This academic rigour is balanced with social-emotional development, as children cultivate independence, leadership capabilities, and essential social skills for working and playing together through collaborative thematic project work.
How is Hess Preschool’s K1 programme different?
At Hess Preschool, we balance rigorous academic preparation with nurturing, project-based learning. Our integrated Chinese-English bilingual curriculum builds primary school readiness alongside curiosity and confidence.
What’s more, our intentionally low teacher-child ratio ensures each child receives ample individual attention and support. Our K1 programme works closely with parents through regular communication to address any learning gaps and support each child’s development.
How do I enrol my child in Kindergarten 1?
To enrol your child in Kindergarten 1 at Hess Preschool, the best first step is to book a school tour via the contact form below. During this personal visit, you’ll get the chance to explore our classrooms, meet our dedicated team, and experience our learning environment firsthand.
Once you’ve decided to enrol, you can officially secure a spot for your child by providing a deposit equivalent to one month’s school fees, along with a non-refundable administration fee.
CONTACT US
BOOK A SCHOOL TOUR
We’re delighted that you’re considering Hess Preschool for your child’s early education. Please fill out the form below, and our team will get in touch to schedule your visit.