Every parent dreams of giving their child the best start in life, especially when it comes to education. At Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan (SHHK) Preschool, your little one will embark on a journey of discovery in a nurturing and supportive environment.

Lion dance team in celebration of Lunar New Year

Recently awarded the “2024 Best Preschool with a Holistic Living Skills Programme,” this exceptional preschool offers a comprehensive bilingual education with living skills designed to provide a solid foundation for children aged 3 to 6 years old. This approach not only prepares them academically but also instils important life skills and values that will benefit them as they transit to Primary School and beyond.

Here’s what makes Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Preschool in Bedok an ideal choice for your child’s growth towards independence.

Why Choose Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Preschool?

1. Bilingual Environment

Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Preschool offers an enriching environment where children engage in activities that stimulate language development and cultural awareness. The school features a vibrant bilingual setting, where teachers seamlessly blend English and Chinese into the curriculum, making language acquisition both natural and enjoyable.

Students attempt to arrange the storylines in the right sequence

Mum Graciano Ho shared that SHHK Preschool excels not just in academic preparation for primary school but also in teaching the right values and essential life skills for both her sons, Benaiah and Brahm, who attended the preschool. “The teachers are exceptionally dedicated, going above and beyond to ensure each child’s growth and happiness with a very personal touch,” she enthused.

Benaiah and Brahm, brothers who attended SHHK Preschool

Parents Wayne and Wen Rui chose to enrol their three children in SHHK Preschool because of the school’s strong emphasis on Chinese language and teaching life skills. “老师们也对学生的进步和照顾抱有极大的兴趣。他们擅长采用以儿童为中心的语言学习方法，营造一个丰富的学习环境，让学生通过歌曲、游戏甚至零食时间培养孩子们对中文的熟练程度。我们也很欣赏老师们如何周到地考虑到每个学生的能力和个性并从中培养其主动学习的精神与态度，建立自己的 ‘成功经验’，成为一个 ‘主动学习者’。” (The teachers are genuinely interested in the students’ progress and well-being. They excel at using child-centred language and learning methods, creating a rich learning environment where students develop their proficiency in Chinese through songs, games, and even snack time. We also appreciate how the teachers thoughtfully consider each student’s abilities and personality, fostering a spirit and attitude of active learning, helping them build their own success stories and become active learners.)

Wayne and Wen Rui with children Flynn, Beth and Zac

2. Hands-on Living Skills Programme

The preschool is equipped with multiple dedicated spaces for its innovative Living Skills programme, where children learn through hands-on experiences such as preparing simple meals and tending to the school’s garden. These activities teach valuable lessons in responsibility and teamwork, allowing children to see the fruits of their labour firsthand.

Cooking skills at the Living Skills Classroom

Inspecting the spinach in our Living Garden

Lily Hee, mum of Caris Ho, saw tremendous improvement in her daughter’s Mandarin within the first term. “We love the school’s bilingual programme and unique Plan-Do-Review model which emphasizes active participatory learning and encourages a sense of purpose and reflection. 一分耕耘一分收获,” she said.

“The school has a small garden where the kids had the opportunity to grow their own vegetables. I still remember the beaming face of hers where she came back with vegetables she harvested from the school garden,” she elaborated.

Lily Hee and family

3. Character Development Focus

Character development is also a key focus at SHHK Preschool. The curriculum is designed to foster empathy, kindness, and resilience through storytelling, role-playing, music and movement, and group discussions. These activities help children develop essential social skills and values, preparing them for future challenges.

Music & Movement lesson – Wushu cao (武术操)

Amanda Huang, mum of Zhang Qi Le, was attracted to the preschool as she was impressed that the holistic curriculum focused not only on academic skills, but also on applying living skills, character development and hands-on experience. She added, “SHHK Preschool also has their very own garden which helps build a child’s curiosity and sense of responsibility. I highly recommend SHHK to any family looking for a nurturing start to their child’s schooling experience.”

Amanda Huang (left) and her family

4. Spaces for Creativity and Friendships

The preschool boasts a spacious outdoor play area where children can engage in creative play and explore their interests. This space is perfect for building friendships and encouraging physical activity in a supportive and nurturing environment.

“One of the most memorable events was the Mid-Autumn Festival, where the children would gather around a real campfire and enjoy performances the whole night. They also had to give tea and mooncakes to their parents, as a sign of respect,” shared Joan Chien, mum of Natalie, Brandon and Callum Low.

2023 Mid-Autumn Festival performance in the large parade square

Another parent, Amelia Tan, praised the preschool’s strong Chinese immersion programme. “SHHK’s dedication in teaching the Chinese customs and traditions is outstanding – from learning the origins of important Chinese festivals such as 新年, 中秋节 and 端午节, to the learning of 弟子规, the playing of board games (which the boys continue to play at home) such as snakes and ladders to 象棋, the playing of the Chinese drums, learning of 武术, and practising their penmanship through Chinese calligraphy,” she said.

5. Dedicated and Caring Staff

The principal and teachers at SHHK Preschool are passionate about education and genuinely care about each child’s growth. Their dedication creates a warm and inclusive atmosphere where children feel valued and inspired to learn. SHHK Preschool believes in strong communication between the school and parents. Regular updates and open channels ensure that parents are involved and informed about their child’s progress.

The Stephan family has benefited from a good relationship with the teachers, explaining, “The teachers have always been exceptional, going above and beyond to support the children, provide regular updates to parents, and thoughtful gestures such as sharing photos of activities. We wholeheartedly recommend SHHK Pre-School to any parent looking for a nurturing environment for their child.”

The Stephan family with Le Fei and Le Xuan

The parents of Le Xuan, a shy student, shared a positive testimonial on how her teachers helped her grow emotionally and gain confidence during her preschool years. “乐璇小时有些害羞，老师不仅关注她的学习进步，还非常注重乐璇的情感发展。他们耐心细致地与乐璇沟通，鼓励她表达自己的想法和感受。这种关怀和支持使得乐璇目前能够自信地成长和学习，也培养她与朋友的社交。” (When Lexuan was younger, she was a bit shy. The teachers not only focused on her academic progress but also paid great attention to her emotional development. They communicated with her patiently and carefully, encouraging her to express her thoughts and feelings. This care and support have helped Lexuan grow and learn with confidence, as well as develop her social skills with friends.)

Le Xuan, a student whose confidence improved with the concern and support of teachers

Give Your Child a Strong Start at SHHK Preschool

If you’re looking for a Chinese preschool in Bedok that offers a holistic education, SHHK Preschool is a place where your child can develop living skills, experience Chinese culture, and enjoy a variety of enriching activities in a bilingual environment.

According to Rachel Goh, mum of two children who have graduated, one of SHHK’s most remarkable aspects is its emphasis on values. “These values, especially those in ‘Di Zi Gui’ (弟子规), have become part of my children’s lives, making them responsible, respectful, and virtuous members of society. SHHK prepared my children exceptionally well for primary school, both academically and in practical life skills,” she said.

Visit SHHK Preschool’s website to learn more about its outstanding programmes and to register your child. Check out its latest activities on Facebook to see how it has engaged students and parents with performances, festive gatherings and activities.

Orff Music lesson

Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Cultural Academy 10th Anniversary Celebration

Join us on Saturday, 28th September 2024, from 4pm to 7:15pm at 5 Sennett Road, S466781, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Cultural Academy! Enjoy captivating cultural performances by our students, fun game stations, and delicious food stalls with your family as we commemorate this special occasion. Admission is free! Visit here to register now!

About Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Preschool

The Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Preschool is established by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan in 2014. It is founded based on 170 years of excellent foundation in education, especially in the preservation and promotion of Chinese Language and culture. It focuses on creating a Chinese immersion environment for children, especially those from English speaking families. Its curriculum adopts a Plan-Do-Review model in its Living Skills Programme, which emphasises active participatory learning and encourages a sense of purpose and reflection.

Brought to you by Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Preschool.

By Julia Chan.

The New Age Parents – TNAP Awards 2024

Congratulations to Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Preschool for being the winner of TNAP Awards 2024 (Education) – Best Preschool with a Holistic Living Skills Programme.

Find out who are the other winners of the TNAP Awards 2024 (Education) here!

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