In the latest edition, The Most Prestigious Pre-School Brand of Singapore, 2023, The Knowledge Review magazine gladly features Swallows and Amazons Kindergarten guided by its Founder and Director, Ms. Jackie Barkham, promoting value education.

1. www.theknowledgereview.com
Vol. 10 | Issue 09 | 2023
Vol. 10 | Issue 09 | 2023
Vol. 10 | Issue 09 | 2023
Fostering
Inquisitive Minds
Ms. Jackie Barkham
Founder and Director,
Swallows and
Amazons Kindergarten
The Role of
Play-Based
Learning in
Singaporean
Preschools
Nurturing
Young Minds
The Most Prestigious Pre-School Brand of Singapore, 2023

4. n the bustling tapestry of
ISingapore's educational
landscape, the significance of
early childhood education cannot be
overstated. As a nation that places a
premium on knowledge and
innovation, the foundation laid in those
formative years becomes the bedrock
upon which future success is built. In
this edition, “The Most Prestigious
Pre-School Brand of Singapore,
2023,” The Knowledge Review delves
into the heart of the matter, exploring
the cradle of learning that is Swallows
and Amazons Kindergarten – a
beacon of excellence in the realm of
preschool education.
Swallows and Amazons Kindergarten
stands as a testament to the unwavering
commitment to educational excellence.
In a society that values education as a
cornerstone of progress, this institution
has risen to the forefront, embodying
the principles of holistic learning and
fostering an environment where young
minds can flourish. This edition is a
celebration of the vision, dedication,
and innovative practices that have
propelled Swallows and Amazons to
the zenith of pre-school education in
Singapore.
Within these pages, you will discover
the intricate tapestry of Swallows and
Amazons Kindergarten – from its
inception to the milestones that mark
its journey. The narrative unfolds,
weaving together the threads of
passion, expertise, and a steadfast
commitment to nurturing the potential
inherent in every child.
Education is the cornerstone upon
which societies build their future, and
Swallows and Amazons Kindergarten
stands as a beacon, illuminating the
path toward excellence. Join us on this
enlightening journey and discover why
this institute is more than just a pre-
school – it's a cradle of dreams,
aspirations, and the promise of a
brighter tomorrow.
We hope you find inspiration and
insights within the pages of this
magazine that resonate with the shared
vision of a community invested in the
education of its youngest members.
Happy reading!
Mia Christoph
Nurturing Tomorrow's
Leaders to Excellence

5. for being recognized by
The Knowledge Review Magazine
in an annual listing of
for its outstanding commitment to excellence in early childhood
education, innovation in teaching methodologies, and dedication
to nurturing the holistic development of young minds.
This certificate is presented to
Swallows and
Amazons Kindergarten
The Most Prestigious Pre-School
Brand of Singapore, 2023
Mary D'souza
Editor-in-Chief
Mary d ‘souza
October
2023

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7. Contents
Nurturing Young Minds
The Role of Play-Based
Learning in Singaporean
Preschools
Fostering Inquisitive Minds

10. Fostering Inquisitive Minds

12. reschool education plays a vital
Prole in laying the foundation for
a child's future. It sets the stage
for academic success, social
competence, and emotional well-being.
By nurturing early development and
fostering a love for learning,
preschools help children to become
confident, capable learners who are
better equipped to navigate the
challenges of formal education and life
ahead.
It is essential to expose children to
early literacy, numeracy, and problem-
solving skills. It includes learning
letters, numbers, shapes, and colours
and developing early math and
language skills. These early cognitive
abilities form the building blocks for
future academic success.
Preschools offer opportunities for
children to interact with their peers and
teachers, fostering social skills such as
sharing, taking turns and working
collaboratively. They learn how to
manage their emotions, develop
empathy, and communicate effectively.
These skills are essential for building
positive relationships and navigating
social situations throughout life. They
learn how to make choices, solve
problems, and complete tasks
independently. Through positive
reinforcement and support from
teachers, children build self-confidence
and a sense of competence, which are
vital for future learning and personal
growth.
A language-rich environment where
children can expand their vocabulary,
enhance their communication skills,
and develop early literacy abilities is
essential in laying an ideal foundation
for the future of kids. They engage in
storytelling, rhyming, and
conversations, laying a strong
foundation for reading, writing, and
effective communication in later years.
In Singapore, Swallows and Amazons
Kindergarten, an inclusive school, has
created a unique curriculum from both
parents' and educators' perspectives.
The mission of the Swallows and
Amazons Kindergarten is to put the EQ
into IQ.
Its vision is to nurture students who are
open-minded enquirers who will have
the independence of spirit to explore
and maintain their love of learning.
Its core values are:
Ÿ Build on a child's innate sense of
wonder and awe.
Ÿ Keep learning fun, inclusive and
relevant.
Ÿ Create confident, independent
learners.
Ÿ Make the SAA experience happy,
caring and safe.
Fostering Regular Success
Experiences
Swallows and Amazons Kindergarten
believe that educating children is not
just about getting ready for Primary 1
(IQ). It is about curiosity, exploration,
self-esteem and care for others - the
EQ. It is about creating a classroom
environment for preschool children
that gives the children regular success
experiences. In turn, this keeps up their
morale, enthusiasm and attention span
for learning.
Luckily for children, 'play' is not just
the best way. It is essential for children
to develop high-level social strategies
as well as physical and mental skills.
At Swallows and Amazons, education
is fun, which promotes the love of
learning, so work becomes child's play!
Our students will be
open-minded
enquirers who will have
the independence of
spirit to explore and
maintain their love of
learning.

13. The Most Prestigious Pre-School
Brand of Singapore, 2023

14. One of the key differentiating factors at
Swallows and Amazons Kindergarten
is the high teacher-to-child ratio. The
industry norm is fifteen students to one
teacher, and in the Ministry of
Education (MOE) guidelines, it is one
teacher to twenty-five children.
The school has a ratio of 1:5 for the
pre-nursery-aged children (18 months
to 2 years old) 1: 6 for nursery children
(aged 3 to 4 years old), and 1:8 for the
kindergarten children (5-to-6-year-
olds). This teacher-to-child ratio allows
it to treat each child as an individual
and create Individual Learning Plans to
suit their skills and needs. Swallows
and Amazons Kindergarten does not
cater to the average; it caters to the
individual.
Nurtures the Habits of the Mind
Approach
In developing the pedagogy, Swallows
and Amazons, looked at it from the
parent's perspective as well as from an
educator's viewpoint. It is an inclusive
school, and also it nurtures the Habits
of the Mind approach to creating early
learning environments. Through the
structure of the classroom and the day,
its early childhood educators promote
strategic reasoning, insightfulness,
perseverance, creativity and
craftsmanship through the 16 habits of
the mind.
These life skills are persistence;
listening with understanding and
empathy; managing impulsivity;
thinking flexibly; thinking about
thinking; striving for accuracy;
questioning and posing problems;
applying past knowledge to new
situations; thinking and
communicating with clarity and
precision; gathering data through all
senses; creating, imagining, and
innovating; responding with
wonderment and awe; taking
responsible risks; finding humour;
thinking independently; and remaining
open to continuous learning.
Old-fashioned values of respect for
elders and each other, as well as good
manners, are reinforced at Swallows
and Amazons. Children have fun
exploring and practising new things,
but they also have fun tidying up
afterwards and clearing their lunch
plates away too.
Our classrooms are well-
designed, with child-friendly
spaces that prioritise safety. This
includes age-appropriate
furniture, child-sized equipment,
and secure play areas.

16. Fostering a Love for Learning
An inquiry-based curriculum and the
accompanying teaching methodologies
play a crucial role in providing a
holistic and well-rounded education for
young learners by nurturing curiosity
by tapping into children's natural
curiosity, fostering a love for learning,
and encouraging them to ask questions,
explore, and investigate. It ignites their
intrinsic motivation, making education
an engaging and exciting experience.
Rather than passively receiving
information, young learners actively
participate in their education. Through
hands-on activities, experiments, and
projects, they become active creators
of knowledge. This approach promotes
deeper understanding, critical thinking,
problem-solving, and decision-making
skills.
Inquiry-based learning recognises that
children's development encompasses
We believe that educating children is not just
about getting ready for Primary 1 (IQ). It is about
curiosity, exploration, self-esteem and care for
others - the EQ. It is about creating a classroom
environment for preschool children that gives
the children regular success experiences.

17. more than just academics. It addresses
their cognitive, social, emotional, and
physical growth. Incorporating various
subjects, hands-on experiences, and
collaboration supports the holistic
development of young learners.
Each child has unique strengths,
interests, and learning styles. Inquiry-
based approaches allow for
individualized instruction, catering to
the diverse needs of young learners.
Teachers can provide differentiated
activities and resources, ensuring that
every child is appropriately challenged
and supported.
Instilling Essential Life Skills
In Swallows and Amazons curriculum,
children develop essential skills that
extend beyond the classroom. They
learn how to ask thoughtful questions,
gather information, evaluate evidence,
communicate ideas, collaborate with
others, and adapt to new situations.
These skills lay a strong foundation for
lifelong learning and success in the
future.
Collaborative learning experiences and
reflection at the school promote the
development of social and emotional
skills. Young learners learn to work
effectively in groups, communicate
their thoughts and feelings, empathize
with others, and resolve conflicts.
These skills contribute to their overall
well-being and future success in social
contexts.
Its classrooms are well-designed, with
child-friendly spaces that prioritise
safety. This includes age-appropriate
furniture, child-sized equipment, and
secure play areas. Creating a warm and
welcoming environment helps children
feel comfortable and encourages their
active engagement in learning.
Supporting All Aspects of
Development
The school has dedicated learning
centres or areas that offer a variety of
materials and resources to support
different aspects of development.
These centres include a reading corner,
art station, sensory play area, block
building area, dramatic play corner,
and science exploration zone. Each
centre is equipped with materials and
resources that promote hands-on
learning, creativity, and problem-
solving.
Its well-designed outdoor play area is
crucial for young learners. It provides
opportunities for physical activities,
gross motor development, and
exploration of nature. Elements such as
climbing structures, sand and water
play areas, nature gardens, and open
spaces for running and playing can
enhance children's overall well-being
and development.
Swallows and Amazons Kindergarten
has a library well stocked with a variety
of age-appropriate books, magazines,
and other reading materials. A wide
range of genres, topics, and reading
levels are available to cater to children's
different interests and abilities. This
fosters a love for reading, language
development, and literacy skills. The
availability of art supplies, such as
crayons, paints, brushes, paper, and
various art materials, encourages
creativity, self-expression, fine motor
skills, and aesthetic appreciation. The
school ensures that children have access
to these materials and a designated
space to engage in artistic activities.
Providing manipulatives and STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics) resources supports
cognitive development and critical
thinking skills. This can include
puzzles, building blocks, construction
sets, simple science kits, magnifying
glasses, measuring tools, and age-
appropriate technology resources like
tablets or computers. These resources
stimulate problem-solving, spatial
reasoning, logical thinking, and
scientific exploration.
Each classroom of the kindergarten has
a supply of musical instruments and
props for dancing and pretends play, as
this enhances children's sensory
experiences, coordination, rhythm, and
appreciation for music.
Fostering a Healthier Lifestyle
Swallows and Amazons prioritises
children's health and well-being. The
school offers nutritious meals and
snacks, access to clean drinking water,
proper sanitation facilities, and a
comfortable rest area for nap time. A
healthy and hygienic environment
contributes to children's physical
well-being and overall readiness for
learning.

18. Providing Active Learning
Experiences
Age-appropriate technology resources
can support learning in today's digital
age. These include educational apps,
interactive learning tools, and devices
that introduce basic computer literacy
skills. It is important to strike a balance
and ensure that technology is used in a
purposeful and supervised manner,
complementing hands-on and active
learning experiences.
The school provides spaces where
children can collaborate on group
projects and display their work. This
fosters a sense of pride, ownership, and
community. Bulletin boards, display
cases, or designated areas to showcase
children's artwork, projects, and
achievements promote a positive
learning environment.
Creating a nurturing and stimulating
environment for young learners
involves careful planning,
consideration of their developmental
needs, and providing a wide range of
facilities and resources. By offering a
well-equipped, supportive, and
engaging environment, preschools can
enhance children's learning,
development, and overall well-being.
To be certified as an educator in
kindergartens and childcare centres in
Singapore, the teachers must meet the
professional, academic and language
requirements of the respective
certification category.
The educator certification levels
indicate the age group of children you
can be deployed to teach. All Swallows
and Amazons teachers are qualified in
Early Childhood Education with a
minimum Diploma in Early Childhood.
The school also has a policy of
continuous professional development
of at least 20 hours per year as well as
a mentoring programme to help new or
young teachers.
Parents as Integral Stakeholders
The school fosters strong partnerships
with parents by establishing a warm
and inviting environment where
parents feel comfortable and valued.
Strong home-school lines of
communication and encouraging
parents to share their thoughts,
concerns and ideas make the ideal
parental environment at Swallows and
Amazons possible.
The school holds various class and
school events and celebrations that
parents are invited to attend, including
sports day, graduation, field trips,
mystery readers, celebratory
assemblies, parent-teacher conferences
etc.
At Swallows and
Amazons
Kindergarten, we have
a library well stocked
with a variety of age-
appropriate books,
magazines, and other
reading materials.

19. The school has a range of
extracurricular activities (ECAs) held
at school, including sports, swimming,
drama, gymnastics etc. These will
change from time to time.
Swallows and Amazons is Accredited
with SPARKS (Singapore Preschool
Accreditation Framework).
Its inquiry-based learning employs a
variety of assessment methods that go
beyond traditional tests. Teachers
assess children's understanding and
application through observation,
conversations, portfolios and projects.
This approach allows for a more
comprehensive and authentic
evaluation of their knowledge, skills
and growth.
st
Complying with 21 -Century Needs
By combining an inquiry-based
curriculum with effective teaching
methodologies, educators create an
environment where young learners are
active participants in their education.
This approach nurtures their curiosity,
promotes holistic development, fosters
lifelong learning skills, and prepares
them for success in the 21st century.
The school hires educators from
different backgrounds, ethnicities, and
cultures and encourages diversity in the
teaching team to provide role models
that children can relate to and learn
from.
Its curriculum is inclusive, as it reflects
a wide range of cultures, traditions, and
perspectives. Incorporate diverse
books, toys, and learning materials that
celebrate different ethnicities, genders,
abilities, and family structures.
The school offers professional
development opportunities for staff to
increase their understanding of
diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The school fosters an inclusive
classroom environment where it values
and respects individual differences.
Children are taught to appreciate
diversity, treat everyone with kindness,
and discourage stereotypes or
prejudices.
The school tries its best to ensure that
the preschool environment is accessible
for children with disabilities. It builds
partnerships with therapy centres and
special needs departments in the local
children's hospital.
The children at Swallows and
Amazons understand basic recycling
practices, such as throwing away
plastic and paper items into the correct
bins. The school also has a hydroponics
garden. The school grows, harvests and
cooks the vegetables for the children to
eat.

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educational framework is built, not just
a component of the learning process.
In this domain, young children's
natural curiosity and boundless energy
are not only recognised but also
honored. It's a place where education is
a two-way adventure where kids'
curious spirits are piqued to investigate
the world around them, rather than a
one-way street where kids are passive
recipients of knowledge.
Play-based learning in this educational
utopia is not just a technique of
instruction; it is a way of thinking that
recognises kids as curious, energetic
explorers who are always seeking
information. They are given the ideal
platform for endless investigation on
this adventure, which ignites their
innate passion of learning.
A lifetime of curiosity, creativity, and
limitless opportunities can be unlocked
via play at Singaporean preschools,
where it is more than just a past time.
Holistic Development in Focus
Within Singapore's ever-changing
educational scene, there is a novel
n the booming city-state of
ISingapore, education is more than
simply a box to be checked; it's a
way of life. Singapore prospers in a
fast-paced, fiercely competitive
economy because of its consistent
dedication to educational excellence,
which has earned it recognition on a
global scale. Early childhood education
assumes a significant role in this
context as the foundation for future
achievement.
Preschools in Singapore have
developed a whole educational
paradigm around play-based learning,
with the goal of using its enormous
potential. Discovering the amazing role
that play-based learning plays in
Singaporean preschools, where
education isn't just a goal but a
passionate desire, is an exciting
journey.
A Playful Introduction to Learning
Preschools in Singapore, the birthplace
of educational innovation, are
undergoing a dramatic transformation.
Here, play serves as the essential
cornerstone upon which an exceptional
The Role of
Play-Based
Learning in
Singaporean
Preschools

23. www.theknowledgereview.com October 2023 | 21
Nurturing Young Minds

24. method that goes beyond "fun and
games." It's a carefully thought-out
teaching method that addresses every
aspect of a child's growth. Greetings
from the realm of play-based learning,
where the definition of play goes much
beyond surface-level activities to
include development of the mind,
body, and emotions.
Singapore's unique approach to early
childhood education is based on the
understanding that kids are not limited
learners. Play is not just about having
fun; it's also about giving kids the most
important life skills. By using this
approach, kids develop into skilled
communicators, natural problem
solvers, and emotional control experts.
Additionally, they hone their gross and
fine motor abilities, laying the
groundwork for seamless academic
preparation.
Its appreciation for the importance of a
comprehensive education, however, is
what really distinguishes this method.
Learning takes place outside of
textbooks and lecture halls in
Singapore. The entire range of life
skills are covered in this fascinating
adventure. Here, play becomes more
than just playing; it's the doorway to an
endless future in which education
doesn't stop at four walls but rather
permeates every aspect of a child's life.
Child-Centered Approach
One of the cornerstones of play-based
learning is its child-centered nature. It
recognizes that every child is unique
and progresses at their own pace.
Teachers in Singaporean preschools act
as facilitators, observing and
understanding each child's interests and
strengths. They create an environment
that encourages exploration and
discovery, tailoring activities to meet
individual needs. This personalized
approach ensures that no child is left
behind, and every child's strengths are
celebrated.
Building a Strong Foundation
In the Singaporean context, the early
years are seen as a critical period for
laying a strong foundation for future
learning. Play-based learning not only
imparts knowledge but also inculcates
a love for learning. It fosters essential
skills like creativity, critical thinking,
and problem-solving, which are highly
valued in Singapore's education
system. Children are inspired and
uplifted to ask questions, make
choices, and take risks, all of which
contribute to their overall
development.
Preparation for Formal Education
As children engage in play-based
learning, they naturally develop
essential pre-academic skills. They
learn to count by sharing toys, enhance
their language skills through
conversations and storytelling, and
understand scientific concepts through
hands-on exploration. When the time
comes for formal education, these
young learners are well-prepared to
transition into a more structured
learning environment. They not only
possess foundational knowledge but
also the skills and enthusiasm for
learning.
Parental Involvement
Singaporean preschools actively
involve parents in the play-based
learning journey. They provide insights
into how play can be extended at
home, ensuring that the lessons learned
in school continue beyond the
classroom. This partnership between
school and home is instrumental in a
child's overall development. It creates a
seamless and supportive learning
environment where parents and
teachers work together to nurture
young minds.
Conclusion
In the heart of Singapore's fast-paced
society, play-based learning stands as a
testament to the harmonious blend of
fun and education. It recognizes that
children are not empty vessels waiting
to be filled with knowledge but active,
inquisitive beings eager to explore the
world. By embracing play-based
learning, Singaporean preschools are
nurturing young minds, equipping
them with the skills and enthusiasm
needed for a lifetime of learning. This
approach embodies the spirit of
education in Singapore, where the
journey of discovery begins with play.
It's a journey that celebrates curiosity,
fosters creativity, and prepares children
for a future filled with possibilities.
www.theknowledgereview.com
22 | October 2023