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Why do we run preschools? We run preschools not simply to provide childcare or education, but to create places where children are seen, loved, valued and supported. In Singapore’s increasingly competitive preschool landscape, enrolment, manpower, finances and compliance all matter. But they are means to an end, not the end itself. The real question is whether we are caring well for the children entrusted to us. Running a preschool in Singapore right now can feel like living

Discover how Little Olive Tree celebrates Children's Day in Singapore. Not just with activities, but by creating meaningful moments for children and families to connect, play and grow together. What does it really mean to celebrate children? At Little Olive Tree, we believe it is more than giving children a special treat, planning a big activity, or putting on a performance. Sometimes, celebrating childhood means something much simpler: Making time for one another. This Child

What does it mean when a preschool receives SPARK certification? SPARK certification is a quality recognition framework for preschools in Singapore. It gives preschools a structured way to examine their practices, identify areas for improvement and strengthen the quality of education and care they provide to children. For Little Olive Tree, SPARK is more than a certification milestone. It is part of an ongoing journey of professional learning, reflection and improvement. On

There is something special about gathering together after the sun goes down. The day feels a little quieter. The air a little cooler. And when children carry lanterns beneath the evening sky, something ordinary can suddenly feel magical. This Mid-Autumn Festival, our The Chinese Kindergarten community came together for an evening of family, food, fun and lanterns under the moonlight. It was our first time bringing our families together in this way. And perhaps that made the e

There is a strange thing about conferences. We go to them to take things. We take notes. We take photographs of slides. We take name cards. We take ideas from speakers. We take the free pens if there are any. And, of course, we take the food. Except at Good Start. One thing we have never taken in all these years is a biscuit—or, for that matter, any kind of food. Because not a single biscuit, sandwich or snack has ever been provided. But I digress. The point is that w

What makes each child unique? Is it the way they laugh? The things they love? The questions they ask? The way they encourage a friend, create something unexpected, or simply see the world a little differently? At Little Olive Tree, we believe that every child is wonderfully made, with their own personality, strengths, interests and ways of expressing themselves. That is what makes Be You-nique Day such a meaningful part of our early childhood experience. It is a joyful opport

By Lim Ee Tuo, founding organizer of the Good Start Conference Five Years of Growing Together This year marks the fifth Good Start Conference, a ground-up Professional Learning Community for early childhood educators in Singapore. What began as a simple dream has steadily gained traction, and I could not be prouder of what it has become. Good Start is organised not by professional conference planners, but by passionate people who care deeply about quality care and education i

In the early years, a child spends a great deal of time with the people who care for and teach them. From infant care through childcare, those hours quietly add up. A child may begin their journey with us as a little baby, carried into the classroom in the arms of a parent. Over the years, they learn to walk, speak, make friends, ask questions, solve problems, disagree, apologise, try again and discover who they are. "And through all those little moments, their teachers are t