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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

On this Teachers’ Day, I find myself reflecting on a simple question: "What does it really mean to keep a school going?" At first glance, it may appear to be about keeping classrooms open, programmes running, schedules organised, and daily operations moving. These things are important, but they are only the visible part of our work. What Does It Mean to Keep a School Going? Keeping a school going means showing up, day after day, even when we are tired. It means welcoming ever

Last Saturday, we gathered once again for the Teachers’ Dedication Service organised by the Christian Preschool Alliance. This was our eighth year holding the service. Every year, as we approach this event, the same question seems to surface: Should we continue doing this? There are always so many competing demands. Everyone is busy. There are urgent matters in our own organisations that need attention. And sometimes, it can be discouraging when something we believe is import

At Little Olive Tree, meaningful learning begins with seeing, listening and responding to children. A recent visit by Chinese language and early childhood education specialists gave us an opportunity to reflect on how these principles come alive in our classrooms. On 14 August 2026, just one day before the Singapore Chinese Language Seminar 2026, Little Olive Tree Holland Village had the privilege of welcoming a distinguished group of Chinese language and early childhood educ

What happens when educators come together with a shared belief that every child deserves to belong? At Little Olive Tree Ghim Moh, we recently welcomed educators from Farrer Park Primary School (MOE Kindergarten) for a professional learning journey centred on inclusive education. It was not just about sharing what we do. It was about working together, exchanging ideas and seeing inclusion from different perspectives. This is also why we value opportunities for our own educat

What if a preschool did not need to be big to offer children a big experience? Tucked away in the heart of Fajar, Little Olive Tree Fajar is a small preschool community with a maximum capacity of just 20 infants and 37 children. And that is something we value. Because when a preschool is intentionally small, there is more room for something that matters deeply in the early years: "Relationships" Our recent Fun in the Sun: National Day Special at Pang Sua Pond was a lovely ex

At Little Olive Tree Thomson, some of the most meaningful moments in a child's preschool journey happen when we come together as a community. Our recent Sports Day, held alongside our National Day celebration, was one of those moments. It was a morning filled with movement, laughter, encouragement and celebration. But beyond the games and activities, there was something else that made the day special: many different people came together to make it possible. Our preschool staf

National Day is more than a celebration of Singapore's birthday. For young children, it can be an opportunity to experience belonging, gratitude, community and togetherness through simple, meaningful activities. At Little Olive Tree Yishun, this year's National Day celebration brought children, parents, teachers and seniors together through art, music, movement, friendship and acts of appreciation. From an Infant class tent-painting activity with parents to classroom celebrat

Choosing a preschool is about more than finding a place where children learn letters, numbers and new skills. It is about finding a community where children feel safe, families feel welcomed and meaningful relationships are built. A strong preschool community gives children a sense of belonging from an early age. It creates opportunities for families, educators and neighbours to connect, support one another and celebrate milestones together. These relationships become the fou

Over the past few Saturdays, we had the joy of welcoming many families to our July Open Houses across our Little Olive Tree centres. To every parent, grandparent, and child who walked through our doors "Thank you". Thank you for taking the time to explore our learning spaces, meet our educators, ask thoughtful questions, and allow us to share a little of who we are. Choosing a preschool is one of the first significant decisions you'll make for your child. It can feel excitin

When the Way Forward Is Not Easy Leadership is often seen through decisions, plans, targets and outcomes. Yet behind every decision is a person carrying responsibility, hope, fatigue, uncertainty and sometimes discouragement. At a recent Leadership Moments Session, our principals and senior leaders gathered not to discuss operations or performance indicators, but to listen to one another. Each person brought an object that represented her current season of leadership. "The o

Racial Harmony Day helps preschool children appreciate Singapore's multicultural society by encouraging respect, empathy and friendship across different cultures and communities. Through meaningful experiences and shared activities, children learn that diversity is something to celebrate. Today, our Little Olive Tree community experienced something quietly historic. At The Chinese Kindergarten, we celebrated Racial Harmony Day together with our friends from Ar-Raudhah Mosque

How Writing Really Begins A walk through a preschool can reveal a lot about how children grow. Step into a K2 classroom and you might see children carefully forming letters, writing sentences or completing literacy activities. The familiar rhythm of pencil on paper is often what parents associate with learning to write. Step into one of our younger classrooms and the picture looks very different. Instead of worksheets, little hands are busy threading beads, building with bloc