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Bucket House Preschool

Singapore

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees SGD 13,500 - 17,700
Ages 1½ - 6 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2018
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Reggio Emilia Approach
Typical class size 6
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, Outdoor Education
Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years
Introduction

Bucket House Preschool is a Reggio Emilia–inspired school in Woodlands, Singapore, serving children from 18 months to 6 years. Its bilingual immersion programme features Mandarin as the second language and blends planned activities with inquiry learning through the school’s “IEIE” method—Initiate, Explore, Inquire, Experiment. The curriculum is informed by Singapore’s EYDF and NEL frameworks. A distinctive feature is the Atelier, a studio-style space guided by a resident Atelierista where children explore diverse media and document their learning. Children also engage with the Mini Remida, which uses recycled and repurposed materials to foster creativity and sustainability. The school operates Monday to Friday, 7am–7pm, and offers enrichment such as Julia Gabriel Speech & Drama. Families are invited to book a tour, and admissions are open year-round subject to availability.

39 Woodlands Cl, #01-62 MEGA@Woodlands, Singapore 737856

The Essentials

Bucket House Preschool has typical class sizes of 6, instruction in English.

Location

Bucket House Preschool is situated in Woodlands, in the north of Singapore. The campus is within walking distance of Admiralty MRT (NS10), with several bus routes serving the neighbourhood. The surrounding area is a residential hub, making the school easily accessible for families living nearby.

Stages

The school offers programmes for children aged 18 months to 6 years, divided into Playgroup, Nursery 1–2, and Kindergarten 1–2. This allows children to transition smoothly through early years education before moving on to primary school.

Type

Bucket House is a day preschool that operates Monday to Friday, 7am–7pm. It is co-educational, enrolling both boys and girls. The school does not provide boarding facilities.

Additional learning support

The school does not publicly disclose any dedicated provision for children with Additional Learning Needs or Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Country affiliation

No formal affiliation with any country is stated.

Religious affiliation

The school is non-religious and does not indicate any religious orientation.

School day structure

The school day runs from 7am–7pm, with healthy meals freshly prepared by an in-house chef. Menus follow the Singapore Health Promotion Board’s preschool guidelines.

Bus service

There is no school bus or transport service mentioned on the official site.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements

The school operates Monday to Friday, 7am–7pm.

Uniform Requirement

Two sets of morning attire and two sets of afternoon attire are included at registration, along with a bucket hat, mattress, cover sheet, and insurance.

Food Options

Meals are prepared on-site by an in-house chef. Each day includes three balanced meals—breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack—with seasonal fresh fruits provided before lunch. Food is halal and pork, lard, and beef are not served; dietary requirements and allergies are accommodated with parents' registration. Nuts are prohibited on the premises.
Fees

Annual tuition at Bucket House Preschool ranges from SGD 13,500 to SGD 17,700 for 2026/27.

Application Fees
A one-time registration fee of SGD 654 is required for all new students. This includes two sets of uniforms (morning and afternoon), a bucket hat, a mattress and cover sheet, and insurance. A refundable deposit of SGD 1,475 must also be paid at enrolment and is returned upon withdrawal, provided two months’ written notice is given and all outstanding fees are settled.

Tuition Fees (Per Year)
Half Day (18 months – 6 years): SGD 13,500
Full Day (18 months – 6 years): SGD 17,700

Tuition fees are billed monthly, and payment must be made by the 5th of each month. A late payment charge of SGD 43.60 is applied if fees remain outstanding after 7 days. A SGD 21.80 processing charge applies for second GIRO deductions.

Additional Fees
The registration fee covers uniforms, hat, bedding, and insurance. Meals are included in tuition and prepared by an in-house chef following Singapore’s HPB guidelines. No boarding facilities are offered.

Sibling Discount
A 10% tuition discount applies to the older child when two siblings are enrolled. With three siblings, the first and second children both receive the 10% discount.

Government Subsidies
Eligible Singaporean children qualify for ECDA childcare subsidies (e.g., SGD 300/month for working mothers, full-day enrolment). Additional means-tested subsidies may also apply.

Refund Policy
Withdrawal requires two calendar months’ written notice, effective at the end of the month. Notices submitted from 1 October onwards take effect on 31 December, and full fees from October–December must be paid.

Payment Options
Payments can be made via Child Development Account (CDA), GIRO, cheque, telegraphic transfer, PayNow, or cash.
Academics

Bucket House Preschool teaches Reggio Emilia Approach for students aged 1.5 to 6.

Curriculum

Bucket House Preschool follows the Reggio Emilia approach, which emphasises inquiry-based and experiential learning. Its framework is shaped by Singapore’s Early Years Development Framework (EYDF) and Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) curriculum, ensuring children meet local early childhood standards. Learning is guided through the school’s “IEIE” process — Initiate, Explore, Inquire, and Experiment, which structures projects and daily activities. Children work with a wide range of materials in the Atelier, a studio environment led by a resident Atelierista, where creativity and documentation are central. The curriculum is bilingual, with Mandarin offered as a second language, and includes enrichment such as Julia Gabriel Speech & Drama and Bearyfun Gym. Learning outcomes are showcased annually at the school exhibition, which highlights children’s inquiry projects to families.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school provides a settling-in programme designed to help children adjust gradually to the preschool environment. Teachers emphasise building trusting relationships with children and families, with parents actively involved in the transition process. The pace of adjustment is tailored to each child, with educators adjusting daily routines to reduce stress. The school highlights the importance of communication between teachers and parents during this stage. These practices are described in their article “Settling In at Bucket House.”

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding SEN support.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL support.

Mental Wellbeing

The school supports children’s wellbeing through its settling-in process, which is structured to ease separation anxiety and help children feel secure. Teachers are encouraged to observe closely, provide reassurance, and maintain consistency during transitions. The school also underscores the importance of family–school collaboration to promote confidence and a sense of belonging. No separate mental health or counselling provision is published.

Safeguarding

The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding or child-protection policies.
Parent Experience

History

Bucket House Preschool was founded in 2018 by Amber Koh, who continues to serve as the school’s Director. The founder’s story highlights professional training in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and participation in early childhood conferences, which helped shape the school’s philosophy and practice. In 2024, the school marked its fifth anniversary with a large exhibition celebrating children’s projects and learning journeys. The preschool remains privately owned and operated, with a strong focus on inquiry-based early years education.

Community

The school community is actively involved in celebrating children’s learning outcomes. Each year, the preschool organises an Annual Exhibition, where families view inquiry projects and children present their work. Parents are also invited to join tours, enrichment events, and performances, reflecting the school’s collaborative approach to early education.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The school’s website does not mention a formal Parent Teacher Association (PTA). While families are encouraged to engage in community events such as the annual exhibition and settling-in activities, no specific PTA structure, committees, or events are described.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

The learning environment features wooden layouts and floor-to-ceiling windows designed for simplicity, peace, and space, with the environment described as the third teacher, and a 1:6 teacher-student ratio. The Atelier Space, guided by a resident Atelierista, supports creativity and sustained inquiry, with spaces evolving to match explorations. The Mini Remida provides repurposed materials for open-ended exploration and sustainability education. The curriculum blends structured activities and inquiry-based projects through the IEIE method Initiate, Explore, Inquire, and Experiment, with Mandarin as the second language in a bilingual immersion program. The Reggio Emilia Approach informs the curriculum, emphasising child rights and the 'hundred languages' of expression. On-site dining is provided by a chef, offering three balanced meals daily with halal sourcing and no pork or beef, and accommodations for allergies or dietary needs.

Academic Facilities

The learning approach combines structured activities with inquiry-based learning using the IEIE framework—Initiate, Explore, Inquire, and Experiment—and includes Mandarin as the second language in a bilingual immersion curriculum. Singapore EYDF and NEL frameworks are integrated to support holistic early learning. The program divides each term into six weeks of Initiate-Explore and four weeks of Inquire-Experiment, balancing educator-guided activities with student-led projects. Five learning areas are emphasized: Language and Literacy, Numeracy, Health, Safety and Motor Skills, Discovery of the World, and Aesthetics and Creative Expression. Learning emphasizes open-ended exploration with unconstrained materials to foster thinking skills and creativity, with progress documented to inform ongoing inquiry.

Extra Curricular Facilities

The Atelier Space is designed to translate concepts into art with guidance from the resident Atelierista. Mini Remida provides repurposed materials for open-ended exploration and environmental education. Annual Exhibitions showcase students' inquiry-driven projects in an open gallery format. Exhibitions over the years demonstrate ongoing family involvement and community engagement.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

The Bucket House learning approach uses the IEIE framework—Initiate, Explore, Inquire, and Experiment—to blend structured, teacher-guided activities with inquiry-based exploration. The curriculum is bilingual with Mandarin as the second language and is rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach, emphasizing the child's rights and meaningful inquiry. The programme also incorporates elements from the Singapore EYDF and NEL frameworks to support holistic development.

Arts & Creative

An Atelier Space supports creativity and is led by a Resident Atelierista. This space is part of the environment designed to nurture curiosity and artistic expression.

Cultural & Language

The curriculum includes a bilingual immersion program with Mandarin as the second language. The approach aligns with Reggio Emilia principles that celebrate multiple languages and modes of expression.

Social & Hobbies

Love, trust, and respect are foundational values guiding interactions with each child. The learning community emphasizes relationships, collaboration, and thoughtful learning within a respectful environment.

Leadership & Professional

Founding Director Amber Koh leads Bucket House Preschool. In 2026 a second campus on Sims Avenue opened to extend the community.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Daily meals are prepared by a chef, offering a variety of cuisines. The environment is designed for simplicity, peace, and space to support well-being. The school maintains a 1:6 teacher-student ratio to ensure individualised care.
Languages

Language Provision

Bilingual immersion curriculum with Mandarin as the second language, rooted in the Reggio Emilia Approach.

Bilingual Teaching

The school offers a bilingual immersion curriculum with Mandarin as the second language.

Immersion Programs

Mandarin is taught as the second language within a bilingual immersion program.
Reputation

Awards

The school does not publish any awards received.

Accreditations

The school’s site does not list any formal accreditations.
Admissions

Admissions

1. School Tour and Enquiry
Parents are encouraged to book a school tour as the first step. This visit allows families to learn more about the curriculum, view facilities, and meet educators. Admissions are open year-round, depending on space availability.

2. Application and Offer
Enrolment operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Once an offer is extended, parents are given five days to confirm acceptance of the place. This timeframe is important because the place may be released if not secured.

3. Registration and Fee Payment
To secure a place, families must pay the one-time registration fee of SGD 654 and a refundable deposit of SGD 1,475. These fees confirm the child’s spot in the relevant class level (Playgroup through Kindergarten 2).

4. Class Placement and Orientation
Children are placed into age-appropriate classes based on the school’s age guidelines. Placement is finalised before the start date, and teachers support new students with a settling-in programme that gradually introduces routines and builds comfort.

Scholarships

The school does not offer scholarships. The only fee adjustments published are sibling discounts (10% off for the older child, or for the first and second child when three siblings are enrolled).

Waitlist

The school does not operate a formal waitlist or pool system.
School Events
The school has not added events