A Parent’s Checklist for Evaluating Safety, Hygiene, and Teacher-to-Infant Ratios

Choosing the right care for your child is one of the most significant decisions you will make in their early years. For many parents in Singapore, the transition back to work brings a specific focus on infant care—a stage where your baby is at their most vulnerable. Whether you are exploring infant care in Hougang or looking for a long-term kindergarten in Sengkang, the criteria for quality remain rooted in three non-negotiable pillars: safety, hygiene, and the ratio of qualified educators to children.

At Cambridge, we believe that a good preschool in Singapore should serve as a second home—a sanctuary where your child’s physical and emotional needs are met with scientific precision and genuine warmth. This checklist is designed to help you audit these essential standards during your next school visit.

1. Teacher-to-Child Ratios: The Quality Benchmark

In Singapore, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) sets strict minimum standards for staffing. However, a "good" preschool often strives to surpass these minimums to ensure a higher quality of individual attention.

The Role of Responsive Care

The teacher-child ratio is a critical indicator of how much responsive care your child will receive. For Infant Care (2 to 18 months), the standard ratio is 1:5. This low ratio is vital because infants require high levels of individual care for feeding, diapering, and sensory stimulation.

As children grow, the ratios shift to accommodate their developing independence. For a Playgroup (18 to 30 months), the ratio moves to 1:8, providing supervision for mobile toddlers. By the time a child reaches Nursery and Kindergarten levels, the ratios gradually increase from 1:12 up to 1:25.

Parent Tip: During your tour, ask if the center uses "Assistant Educators" in addition to the lead teacher. A lower effective ratio allows for more "meaningful conversations," which is the bedrock of early language development.

2. Hygiene Protocols: Beyond the Surface

Infants have developing immune systems, making hygiene the frontline of defense against common childhood illnesses. A professional center should follow a rigorous sanitation regime.

• Daily Health Screenings: Every child, staff member, and visitor should undergo a temperature check and visual screening for symptoms like rashes or ulcers before entering.
• Sterilization and High-Touch Surfaces: High-touch areas such as door handles and changing tables should be disinfected multiple times daily. Ask to see their cleaning logs for verification.
• Milk Preparation Safety: For infants, the milk prep area must be strictly separated from diapering areas. All equipment should be sterilized, and expressed breast milk (EBM) should be stored in a dedicated, temperature-monitored refrigerator.
• Toy Sanitization: Hard toys should be cleaned daily, while soft toys and bedding should be laundered at high temperatures regularly to eliminate allergens and pathogens.

3. Physical Safety and Environment Design

A safe environment is one designed for the specific developmental stage of the child. When touring an infant care or kindergarten, look for these physical safety features:

• Segregation of Space: Non-mobile infants should have their own dedicated area, separate from active toddlers, to prevent accidental collisions.
• Safe Sleep Practices: Ensure the napping area uses firm mattresses. Look for a "clear cot" policy—no loose blankets, pillows, or stuffed toys that could pose a suffocation risk. To prevent SIDS, educators should conduct frequent checks to ensure infants sleep in a supine (on the back) position.
• Child-Proofing Standards: Check for rounded corners on furniture, safety gates at transition points, and finger-guard protectors on doors.
• Visual Supervision: The layout should allow for 100% visibility. Teachers should be able to see every corner of the room without obstruction.

4. Emergency Preparedness and Training

The authority of a preschool is often defined by its readiness for the unexpected. A good preschool in Singapore will have transparent emergency protocols.

• Certified Staff: Every educator should be trained in pediatric First Aid and CPR. Ask to see their certification records—this is a standard part of a professional staff portfolio.
• Emergency Drills: Centers are required to conduct regular fire and evacuation drills. Ask how children are accounted for during these transitions and where the designated assembly point is located.
• Incident Reporting: Does the center have a clear policy for communicating minor accidents like scrapes or bumps to parents? Open communication is a sign of a trustworthy partner.

5. The "Culture of Care" Audit

While ratios and checklists provide a quantitative measure of quality, the "Culture of Care" is a qualitative one. During your visit, observe the interactions:

• Teacher Engagement: Are the teachers at eye level with the children? Are they responding promptly to an infant's cues or a toddler's questions?
• Emotional Safety: Does the environment feel warm and calm? A child’s brain develops best in a low-stress, emotionally secure environment.
• Continuous Improvement: A leading preschool doesn't just meet standards; it evolves. Ask about the staff’s ongoing professional development—teachers who are learners themselves are best equipped to nurture your child’s curiosity.

Conclusion: Your Peace of Mind is the Priority

In the journey of early childhood education, the transition from infant care to kindergarten is a significant one. By starting with a center that prioritizes rigorous safety and hygiene today, you are laying the groundwork for a confident, healthy learner tomorrow.

At Cambridge, we are committed to providing more than just a place to stay; we provide a space to thrive. Whether you are looking for localized care or a holistic education, we invite you to see our standards in action.