Many Singapore parents face a familiar dilemma: should we send our child to a neighbourhood public kindergarten or invest in private preschool? The assumption is often that private is better. But a recent study published in Frontiers in Education offers some eye-opening findings that might make you reconsider.
Researchers in Kuwait compared 46 third-grade girls who had attended either public or private kindergartens, tracking their academic performance and behaviour in the classroom. The results were more nuanced than a simple "private wins" story.
What the Research Found
Girls who went to private kindergartens did score notably higher in Arabic—the study's most significant finding. However, the researchers themselves urge caution here: the statistical confidence in this result was borderline, meaning we can't be completely certain the difference is real or repeatable.
In English and Mathematics, private kindergarten girls had slightly higher average scores, but these differences were too small to be meaningful. When it came to classroom behaviour—things like listening, cooperating, and focus—there was virtually no difference at all between the two groups.
Here's what really caught the researchers' attention: parental education mattered more than kindergarten type. Fathers with higher education levels were significantly more likely to choose private kindergartens for their daughters. This is important because it suggests that what makes the real difference might not be the kindergarten itself, but the educational values and resources of the family.
What This Means for Singapore and Asian Families
In Singapore and across Asia, the pressure to choose "the best" kindergarten is intense—and comes with significant costs. This study suggests we may be overestimating the school's role and underestimating the family's.
Consider this: when fathers are more educated, they likely read more to their children, ask more questions about their day, and support their learning at home. They may also hire private tutors (though interestingly, the study found no link between kindergarten type and tutoring choices). These home-based advantages might explain better outcomes far more than the kindergarten badge.
The research also highlights that educational outcomes are complex. A private kindergarten didn't guarantee better behaviour or stronger maths skills—yet we often assume it will fix everything. In Singapore's competitive education landscape, this is a sobering reminder that money spent on school fees isn't always money well spent if you're not also investing time and attention at home.
Another takeaway: cultural context matters. The study was conducted in Kuwait, where private and public kindergartens may differ in ways specific to that country. Singapore's world-class public kindergartens (operated through PAP Community Foundation centres, for example) are very different from struggling public systems elsewhere. You're not necessarily choosing between a "good" private and a "bad" public option here.
Three Things to Do Now
- Focus on what happens at home. Rather than stressing over kindergarten fees, prioritize reading together, asking open-ended questions, and creating a language-rich home environment. Your involvement matters more than the school's name.
- Evaluate your actual neighbourhood option fairly. In Singapore, public and community kindergartens are quality-vetted. Visit, observe classes, and speak to parents before assuming private is automatically superior. Judge on actual curriculum and teacher engagement, not prestige.
- Think long-term, not just early years. This study tracked children into third grade. Ask yourself: what habits and values do you want your child to develop by age 9? Then work backwards to choose a kindergarten (public or private) that genuinely aligns with that vision—and commit to supporting learning at home regardless of which you pick.