A newborn baby’s brain contains approximately 2,500 synapses for each neuron. By age 2, this number surges to about 15,000, twice the amount found in an average adult's brain. This is a time when your child is absorbing knowledge from their surroundings at an astonishing rate. They are forming memories, retaining information, recognising patterns and acknowledging their autonomy. Suffice it to say, this is a crucial stage in your child's development, so it is important to make every moment count. A Pre-Nursery programme can therefore provide the ideal platform for your child to begin their lifelong learning journey.

Pre-Nursery is not just a euphemism for daycare. It is an introduction to formal education with an emphasis on learning through play. Children in Pre-Nursery begin to build strong foundations in literacy and numeracy at a time when their brains are keenly receptive to new concepts. They develop strength in oracy as well. And in a bilingual setting like what we offer at Wellington, your child will enjoy the added benefit of learning both English and Chinese.

By the time they transition to year 1 at the age of 5, they will be well-versed in the daily routines and expectations of school and better equipped to take on greater academic challenges. And this has deeply positive downstream effects. An increasing number of studies indicate that children who participate in an Early Years education tend to achieve higher academic levels throughout their schooling, even on into university!

But the advantages of Pre-Nursery extend well beyond purely academic achievements. This is a time when your child hits several significant developmental milestones. Pre-Nursery is often the first setting where children can experience social dynamics beyond their family environment. It allows them to engage with peers and practice essential social norms such as sharing, cooperating, listening and taking turns in conversation. These interactions help them develop a rudimentary understanding of empathy and teach them to identify, express and manage their emotions. These skills are particularly crucial for children who do not have siblings of a similar age at home as it prepares them better for the novel social dynamics they will face in Prep or Primary School.

In addition to social development, a Pre-Nursery education can have a profound impact on your child’s physical development. By age 2, a child typically can walk or run short distances, jump and climb over furniture. In our newly renovated outdoor learning areas, your child can further develop these gross motor skills with our age-appropriate equipment. In the process, they build strength, dexterity and the confidence to take calculated risks. Moreover, fun activities like painting, stacking blocks, playing with sand or sculpting clay present opportunities for your child to develop fine motor skills. These are what enable them to perform detailed tasks such as buttoning shirts, using zippers, holding pencils or eating utensils.

Of course, your child’s development does not hit the pause button at the end of the school day. Therefore, your active involvement is key to your child's success. Our Pre-Nursery programme, therefore, includes Parents as Partners workshops in which educators regularly meet parents to discuss their child's progress and offer suggestions on how to support their child's academic, physical, emotional and social development outside the nursery. These workshops often prove invaluable to young families and first-time parents who are navigating their parenting journey. They can be pivotal in providing relief, strategies and shared experiences that validate your efforts.

Selecting the right school for your child is a critical decision for your family. You want assurance that your child will receive education in a safe, nurturing and supportive environment where they are excited to learn and grow each day. Our Admissions Team is ready to help you understand everything you need to know about our Early Years Centre, so you can make this important decision with confidence. We encourage you to visit us, either in person or virtually, during one of our open mornings or tailored tours.