Understanding Anchor Operators (AOP), Partner Operators (POP), and non-POP Preschools – and what they mean for your child’s education.
Understanding Singapore’s Preschool Landscape
Choosing the right preschool for your child can feel overwhelming. With so many options available, how do you know which is the best fit for your family?
In Singapore, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) have established three main types of preschool schemes to cater to different family needs and ensure quality early childhood education across the board. These are:
- Anchor Operator (AOP) preschools
- Partner Operator (POP) preschools
- Non-Partner Operator (non-POP) preschools, also known as private preschools
ECDA regulates all licensed preschools in areas such as childcare subsidy, safety standards, health and hygiene requirements. The different schemes offer varying levels of government support and fee structures.
In this guide, we’ll break down each scheme so you can make an informed decision for your family.
🌱 Here We Grow! Little Seeds Preschool POP 3.0 Announcement
It’s official! We are thrilled to announce that 12 Little Seeds Preschools have been awarded Partner Operator (POP) status under ECDA’s POP 3.0 scheme (2026-2030).
🎊 A warm congratulations to our two newly awarded centres:
- Little Seeds Preschool (Church of the Ascension)
- Little Seeds Preschool (Church of the Good Shepherd)
We’re also grateful that all 10 of our existing POP centres from POP 2.0 have been renewed for this new term. That’s 12 centres committed to quality, affordability, and excellence in early childhood education!
What’s the Difference? AOP vs POP vs Private Preschools
Anchor Operators (AOP)
What it means: These are government-supported preschools with the most funding support from ECDA.
Fees (excluding GST):
- Full-Day Childcare: $640/ month
- Full-Day Infant Care: $1235/ month
- Kindergarten: $150/ month
Key Features:
- Capped monthly fees at $640/ month
- Controlled fee increases
- Significant ECDA investment in quality improvement
- Strong professional development support for teachers
Who AOP is best for: Families prioritizing maximum affordability while maintaining quality standards.
Little Seeds Preschool does not have any centres under the Anchor Operator Scheme.
Partner Operators (POP)
What it means: These are government-partnered preschools that have demonstrated excellence in quality, inclusivity, and teacher development.
Fees (excluding GST):
- Full-Day Childcare: $650/ month
- Full-Day Infant Care: $ 1,290 / month
Key Features:
- Monthly fees at $650/ month
- Proven track record of quality education
- Strong commitment to inclusivity
- ECDA investment in organizational capabilities and teaching practices
- Professional development support for educators and leaders
The POP Renewal Cycle:
- POP 2.0: 2020-2025
- POP 3.0: 2026-2030 (current)
Who POP is best for: Families seeking government-recognized quality with a balance of affordability and enhanced programmes.
Little Seeds Preschool has 12 centres under the Partner-Operator Scheme (3.0) from Jan 2026-Dec 2030:
1. Little Seeds Preschool (Church of the Ascension) *newly appointed!
2. Little Seeds Preschool (Church of the Good Shepherd) *newly appointed!
3. Little Seeds Preschool (Ascension)
4. Little Seeds Preschool (Capstone)
5. Little Seeds Preschool (Kiddy Ark)
6. Little Seeds Preschool (Praiseland)
7. Little Seeds Preschool (Sonshine)
8. Little Seeds Preschool (St. Andrew’s)
9. Little Seeds Preschool (TSA – Ang Mo Kio)
10. Little Seeds Preschool (TSA – Bukit Batok East)
11. Little Seeds Preschool (TSA – Bukit Panjang)
12. Little Seeds Preschool (TSA – Tampines)
Non-Partner Operators (Non-POP) aka Private Preschools
What it means: These are independent preschools with flexibility to offer specialized programmes and premium facilities.
Fees (excluding GST): Can range from $600 – over $2,000+/month
Key Features:
- Greater autonomy in curriculum design
- Can offer specialized programmes (language immersion, arts, etc.)
- Often smaller class sizes
- Premium facilities and resources
At Little Seeds Preschool, we operate 5 non-POP centres that feature lower teacher-to-child ratios, private play spaces, and specialist-led enhanced curriculum modules (Language Arts, Chinese Creative Drama, and Music Exploration) at $1,750/month.
Our non-POP centres are:
1. Little Seeds Preschool (Calvary Baptist Church)
2. Little Seeds Preschool (St. Hilda’s Church)
3. Little Seeds Preschool (St. James’ Church)
4. Little Seeds Preschool (St. John’s–St. Margaret’s)
5. Little Seeds Preschool (St. Paul’s Church)
Who non-POP is best for: Families seeking specialized programmes, smaller class sizes, or specific educational approaches.
What Does POP status mean for your family?
When you choose a Partner Operator preschool like Little Seeds Preschool, you can be assured that:
- Quality is Government-Recognized: Our centres have been assessed and awarded POP status based on demonstrated excellence in early childhood education.
- Continuous Improvement: ECDA invests in our organizational capabilities, helping us strengthen teaching practices and maintain high standards.
- Well-Trained Educators: Our teachers benefit from ongoing professional development support, ensuring they stay current with best practices in early childhood education.
- Commitment to Inclusivity: We’re dedicated to providing quality education for all children, regardless of background.
- Stable, Trusted Provider: The renewal of POP status demonstrates our consistent track record over time.
All while enjoying a distinctive values-based preschool experience grounded in Christian values, with a trusted team and quality curriculum!
📍Our LSP Centres (2026 – 2030)
Renewed Centres (10 from POP 2.0):
All our original POP centres continue their excellence into POP 3.0!
- Little Seeds Preschool (Ascension)
- Little Seeds Preschool (Capstone)
- Little Seeds Preschool (Kiddy Ark)
- Little Seeds Preschool (Praiseland)
- Little Seeds Preschool (Sonshine)
- Little Seeds Preschool (St. Andrew’s)
- Little Seeds Preschool (TSA – Ang Mo Kio)
- Little Seeds Preschool (TSA – Bukit Batok East)
- Little Seeds Preschool (TSA – Bukit Panjang)
- Little Seeds Preschool (TSA – Tampines)
Newly Awarded Centres (2 new for POP 3.0)
Our 2 new centres joining the POP 3.0 scheme!
- Little Seeds Preschool (Church of the Ascension), located in Potong Pasir
- Little Seeds Preschool (Church of the Good Shepherd), located in Queenstown
Our 5 Non-POP centres:
They will continue to offer lower teacher-to-child rations, private play spaces and nd specialist-led enhanced curriculum modules (Language Arts, Chinese Creative Drama, and Music Exploration).
Ready to Visit Us?
Now that you understand the difference between AOP, POP and Non-POP preschools, the next step is to experience Little Seeds Preschool for yourself.
Come see our learning environments, meet our educators, and discover why families choose Little Seeds Preschool with their children’s early education journey.
Register for a School Tour
Find out more about our Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
What level will my child be enrolled in?
The level is based on your child’s age in the year of enrolment:
- 3 to 17 months: Infant Care (only available at Little Seeds Preschool (St. John’s – St. Margaret’s))
- 18 months to 3 years old: Playgroup
- 3 years old: Pre-Nursery
- 4 years old: Nursery
- 5 years old: Kindergarten 1
- 6 years old: Kindergarten 2
What types of programmes are available at Little Seeds Preschool?
We offer both half-day (7am to 1pm) and full-day programmes (7am to 7pm). Note: Half-day programmes are only offered at our Non-POP Centres, with limited spaces available.
Are there any subsidies or discounts on school fees?
Yes! Subsidies on school fees are available for Singaporean working mothers. Learn more about subsidies and school fees here.
What’s the difference between your POP and non-POP centres?
Our 12 POP centres are under ECDA’s POP 3.0 scheme, which is given to centres recognized quality standards and support for continuous improvement in teaching practices.
Our 5 Non-POP Centres offer lower teacher-to-child ratios, private play spaces, and specialist-led enhanced curriculum modules (Language Arts, Chinese Creative Drama, and Music Exploration) at $1,750/month.
Both types of centres maintain Little Seeds Preschool’s commitment to quality faith-based and values- based early childhood education—the choice depends on your family’s preferences and budget!
