Canadian Bilingual Preschool Curriculum

Play-Based Learning

Research consistently shows that young children learn best through purposeful play. Our teachers design learning centres and activities where children naturally explore concepts in literacy, mathematics, science, and social skills — consistent with the NEL framework's emphasis on learning through exploration and play. What looks like play is actually carefully scaffolded learning.

Inquiry-Based Discovery

We follow a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach where children's questions and interests drive learning. Teachers observe children's curiosity, then plan investigations that deepen their understanding. Whether it's exploring why leaves change colour or how bridges are built, children learn to think critically and communicate their ideas.

Differentiated Instruction

Every child develops at their own pace. Our small class sizes allow teachers to tailor activities to individual needs, providing extra support where needed and extending challenges for children who are ready. Regular formative assessments help us track progress and adjust our teaching strategies.

Bilingual Immersion

Our Mandarin immersion preschool approach begins from the first day. Each classroom has dedicated English and Mandarin teachers who use songs, stories, daily routines, and interactive play to make both languages natural and meaningful. Unlike surface-level bilingual programmes, our immersion model embeds Mandarin naturally into every activity — children learn math concepts, science observations, and social skills in both languages. By graduation, children can read simple books, write their names, and hold conversations in both languages — a significant advantage when transitioning to Singapore's bilingual primary school system. Our curriculum aligns with the ECDA Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) framework, which identifies bilingual proficiency as a key learning goal for kindergarten graduates. Parents specifically seeking Mandarin immersion preschool in Singapore choose MapleBear Jurong West for its authentic two-teacher model — each language gets a dedicated specialist, ensuring children receive consistent, high-quality exposure to both English and Mandarin throughout the day.

All our teachers hold recognized early childhood education qualifications and undergo regular professional development through MapleBear's global training network. Each classroom has both an English-speaking and a Mandarin-speaking teacher, ensuring authentic bilingual instruction throughout the day.

Our low teacher-to-child ratios mean every child receives individual attention. Teachers build strong relationships with each child and their family, creating the trust and connection that makes deep learning possible.

Time	Infant & Toddler (2–24 months)	Playgroup & Nursery (18 mo–4 yrs)	Kindergarten (4–6 yrs)
7:00 – 9:00	Arrival, free play, individual care routines	Arrival, free play, morning circle time	Arrival, morning routine, journal writing
9:00 – 9:30	Morning snack & hygiene
9:30 – 10:30	Sensory play, tummy time, language exposure through songs & stories	Literacy & numeracy block — phonics, counting, hands-on activities	Literacy & numeracy — guided reading, writing practice, math concepts
10:30 – 11:30	Outdoor exploration, gross motor play	Science & discovery / outdoor play	Science, STEM projects / creative arts
11:30 – 12:00	Quiet time, stories, gentle music	Music, movement & free play	Character education, sharing circle, group activities
12:00 – 12:45	Lunch — fresh meals prepared on-site by our in-house kitchen
12:45 – 14:30	Nap / rest time (individual sleep plans)	Nap / quiet rest time	Quiet reading, puzzles, rest time
14:30 – 15:00	Afternoon snack & hygiene
15:00 – 16:30	Sensory exploration, language games, outdoor play	Creative arts, drama, outdoor exploration, free play centres	Project-based learning, enrichment, outdoor play, bilingual activities
16:30 – 19:00	Late pickup care — supervised free play, winding-down activities

What curriculum framework does MapleBear follow?

MapleBear follows a Canadian-inspired bilingual curriculum adapted for the Singapore context. It integrates best practices from Canadian early childhood education with Singapore's Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) framework, ensuring our children are prepared for both local and international primary schools.

How is the bilingual programme structured?

Each classroom has dedicated English and Mandarin teachers. Children experience both languages throughout the day through songs, stories, daily routines, and play-based activities. We use a one-teacher-one-language approach so children associate each language with a specific person, making bilingual acquisition more natural.

What age groups do you accept?

We accept children from 2 months to 6 years old, with programmes for Infant Care (2-18 months), Playgroup (18 months-3 years), Nursery (3-4 years), and Kindergarten (4-6 years). Each age group has a tailored curriculum that builds on the previous stage.

How do you assess children's progress?

We use ongoing formative assessment through observation, portfolios, and learning journals. Teachers document each child's development across all six curriculum pillars and share progress reports with parents termly. There are no formal tests — assessment is embedded naturally into daily activities.