Group routines
Children are gently guided through predictable daily routines and shared activities.
- Group transitions
- Familiar schedules that comfort
Ages 18 months to 3 years
Your toddler settles in. You get peace of mind.
Our trilingual journey starts with two languages: half the day in English, half in Chinese, with teachers who know your child by name. A caring first school where your child grows in confidence and independence.
I can do it!18 mo to 3years old
11:45 am – 2:00 pmdaily nap, on our cots
Daily reportmeals, naps, toileting, in the app
Own pacetoilet training when your child is ready
What to expect from 18 months to 3 years
I can do it!
Little steps are big achievements. Toddlers are learning to do things for themselves, to explore and to say what they want, and for many this is the first time away from home and in a group. We help them settle through predictable routines, patient and warm educators and shared activities, and we go at your child's pace, because every child adjusts differently.
What parents wonder, what your child needs, and what we do
You’re wondering
What your child needs now
What we do
1Will my child settle in?
To feel safe with new people
A teacher chat before day one, shorter first days, the same faces each morning and a photo on day one. Real parents say the teachers helped.
2Will they cope on their own?
“I can do it myself”
Self-help routines: feeding themselves and putting on shoes.
3We don't speak Chinese at home
To hear both languages every day
Half the day in Chinese, through songs, stories and play.
4Will the teachers know my child?
To be known and welcomed
Teachers who call each child by name. Teacher introductions.
5Is it too much, too early?
Time to play and explore
“Stretching, not stressing.” Any technology is short and teacher-led, and coding starts screen-free at ages 3 and 4.
What your child experiences
Four everyday strands, in age-appropriate ways.
Communication
Songs, rhymes, stories and conversations help toddlers express their needs.
- Gestures, sounds and first words
- Following simple instructions
Movement and sensory play
Toddlers learn by touching, moving and discovering cause and effect.
- Touch and sensory exploration
- Creative, movement-based play
First steps to independence
With guidance, children take part in simple routines and tasks.
- Tidying up, making simple choices
- Managing small tasks with support
In the classroom
Everyday care
Good habits start early, in small daily routines.
Hygiene routines
- Handwashing before meals, after meals and after toileting
- Clean bibs at mealtimes (younger children)
- Flushing toilets after use
- Proper disposal of used diapers and tissues
Toilet training
- Not required. Parents provide pull-up diapers daily; diapers are not kept at school.
- Signs of readiness. Telling an adult when they need to pee or poo, asking to be cleaned, showing interest in the toilet.
- Together. Teachers will talk with you about a similar routine at home and school, at your child's pace.
- Please practise good bathroom habits with your child at home too: cleaning themselves, flushing, washing hands.
Food and allergies
- Meals cooked in our in-house kitchen at every centre. Allergies managed.
“A big and clean kitchen that prepare and cook the kids’ daily meals which is not common in preschools.” (Peiyan C., Google review)
Illness and health policy
- Daily health check on arrival.
- Stay home with fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, persistent cough, conjunctivitis or other infectious illness. Symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning.
- Unwell at school. We tell you straight away; please collect your child within one hour.
- Medication only if prescribed by a registered doctor, with consent and a Medication Administration Form.
- Emergency. We seek medical help immediately and inform you as soon as possible.
The full policy is in the Parents' Handbook.
Health and safety
- CCTV and controlled access.
Rest time
11:45 am to 2:00 pm, in their own classroom.
- Individual cots provided by the centre. No need to buy one.
- Bring bedding measuring 150 cm × 70 cm to fit over the cot.
Your child's day, in your pocket
Meals, nap times, toileting and other daily activities are recorded in the ChildFirst App, with photos and updates, and a quick chat at pick-up.
“We regularly receive updates through the school’s app and during pick-up.” (Michelle L., Google review)
Regular updates on your child's daily experiences, learning and development through the parent communication app, and parent-teacher sessions to talk about progress and milestones.
Making friends
Children typically begin forming more recognisable friendships between 2 and 3 years old.
Once formed, these friendships matter, and it is not a good idea to change school, because children lose them. So it is good practice to look at the later curriculum and the school's philosophy, and to make sure they align with yours, so that you don't need to make an unnecessary school change later.
Our curriculum for your toddler
Stages in grey come later in your child’s journey. The full journey is on the curriculum page.
Human Intelligence
How we develop Human Intelligence →In the age of AI, human intelligence matters more than ever. Curiosity, judgement, wisdom and creativity are what set a child apart from AI, so we build them first, from the earliest months.
Multiple Intelligences
How we develop Multiple Intelligences →Every child is different. We develop the uniqueness of each child, discovering and nurturing their own strengths across eight intelligences, rather than measuring everyone against one standard.
The eight intelligences, including music and art (picture smart), all run from 2 months to 6 years.
Trilingual
Three of the most important languages in the world: English for communication, Chinese for language and culture, and AI for future readiness. English and Chinese are half a day each from 18 months, and AI joins gradually from age 3.
English (half a day from 18 months)
How we teach English →Chinese (half a day from 18 months)
How we teach Chinese →AI (gradually from age 3, starting from screen-free)
How we teach AI →What parents say
★★★★★
“My little one had quite intense separation anxiety… After two months, we’re so happy to see that he’s settled in well and is now enjoying his classes.”
Madeline C. · Pre-N parent · Google review
★★★★★
“When my daughter first started Pre-Nursery, she took some time to settle in, and I’m very grateful for the teachers’ patience, warmth and encouragement, which helped her adjust quickly.”
Jade L. · Pre-N parent · Google review
★★★★★
“Seeing her transition from tears to smiles was such a joy, and we’re so grateful for Miss Jey’s efforts in making her feel safe and secure.”
Kelly H. · joined at 18 months · Google review
Questions parents ask
How will my child settle in?
A talk with the teacher before day one, shorter days in the first week, familiar teachers each morning and a photo on day one. Parents describe it in their reviews.
Is the food prepared in-house?
Yes, in our in-house kitchen at every centre. Allergies are managed.
What about toilet training?
Your child does not need to be toilet trained. Parents provide pull-up diapers every day for children who are not yet trained or are in the middle of training; diapers are not kept at school. Teachers watch for signs of readiness and work with you on a similar routine at home and in school, at your child's pace.
What time is nap time, and do I need to buy a cot?
Nap time is from 11:45 am to 2:00 pm, in your child's own classroom on an individual cot provided by the centre. We suggest bedding measuring 150 cm × 70 cm to fit over the cot.
What happens if my child is unwell?
Please keep your child at home with a fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, a persistent cough, conjunctivitis or another infectious illness; symptom-free for 24 hours before returning. If your child becomes unwell at school, we tell you straight away and ask you to collect them within one hour.
We don't speak Chinese at home. Will my child cope?
Half the day is in Chinese, through songs, stories and play.
How much screen time is there?
Toddler is screen-free.
Can my child stay until K2?
Yes. It is one school from Pre-N to K2.
Is ChildFirst a bilingual preschool?
Yes. From 18 months, children spend half the day in English and half in Chinese, a bilingual start. AI is then added gradually from N1 (age 3) as the third language, so ChildFirst is bilingual first and trilingual gradually from N1.
See it for yourself
Come and see a class in action. Planning ahead? Tell us when you would like your child to start, and we will get in touch about 5 to 6 months before.