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One step closer to a wonderful beginning.
29 th July | 2025
Outdoor Play at Oxford Explorers
By: The Oxford Explorers Early Childhood Education Team
Choosing the right preschool in Singapore is one of the most important decisions for parents. With nearly 2,800 preschools and childcare centres across the island, families often face the difficult task of balancing academic excellence with a nurturing environment. Parents search for the best preschool in Singapore not just for academics, but also for creativity, confidence, and wellbeing.
At Oxford Explorers, we believe no child should have to choose between structure and joy. That’s why we designed a new standard in early education: a preschool experience built on three pillars — Academic Excellence, Unstructured Learning, and Outdoor Play. Among the top preschools in Singapore, we stand apart by offering what is often missing in an urban setting: true outdoor learning woven into the daily curriculum.
Outdoor Learning: Sharper Minds and Stronger Focus
In Singapore’s competitive education landscape, parents worry about preparing children for P1 readiness while avoiding excessive academic pressure. Outdoor learning offers a proven solution.
Studies show children exposed to greenery demonstrate better memory, stronger focus, and reduced inattentiveness . Outdoor classrooms and recess breaks not only reduce stress but also sharpen attention, a crucial foundation for academic success.
At Oxford Explorers, children spend meaningful time in nature every day. Whether it’s counting pebbles, tracing letters in sand, or observing plants, outdoor learning ensures concepts stick because they are experienced, not just taught. This balanced approach is why families recognise us among the best childcare centres in Singapore, where play and academics reinforce each other.
Does outdoor play affect academics?
Not at all, it improves them. Research confirms that children return from outdoor play with higher focus and better readiness to learn. At Oxford Explorers, outdoor sessions are scheduled to complement literacy and numeracy, creating stronger academic outcomes.
Building Independence and Resilience Beyond the Classroom
Outdoor play is more than running and climbing, it’s an education in independence. When a child navigates uneven ground, tries the monkey bars, or builds a fort with friends, they develop problem-solving skills, resilience, and confidence.
“Risky play,” such as climbing or balancing, has been proven to increase physical activity and social competence without raising injury rates. These safe challenges help children test their limits and learn responsibility in a supervised setting.
Oxford Explorers believes these are life lessons just as important as learning to read. Parents looking at the top preschools in Singapore often discover that while many focus on academics, few give children the daily chance to build resilience through unstructured outdoor exploration.
Is outdoor play safe in Singapore’s climate?
Yes. At Oxford Explorers, safety is a top priority. Play areas are shaded, sessions are scheduled in cooler times of the day, and children are guided by trained educators. We ensure hydration, sun protection, and constant supervision, so outdoor play remains joyful and secure.
Healthier Bodies and Healthier Eyes
In a digital-first world, parents increasingly worry about the effects of screen time. Outdoor play directly addresses these concerns.
- Physical health: Outdoor time boosts stamina, coordination, and gross motor skills. Preschoolers are naturally more active outside, developing healthier bones and muscles.
- Vision health: Longitudinal studies in Guangzhou and Shanghai found that an additional 40 minutes outdoors per day significantly reduced the risk of childhood myopia .
- Immunity and overall wellness: Fresh air and physical activity strengthen immunity, helping children thrive.
At Oxford Explorers, these benefits are a daily reality. Families searching for the best kindergarten in Singapore often prioritise health. With us, they find a preschool that actively protects children’s bodies and eyes through intentional outdoor play.
Emotional Wellbeing in a Fast-Paced City
Singapore is known for its academic rigour, but childhood should not feel like a race. Outdoor play provides space for children to breathe, express themselves, and regulate emotions.
- Children living near greenery report higher self-worth and stronger coping skills .
- Green play environments ease symptoms for children with ADHD .
- Free play fosters joy, creativity, and stronger peer relationships.
At Oxford Explorers, we nurture the whole child. Parents seeking a good preschool in Singapore often remark that our outdoor spaces give children the balance of calm and confidence needed to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Outdoor Learning the Oxford Explorers Way
Oxford Explorers is not just another preschool. We built the school we wished existed, one that doesn’t force parents to choose between academic rigour and play.
Our philosophy blends:
- UK EYFS Framework – to ensure structured developmental milestones. UK EYFS Framework – to ensure structured developmental milestones.
- Singapore’s Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) – aligning with national expectations for holistic early education.
What makes us unique among the best preschools in Singapore is that we add a rare luxury: true outdoor learning spaces in the heart of an urban city. Our campuses invite imagination, movement, and connection with nature every single day.
Children might plant seeds in the garden, explore textures on nature walks, or build teamwork through outdoor games. These experiences are not “extras” — they are essentials, embedded in our curriculum to ensure children leave Oxford Explorers confident, curious, and compassionate.
FAQ: What age can children join Oxford Explorers?
We welcome children from toddler age through kindergarten (approximately 18 months to 6 years). This aligns with Singapore’s preschool system, preparing children for smooth entry into local and international primary schools.
Tips for Parents: Choosing the Best Preschool in Singapore
Every family has unique priorities, but here are five questions to guide your decision:
- Curriculum Fit: Does the school balance academics and creativity?
- Outdoor Access: Are children guaranteed daily outdoor play, even in an urban setting?
- Teacher-Child Ratio: Will your child receive personalised attention?
- Bilingual Foundation: Does the preschool integrate English and Mandarin effectively?
- Parent Partnership: Are communication and progress updates transparent?
If outdoor learning, academic excellence, and balanced development are on your checklist, Oxford Explorers delivers all three pillars with equal care.
Why Parents Choose Oxford Explorers
Families exploring the top preschools in Singapore choose Oxford Explorers because we provide:
- Strong foundations in literacy and numeracy without rote pressure.
- A bilingual English-Mandarin curriculum to prepare for global opportunities.
- Daily outdoor learning experiences, even in Singapore’s urban landscape.
- A philosophy that values curiosity, creativity, and emotional wellbeing.
The Oxford Explorers Promise
Outdoor play is not an occasional activity at Oxford Explorers — it is part of every child’s day. This daily commitment is why parents searching for the best preschool in Singapore and the best childcare in Singapore trust us.
We believe early education should build not just school readiness, but life readiness. At Oxford Explorers, little steps lead to big futures.
Book a tour today and experience how our outdoor learning philosophy transforms early childhood education in Singapore.
Final FAQ Section
Q: How is Oxford Explorers different from other preschools in Singapore?
A: Most preschools focus on either academics or play. Oxford Explorers balances academic rigour with enquiry-based learning and outdoor play, ensuring children are ready for both P1 and life.
Q: Does outdoor play really help with P1 readiness?
A: Yes. Outdoor exploration develops focus, resilience, and executive function, which directly improve classroom performance and readiness for primary school.
Q: Where is Oxford Explorers located?
A: Our campuses are in premium Singapore neighbourhoods with purpose-built outdoor learning spaces — a rarity in the city. Parents can book a campus tour to see these facilities first-hand.
References
- Dadvand P, et al. (2015). Prospective cohort study of school and neighborhood greenness on cognitive development in children.
- Kuo M, et al. (2019). Integrative review of nature-based instruction and academic outcomes.
- Becker C, et al. (2017). Systematic review of outdoor learning studies.
- Pellegrini A, et al. (2005). Field studies on recess and classroom behavior.
- Ulset V, et al. (2017). Outdoor play and executive function in preschoolers.
- Wells NM, Evans GW. (2003). Nearby nature as a buffer of life stress in children.
- Kuo FE, Faber Taylor A. (2004). Green outdoor activities and ADHD symptoms.
- Gray C, et al. (2015). Systematic review of risky play and outcomes.
- He M, et al. (2015). Cluster RCT on outdoor time and myopia in Guangzhou.
- Wu P-C, et al. (2018). Randomized trial on outdoor activity and myopia in Shanghai.
- Russ SW, Wallace CE. (2013). Pretend play and divergent thinking.
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