Creating Belonging: The Power of Inclusive Preschools
This week, we’re excited to share a little bit more about our experiences with inclusive preschools for children.
First, we must ask: What is an inclusive preschool?
Inclusive preschools are schools that welcome children of different backgrounds, cultures, and learning abilities into a caring, nurturing, and compassionate space where every child feels they belong. Children in inclusive classrooms have peers from diverse cultures and experiences, including those who may have learning disabilities such as autism or speech delays. Schools that embrace students with a range of needs recognize the value and transformative power of diversity, and this philosophy shapes their teaching approach, curriculum, and school community.
Importantly, inclusion doesn’t just benefit children with additional needs—it enriches the experience of all students. Children learn empathy, patience, and a deeper understanding of others when they grow up in diverse, inclusive environments. These early lessons lay the foundation for kinder, more connected communities.
During site visits, Preschool Pals helps parents observe schools and ask meaningful questions to determine whether a preschool is truly inclusive. We look for educators who are experienced in teaching children from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, for example, as well as those with learning disabilities. We also observe how the school community embraces difference, not just in theory, but in daily practice.
Many children in international or multicultural environments, including third culture kids—children who have spent a significant part of their upbringing outside their parents’ home culture—bring their own rich mix of experiences and perspectives into the classroom. Great teachers make space for that, recognizing it as an opportunity for shared learning. When educators celebrate and integrate these diverse identities, classrooms become vibrant, inclusive spaces where all children, no matter their background, feel seen and valued.
In addition to site visits, Preschool Pals offers in-depth research profiles of preschools to our clients. Based on this work, we’ve created a growing collection of profiles on inclusive preschools in Singapore, now available as part of our digital resources. You can check them out at this link.
One example of an inclusive school featured in our digital resources is the Melbourne International School, which stands out for its strong commitment to working with children of various needs. The school embraces diversity, offering a safe and supportive space where children with different learning abilities are celebrated.
And in honor of Autism Awareness Month, we’re excited to share our first profile on preschool alternatives: ABC @ TripleOne Somerset in Singapore. This therapy center provides specialized support for families with children who have autism or other developmental disabilities. Established in 2009, ABC Center Singapore is guided by a powerful mission: “To unlock the full potential of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities to enhance their quality of life.”
At Preschool Pals, we believe that every child deserves to learn, grow, and thrive in a space where they truly feel seen, supported, and included. We’re here to help families find those spaces—and to shine a light on the incredible schools and education centers that make belonging a reality from the very beginning.
