The Story Behind Our Story: Interview with Fiorella, Co-Founder of Preschool Pals on Navigating Preschool Choices
Pictured: Fiorella Rea with her son, sharing a car drive together.
This week, in honor of Autism Awareness Month, we’re excited to pull back the curtain and share a bit of our journey as expat parents of young children in Singapore. Finding a nurturing and inclusive preschool for young children, especially those with special learning needs, is rarely a straightforward process, particularly for expat parents navigating a new and unfamiliar educational landscape in their home away from home. In this interview with Fiorella Rea, Co-Founder of Preschool Pals Advisors and super Mama & Maestra, she discusses some of the challenges she faced in finding a supportive and inclusive preschool for her children.
By sharing Fiorella’s story, we hope to offer valuable insights to parents who may be facing similar challenges in their own preschool search, especially those with children who have special learning needs.
So without further ado, here’s Fiorella’s interview!
“These early experiences remind me of how nurturing environments are essential to a child’s development, as they encourage exploration, creativity, and emotional security.”
Preschool Pals: Did you attend preschool as a child? If so, where did you attend? Do you have any memories from this early period in your life?
Fiorella Rea: Yes, I did, and the memories remain vividly etched in my mind. I attended a wonderful German kindergarten in Lima, Peru, where my teachers regularly engaged students in creative, hands-on learning through arts and crafts. Each day was filled with outdoor play in a beautifully natural garden setting, which fostered my sense of wonder and connection to the environment. I felt an incredible sense of comfort and safety at preschool, and the celebrations there left a lasting impression of joy and belonging. These early experiences remind me of how nurturing environments are essential to a child’s development, as they encourage exploration, creativity, and emotional security.
Preschool Pals: What was it like to transition from the education system in Peru to that in the United States? Did you have to learn English? How were your parents involved in this transition?
Fiorella: Transitioning from the education system in Peru to the United States was challenging, largely due to the language barrier. Until the age of 10, I had attended a German private school, where English wasn’t part of the curriculum, so entering an American public school without knowing the language was intimidating. I remember being placed in special language classes, called ESL (English as a Second Language), to help me learn English while keeping up with regular classes, all taught exclusively in English. That first year was tough; I struggled in many subjects—except math—because of the language gap.
Looking back, I do wish my parents could have supported me more during this transition. While I love them deeply and know they did their best, their busy work schedules meant they couldn’t dedicate as much time to helping with my studies. This early life transition showed me firsthand how vital parental involvement is in a child’s learning journey, especially when navigating such significant transitions.
Preschool Pals: When you moved to Singapore, what were your thoughts on the Singaporean education system and preschools? Were you interested in any particular curriculum or type of school for your children?
“... many of my friends’ children were expected to start writing by age three, and there was pressure for them to sit through long periods of instruction. I often felt isolated and even questioned myself for wanting play and nature to have a central role in my child’s early education.”
Fiorella: The structure of the system stood out to me immediately; there seemed to be an early emphasis on academic excellence with less space for exploration and creative growth. In researching, I came across countless forums where parents were intensely focused on academics, often discussing how even slight deviations from this rigorous approach might compromise their child’s future learning. It felt intimidating, especially as a first-time mother. I had hoped preschool would be a calm, nurturing space where children could learn through nature and exploration, preparing them gently for formal schooling at age six or seven. But I found a different reality: many of my friends’ children were expected to start writing by age three, and there was pressure for them to sit through long periods of instruction. I often felt isolated and even questioned myself for wanting play and nature to have a central role in my child’s early education.
Yes, I was particularly drawn to the Montessori method, as it echoed the style of learning I experienced in Peru. However, at the time, finding a true and caring Montessori school in a convenient location proved difficult. While I eventually found one, it was unfortunately too far away.
Preschool Pals: What steps did you take when you began your preschool search in Singapore? Were there any resources you found helpful during the process?
Fiorella: As a first-time mother, I initially lacked a clear framework for evaluating preschools. I assumed all schools would naturally provide a nurturing and supportive environment, but I quickly learned this was not universally the case. My initial approach was to explore options close to home, focusing on smaller, house-like kindergartens. However, after numerous visits, none seemed to align with the educational environment I envisioned, which drew heavily from my own childhood experience.
“... knowledgeable advice from someone with firsthand experience and satisfaction with their choices could have been invaluable. Such support could have streamlined my search, helping to avoid unnecessary changes and setbacks for my child ...”
Available resources were largely limited to Google reviews and Facebook parenting pages, where feedback was often subjective and inconsistent. While these were useful for general impressions, they fell short of providing the guidance I needed for such a significant decision. Reflecting on the experience, I realize that access to knowledgeable advice from someone with firsthand experience and satisfaction with their choices could have been invaluable. Such support could have streamlined my search, helping to avoid unnecessary changes and setbacks for my child during this critical developmental stage.
Preschool Pals: What inspired you to establish Preschool Pals Advisors? What support does Preschool Pals provide to parents navigating preschool options in Singapore?
Fiorella: As a parent of two children with special learning needs, I felt a strong motivation to create a supportive community for expat families seeking inclusive, nurturing environments where every child can thrive. Many families face significant challenges in finding preschools that align with their child's developmental and emotional needs. At Preschool Pals Advisors, our mission is to provide tailored guidance that helps families select preschools that prioritize safety, inclusivity, and positive development.
We offer customized consultations that focus on identifying the right environment for each child's unique strengths. Rather than expecting children to conform to rigid school expectations, we emphasize finding schools that actively support their growth. This is especially crucial in a competitive landscape like Singapore, where balancing developmental needs with societal pressures can be difficult.
“Preschool Pals helps parents navigate these diverse philosophies to find a school that aligns with their child’s needs and family values, ensuring both quality and inclusivity.”
Research highlights the varying approaches to early education globally: Asia often emphasizes early academic achievement, while Europe tends to prioritize play and socio-emotional growth. The U.S. is increasingly adopting blended approaches that incorporate both academic and social development. Preschool Pals helps parents navigate these diverse philosophies to find a school that aligns with their child's needs and family values, ensuring both quality and inclusivity.
Ultimately, we're a resource I wished existed when I began this journey, empowering every parent to secure a fulfilling educational experience for their child at a sensible cost. By fostering a community of informed and supported families, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to flourish in their early years.
If Fiorella’s story resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us by filling out our contact form in either English or Español. In addition to our blog The Preschool Scoop, we offer a range of bilingual services in both English and Español to help expat parents navigate the preschool search process—from personalized research and school visits to one-on-one consultations and follow-up support. For those who prefer a more independent approach, we also offer digital downloads, including The Preschool Insider—a one-stop guide to navigating preschools in Singapore. Updated annually, The Preschool Insider provides the clear, practical framework that Fiorella herself sought when evaluating preschools for her children.
