Nursery 1 at Hess
A nurturing start to early education — purposeful play meets first academic foundations.
typical teacher–child ratio in Nursery 1
Designed for children in the year they turn 3
For children aged three, our Nursery 1 programme establishes the strong foundations needed for future learning — in an environment where curiosity leads and every child is known.
Our teachers guide each child with care, helping them discover their potential at their own pace through a balanced combination of purposeful play and age-appropriate academics.
Multi-sensory STEAM discovery sessions, creative arts, music, and dramatic play extend learning beyond the core curriculum. Throughout the day, children communicate in both English and Mandarin — strengthening bilingual skills in a natural, interactive way.
Core learning areas
Every learning area supports holistic development while keeping children engaged, curious, and joyfully busy.
Phonics & Language
Sound awareness develops through nursery rhymes, action songs, and playful language games — the building blocks of early reading.
Numeracy Foundations
Early mathematical understanding grows through our Concrete–Pictorial–Abstract (CPA) approach, exploring numbers, shapes, and patterns with real objects.
Bilingual Library
A curated English and Chinese book collection fosters a genuine love for reading, with daily interactive story sessions in both languages.
Project-Based Learning
Engaging thematic projects invite children to investigate real-world topics — building curiosity, critical thinking, and teamwork from the very start.
A day in the life of a Nursery 1 child
Each day blends the comfort of familiar routines with plenty of space to explore, play, and learn. Activities may vary by day.
Nursery 1 — frequently asked questions
If you don't find what you're looking for, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Nursery 1 is for children in Singapore who turn 3 years old in the calendar year.
Our Pre-Nursery, also referred to as Playgroup, is for children ages 18-30 months and focuses primarily on early social development, sensory exploration, and strengthening fine and gross motor skills. At this stage, children are still adapting to group settings, learning to follow simple routines, and developing independence through play-based experiences.
Nursery 1, on the other hand, is for children turning 3 years old in the calendar year and introduces more structured, purposeful activities that lay the foundation for academic readiness. Children engage in hands-on experiences that build early literacy, numeracy, bilingual communication, and problem-solving skills, all while continuing to learn through play.
Yes. Our Nursery 1 curriculum includes daily English and Mandarin exposure, where children learn through stories, conversations, songs, and hands-on inquiry in both languages.
Parents can contact the school, book a tour, or visit our admissions page to register for our N1 programme. Early enrolment is recommended due to limited class sizes.
Browse our other programmes
Playgroup
First friendships, first routines, first discoveries — a gentle, joyful start to school life.
Nursery 2
Curiosity deepens — structured learning that still feels like play.
Kindergarten 1
Confident, capable, thoughtful learners — strong foundations for Primary School.
Kindergarten 2
The capstone year — independence, mastery, and a confident leap into Primary 1.
See Nursery 1 in action
The best way to feel the Hess difference is to see it. Book a personalised school tour and visit a classroom in session.