Australian International School Early Years is the early childhood arm of AIS in Singapore, housed in a purpose built Early Learning Village that takes children from infant care at two months through to the start of primary at six. It is one of the more comprehensive early years operations in the city, covering nursery, pre kindergarten and kindergarten under one roof and feeding directly into the main school. The approach is play based and inquiry led, drawing on the early framework of the IB Primary Years Programme.
Australian International School Early Years at a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | Play based early years curriculum and the foundations of the IB Primary Years Programme (no external exams at this stage) |
| Stages | Infant care to Kindergarten (ages 2 months to 6) |
| Founded | 1993 (AIS); Early Learning Village developed as the dedicated early years home |
| Accreditation | Part of an IB World School; early years settings licensed under Singapore regulation |
| Fee band | Lower than the upper school, rising with age and hours |
| Campus area | Early Learning Village, 1 Lorong Chuan |
Early years programme
The Early Learning Village is built specifically for young children rather than being a corner of a larger school, with age appropriate classrooms, outdoor play and dedicated infant and toddler care. Learning is play based and centred on language, early numeracy, motor skills and social development. From around age three the programme moves into the early stages of the IB Primary Years Programme, an inquiry led framework that carries through into the AIS primary school, so children who start here continue without changing system.
Small class sizes and a high adult to child ratio are central to early years provision at this level, and the village model means specialist spaces for music, art and movement are part of daily life rather than occasional visits. Because this stage has no external examinations, parents should judge it on environment, staff continuity and the strength of the transition into primary rather than on results.
Budgeting the full cost of a place?
Our fee calculator adds registration, deposits, capital levies and transport to the headline tuition so you see the real annual cost before you apply.
Australian International School Early Years fees
Early years fees at AIS are lower than tuition higher up the school and vary with the child's age and whether you choose half day or full day hours. They sit below the headline figures in our Singapore international school fees guide, which tracks the wider market by tier. Infant and toddler care is priced separately from kindergarten, so ask for the schedule that matches your child's exact age and session length.
Beyond tuition, budget for a registration or enrolment fee, a refundable deposit and any extras such as meals, nap provision for the youngest, and transport. Use our fee calculator to add these line items to the headline tuition and see the real annual cost before you apply.
Admissions
Early years admissions are more flexible than the upper school because demand for infant and toddler places turns over through the year. The main academic intake aligns with the August start, but rolling entry is common at this stage where a place exists. Families relocating to Singapore often secure an early years place first and then move siblings into primary and secondary at AIS.
There is no academic assessment for the youngest children. Admission is based on an application, a settling conversation and availability in the relevant age group, with priority often given to siblings of current students.
Location and who goes there
The Early Learning Village is part of the AIS campus at 1 Lorong Chuan, served by Lorong Chuan station on the Circle Line, which makes drop off manageable for working parents across the central and north east of the island. It draws a mix of nationalities, with many families choosing it for the certainty of a single school from infant care all the way to Year 12.
If you are comparing early years options across the city, the Singapore city hub sets out the wider nursery and preschool landscape alongside the larger international schools.
Australian International School Early Years reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for Australian International School Early Years. GlobalSchoolGuide is an independent guide and no school pays to be listed, so we publish a rating only once we have collected enough verified first hand accounts to be fair to both the school and to families reading them. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
If your family has attended the school we would value your account of admissions, teaching, pastoral care and value for money. Share it through our school reviews hub and we will add verified contributions to this page.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Australian International School Early Years fees?
Early years tuition is lower than the upper school and depends on the child's age and whether you choose half or full day hours. Infant and toddler care is priced separately from kindergarten, so request the schedule for your child's exact age and add registration and deposit costs.
What ages does Australian International School Early Years take?
The Early Learning Village takes children from infant care at two months through nursery and pre kindergarten to kindergarten at age six, after which they move into the AIS primary school.
What curriculum is used in the early years at AIS?
The early years are play based, moving into the foundations of the IB Primary Years Programme from around age three, which then continues into the AIS primary school without a change of system.
When can my child start at the Early Learning Village?
The main intake is in August, but early years places turn over through the year, so rolling entry is often possible where a place exists in the relevant age group.
Is there an assessment for early years entry?
There is no academic assessment for the youngest children. Entry is based on an application, a settling conversation and availability, with sibling priority commonly applied.
