Choosing a preschool is one of the first big decisions you will make for your child, and it is about far more than a convenient location or a familiar name. What matters most is the kind of thinker, communicator and person your child becomes during these formative early years. At Pegasus International Preschool in Novena, we believe every child is born curious and capable — and our inquiry-based, Reggio Emilia–inspired approach is designed to keep that curiosity alive.
What inquiry-based learning actually means
Inquiry-based learning is a child-led approach in which children learn by asking questions, exploring real materials and making sense of the world through hands-on experience. Rather than memorising facts from a worksheet, children are guided to observe, wonder, experiment and reflect. A puddle in the garden becomes a lesson about water; a pile of loose parts becomes an engineering challenge; a single story can spark a week-long investigation.
This is very different from rote learning, where children copy, repeat and complete drills to arrive at one “correct” answer. Worksheets have their place, but on their own they teach children what to think rather than how to think. Inquiry flips this around: your child learns to form a question, test an idea and revise their thinking — the very skills that underpin reading, mathematics and science later on.
How inquiry comes to life at Pegasus
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, we treat the environment as a “third teacher.” Every corner of our school is set up to invite exploration — light tables, natural and recycled materials, an art atelier and quiet spaces for reflection. Our teachers offer carefully prepared provocations — an intriguing object, an image or an open question — that tempt children to investigate.
Much of this unfolds through project work. When a group of children becomes fascinated by insects, shadows or their own neighbourhood, teachers follow that interest and help it grow into a deeper, sustained investigation over days or weeks. Along the way we practise documentation: we photograph, transcribe and display children’s words and creations so that learning is made visible. Children revisit their own ideas, parents see the thinking behind the play, and teachers plan the next meaningful step. You can read more about how this shapes our curriculum.
What your child gains
Because children help drive their own learning, they develop a genuine love of discovery rather than a fear of getting things wrong. The benefits are wide-ranging:
- Curiosity: children learn to ask good questions and stay motivated to find answers.
- Confidence: when a child’s ideas are taken seriously, they learn to trust their own voice.
- Language: discussion, storytelling and negotiation build rich vocabulary and communication.
- Critical thinking: comparing, predicting and problem-solving become everyday habits.
These are exactly the capabilities that help children thrive in primary school and well beyond.
Trilingual learning, small classes and social-emotional growth
At Pegasus, inquiry is woven through a genuinely trilingual environment — English, Chinese and Japanese — so language grows naturally out of real experiences and relationships rather than flashcards. Our small classes and low teacher-to-child ratios mean educators can truly listen to each child, notice what sparks their interest and respond to it. Social and emotional learning is central too: as children explore together, they practise sharing, empathy, patience and collaboration. Whether your child is just beginning in Smart Toddlers, finding their feet in Nursery, or preparing for primary school in Kindergarten, the inquiry approach grows with them.
Choosing the right inquiry-based preschool in Singapore
When you visit any preschool, look beyond the brochure. Notice whether the space invites curiosity, whether children seem engaged and joyful, and whether teachers ask questions rather than simply give answers. Ask how learning is documented and how families are welcomed into the journey. Conveniently located in Novena, directly opposite KK Hospital, Pegasus welcomes children aged 18 months to 6 years — see why families across the city choose a preschool in central Singapore that puts thinking first.
Interested in seeing how Pegasus International Preschool supports your child’s learning journey? Book a school tour or contact our enrolment team to learn more.
