In Singapore, young children attend preschools—either child care centers or kindergartens—prior to entering primary school at the beginning of the year in which they reach 7 years of age. Child care centers provide half- or full-day care and education programs for young children between 2-1/2 and 6 years old. Kindergartens offer 3- to 4-hour preschool educational programs for children between the ages of 4 and 6 years. Kindergartens are registered with the Singapore Ministry of Education and are run by the private sector, including community foundations, religious bodies, social organizations, and business organizations. The daily program of kindergartens includes learning activities that develop language and literacy skills, basic number concepts, simple science concepts, social skills, creative and problem-solving skills, appreciation of music and movement, and outdoor play. Children learn in two languages—English as the first language and Chinese, Malay, or Tamil as a mother tongu