First Steps Preschool @ Depot Road
108 Depot RdFirst Steps Preschool @ Depot Road is one of the longest running preschool brands around. With a core group of educators and stakeholders that has remained largely unchanged for close to 20 years, it is one of the pioneers in early childhood development in Singapore.
Previously under the brand of Zion Kids and Zion Babies, the school is located at Depot Heights Shopping Centre. Serving a majority of modern, young parents staying or working near Mapletree Business Park, Alexandra, Bt Merah and the sprawling Interlace development nearby, the school is very much set up to ensure parents get convenient dropoff and pickup times regardless of their hectic schedules.
As a keen believer in innovation and an innovative mindset, the curriculum at First Steps Preschool @ Depot Road hones a child’s creativity and problem solving skills from a young age to prepare them for an ever-changing, globalised landscape of the 21st century.
Preschool Life at Depot Road
The principal of First Steps Preschool @ Depot Road is Ms Connie, who has been with the school since she was an assistant teacher and risen through the ranks over the last 15 years. Alongside her are a closely-knit group of experienced teachers and staff, most of who have been with the team for more than a decade.
Testimonial
Thank you for your years of love and patience towards my two beloved children Benjamin and Cara. When I had Benjamin and trusted Zion Babies in 2014 to take care of him, I was expecting the school to just feed and make sure he is comfortable. I was so impressed when I realized that the teachers taught him not just ABCs but also inculcate in him Godly values that shapes his inner man. Nursery and Kindergarten further builds his character. Today Benjamin is in Primary 1 and I am always grateful for the wonderful kingdom friends and loving teachers who supported and encouraged him since he was 3 months old. So naturally when Cara was born, we placed her at First Steps Preschool @ Depot Road infant care too. Today she is in Nursery 2. Compared to Benjamin, Cara is more reserved and require more encouragement before she would step out of her comfort zone. Again thank God for placing superb teachers around, loving and tenderly bringing Cara to become the courageous and sunshine she is today. Now Cara would teach me new songs every week and many are mandarin worship songs that we now love and would sing together everyday. Thank you Teachers for always being there for the children, building a safe and secure environment for learning and playing and shining God’s Word as a lamp for their path. With much gratefulness, HweeHian , Jonathan, Benjamin and Cara 24 Oct 2021
Three of my kids Hailey, Bryan and Sarah have attended First Steps Preschool @ Depot Road childcare/infant care since they are 2 years old/3monthd old. My experience here has been very joyful and rewarding over the past 7 years. The teachers and principals are very caring and friendly and make me have a peace of mind. Thank you very much for all the wonderful teachers, principals and aunties in First Steps Preschool @ Depot Road.
Both my kids have been with the Centre since 3 months old. The Teachers there are awesome! Caring, attentive, responsible and inspiring. The curriculum set out is advanced but not stressful. The Centre is filled with so much love, fun and educational activities and such a nurturing environment. My kids look forward to going to school every day, with fun and knowledge fulfilling their days. Every time I dropped them off at the Centre, I know they will be well taken care of for the day. They always tell me about their day-at-school, how enriching the lessons/activities have been and how yummy were the in-house meals cooked by amazing Aunty!! I am so glad to have found this Centre and can’t thank enough for all that were given to my 2 preciouses. Thank you for being such a magnificent Centre and we were all blessed to have you.
We were very glad and appreciative of how Zion Babies and Kids helped us in caring for our children. Our eldest child, Lukas, was enrolled at just 2.5 months old. During then we were facing challenges as first time parents where he had reflux and would vomit frequently. The teachers taught us on how to better manage him with the techniques on feeding and burping. As Lukas grew up, besides imparting knowledge to him like Math, English and Chinese, the teachers were very caring and worked closely with us to help develop his social skills in the classroom. Lukas loved the activities, his friends and teachers at the school and learned a lot that helped him cope at primary school. Similarly, we entrusted his younger brother Dylan with Zion Babies and Kids at 2 months old and he has grown up as active and happy as Lukas. Lukas When I was there, I had a great time. The teachers were caring and they made the activities fun. I learned my basic Math, English and Chinese at Zion Kids. The teachers taught me how to buy my food on my own and that helped me when I went to Primary 1. The food at Zion Kids was delicious. Dylan Teachers put in effort to teach the children. I feel happy when I play with my friends in school.
Our son Luke have been with First Step since he was four months old. The teachers and staffs are friendly, jovial and always attend to our question and concerns with genuine care and attention. They are sincere and cares a lot for their students. There were times when our son was sick and unable to attend to school, they will always call to check on him. Luke who is 2 years old now will always share new things with us whenever he comes back from school. We could see that he really enjoys himself in school. Overall it is very assuring to send our son to First Steps Preschool. We will recommend them to anyone whenever possible and always highlight the safe and supportive environment and the sincerity & warmth extended by all the teachers and staff.
Isabelle has been with the school since she was 3 months old. The teachers and support staff are loving and caring. She looked forward to learning new things and to playing with her friends in school each day.
Our journey with the school started back in 2018 when my elder son was enrolled at 8 months and we have never looked back. The school has always been a haven for our boys to grow and learn. It is apparent that the teachers genuinely care for the children – when they were first enrolled as infants, the teachers took great care to understand their habits and routines and when they grew older, they put in the same effort to cultivate their individuality. The curriculum is also designed in a way that is fun and enriching. We love the weekly updates and feel extremely grateful that our boys are in the safe hands of the teachers while we work.
Our First Steps Preschool @ Depot Road is like a second home for our four children who started infant care around 3 months old. Knowing our children are receiving tender loving care in a cosy and secure environment left us feeling assured. The holistic curriculum encompasses knowledge learning, character building and development of social and emotional skills. When our children look forward to school every day and come home with happy faces and wonderful stories to share, there is nothing more we can ask for! We are very grateful to the management and dedicated teachers not only in terms of academics but more importantly sowing the right values into their lives.
My elder daughter Leanne has been with First Steps Preschool @ Depot Road (formerly known as Zion Kids ) for 5.5 years now and has had a marvellous preschool experience so far. We started her at Infant care at 4 months old. I thought it would have been tough for her without having her mummy for a good 8-9 hours every weekday . The school told me not to worry but assured me they would get her into a routine comprising of a good mix of playtime , nap time + meals. Surprisely, Leanne acclimatised to the new environment without difficulty with her teachers. They were very affectionate and attentive towards Leanne and over time, Leanne took on to the teachers as though they were her family members. I was particularly appreciative of the school’s support on feeding breastmilk. Because of this , I did not stop breastfeeding and made sure I delivered a fresh stash everyday . The school will report any rashes , any ailments or any unusual behaviour to me in a timely manner. They will constantly update parents on WhatsApp chat groups as well on any school happenings. They take extra care to recognise all of Leanne’s caregivers including her grandparents both maternal and paternal. First Steps gave me the confidence to send my 2nd child , Zevan to toddler class in the midst of Covid period as I trusted the school will be vigilant to handle the situation. I also liked Zion’s curriculum which not only teaches the kids on book knowledge but also on values . “ Do your best till the job is done” is something she picked up recently. These are things which the kids will come back and share with me. They definitely enjoy the companionship of their Teachers and friends and school will be one thing which they look forward to, everyday.
