Finding homeschool groups and co-ops in Singapore

Most homeschooling families mix and match:

• Meetups and outings. Informal get-togethers in parks, playgrounds or nature spots, and group trips. Usually free or low cost.
• Co-ops. Families share the work of running lessons or activities, with parents taking turns to lead sessions in a subject or skill they know well.
• Classes and enrichment. Paid sessions run by tutors, enrichment centres or community organisations, sometimes arranged as a group for homeschoolers.
• Online communities. Facebook and messaging groups are where much of Singapore's homeschooling community organises meetups, swaps resources and shares news.
• Faith-based and secular groups. Some groups are organised around a shared faith; others are secular and open to everyone. Some focus on a stage, such as teens preparing for national examinations, or on families of children with special educational needs.

There is no government-run homeschool association in Singapore. Families mostly connect through community-run groups and online forums.

• Homeschool Singapore. A community platform for Singapore's homeschooling families that began in 2013 and is now run by a team of volunteers. Its website shares families' stories, resources and news of community events.
• Community events. Parent volunteers have organised events such as a homeschool sports day, which ran from 2010 to 2019. Check the Homeschool Singapore website and community groups for what's running now.
• Smaller groups. Many co-ops, nature groups and teen groups are run by individual parents and are found mainly through word of mouth and messaging groups.

Joining a group is optional. If your child is a Singapore Citizen of compulsory school age, homeschooling needs an exemption from the Ministry of Education (MOE), and no group can arrange that for you.

• Start online. Search social media for "homeschool Singapore" and look through the Homeschool Singapore website for community news.
• Ask other families. One contact usually leads to several groups and co-ops.
• Look for interest-based groups. If your child loves nature, art, sport or public speaking, a group built around that interest can be a good first step.
• Check before you share. Find out who runs a group and read its rules before sharing personal details or photos of your children.

Try a few groups. It can take a little time to find families whose approach and children's ages match yours.

Public facilities are easy meeting points, and many run programmes that suit homeschooled children:

• Public libraries. The National Library Board (NLB) runs programmes for children and teens, including storytelling, workshops and holiday activities. Libraries are also a handy place for homeschool families to meet.
• Museums. The National Heritage Board publishes family resources such as activity sheets, and the Children's Museum Singapore runs family activities and events. Many museums take part in Children's Season during the mid-year school holidays.
• Community clubs. The People's Association's onePA portal lists courses and interest groups at community clubs, including some for children, such as art and music. Daytime classes may suit homeschoolers.
• Youth organisations. Children who aren't in a school unit can still take part. The Singapore Scout Association can help match young people to a Scout group, and Girl Guides Singapore runs a Community Guiding programme for girls outside school units.

If nothing nearby suits you, a small co-op can be simple to start:

• Start small. Three to five families is enough to begin.
• Agree the purpose. Social, academic or a mix, which ages, and how often you'll meet.
• Find a venue. Parks, libraries, community club rooms, void decks and members' homes are common choices. Check each venue's booking rules.
• Write a few ground rules. Cover supervision, cost-sharing, decision-making, photos and privacy, and how to raise concerns.
• Keep a record of learning. MOE asks parents of exempted children to submit an annual progress report, so note what your child covers in a co-op alongside your other learning records.

When adults teach or supervise other people's children, a few simple habits help everyone feel safe:

• Parents stay responsible for their own children. Many groups ask each parent to stay and supervise their own children.
• Avoid one adult alone with a child who isn't their own, and meet in open, visible spaces.
• Ask paid tutors and providers about their safeguarding practices and how they handle concerns.
• Agree on photos and social media, and on how to raise a concern.

Established organisations set their own requirements for adults. For example, the Singapore Scout Association requires all adult volunteers to complete its Safe from Harm course before volunteering.