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Start your child on a journey of discovery, growth, and endless possibilities at The Learning Caravan.
I am a mum of 5. Our smallest 2 have attended play club from 18 months onwards. The Learning Caravan is the working mum's dream of a play based space for their children to learn and grow. Alyna who owns the school is amazing. She is child centered, the curriculum is interesting and enriching, the space is clean and welcoming.. I can't think of enough good things to say! My children love going to school and learn so much. I pop by sometimes to spend time with them in the space and I am always welcomed. I really appreciate the time I get to bond with them at The Learning Caravan, it charges my weary mum batteries and helps me pick up on their interests and learning at home! Keep up the good work Alyna and team!
Farhan Alami
My 6 yo child loves this place and she has been visiting it since it first opened. It is a dynamic, welcoming and safe space for the children to explore and get lost into their little worlds of fantasies they create. The space is refreshed on a regular basis so parents do not have to worry about their children getting bored even with frequent visits. As an educator myself, I am really impressed by the quality of the facilitation, materials/manipulatives and environment. I am inspired by how Alyna, the founder and chief facilitator, is always so gentle, warm, respectful and attentive to how the children interact and engage with each other and the space. I love that Alyna doesn't intrude nor impose her own ideas or interpretations of the children's work (yes, play is the work of the children). Yet, she listens and attends well enough to them that she is able to not only accompany them on their imagineering journeys but she also helps them deepen and expand their explorations. Alyna also welcomes and embraces neurodivergent children. On our most recent visit, we brought a little friend who was neurodivergent and with emergent verbal skills. It was his first time there but he had so much fun! Alyna was so skillful in engaging him and in helping the other children include him in the play. It was truly an inclusive experience that is so precious and rare in our society. I highly recommend this place to all parents looking for meaningful activities to help develop their children's unique sense of creative and critical thinking as well as the important social-emotional literacy skills.
Sarah Lee-Wong
It’s a really wonderful place located near Farrer Park Mrt which fills the gap between playtime at home and fully structured preschool activities. We are really happy that we found this place for my 2,5 years old to integrate into activities outside of home.
Marta Magdalena
There are very few play spaces in Singapore where children are allowed to be themselves, to make some mess and to represent their ideas/thoughts through different available materials. My 3-year-old loves using the open ended and recycled materials to build things and my 7-year-old loves doing pretend play, dough play and inventing anything with loose parts and a glue gun. The only place in town where they can sit engrossed for 4 hours straight and are still reluctant to go home after despite being hungry!
Mariana Silahuddin
Bringing my boy to join the Sensory Play sessions at Tinker Yard is one of the best decisions I've made. Through the process, I've realized how important it is for our kids to engage in child-directed play and messy play, and how learning naturally takes places in the process. Alyna has also been very generous with ideas on how we can prepare some of the sensory play materials in our own homes, such as how to make homemade playdough and so on. I also enjoy the chats we've had during the play sessions on the pros/cons of various approaches to educating kids, how to prepare my child for preschool, how to train my child to sleep independently, and so on.
Jing Rui
My children enjoy the variety of loose play items available at The Tinker Yard. It takes a bit of self-control on my part not to tell them what to do all the time. But it's heartening to know that they are still learning, because they are asking questions and verbalizing their predictions and thought processes. Let's get messy!
Denise Yong
TLC Hub was our perfect choice to hold Elliott’s 3rd birthday party. We usually hold home parties but this time we wanted to offer Elliott’s cousins creative play at the party instead. TLC Hub felt like home. The space has a welcoming warmth to children and their families. Parents could also play with their child/children supporting greater connection. We would highly recommend you to consider holding your child’s birthday party there. TLC Hub also supports children’s development through the wonderful world of PLAY - where every child is given the autonomy to become independent, creative and confident individuals. We are so happy that TLC Hub is here and we want to support TLC Hub so that they will stay forever! Elliott LOVES his PlayClub sessions there.
Debbie Woodford
TLC Hub is truly a gem for families and children! I’ve been here several times now and it always feels so calm, warm, and relaxing to step into a space that has been set up for children to safely and freely explore. It’s amazing how one space is able to provide so many different types of experiences! From sensory/messy play to dramatic play and open-ended play! There’s always so much to do and so much to learn. Teacher Alyna is also a wonderful, nurturing, and patient facilitator, who has been just nothing short of amazing with my child! I watched in awe as she made every child in the space feel welcomed and heard whenever they engaged with her. When it was time to leave, my child almost didn’t want to go! But Teacher Alyna handled the situation calmly and respectfully - she never once made us feel rushed. Thank you, TLC Hub and Teacher Alyna for this dedicated space where children can grow and flourish as they play! :)
Joy Ho
My 3 kids were immediately attracted by the interesting set up at TLC hub. Most of the play objects are open ended. I really like how the recyclable loose parts available for children to explore and create. I left two elder kids there to play while I went to run errands. The kids are so lucky to have Alyna, an early childhood expert, there to support and guide them when needed. I wish there are more this quality drop off play sessions available for the families :)
Loh Wann Joan
I really appreciate the efforts in creating this lovely space for children to explore and discover. Other than messy play, there are plenty of naturally made/sourced objects for children to create with. Definitely a great break from the usual battery-operated and over stimulating toys! Taking time for self-directed play is so important for young children especially those living in the city. Looking forward to more time time spent at The Tinker Yard!"
Valerie Lionnet
My 28-month old son loves going to The Tinker Yard! He’s been going since he was 16 months old. I love seeing the curiosity on his face as he figures out what to make and the awe when he accomplishes what he wanted. It may look simple to adults, but to him, the possibilities are endless! I could most definitely see the benefits of child-led open-ended play. He is more confident and calmer. I do notice that when we go to a typical parent and child play class where there’s a set time for each activity then it’s time to put away stuff and get on the next activity, a lot of kids get overwhelmed and weren’t done exploring yet. I notice quite a few tantrums. However, when you go to The Tinker Yard, the kids are playing quietly and everyone, including little ones are treated with respect. I love how Alyna facilitates and very willingly share tips. I highly recommend The Tinker Yard!
Sophia Cruz-Klopp
For the longest time, I was searching for an activity class for my 2.5-year-old in the East. The Tinker Yard and my daughter loves it. It provides a calm and relaxing environment and encourages uninterrupted play which I love. I feel like it has helped my daughter benefit from the small group setting and the gentle approach Alyna uses to work with the children. It has helped her with language development and social skills and encouraged a lot of creativeness. And it's fun!!! Highly recommend!
Leandi Viljoen
Really wonderful creative playspace for children. Entirely child led setting with many provocations set up encompassing a wide range of sense and skills. Tiger has had a wonderful morning playing with paints, cornflour, glue, playdoh and making his own self portrait! Thank you!
Sinéad Denton
Fun is another name of the Free and Messy play! My 5yo has the freedom to choose what interests her and Alyna, the facilitator easily 'plays' along, drawing out the creativity from my girl. I love the conversations Alyna had with my girl during the play. So much vocabulary words my 5yo picked up during the play. Ok, it's supposed to be fun play with no academic agenda, but the play is so meaningful that the child is learning through the play!
Karen Ten
The Tinker Yard is not a place where children go there merely for activities such as arts and crafts, sensory play etc that was organized by every other child focused groups. The value add of The Tinker Yard lies in the process and the thoughtfully organized environment in how and where these activities are carried out. Throughout the process, Alyna does not provide only the basic supervision role. Instead, she encourages children to observe, question, explore and create through self-discovery. Different themes, materials and activities are always made available every week in the space where my children attend The Tinker Yard. Alyna clearly puts in a lot of effort and time to ensure that the children attending will be exposed to learning in an optimal environment. This is versus the passive teaching methods found in mainstream schools. If you want your children to maintain their curiosity in learning and be engaged at a meaningful level, The Tinker Yard is the place to be.
Angeline Zenilegna
A beautiful place where you are free to express yourself whether you are a child or an adult. No tests/ exams and no expectations on children to perform to a certain standard. Through the use of natural or recycled materials with simple art materials, you can freely create according to your imagination and creativity under the guidance of the teacher. There is no right or wrong, no judgment but full appreciation of the process art you had made. We get to engage our senses while creating our creations. It is exciting and interesting for my children. Singapore needs more places like this where every child can be accepted for who they are and where they are at regardless of age groups or abilities.
Xin Hua
Great one-of-a-kind place with lots of open-ended materials that encourage creativity in kids. Also ideal for parents looking for a gentle, child-led and respectful learning environment for both preschoolers and lower primary school kids alike. Teacher Alyna is experienced in how kids learn and my kids look forward to coming!
Kai Yun
My child and I had a wonderful time here. The space was set up in a way that play came very easily, children and grown-ups could play side by side or together, move from one place to another, and interact peacefully and respectfully. The way the session was facilitated by Alyna felt very intentional and thoughtful. My child seemed to feel very safe and confident, and seemed to carry that along when we left.
Bernice Lee