About Us
Grounded in Research,
Guided with Heart
We combine evidence-based teaching with a caring approach, nurturing children’s minds and hearts so they grow up confident, curious, and compassionate.
Who We Are
At Character Montessori, expertise meets heart.
Our founder, Grace Yong, builds on her advanced research in education during her PHD course work at NIE, ensuring our programmes are grounded in evidence and care.
Leading our Jurong centre, Petrina Lai brings over a decade of global early childhood experiences.
Together, they set a rare standard in early childhood education: Leaders with deep academic expertise and lived parenting experience, dedicated to giving children the strongest foundation in life.
Dedicated Experts
Our Leaders
Grace Yong
Founder
Character Montessori
Where research meets heart in Early Childhood Education
Two decades ago, as a young mother raising her first sons, she dreamed of a place where children could learn in a way that was both joyful and deeply rooted in what research tells us about early development. Armed with a Master’s in Education, that dream became Character Montessori.
Now a proud mother of four adult sons, she knows exactly what it’s like to juggle the daily demands of parenting while wanting the very best for your child. Her personal journey fuels her professional mission: to give every child the strong foundation they deserve.
Her commitment to excellence goes beyond the classroom. She develops practical, evidence-based training for preschool educators, ensuring that every teacher at Character Montessori is equipped to inspire and nurture with confidence.
Families know her not only as the school’s founder but as a warm, approachable partner in their children’s growth. She believes in walking alongside parents, building trust, and planting the seeds of curiosity and love for learning that will last a lifetime.
Petrina Lai
Principal
Character Montessori Jurong
Our Principal, Petrina Lai joins CMJ with over a decade of experience in the early childhood sector and holds five professional early childhood qualifications, including a Master’s in Education, a Bachelor’s in Teaching, and a Specialist Diploma in Leadership.
Her extensive background spans teaching, mentoring, educational research, lecturing, research supervision, and curriculum development. She has worked with children and mentored teachers across Singapore, Australia, Shanghai, and Taiwan.
After exploring and immersing herself in top approaches like Reggio Emilia, Inquiry-Based Learning, and the International Baccalaureate framework, Petrina returned to Singapore with a fresh perspective. She believed that Montessori, deeply rooted in research on children’s learning, allows children to explore and understand challenging concepts in a stress-free, joyful environment, all while preserving a strong academic foundation.
Petrina is passionate about fostering a nurturing environment where children can thrive through a research-based, holistic curriculum that nurtures both heart and mind.
Get In Touch With Us
Call Us Anytime
(+65) 8400 5085
Address
18 Boon Lay Way, #01-131 Tradehub 21, Singapore 609966
Centre Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM