Early childhood programmes cannot be "luxury" goods

Pre-school programmes could become a "luxury good problem" with parents believing that pricier options are better, said Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing.

Speaking on Friday morning at a childcare seminar, Mr Chan noted that some parents may not be aware of "objective benchmarks" to evaluate a preschool programme's quality.

"If we are not careful, price may inadvertently become a signal for quality," he said.

He also launched a continuing professional development framework for childcare professionals, which gives teachers pathways to update their professional skills and knowledge.