Forum: Diversity of pre-schools caters to parents’ preferences and needs

We thank Ms Josephine Lim Teo Hwee for her letter “

Small private pre-schools add diversity to early childhood landscape here

” (Nov 25). 

We recognise that parents appreciate having diversity and choice of pre-school programmes and pedagogical approaches for their children. We are also committed to ensuring quality pre-school education is easily accessible. Today, there are enough full-day places to cater to every resident child aged three and above. Besides smaller, private pre-schools offering niche programmes that meet specific preferences and needs of parents, parents can also choose from a range of pre-school programmes available across pre-schools run by social service agencies as well as private pre-schools that operate under the anchor operator (AOP) and partner operator (POP) schemes. 

In recent years, we have expanded government funding to more pre-schools that meet the criteria and requirements of the schemes to keep fees affordable for parents. Today, 80 per cent of pre-schoolers are able to enrol in government-supported pre-schools. To maintain high standards of quality in AOPs and POPs, a rigorous selection process is in place, which considers factors such as the pre-school’s track record in providing quality childcare services, financial sustainability, accessibility and demand. Only pre-schools that meet these requirements are appointed to the schemes. 

Pre-schools that did not qualify for the AOP or POP schemes can continue to benefit from the Early Childhood and Development Agency’s other sector-wide initiatives. For example, through the Professional Development Programme and grants, pre-schools are supported to upskill their educators, and to improve productivity through technology solutions. These initiatives and resources on quality enhancement in the early childhood sector are available to all operators.

Agnes Lim 
Director, Family and Early Childhood Division 
Ministry of Social and Family Development