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

I am concerned that many small private pre-schools are increasingly being squeezed out of the market as operating costs rise.

These operators play an important role in adding diversity to Singapore’s early childhood landscape, often offering niche programmes anchored in nature, the arts or play-based learning, as well as intimate environments that larger centres may not replicate. This diversity serves families with different needs and preferences, and should be preserved.

But smaller private pre-schools often find themselves at a structural disadvantage. They must keep fees affordable while absorbing rising teacher salaries, higher rentals, and curriculum costs. Without the economies of scale enjoyed by larger operators, their financial resilience is far weaker. Many hesitate to raise fees so as not to burden parents, but doing so threatens their viability.

The situation faced by Pre-School By-The-Park @ Li Hwan in Lorong Chuan illustrates this challenge vividly. The centre, which has served the community for 17 years, is at risk of closure due to low enrolment despite strong parental support. Parents have started their own campaign to help the school, taking on tasks such as social media outreach, flier distribution and building a website.

If more small operators are forced to close, families may find their choices narrowing, and Singapore’s pre-school sector may become more homogenised.

I hope the Government can consider extending more support to small operators who meet defined quality and outcome-based criteria. Tiered subsidies, rental grants or performance-linked funding tied to child development outcomes, staff retention or parent satisfaction could help level the playing field.

This would ensure accountability and quality, while giving smaller operators a fair chance to remain sustainable.

Josephine Lim Teo Hwee