MONITORING IN PLACE FOR CHILD CARE CENTRES

I refer to the letter dated 19 February 2009, “Beef up monitoring of child

care centres” by Mr Kuan Weng Chi. Mr Kuan feels more should be done to
ensure the delivery of quality pre-school education.

2 We agree that the provision of quality pre-school programmes is

important. Instead of prescribing specific curriculum, we seek to provide, through
our licensing requirements and the Ministry of Education (MOE)’s “Nurturing
Early Learners” framework, directions on the desired outcomes of pre-school
education, and how these can be translated into quality learning activities. This
allows for diversity in the teaching methods and development approaches, to
cater to the needs of different children. Parents can then select a service that
best meets their preferences and expectations.

3 Minimum standards are ensured through our licensing system, which

covers all aspects of child care provisions such as the physical environment,
safety, health, hygiene, nutrition, staffing and programmes. The Ministry of
Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) requires each child care
centre to develop its own philosophy of care for children, and a set of
developmentally-appropriate practices in the areas of pedagogy and curriculum.
Centres are also required to employ qualified teachers to implement the
programmes. Recently, we have further raised the minimum requirements for
pre-school teachers.

4 MCYS also conducts unannounced visits regularly to centres to ensure

compliance with licensing requirements, and that quality and care standards are
maintained.

5 Our multi-pronged approach aims to bring about better quality of pre-

school education. But there is always scope for improvement, and we review our
approaches on a regular basis. In doing so, we will take Mr Kuan’s feedback into
consideration.

Lee Kim Hua

Director
Family Services Division
Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports
Beef up monitoring of childcare centres

I REFER to last Thursday's report, "Fast-track course for kindergarten teachers".

It is good to raise the standard of preschool teachers so that children enrolled in

childcare centres can receive quality care and education.

Unfortunately, regulations on the operation of childcare centres are very "open"

and this has led to sub-standard services.

When I raised my concerns on how the curriculum was managed at my child's

childcare centre, this is how the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and
Sports (MCYS) replied:

"MCYS only provides a broad curriculum framework for childcare centres to

develop curriculum and programmes which focus on the holistic development of
a child.

"Centres have the flexibility in establishing and delivering the preschool

programme in line with their philosophy of care.

"They also follow the Ministry of Education's Nurturing Early Learners: A

Framework For Kindergarten Curriculum In Singapore as a reference. Centres
are guided by the desired outcomes of preschool education in this framework."

Such "open" guidelines are open to abuse by childcare centres, to the detriment
of our children.

Although Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian

Balakrishnan has said that the Government does not adopt a "hands-off"
approach in regulating the preschool sector, there is still much to be done to
ensure quality preschool education.

Improving the education level of preschool teachers is important. But MCYS must
also ensure the proper and quality delivery of preschool programmes.

Kuan Weng Chi