Debated in Parliament on 14 Jan 2026.
Mr David Hoe asked the Minister for Social and Family Development with the expanded Partner Operator scheme from January 2026 to December 2030 (a) how will the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) assess and mitigate any crowding out of private preschools that serve special needs children or that run ECDA-appointed early intervention programmes; and (b) what targeted partnership or funding options will be available to keep such specialised services viable.
Over the years, the Government has expanded funding to more preschools that meet the criteria of the Anchor Operator (AOP) and Partner Operator (POP) schemes to keep fees affordable for parents. To maintain high standards of quality in AOPs and POPs, a rigorous selection process has been put in place, which considers factors, such as the preschools' track record in providing quality childcare services, financial sustainability, accessibility and demand.
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has been stepping up efforts to ensure that children with developmental needs have access to Early Intervention (EI) services regardless of which preschool they are enrolled in. This includes reaching out to more preschools, regardless of the centre type, to provide the Development Support and Learning Support (DS-LS) programmes to cover 80% of preschoolers aged five to six at steady state. Inclusion Coordinators are also appointed in all preschools to work with educators to identify children with potential developmental needs and refer parents to relevant resources. ECDA also recently published the Inclusive Preschool Practice Guide, a resource available to all operators sharing recommended best practices to enhance inclusive practices within their centre and to support children with diverse needs.
Additionally, ECDA funds providers of the DS-LS programmes and the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children, so that children requiring EI support receive the specialised services that they require.
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