Debated in Parliament on 8 Apr 2026.
Mr Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what are the average daily working hours for preschool educators since the shift to a five-day work week, compared to the previous six-day model; (b) whether sector engagements have surfaced concerns that a 44-hour weekly cap has resulted in longer daily shifts for educators; and (c) if so, what steps will the Ministry take to address these concerns.
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) consulted key stakeholders extensively when it ceased the provision of Saturday childcare services from January 2025 onwards. ECDA surveyed over 8,000 parents and nearly 800 childcare centres across different operator types, and spoke to about 100 parents, educators and operators to gather different viewpoints. Stakeholders supported the removal of the requirement for childcare centres to operate on Saturdays as it would greatly improve educators' well-being, avail time for their own family needs and make a career in the early childhood (EC) sector more attractive and sustainable.
EC educators' working hours are determined by their employment contracts. After the shift to a five-day work week, some preschool operators have increased daily working hours slightly in order for educators to perform activities like lesson preparation and classroom set-up, although some others have been able to complete the work within existing daily work hours.
ECDA will continue to pay close attention to the well-being of our educators while striving to give our children a good start in life.
PAPERCUTS