Providing Alternative Support to Kindergarten Children with Developmental Needs

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development how does the Ministry provide alternative support to kindergarten children with developmental needs when their parents decline the support from programmes such as the Development Support and Learning Support Programme.

Children with developmental needs are assessed by a paediatrician to determine the level of Early Intervention (EI) support they require. Where needed, children will be referred to suitable programmes either at hospitals, EI centres or preschools, according to the level of EI support required. We strongly encourage parents to enrol their child in the recommended EI programmes, as these are designed to provide the necessary support for both the child and the family.

To encourage enrolment, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has made efforts to improve the accessibility and affordability of EI programmes. For example, the Development Support-Learning Support Programme (DS-LS) serves children directly in their preschools, including in all Anchor Operator preschools. DS-LS fees are also subsidised, with parents paying between $5 and $290 for the programme depending on their household income. We have also increased the number of Government-funded Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC) and EIPIC-P places by almost 80% from 4,100 in 2020 to 7,300 in 2024 through building six more EIPIC centres and appointing 19 more EIPIC-P centres. This has allowed us to better serve children requiring medium to high levels of EI support.

Nevertheless, the decision to enrol a child in EI programmes ultimately rests with the parent. Parents who decline support from EI programmes can explore other avenues to support their child. Similar to Government-funded EI programmes, parents may tap on the Child Development Account to pay for non-Government funded EI programmes that are registered with ECDA. They may also consider attending SG Enable's Step One programme to better equip themselves as caregivers. Parents can refer to the ECDA's Parents' Guide and the SG Enable website to understand more about developmental needs, how to choose appropriate EI services as well as caregiver training and resources.