Determining Preschools' Operational Status after Reports of Child Mismanagement or Abuse

Ms Lee Hui Ying asked the Minister for Social and Family Development what are the Early Childhood Development Agency's considerations to determine whether a preschool remains operational if there have been reports of child mismanagement or abuse within the preschool.

In cases of regulatory breaches, including child mismanagement incidents, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will impose a penalty that is proportionate to the circumstances. This may include financial penalties, shortening or revocation of the preschool's licence.

ECDA will consider all the facts of the case to determine the appropriate penalty. These include the severity of the breach, whether the breaches were systemic in nature and, most importantly, if the preschool can continue providing services in a manner that is safe for children. Revocation of a preschool's licence is not a decision that ECDA takes lightly, given the impact to parents' care arrangements and operators' and educators' livelihoods.

Child safety in preschools is a fundamental priority to the Ministry of Social and Family Development. ECDA will continue to work with preschool operators to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements to safeguard children's well-being in preschools.