New scheme for quality, low-cost child care

Singapore

THE private sector will be given a big role in a new, S$250 million scheme to provide cheaper and better pre-schools in existing child-care centres.

Under the Partner Operator (POP) Scheme, eligible operators with a good track record and sufficient economies of scale will get government subsidies, in return for which they have to run pre-schools and child-care services that are high in quality but low in fees.

Unveiling the programme in parliament on Friday, Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing said firms coming on boar…