S$250m scheme for better pre-schools

THE Ministry of Social and Family Development is rolling out a S$250 million Partner and Operator Scheme to provide cheaper but better pre-schools in existing childcare centres.

The government-subsidised POP scheme is targeted at private-sector operators who charge affordable fees and have a good track record and sufficient economies of scale, Minister of Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing told Parliament on Friday.

The POP operators will be selected by a competitive process but they must also reduce their current fees and cap them at about $800 monthly, according to Mr Chan.

He said the POP operators must further build capabilities to raise the childcare centre's quality and they must improve the career and development prospects of the teachers.