Safeguarding Interests of Children and Employees in Pre-school Centres against Insolvency

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Social and Family Development what safeguards are in place to protect the interests of children enrolled in pre-school programmes as well as employees of pre-school centres in the event that such centres become insolvent and cease operations.

Mr Desmond Lee: The focus of the Government's regulations for preschools is to ensure the safety, well-being and development of our young children enrolled in these preschools. Where operations are deemed to be affected and risk the safety and well-being of children, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will intervene decisively, and involve other government agencies to investigate more complex cases. In the event of unforeseen centre closures, ECDA will assist parents with alternative placement for their children. For teachers, it is an offence for employers not to pay salaries and Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions. The Ministry of Manpower and CPF Board will investigate such cases.