SPARK-accredited Pre-schools

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Minister for Education (a) how many pre-school centres have received the Singapore Pre-school Accreditation Framework (SPARK) certificate since its implementation; (b) of the already accredited centres, how many are not-for-profit and how many are privately owned; (c) how many pre-school centres have participated in SPARK's external assessment; and (d) whether the Ministry is able to achieve its target of having 85% of all kindergartens and childcare centres participate in SPARK's external assessment by 2013.

Mr Heng Swee Keat: MOE launched the Singapore Pre-school Accreditation Framework (SPARK) in November 2010. One hundred and fifteen pre-schools have since received SPARK certification, of which 76 are not-for-profit pre-schools and 39 are commercial pre-schools. In total, 195 pre-schools have participated in the SPARK external assessment.

As SPARK is a new certification, many pre-schools have found that they needed more time to be familiar with the framework and its requirements, and to get their centres ready for external assessment. Given that participation in SPARK is also voluntary, the number of pre-schools that have signed up for SPARK external assessment has not been as high as we had earlier estimated. Mr Yee referred to an 85% participation target. So far, 13.1% of kindergartens and childcare centres have participated in the SPARK external assessment. We expect more to do so in the coming year, but even then, we are unlikely to reach the target by 2013.

MOE has, therefore, been working with MCYS to see how best we can get more pre-schools – both kindergartens and childcare centres – to embark on quality improvement through their participation in the SPARK external assessment. We have already put in place a series of communication strategies to raise awareness and understanding about SPARK. At the same time, there are several support measures to help pre-schools prepare for SPARK external assessment. These include training on the use of the SPARK Quality Rating Scale for all teachers and principals, as well as the provision of quality assurance coaching and consultancy. The consultancy offers support to pre-schools that have not applied for SPARK assessment or have applied but failed to achieve SPARK certification. The consultants are experienced Early Childhood Education practitioners and educators who are able to provide guidance to pre-schools in addressing the gaps in their structures, processes and outcomes. Pre-schools will also receive advice in planning their quality improvement. With the consultancy support, pre-schools will be better prepared for SPARK external assessment.

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To further encourage participation in SPARK external assessment, pre-schools that apply for external assessment between FY2011 to FY2012 and achieve SPARK certification will receive an incentive award of $3,000. The incentive award is a recognition of pre-schools' effort in their journey towards the provision of quality education, and pre-schools can use the award for the professional development of their teachers.

MOE and MCYS are closely monitoring the participation of pre-schools in SPARK external assessment and will review if additional measures are necessary to get more pre-schools to be certified under SPARK.