Proposed Trial for Lower Educator-child Ratios for Kindergarten 1 and 2 Classes in Anchor Operator Preschools

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Social and Family Development in light of the Ministry of Education's pilot of smaller classes in six schools from 2027 (a) whether the Ministry will pilot lower educator-child ratios for Kindergarten 1 and 2 classes in Anchor Operator preschools; and (b) whether it will assess educator workload, teacher-child interactions, classroom quality and children's developmental outcomes.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The staff-child ratio requirements for preschools are minimum requirements to ensure the safety and well-being of children. In practice, many operators operate at staff-child ratios below these minimum requirements in order to maintain operational flexibility and respond to the varied needs and demands on the ground.

The Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will assess the outcomes of the Ministry of Education's pilot. However, findings would need to consider the impact on overall manpower demand in the sector.

ECDA has several initiatives to support educators' well-being and strengthen the quality of early childhood care and education, including the ongoing sector-wide job redesign project and the newly launched Quality Teaching Tool. We will continue to uplift quality and standards across the sector, as part of the Quality Preschools 2030 plan.