Table 5
From: The Shaping of Childcare and Preschool Education in Singapore: From Separatism to Collaboration
Childcare Centres | Kindergarten | |
|---|---|---|
Auspices | Ministry of Community Development Youth and Sports | Ministry of Education |
Legislation | Childcare Centres Establishment Act, & Regulations | Education Act |
Licensing | License required for centres with over 4 children. | Registration with MOE compulsory |
Objectives | Support working parents Encourage bigger families Provide care, development, education of young children | Preparation for school |
Funding | Government capital grant and subsidized rental to selected VWOs and PCF kindergartens and childcare centres. | |
Childcare subsidy | - none - | |
- Financial assistance & ethnic community-based assistance - | ||
Providers | NTUC First Campus, VWOs | PCF (main provider) |
PCF | Private sector | |
Private sector | VWOs | |
Age group | 2 months – 6 years | 4 to 6 years |
Duration | Monday – Friday (7am to 7pm) Saturdays (7am – 2pm hours) | 3 to 4 hours (2 shifts) Monday to Friday |
Program | Full day, half day, flexi-care | 3 to 4 hour programme |
Curriculum | Guidelines (adopt MOE’s framework), Variety of curriculum | National Kindergarten Curriculum Framework |
Focus | Children’s overall development | More cognitive development |
Training | Required courses are accredited by the Joint MOE-MCYS PQAC. Training is provided by accredited agencies from the private sector and selected Polytechnics. Course fees are subsidized by the government. Although not a requirement, the bachelor and master degree are offered at the local universities and by foreign universities in collaboration with local training agencies. | |