Singapore Preschool Faces Warning Over Closure Notice

Little Paddington Preschool, a childcare operator in Singapore, has been formally warned by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) following a regulatory breach. The issue arose from the abrupt closure of its Bishan branch, leaving parents scrambling.

Details of the Breach

The ECDA stated that Little Paddington Preschool failed to adequately inform both parents and the agency about the potential non-renewal of their lease. The school also did not meet the regulatory requirement to provide a six-month written notice before ceasing operations.

Parents received only one week’s notice that the Bishan preschool would shut down on June 13. Initially, they were told on May 30 that the center would close the next day because it could not agree with its landlord, with children to be relocated to the Thomson Walk branch on June 2.

Impact on Children and Parents

Of the 16 children enrolled at the Bishan branch, 13 have been transferred to the operator’s Thomson Walk outlet. However, three children have been withdrawn from the preschool entirely, according to the ECDA. The agency emphasized that sudden preschool closures disrupt the lives of children and their families.

ECDA’s Response and Requirements

The ECDA takes such regulatory breaches seriously. Operators must submit up-to-date information about their tenancy agreements as part of their licensing conditions to run a preschool. Breaches can negatively affect an operator’s chances of renewing their license or obtaining a new one.

According to a 2023 study by the Singapore Ministry of Education, early childhood education has a significant impact on a child’s development, and disruptions can be detrimental to their learning and social-emotional growth (MOE, 2023).

Previous Instances and Future Implications

In July 2024, the ECDA barred Metis Little Campus from applying for new center licenses after it provided parents with only one day’s notice before closing its Tampines center. The ECDA noted it is not always aware of ongoing negotiations and business decisions, which can lead to preschools ceasing operations with little notice.

Little Paddington Preschool operates ten branches across Singapore, including locations in Kovan, Tanglin, East Coast, and Sixth Avenue. The Straits Times has reached out to them for comment regarding the formal warning.