Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang
MP for Nee Soon GRC
Question
To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development Development whether the Ministry has plans to introduce the Development Support and Learning Support programmes to non-anchor operator pre-schools.
Answer
1 The number of preschools offering the Development Support (DS) and Learning Support (LS) programme has increased by 60% from 350 preschools in 2017 to about 550 preschools today. Of these preschools offering the DS-LS programme, about 150 are non-Anchor Operator (AOP) preschools.
2 Preschool operators with a critical mass of centres, such as the Anchor Operators, are DS-LS providers in their centres with their own in-house Learning Support Educators. Other preschools generally tap on regional DS-LS providers to deliver the DS-LS programme in their centres. There are currently three regional DS-LS providers - Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA), SPD, and Thye Hua Kwan (THK) providing the DS-LS programme at about 150 non-AOP preschools.
3 The Early Childhood Development Agency is working closely with the regional DS-LS providers and preschools to expand outreach to more non-AOP preschools. Preschools that are interested to offer the DS-LS programme can contact the regional DS-LS providers to learn more about the DS-LS programme and for assistance to screen children with suspected developmental delays for early intervention support.