Dr Charlene Chen asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what protocols are currently in place to ensure that mainstream preschools receive timely information and progress data regarding enrolled children’s Early Intervention Programme for Infants & Children (EIPIC) intervention plans; and (b) how the Ministry plans to bridge communication gaps between early intervention centres and preschool teachers.
Answer
1. Coordination between Early Intervention (EI) centres, families, and preschools is important for the continuity of support for children with developmental needs. Under the existing Early Intervention Programme for Infants & Children (EIPIC) framework, when a child with developmental needs also attends a mainstream preschool, EIPIC operators work closely with preschools to ensure that support remains consistent across both settings. This includes conducting preschool visits to understand the child's adjustment and accommodation needs, as well as reviewing teaching strategies with the child’s educators and caregivers.
2. Thus far, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has not received any feedback from parents indicating gaps in communication between EI centres and preschools.