Straits Times reported that infant-care places for babies aged 2 to 17 months old have surged by 66 per cent in 5 years, from 6,200 in 2015 to about 10,500 places last year, according to data by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). Punggol and Sengkang have seen a 90 per cent increase in infant-care and childcare places.

The article shared various parents’ reasons for enrolling their child in infant-care, including Angelyn Tan, who said she chose to enrol both her daughters in My First Skool at Block 997 Buangkok Crescent because she would like them to have social interaction with others and gain exposure to more learning activities.

The article also featured PCF Sparkletots’ infant-care programmes such as key word signing and Music For Early Years pilot. A parent whose child is enrolled at E-bridge Pre-school said she appreciates the updates she and her husband receive via an app “at least twice a day”.

ECDA aims to add another 10,000 new full-day pre-school places by 2023 in areas “concentrated with more young families”. 

News Coverage

• (27 December 2021) Straits Times Online: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/infant-care-boom-in-singapore 
• (27 December 2021) Straits Times Print, Page C2 
• (27 December 2021) Straits Times Youtube, The Big Story (00:20 – 00:40)  

ST_27Dec2021 Infant-care boom in Singapore.pdf