I REFER to the recent discussions on raising childcare teachers' pay and upgrading their skill level. As a parent of a six-year-old, let me share some views.

Our daughter has attended an NTUC Childcare centre in the west since she was two and will graduate from K2 at the end of the year. Our experiences have been mostly positive. She has grown from a shy and quiet girl to a confident and outspoken one. Credit to the teachers for their commitment, care and hard work.

On the downside, due to staffing problems, our daughter had to do without a full-time teacher for almost half of K1 and half of K2. The full-time teachers left for a variety of reasons. To their credit again, the remaining teachers covered duties and taught different levels. The principal also did her best to recruit teachers quickly, but without much success.

The implication for the child is huge. First, preschool is when the foundation is laid. Without a full-time teacher, the child's academic work will suffer. Fortunately for us, we could prepare her for primary school ourselves, but how many parents have the same advantage? Second, a child needs time to get used to the teacher, and will give her best only if she likes the teacher. Frequent changes of teacher are not healthy.

The implication for teachers is big too. It is common to hear of childcare teachers working 12 hours a day. I was a primary school teacher myself and I salute the passion and commitment of childcare teachers.

Wee Hien Seng

This article was first published in The Straits Times on 4 Nov, 2008.