I REFER to last Thursday's report, 'Fast-track course for kindergarten teachers'.

It is good to raise the standard of preschool teachers so that children enrolled in childcare centres can receive quality care and education.

Unfortunately, regulations on the operation of childcare centres are very 'open' and this has led to sub-standard services.

When I raised my concerns on how the curriculum was managed at my child's childcare centre, this is how the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) replied:

'MCYS only provides a broad curriculum framework for childcare centres to develop curriculum and programmes which focus on the holistic development of a child.

'Centres have the flexibility in establishing and delivering the preschool programme in line with their philosophy of care.

'They also follow the Ministry of Education's Nurturing Early Learners: A Framework For Kindergarten Curriculum In Singapore as a reference. Centres are guided by the desired outcomes of preschool education in this framework.'

Such 'open' guidelines are open to abuse by childcare centres, to the detriment of our children.

Although Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan has said that the Government does not adopt a 'hands-off' approach in regulating the preschool sector, there is still much to be done to ensure quality preschool education.

Improving the education level of preschool teachers is important. But MCYS must also ensure the proper and quality delivery of preschool programmes.

Kuan Weng Chi

This article was first published in The New Paper.