AS A mother of three, and as someone who has founded and managed an early childhood education business - which today employs over 850 teachers - for more than 20 years, I would like to add to what my peers in the industry have said on the question of: 'Should preschools be 'nationalised'?'.

I agree with the urgency to raise the image, standing and pay of preschool teachers, and I applaud the call for higher standards.

However, nationalising preschools is not the silver bullet that will solve the problem of attracting more qualified individuals to help raise standards.

The Government can do much more to support private preschool operators. We need good teachers with the right attitude, skills and knowledge to bring out the best in our children in their most formative years.

Early childhood education here has come a long way, and today, Singapore is recognised as among the best in the region. This has prompted leading global education providers to invest in the industry in terms of financial and human capital.

Global companies, like Knowledge Universe, recognise the high quality of early childhood education here, the processes and systems in place and the passionate industry professionals who are unafraid to push boundaries and introduce innovative approaches to prepare preschoolers for life.

This diversity has provided every parent with access to quality preschool education. It is key for global players to continue helping us to raise the standards of preschool education in Singapore.

For a start, perhaps the Government can consider letting out buildings that it owns to preschool operators and capping rents on these premises. The potential rental savings can be re-invested in better remuneration and continuous professional development of early childhood educators.

Through sustained and aggressive marketing, the Government has done a marvellous job in raising the image of teachers in national schools as a desirable and noble profession. I am confident that together with the Government, we can do the same for the early childhood education industry, so that preschool teachers too are accorded the same respect and recognition. Private preschool operators will work proactively to develop a pool of talented early childhood education experts for the benefit of Singapore and the region.

June Rusdon (Ms)

This article was first published in The Straits Times.