I REFER to Ms June Rusdon's letter last Wednesday, 'That's no silver bullet'. I support her views on capping rents at preschools. 'The potential rental savings can be re-invested in better remuneration and continuous professional development of early childhood educators,' she wrote.

We are in the childcare industry for so many years because we have a passion to work with parents and children. The Government wants a growing population and encourages mothers to work, but in our industry, it is very hard to find teachers. Why? Because the pay is low, starting at $1,200 to $1,800 for qualified teachers, and as little as $850 to $1,200 for assistant teachers. Also, operating expenses are high, with the bulk spent on rent. If one is a sole operator, it is even worse.

So the operator may stint on resources, materials for children and marketing. We have graduates from polytechnics, but they leave after a few months because of the low pay.

Our children are our future. I shudder to think what kind of children we will have if we cannot deliver a quality preschool education because of negative issues.

I hope the authorities will help us.

Lau Sau Har (Mdm)