Amend the ECDC Bill

I agree wholeheartedly with the wisdom of Dr Ng Eng Hen, the Minister of Education in 2010, when he stated, “The main focus in preschool should primarily take into account the developmental needs of young children and provide age-appropriate programmes. Nationalising preschools to be part of the formal school system runs the risk of an over-emphasis on academic instruction and uniformity. It will increase pressure to accelerate preschool children’s numeracy and literacy skills at the expense of other developmental goals…. Indeed a nationalized preschool sector would tend towards conformity, which is not ideal. It would deprive parents the ability to choose from a variety of early childhood care and education models and operators that best fits the needs of their child” (Ministry of Education, 2010).

I believe that more plurality in the early childhood sector is good for children and would like to keep it that way. Various curriculums (Montessori, Waldorf, bible-based education) have different strengths and should be used in accordance to the professional - many of whom do not have your prescribed diplomas (DECCE) but certainly competent. All early childhood teachers should be assessed via the same criteria and one being in certain institutions should not be exempt.

For god sake....just because you are in power, you are not above God...please respect your fellow man....

I think parents have a right to choose what is best for their children. We live in a democratic society and no one else should have the right to choose what is best for a child. Every child is different and has different needs . It is rather unfair to assume that one size fits all just as the compulsory education act . While some children have done very well, it seems no one has thought about children who are unable to cope with the local system and what about children with mild special needs who are neither good for local mainstream not the spec schools. How do u cater for those? Do focus on that group before trying to intervene in the early childhood group .

Absolute power corrupts absolutely I believe the saying is. Tread carefully.

MOE should by all means run its kindergartens and set a benchmark for the industry. However, it must be subject to the same regulatory framework. Regulate with a light touch and let the informed market dictate the supply according to the demand.

Let Educators educate.

Best schools for children with special needs are schools who can integrate both group of children together. Group/herd thinking are harmful and counter productive for the country. I thought we are thinking of how we can progress to have more inclusive education curriculum, seems like we are regressing by passing this bill. In Finland, it is common to find in school having a mixed of neurotypical and special needs children. They need to learn that not everyone fall into the average zone. The outlyliers form the very fabric of our society and sometimes they are the ones who break convention & bring innovations. Stop depriving small education centers who are serving a niche and very much neglected part of the education.

EC educators know what's best for the profession and the kids. Let's let them decide what should happen.

We are a democracy not communist nation

Wonderful school please do not change anything

The myriad of operators allows parents to choose from different operators a program that is best suited to their child's needs. Not all children benefit studying in mega childcare centers, especially special needs children. To begin with, children have different learning styles. And the integration experience that special needs children so desperately need seem to be discouraged, with some educators in the mainstream thinking that these children are better off clustered in special Ed schools. How does a child learn to socialize if the peers around him/her also face social challenges? Centralised curriculum and similar teaching methods tends to create homogeneity and group think, in my opinion. Teachers have to look after the safety of large groups of children and are less likely to give individualized attention to help develop children's unique talents, and more importantly at the child's pace. My daughter used to attend a childcare that boasted numbers of about 150 children and observing some of the teachers, it was like them herding a bunch of children and the children were shouted at if anyone strayed away from the group. Lastly, all operators should be subject to the same standards. I don't see why a special governance standard should be in place for government and related operators.

When I choose a preschool, my priority is to ensure my children enjoy her class everyday. I can tell she enjoy her classes everyday. If the Minister decide for my children, how are they gonna monitor whether my children enjoy herself in the centre that they allocated? My child's future will be in danger........

Parents have the ultimate rights to choose which preschool to place my children! How can the government decide where my child goes!

Early childhood education should be given the freedom and flexibility to create an environment where variety thrives. Guidelines and regulations while necessary should not stifle.

Dear MOE, Please, for once, listen to the people and do what's right for our children, not what you think is right for the benefit of the government solely. Your job is to level the playing field, not make it an advantage to yourselves.

It is very important for having intregrated childhood programmes.

It's important to have school who embrace special need children and has the ability to integrate them with the typical children in a well resources environment. It's a sign of upgrading the educational standard in Singapore similar to the USA which can be a great advantage for both children and parents.

Teaching is a noble profession. Help us keep it that way.