SINGAPORE — Local preschool operator Friedrich Frobel Holding will shut four more preschools, the latest in a string of troubles that include previous school closures, an ongoing lawsuit between the company's shareholders, and criminal investigations by the police.

The four affected preschools — Buttercups Kindergarten at Pasir Panjang, Buttercups Kindergarten at Rochester, Frobel Preschool at Woodlands and School House ByTheGarden at Ang Mo Kio — will close from October 12, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said on Wednesday (Oct 04).

In a joint statement with the Ministry of Manpower, the Singapore Police Force and the Education Services Union, the ECDA said it has reached out to the parents of students affected by the upcoming closure and will assist them with placements at other preschools.

The latest closures mean Friedrich Frobel Holding has shut seven of its eight preschools. The company shut three other preschools - Buttercups Montessori Kindergarten, Happy Brainy Kidz in Wonderland, and Frobel Lilac - in late August and September, which affected about 80 children. According to ECDA, about 200 children will be affected by the upcoming closures.

Its last preschool, Gloryland Childcare at Cashew, remains in operation.

The ECDA said it had managed to help all the children affected by the earlier closures to find alternative placement in other nearby preschools.

"ECDA will continue to closely monitor the situation and coordinate with relevant agencies to minimise disruption to children and parents as far as possible," the agency added.

It also noted the complications behind the closure of the preschools under Friedrich Frobel Holding, such as an ongoing law suit between various shareholders of the company.

One shareholder, Song Fanrong, has been jailed for contempt of court. The Police has also started criminal investigations into the company, following the filing of several police reports.

Speaking to TODAY, Principal of Buttercups Kindergarten at Rochester Janelle Chan said she received a call from the building management on Tuesday that they would have to vacate the unit at Rochester Mall as they could not pay last month's rent. 

Parents were subsequently informed that the preschool would cease operations by Oct 11. Classes would continue till the end of the week before the staff would spend the following week clearing the premises, she noted.

Ms Chan said she was not that surprised that the preschool had to cease operations after staff learned that Song was sentenced to jail last month. Thereafter, they also heard rumours that the preschool will close. 

"From (then) till now, staff morale was never great," Ms Chan said, adding that the staff stayed on for the children.

The staff did not receive their CPF contributions for the month of August and September and were not paid last month. The principal said they will be seeking help from the Ministry of Manpower.

Ms Bonita Chan, the acting principal of Frobel's preschool in Ang Mo Kio where 35 children are enrolled told TODAY that the parents have been given a list of nearby preschools so that they can make alternative arrangements. 

The parents were informed of the news on Wednesday at 12pm, and staff were notified the day before yesterday, she said. 

"We already knew about the (situation) but we were putting our hopes up in trying to save the school, but it was unfortunately beyond our control.... The parents were shocked but we told them we are trying hard," Ms Bonita Chan said, visibly emotional.

Meanwhile, EDCA said that the Insolvency and Public Trustee's Office is monitoring the status of Friedrich Frobel Holding closely.

According to an earlier report by The Straits Times, Song, who owned the preschools, breached the Mareva injunction. The 45-year-old naturalised Singapore citizen defied court orders and sold two per cent of her shares in Friedrich Frobel Holding, despite a court order that her assets be frozen.

Song is embroiled in a S$9.5 million lawsuit by three businessmen from China. She allegedly misled them to believe that they could gain Singapore permanent residency or citizenship through her.

The trio collectively gave her S$5.5 million for various investments, including her preschools.