SINGAPORE — After receiving a lukewarm response for places this year, four Ministry of Education (MOE) kindergartens will cut their number of enrolment spots for next year by as much as half.

In total, the first five MOE kindergartens — which opened their doors in January — will be offering 380 places next year, compared with 560 places this year.

In response to TODAY’s queries, the MOE said the move was to better reflect the projected demand for pre-school places in the surrounding areas. Nevertheless, it is prepared to increase the number of places if the need arises, the ministry said.

Among the five MOE kindergartens, only the one sited at Punggol View Primary School will not be cutting the number of places on offer next year.

It will continue to offer 120 places. MOE Kindergarten @ Punggol View was the only one to receive an overwhelming demand for its places this year, with 140 applications for 120 spots.

Fewer spots will be available at the other MOE kindergartens next year. The kindergartens at Blangah Rise and Farrer Park will have 60 places each next year, half of the 120 places they each offered this year.

MOE Kindergarten @ Dazhong will offer 80 places next year, compared with 120 this year, while there will be 60 places available next year at MOE Kindergarten @ Tampines, down from 80 spots.

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat had said previously that the ministry was not chasing numbers and the focus of the MOE kindergartens was to provide good quality and affordable kindergarten education.

Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng said the cut in places was most probably a result of slow pick-up in the previous round. “I believe MOE would have considered the size of the cohort and demand when determining the places,” said Mr Baey.

Registration for the five kindergartens will be held on April 4 and 5, from 9am to 12pm and from 1pm to 5pm.

Children who are Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PRs) born between Jan 2, 2010, and Jan 1, 2011, are eligible to apply.

Siblings of children who are in K1 this year at the same kindergarten and who are also Singapore citizens will be given priority in admission.

Parents can visit any of the five MOE kindergartens to learn more about the curriculum, programmes and facilities offered at the open house, which will be held on March 1, from 9am to 11am.

Parents will be notified of the registration outcome by May 9.