PCF to add 2,500 preschool places in high-demand areas by end-2023, set up more senior care centres

SINGAPORE — The PAP Community Foundation (PCF) will add close to 2,500 preschool places by the end of next year, as part of plans to boost its preschool and senior care services in the coming years.

PCF also intends to set up more senior care centres over the next five years, with its eighth PCF Sparkle Care Centre at Bukit Panjang slated to open in 2024 or 2025.

This was announced at PCF’s annual Family Day on Sunday (Sept 11) at the Singapore Zoo. The event was held for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, with Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Lawrence Wong attending as a guest-of-honour.

PCF Sparkletots is the largest preschool operator in Singapore, with more than 40,000 children enrolled in about 360 of its preschools islandwide.

MORE SPACES IN HIGH-DEMAND AREAS  

PCF will increase the number of preschool places in areas with high demand, through either setting up new preschools or expanding capacity in existing locations, said Ms Marini Khamis, the senior director of PCF’s preschool management division.

She noted that demand is typically higher in newer townships such as Bidadari and Tampines North, where there are more families with young children. 

In July, TODAY reported in its weekly Big Read that 20 per cent of overall preschool spaces across the island were unfilled as of 2021. This excludes Ministry of Education kindergartens.

However, in some newer estates such as Punggol, residents are often placed on long waiting lists when they try to enrol their children in a nearby preschool.

Experts and industry stakeholders pointed to a possible mismatch in demand and supply, with some preschools in mature estates grappling with falling enrolment.

INCLUSION COORDINATOR

On Sunday, PCF also said that by early next year, 260 preschools will have an “inclusion coordinator” to identify children with potential development needs and give them “targeted assistance”. 

These coordinators, who will be from among existing staff, will connect parents and teachers to the inclusive education team.

This move was first announced in Parliament last year, alongside other initiatives to support preschool children with developmental needs.

By 2024, PCF will also roll out its Stemie (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Invention and Entrepreneurship) programme to all of its 320 kindergarten centres.

This will benefit almost 50,000 children, more than three times the 13,500 children that currently undergo the programme, PCF said.

Stemie lessons were first introduced at PCF Sparkletots schools in 2018. Teachers prompt questions and discussions on issues that need solutions, before children research these issues through books, the internet or by talking to their family and friends. 

MORE SENIOR CARE CENTRES

PCF also said it intends to set up more senior care centres over the next five years, in line with the Ministry of Health’s target of expanding eldercare services as Singapore’s population ages.

There are currently seven PCF Sparkle Care Centres serving 440 clients in day care services, as well as 430 clients undergoing rehabilitation therapy.

The newest one will be set up in Bukit Panjang. Development works will begin in 2024, and it is set to open that same year or the following year.

PCF said it further aims to set up eldercare centre services — including active ageing programmes, befriending programmes and referral services — in selected senior care centres. 

In a speech on Sunday, DPM Wong said that Singapore “must continue to hold together” while facing “new challenges as a society”.

“Singapore must always be a society which provides opportunities to everyone, regardless of our background and starting points. At the same time, we must continue to provide assurance and look out for one another, especially those with greater care needs, like our elderly,” he added.

Mr Wong said this was why the Government began the Forward Singapore exercise — a new year-long public consultation to canvass views on policies.

“If we all work together and do our part, I’m confident that we can continue to build a better Singapore for many years to come.”