Proposal for All Pre-schools to Have At Least One Lactation Room

3 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what percentage of preschools currently have at least one lactation room; and (b) whether the Ministry can make it compulsory for all preschools to have at least one lactation room.

Mr Desmond Lee: The Early Childhood Development Agency does not require all preschools to have a lactation room within their premises. Preschools have the flexibility to manage the use of their space, depending on the needs of their children, staff and parents. For preschools with older children (for example kindergartens) and preschools with more working mothers, the need for a lactation room within the centre itself may be less pressing. For others, we encourage preschools to consider setting up a lactation room or making space arrangements for breastfeeding, as and when the need arises.

In general, preschools should ensure efficient use of space for child development and staff welfare, based on their needs of their children and staff.