Statistics on Number of Childcare Centres Located at Workplaces, Transport Hubs and Residential Areas
Ministry of Social and Family DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Ang Hin Kee’s inquiry regarding the distribution and capacity of childcare centres (CCCs) located in residential areas, workplaces, and transportation hubs. Minister Desmond Lee replied that 980 CCCs provide 107,000 places in residential estates, while 510 centres provide 64,000 places at workplaces and 210 centres provide 26,000 places near transport hubs. He noted that Anchor Operator centres are primarily in residential estates (95%), while Partner Operator centres are distributed between residential (60%) and workplace (40%) locations. Approximately 15% to 20% of these supported operators are near transport hubs, with a few also situated in community premises. The Minister concluded that the Government will continue expanding quality, affordable pre-school places to cater to families' specific needs and location preferences.
Transcript
40 Mr Ang Hin Kee asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what is the breakdown of the current number of childcare centres located at workplaces, transport hubs and residential areas respectively; (b) what is the number of childcare places available for each group; and (c) what kind of locations are anchor operators and partner operators offering their centres at.
Mr Desmond Lee: One of Government's key priorities is to ensure that parents have access to quality and affordable pre-schools for their children. This is to provide a good start for every child. To this end, the Early Childhood and Development Agency (ECDA) facilitates the development of child care centres (CCCs) in and near residential estates, community premises and at workplaces where there is demand.
Around two thirds (or 980) of all CCCs are located in HDB and private residential estates, with a total capacity of 107,000 places. One third (or 510) are located at or near workplaces – including commercial premises, Government buildings, and industrial estates – with a total capacity of 64,000. A small number are located in community premises, such as community centres. Of all these CCCs, 15% (or 210) are located in or near transportation hubs, that is, bus and MRT interchanges, with a total capacity of 26,000.
The large majority (or about 95%) of Anchor Operator (AOP) childcare centres are located in residential estates, as families have generally expressed a preference for childcare services close to their homes. The remaining 5% of AOP centres are located at or near workplaces. The Partner Operator (POP) scheme extends the range of affordable, quality options for families, with 60% of POP centres located in residential estates, and 40% located at or near workplaces. A small number of AOP and POP centres are also located in community premises. Of all these AOP and POP centres, 15% to 20% are located in or near transportation hubs.
ECDA will continue to expand the provision of quality and affordable Government-supported pre-school places to cater to parents' needs and preferences.