Support for Children, Teachers and Parents Affected by Relocation of Ang Mo Kio Preschool
Ministry of Social and Family DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the relocation of The Schoolhouse at The Grassroots’ Club, where Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin inquired about ECDA’s oversight and compliance with regulatory notice periods. Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli B M M stated that preschools must provide six months' notice before ceasing operations, a requirement the operator fulfilled for its December 2025 closure. Although the operator considered an earlier May 2025 cessation, ECDA intervened to enforce the mandatory notice period, leading the school to maintain its original timeline. The operator is currently engaging parents on alternative arrangements and managing staff deployment to ensure continuity of care during the transition. ECDA continues to monitor the situation to ensure an orderly transition and adherence to the Code of Practice under the Early Childhood Development Centres Act.
Transcript
75 Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has been consulted on any plan for the relocation of The Schoolhouse that is currently sited at the premises of The Grassroots’ Club in Ang Mo Kio; (b) if so, whether the timelines for such relocation comply with the ECDA Code of Practice; and (c) whether ECDA has any plan to support affected children, teachers and parents.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The Code of Practice under the Early Childhood Development Centres Act requires preschool operators to provide at least six months' written notice to parents and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) before they relocate or cease operations. This allows parents sufficient time to make alternative arrangements for their children. Preschools that breach this requirement may face regulatory actions.
In June 2024, The Schoolhouse informed ECDA of The Grassroots' Club centre's cessation and relocation plans. The Schoolhouse officially informed parents on 17 September 2024 of its planned cessation of operations on 31 December 2025. These notices complied with the timelines specified in the Code of Practice.
In February 2025, The Schoolhouse sought parents' views on the preschool ceasing operations earlier in May 2025 and offered options for their children to be transferred to another of its preschool branches. When this proposal was brought to ECDA's attention, ECDA had reminded the operator of the requirement to provide six months' notice. The Schoolhouse has since maintained its original cessation date of 31 December 2025.
The Schoolhouse has been engaging parents on alternative care and education arrangements and is managing affected staff at the current Grassroots' Club branch, while maintaining adequate staffing of both current and new branches to ensure continuity of care and education. ECDA will also continue to monitor the situation to ensure the orderly transition of operations.