Summarized from ST
30 March 2015
More parents may soon pay lower fees for childcare, with at least half a dozen operators keen to tap a government scheme that offers grants for centres to reduce their charges.
At least six large and mid-sized operators, which have over 5,000 childcare places in total, said they are likely to apply to the scheme announced earlier this month.
To be eligible for the Early Childhood Development Agency partner operator scheme, operators must lower fees, cap them at $800 a month for full-day childcare, and offer at least 300 childcare places each or as a group. The median fee is now $900 a month.
Smaller operators which do not meet the size requirement can partner others to apply, but those The Straits Times spoke to were unsure or not keen.
The application period ends on April 10. Operators will be appointed by the year end.
Administration executive Lynnette Loong, 35, whose son attends childcare at Star Learners, is glad the pre-school is keen.
“Lower fees is good news. I hope the centres also get help in finding teachers, as a manpower shortage leads to rising staff costs and could lead to higher fees.”
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