The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has cracked down hard on a local preschool, issuing a huge fine of S$26,200 and banning it from taking in new students. This action was taken after the school’s former cook was convicted of molesting three toddlers. An ECDA spokesperson confirmed the restriction on new enrolments in a statement on Wednesday.
ECDA launched an investigation after the cook’s actions came to light. The agency found that the preschool had committed multiple breaches in its safety procedures. The investigation was completed in February 2024, and the penalties soon followed in May.
The consequences for the preschool are severe:
- Heavy Fine: A financial penalty totaling S$26,200 was imposed.
- Enrollment Restriction: The school is restricted from accepting any new children.
- Licence Review: The school’s operating license was cut from 36 months down to just six months. Future renewals will also be for six months, to make sure the school actually fixes its problems.
The agency also directed the school to submit a detailed corrective action plan, which it did in June 2024. ECDA added that it “reserves the right not to renew the preschool’s licence if warranted.” The court has ordered that the preschool’s name must be kept secret to protect the young victims.
ECDA didn’t just target the school; they also took action against eight staff members for their failures:
Management Staff Facing Charges:
- Four management staff members were accused of allegedly omitting information about the incidents.
- All four have been removed from their posts and charged in court.
- Three of them were also charged with tampering with evidence. Court proceedings for these three are still going on, so ECDA cannot share more about their alleged offences.
- One manager was discharged by the courts earlier this year but received a stern warning.
Teaching Staff Penalized:
- Four teaching staff were penalized for failing to supervise the children with vigilance.
- Three of them were issued official warnings, and one was given a stern reminder.
- These warnings must be declared and will affect their ability to get re-employment in the preschool sector for the next two years.
The former cook, Teo Guan Huat, pleaded guilty on Monday. He sexually assaulted three girls, aged one to two, between May and November 2023. He took advantage of the children while they were having naptime.
The 61-year-old Singapore permanent resident was not supposed to be assisting with children, but had helped set up mattresses, escorted them to the showers, and patted them to sleep. He pleaded guilty to three counts of using criminal force to outrage the modesty of the toddlers. The judge has postponed the sentencing to November 10, with the prosecution calling for a jail term of at least 10 years.
ECDA reminded all preschools that safety is a top priority. It warned that they must “establish necessary systems and processes” and get ECDA’s approval before using any non-teaching staff as program helpers for activities with children. The agency will check that “all staff working in preschools, including non-teaching staff, are fit to work with young children… before ECDA approves their deployment.”
