HDB to work with MCYS to identify new child care centres sites

TheHousing Development Board (HDB) and Ministry of Community Development, Youthand Sports (MCYS) are working closely to identify new sites for child carecentres especially in estates with high demand and in new townships.

Punggol New Town for example will get 20 new childcare centres. Of these 10 will beoperational by the end of the year.

Acting Minister for MCYS Chan Chun Sing said that his ministry will set 200 sites fornew child care centres between 2013 to 2018. Based on the number of child carecentres required and the shortage of suitable HDB void decks, MCYS would haveto explore the use of community centres, sports complexes, office buildings,retail malls and vacant state buildings.

For site allocation of non-profit centres and for-profit centres, MCYS will takeinto consideration the resident and housing type profiles, current mix ofcentres and views of the community and community leaders.

As for HDB void deck sites, Minister Chan said MCYS's primary consideration is toensure that such sites are used to provide affordable childcare options.

Ever since the Economist Intelligence Unit rated Singapore%E2%80%99s Pre-school educationbehind those from many of other countries, the sector has received increasingscrutiny from the media and public.