Updated: 02/26/2013 01:42

Government raises spending on pre-school sector over next 5 years to over $3 billion

The government will more than double its spending on the pre-school sector over the next five years - to more than $3 billion.

This will enhance the industry's capacity, quality of teaching and best practices while keeping costs affordable.

It plans to expand capacity so that pre-schools will be closer to homes and workplaces, bring more operators into the Anchor Operator Scheme a...nd attract good teachers to the sector.

The Ministry of Education will set up Kindergarten Development Centres to promote best practices.

It'll also work with the Ministry of Social and Family Development to oversee a new autonomous agency, the Early Childhood Development Agency.

The government will also provide more support to disadvantaged students, including topping up the Opportunity Fund and Edusave Endowment Fund.