Covid-19: Entry limits, smaller group activities at preschools as Govt tightens safe management measures
The ECDA laid out several new measures to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission at preschools and early intervention centres, which will last from May 8 to 30, 2021.
SINGAPORE — Preschools will need to ensure that external trainers conducting supplementary programmes serve no more than four preschools for three weeks starting May 8, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said on Wednesday (May 5).
The new rule aims to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission across centres and comes a day after several new safety rules were announced by the Government's Covid-19 task force to tackle the rising number of cases in the community.
In a statement, ECDA said that the rule applies also to early intervention centres, which cater to children with moderate to severe developmental needs.
However, an exception will be granted for providers of the Development Support-Learning Support programme and the Development Support Plus programme.
ECDA laid out several new measures, which will last until May 30.
Entry restriction
Only those needed to support the centre operations, performing necessary functions such as carrying out licensing activities, will be allowed to enter preschools and early intervention centres. They will be subject to strict safe management measures during their visit
Parents will not be allowed to enter, unless their children are newly enrolled. The schools and centres have been advised to shift parent-teacher conferences online
Movement restriction
Children may only participate in activities within their own classes and in small groups. They will not be allowed to interact with children from different classes
Early intervention centres will conduct their sessions within groups of five, down from eight
Preschools and early intervention centres may continue to conduct outdoor activities during this period but will have to do so in smaller groups, in line with the national guidelines on gathering sizes
Field trips suspension
Large group activities at external venues, such as field trips and learning journeys, will be temporarily suspended to minimise interaction between children and staff members from different classes. Preschools and early intervention centres which have already made plans are advised to postpone them
Preschools will need to hold all staff meetings and training online, and courses that cannot be held online should be rescheduled. Face-to-face external training may continue only for limited courses such as sections of child first aid classes that require hands-on training
TraceTogether-Only SafeEntry
From May 17, visitors and staff members entering preschools and early intervention centres must check in using their TraceTogether token or mobile application and have their device with them throughout their visit
Children under the age of seven are not required to use TraceTogether
ECDA advised parents to monitor the health of their children. If they are unwell, parents should seek medical attention promptly and not take them to the preschools or early intervention centres.
