Preschoolers of childcare operator under probe ‘are being looked after’
Sweetlands Childcare at Woodlands. TODAY file photo
SINGAPORE — While investigations are being carried out on a childcare operator that made unauthorised withdrawals from several Child Development Accounts (CDA), the preschoolers under its care are being looked after.
Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Low Yen Ling gave this assurance today (Aug 17) in response to questions on how the Government will ensure the services provided by Sweetlands Childcare are not being affected amid the ongoing investigation its directors are under.
Sweetlands runs a chain of 11 centres and has about 780 children under its care. On July 29. the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) revealed that police had been called in after an audit found its directors Ho Boon Hong and Chan Chew Shia, who are husband and wife, had made unauthorised withdrawals from the CDAs of its preschoolers, and wrongful claims for childcare subsidies from the Government.
Over the next few days, more than 20 staff from the MSF and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) visited Sweetlands’ centres to look into the interests of the children, teachers and principals.
Ms Low, adding that they had explained the developments of the case to parents. She also said the ECDA has the power to make any individual from Sweetlands who is convicted of criminal offences step down as director of the company. In addition, her ministry can take disciplinary actions or enforce penalties, she said.
The MSF has served a notice of intention to Mr Ho and Madam Chan to revoke their statuses as Approved Persons — authorised persons of approved institutions registered with the ministry who are allowed to make deductions from CDAs for payment of childcare and related fees. This is an unprecedented move.
Ms Low told Parliament today the MSF has various levels of checks and controls in the use of funds from CDAs, including requiring parents to sign an authorisation form, and making CDA banks send parents monthly statements with details of deductions.
