Seletar Hills preschool licence revoked after 3 staff use 'inappropriate child management practices' on 2 children

In February 2024, a preschool made headlines after three of its staff were accused of abusing children, including a 3-year-old boy, by locking them in a dark room, pulling their hair, and pinching them on several occasions.

After a parent lodged a report to the Singapore Police Force and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), the authorities launched investigations into the incident.

However, at the time, the parent and the school could not be named as it could lead to the identification of the alleged victims.

In a statement issued on Jan. 24, 2025, ECDA revealed the preschool to be GU+MMI Smart Kids located in Seletar Hill Estate after concluding its investigations.

According to the agency, the three preschool staff were found to have administered "inappropriate child management practices" to two children.

As the preschool "failed to safeguard the well-being of the children under its care", ECDA has revoked its licence effective from Jan. 2.

ECDA investigation timeline

According to ECDA, a parent and the preschool made separate reports to the agency on Feb. 26, 2024, of the alleged incidents of child mismanagement at the preschool to the agency.

ECDA subsequently commenced its investigations, which included an unannounced visit to the preschool, a review of CCTV footage, interviews with staff and parents, and verification of records.

On the same day the reports were lodged, the preschool also suspended the three staff involved and terminated their employment later on.

These staff were not allowed to work in other preschools while investigations were ongoing, said ECDA.

No enrolments at preschool since Mar. 21, 2024

While investigations were ongoing, parents withdrew their enrolled children from the preschool, said ECDA.

To make sure that children still enrolled were adequately cared for, the agency instructed the preschool to ensure it provided "close supervision and guidance" to its remaining staff.

To this end, a full-time staff from the preschool's headquarters was also placed on-site.

Since Mar. 21, 2024, the preschool has not had any enrolments.

Investigation findings

According to ECDA, its investigations revealed that there were "multiple breaches" of the Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDC) Regulations committed against two children at the preschool.

The three staff had contravened ECDC Regulations, which prohibit preschool educators from using any inappropriate child management practices, such as corporal punishment and harsh responses.

As such, ECDA issued them a warning under the regulations and barred them from working in the preschool sector.

Police investigations against them are still ongoing.

Preschool licence revoked

Concurrently, ECDA said its investigations also found that the preschool management did not ensure that its Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on child management were enforced.

It also gave "inadequate guidance and support" to the staff in managing the children and failed to safeguard students' welfare.

These "systemic lapses" and the "severity of the incidents at the preschool" lead ECDA to revoke the preschool's licence.

According to the agency, its decision came after it issued a notice to the preschool on Dec. 13, 2024 and "careful consideration" of the latter's representations.

ECDA will 'take actions' against errant preschools

In its statement, ECDA also reminds preschool operators to establish child-safe policies and "take proactive steps" to ensure these policies are implemented effectively and consistently on-site.

"ECDA will not hesitate to take actions should there be breaches of our regulatory requirements," read the statement.

Top image via GUMMI Smart Kids/Facebook