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SINGAPORE: Approximately 1,300 eligible preschool-age children from low-income families will receive additional financial assistance under a supplemental program.
Starting in November, eligible children will receive a S $ 250 top-up to their Child Development Account (CDA) each year for up to three years, said the Ministry of Education (MOE), the EtonHouse Community Fund (ECF) and the Singapore Community Foundation. (CFS) in a joint press release on Thursday (Oct 8).
ECF and CFS will contribute nearly S $ 1 million to the program over the next three years, according to the statement.
The Government will provide dollar-for-dollar matching contributions for top-ups, up to the child’s eligible contribution limit.
This means that eligible children can receive S $ 500 each on their CDA this year and up to S $ 1,500 each for three years.
“These funds can be used by your parents / guardians to defray parenting expenses, such as preschool fees and medical bills at Baby Bonus approved institutions,” the joint press release said.
Eligible students belong to 57 preschools from seven operators: E-Bridge Pre-School, Iyad Perdaus Child Development, Kidz Meadow Childcare and Development Center, PPIS Child Development Center, Presbyterian Community Services, Super Talent Childcare, and YWCA Child Development Center.
These children are Singaporeans who are enrolled in preschools under the seven selected operators. Their families have a gross monthly household income of S $ 4,500 or less, and are receiving an additional subsidy for their preschool fees as of July.
The program is facilitated by the Uplifting Pupils in Life and Inspiring Families (UPLIFT) task force, an inter-agency task force created in 2018 to strengthen support for students from disadvantaged families.
(Left to Right) Teacher Nadhrah Norzaini, Dr. Maliki Osman, Ms. Catherine Loh, and Ms. Ng Gim Choo pose for a photo with preschoolers at E-Bridge’s Punggol Large Child Care Center on October 8, 2020 (Photo: Ministry of Education)
The Second Minister of Education and President of UPLIFT, Dr. Maliki Osman, said he is “hopeful” that the CDA supplement will encourage more low-income families to send their children to preschool education.
“The preschool plays a crucial role in laying the foundation for a child’s overall development, strengthening their confidence and social skills and encouraging them to be active and curious learners,” he said.
“We welcome the partnership with ECF and CFS, who have stepped forward to contribute to this initiative, especially during this difficult period of economic uncertainty and job loss that has impacted many families.
“We strongly encourage more community partners and like-minded corporations to step forward to support such causes, so that we can reach more children from low-income families.”
The initiative provides parents “a helping hand” during the early years of a child’s development, said CFS Executive Director Catherine Loh.
“We have a responsibility to strengthen our social safety nets to ensure that no child is left behind,” he added.
ECF Director Ng Gim Choo said: “Children are the pillars of the future of society. With the CDA recharge program, ECF hopes to improve the lives of children from low-income families through the power of education. “
