The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has revoked the licence of GU+MMI Smart Kids, a pre-school in Seletar Hills Estate, following an investigation into child mismanagement incidents that surfaced in February 2024. The licence revocation took effect on January 2, 2025, marking a significant step in ensuring the safety and well-being of children in Singapore’s early education sector.
The controversy first came to light when reports emerged of two children being mistreated by their teachers. The incidents included allegations of corporal punishment, such as hitting, pinching, and locking the children in a dark room. Parents revealed that these traumatic experiences caused their children to develop a fear of school and frequent meltdowns.
ECDA launched an immediate investigation upon receiving reports from a parent and the pre-school itself. The probe involved an unannounced visit to the school, interviews with staff and parents, a review of CCTV footage, and verification of records. The findings revealed systemic lapses in child management policies and inadequate enforcement of standard operating procedures.
The three teachers involved in the incidents were suspended on February 26, 2024, and subsequently dismissed. ECDA has barred them from working in the pre-school sector, ensuring they cannot pose a risk to children in the future. Police investigations against them are ongoing.
ECDA held the pre-school’s management accountable for its failure to enforce child-safe policies and provide proper guidance and support to its staff. The agency emphasized that these systemic lapses led to a failure to safeguard the well-being of children under the pre-school’s care.
Parents began withdrawing their children from GU+MMI Smart Kids shortly after the allegations came to light, and the pre-school has had no enrolments since March 21, 2024.
In its statement, ECDA reiterated the importance of adhering to strict safety and well-being regulations in Singapore’s pre-schools. “There are explicit provisions in the ECDC Act and Regulations to safeguard the safety and well-being of children in Singapore’s pre-schools. Operators must establish child-safe policies and take proactive steps to ensure these policies are implemented effectively and consistently,” the agency said.
The regulatory body also reaffirmed its commitment to taking decisive action against breaches of its requirements. It stressed that pre-school operators bear the ultimate responsibility for creating and maintaining a safe environment for children, and failure to do so will result in strict penalties, including licence revocation.
This incident highlights the critical importance of maintaining high standards in early childhood education and the need for vigilance among educators and regulators. It also serves as a reminder to parents to remain engaged and observant about their children’s experiences in pre-schools.
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