Early Childhood Development Centres Regulations 2018

a statement setting out the centre’s daily operating hours and the following periods of operation in a year:

the periods during which the centre provides early childhood development services;

the periods during which the centre does not provide any early childhood development service but is not closed;

the periods during which the centre is closed;

a programme statement specifying the following:

the class of licence that the applicant is applying for;

the classes that are conducted at the centre, and the age of the children attending each class;

the licensee’s philosophy of care and education;

the daily programme schedule of the centre that satisfies the condition in paragraph (5);

whether any early childhood development service, other than the conduct of the classes mentioned in sub‑paragraph (ii) is provided at the centre, and if so, a description of such service;

the policies and guidelines on managing the behaviour of children;

the procedure on —

the registration of children at the centre;

the enrolment of children for each class at the centre; and

the withdrawal of children from the centre;

the procedure for the collection and refund of all deposits that are made for the enrolment of a child at the centre;

the procedure for handling illnesses, including daily temperature and health checks conducted on children, serious incidents and emergencies involving children;

the processes for —

promoting the health and welfare of children, including first-aid practices;

ensuring the safety of children; and

maintaining a good standard of hygiene of the centre and its practices;

where the licensee provides services to transport the children who attend at the licensee’s centre, the procedure and arrangement for the transportation of the children;

the procedure for obtaining parental permission for the children’s participation in excursions and other activities outside the centre;

the procedure for carrying out a closure of the centre;

the written menus of the food which will be served to the children attending at the centre; and

a breakdown of the fees and incidental charges mentioned in paragraph (6) that are payable for a child who is enrolled in the centre.

the periods for assembling and dismissing the children;

the periods for group and individual activities;

the periods for activities designed to promote gross and fine motor, cognitive, social and emotional development;

the periods for structured and free play;

the periods for meals and snacks;

where the centre provides full‑day services —

the periods for rest; and

the periods for routine care.

registration fees and programme fees;

any deposit that is to be made for the enrolment of a child;

the incidental charges for the following:

uniform and any other attire;

insurance coverage for a child who is enrolled in the centre;

transporting a child from his or her home to the centre, or from the centre to his or her home, or both;

attending field trips and excursions outside the centre, including the cost of meals for the child and the cost of transporting a child to the venue of such field trips and excursions;

participating in concerts organised by the licensee, including graduation ceremonies;

photographs and videos taken of the centre’s children and events;

maintaining online communication tools and systems between the licensee and the parent or guardian of a child;

enrichment programmes;

e-learning materials;

where the centre provides half‑day services —

readers, academic materials, stationery, school bags and folders and art and musical materials used in providing those services; and

meals that are provided to children;

where the centre is a full‑day service centre, use of a mattress, mattress cover or stack cot;

where the centre conducts any infant class, the diapers, nappy rash cream, milk bottle, milk powder, cot bedding and any other item which may be consumed or used by a child.

be stimulating, holistic and developmentally‑appropriate; and

support and promote the learning, development and wellbeing of children.

whether as at the date of the application for approval to transfer a licence, the remaining period for which the licence is valid is at least 7 months;

whether the licensee has been required to rectify any non‑compliance with the Act, and if so, whether the licensee has rectified such non-compliance;

the licensee’s compliance history with the requirements of the Act, the repealed Act, the Education Act (Cap. 87), and any regulations made under any of those Acts;

whether the Chief Licensing Officer had previously, in lieu of revoking the licensee’s licence, taken one or more actions mentioned in section 16(2) of the Act in relation to the licensee;

whether the licensee or any of its key appointment holders is undergoing any investigation for an offence under the Act or any other Act;

whether the licensee has appealed against a decision of the Chief Licensing Officer under section 43 of the Act, and if so, whether the appeal has been determined;

whether the intended transferee has the capacity to ensure the continuity of care and education of the children of the centre concerned;

the matters mentioned in section 8(3)(a) to (k) of the Act (read with section 8(5) of the Act) except that every reference to the applicant is read as a reference to the intended transferee.

notify the Chief Licensing Officer in writing of the change; and

notify the parents and guardians of the children attending at the licensee’s centre in writing of the change.

the name of the licensee;

the period during which the licence is valid;

whether the centre is owned or leased by the licensee;

where the centre is leased by the licensee, the period of the lease; and

such other information relating to the licensee or the centre as may be specified by the Chief Licensing Officer.

early years educator duties are only carried out by —

an early years educator;

a preschool educator; or

any one or more of the following persons under the supervision of an early years educator or a preschool educator:

an assistant early years educator;

an assistant preschool educator;

a programme helper;

infant educator duties are only carried out by —

an infant educator; or

a programme helper under the supervision of an infant educator;

principal supervisory duties are only carried out by —

the principal of the centre; or

in the absence of the principal, a member of the licensee’s staff who is appointed to carry out principal supervisory duties in the absence of the principal;

preschool educator duties are only carried out by —

a preschool educator; or

any or both of the following persons under the supervision of a preschool educator:

an assistant preschool educator;

a programme helper;

children who are not yet able to walk or crawl are kept separate from other children during periods for play;

only children who are enrolled in the centre are allowed to attend classes conducted at the centre.

establish a system for sharing information on all matters that may affect the children who are enrolled in the licensee’s centre, with the parents or guardians of those children; and

allow the parent or guardian of any child who is enrolled in the licensee’s centre to visit the centre at any time which is reasonable and does not cause undue interference with the centre’s programme schedule.

provide a copy of the items mentioned in regulation 3(4)(a), (b) and (c) without charge to any parent or guardian who intends to enrol his or her child in the licensee’s centre; and

explain the content of the items mentioned in regulation 3(4)(a), (b) and (c) to the parent or guardian before the child starts to attend any class at the licensee’s centre.

the child has a fever or is feverish; or

the child is on medication.

record any symptom of ill-health or infectious disease detected by the member in any child arriving at the centre;

cause the child to be taken to a supervised area designated for rest and care; and

ensure that the child remains at that area until such time as the child is taken home by the child’s parent or guardian, or any person authorised by such parent or guardian.

to immediately seek all necessary emergency medical assistance for the child;

to immediately notify a parent or guardian of the child, or any person authorised by such parent or guardian;

to maintain a proper written record of the occurrence; and

to notify the Chief Licensing Officer within 24 hours of the occurrence and if a public holiday falls during that period, on the day following the public holiday.

maintain a first-aid kit for emergency treatment at an accessible and safe place at the licensee’s centre; and

ensure that the first-aid kit is stocked with such items as may be specified by the Chief Licensing Officer.

ensure the availability of a portable first‑aid kit at all times when the activity is conducted; and

ensure that the portable first-aid kit is stocked with such items as may be specified by the Chief Licensing Officer.

no medicine or drug is administered to any child attending at the licensee’s centre by any person other than a member of the licensee’s staff;

no medicine or drug is administered to a child attending at the licensee’s centre unless otherwise prescribed by a registered medical practitioner for the child, or in accordance with the written instructions of a parent or guardian of the child;

every container of any medicine or drug to be administered to a child attending at the licensee’s centre is clearly labelled with the child’s name and instructions for the administration of the medicine or drug; and

all medicines and drugs are kept out of reach of the children attending at the licensee’s centre.

the name of the child;

the name of the medicine or drug administered;

the dosage of the medicine or drug administered;

the name of the person who administered the medicine or drug to the child;

the time and date when the medicine or drug is administered to the child;

the manner of every administration of the medicine or drug.

not prescribed by a registered medical practitioner for the child; or

not in accordance with the written instructions of a parent or guardian of the child.

the individual has undergone a medical examination and a chest X‑ray by a registered medical practitioner, or any other health screening or investigation as may be specified by the Chief Licensing Officer;

the individual has been certified by a registered medical practitioner to be fit to work or provide a service in a centre and free from active tuberculosis; and

the individual has provided a written declaration to the licensee that —

the individual has received vaccination against mumps, rubella and varicella;

the individual has previously been diagnosed by a registered medical practitioner as being infected by any of the diseases mentioned in sub‑paragraph (i), and the individual has since recovered from the diseases; or (iii)the individual has taken a serological test and the serological test shows that the individual has immunity against all the diseases mentioned in sub‑paragraph (i).(iv)[Deleted by S 1066/2020 wef 01/01/2021]

where the individual was not, immediately before 1 January 2021, a member of the licensee’s staff at the licensee’s centre — the individual has, before the individual starts to perform any duty at the centre at any time on or after 1 January 2021 —

provided documentary evidence to the licensee that the individual has immunity against measles; or

subject to sub-paragraph (b), provided to the licensee a certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner stating that the individual has received one dose of measles vaccination;

for an individual mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)(ii), the individual has, before the individual continues to perform any duty at the licensee’s centre on or after the expiry of 12 months after the date the individual received the first dose of measles vaccination, provided to the licensee —

a certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner stating that the individual has received a second dose of measles vaccination; or

any other documentary evidence that the individual has immunity against measles;

where the individual was, immediately before 1 January 2021, a member of the licensee’s staff at the licensee’s centre —

the individual has provided a declaration of measles immunity to the licensee; (ii)the individual has, before the individual performs any duty relating to the conduct of infant class at the licensee’s centre on or after 1 July 2021, provided documentary evidence to the licensee that the individual has immunity against measles; and

the individual has, before the individual performs any other duty at the licensee’s centre on or after 1 January 2022, provided documentary evidence to the licensee that the individual has immunity against measles.

where the individual was not, immediately before 1 July 2022, providing any service at the licensee’s centre as an education service provider — the individual has, before he or she starts to provide any service at the centre at any time on or after that date —

provided documentary evidence to the licensee that the individual has immunity against measles; or

subject to sub-paragraph (b), provided to the licensee a certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner stating that the individual has received one dose of measles vaccination;

for an individual mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)(ii), the individual has, before he or she continues to perform any duty at the licensee’s centre on or after the expiry of 12 months after the date the individual received the first dose of measles vaccination, provided to the licensee —

a certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner stating that the individual has received a second dose of measles vaccination; or

any other documentary evidence that the individual has immunity against measles;

where the individual was, immediately before 1 July 2022, providing any service at the licensee’s centre as an education service provider —

the individual has provided a declaration of measles immunity to the licensee; and

the individual has, before the individual provides any service at the licensee’s centre on or after 30 June 2023, provided documentary evidence to the licensee that the individual has immunity against measles.

a certificate or other statement signed and issued by a registered medical practitioner or any other person on behalf of a healthcare service provider, the Government or the National University of Singapore stating that the individual has received 2 doses of measles vaccination;

a record of the notification mentioned in regulation 18 of the Infectious Diseases (Diphtheria and Measles Vaccination) Regulations (Cap. 137, Rg 3) stating that the individual has been vaccinated against measles;

a serological test result stating that the individual has immunity against measles;

a laboratory test result stating that the individual is infected by measles.

ensure that the premises and operation of the licensee’s centre conform with such requirements as may be specified by the Chief Licensing Officer or in any code of practice, relating to the prevention of infectious diseases and state of hygiene and cleanliness in centres; and

report to a Health Officer, the Chief Licensing Officer, and the parents or guardians of all the children attending at the licensee’s centre of any suspected or known case of any infectious disease amongst the licensee’s staff or children attending at the centre in accordance with such requirements as may be specified by the Chief Licensing Officer or in any code of practice.

is a member of the licensee’s staff or is engaged in the preparation of food or rendering of services at the licensee’s centre; and

is suffering from an infectious disease,to enter the centre until the period of unfitness of the individual as stated in a medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner in respect of the individual has expired and the symptoms of the disease in the individual have resolved.

have a written menu of such food;

serve food that meets the dietary or nutritional requirements as may be specified by the Chief Licensing Officer;

conspicuously display the written menu at the centre within such period as may be specified by the Chief Licensing Officer before serving the food;

communicate the written menu within such period as may be specified by the Chief Licensing Officer before serving the food, to the parents or guardians of the children who will be served the food; (e)where any child enrolled in the centre is allergic to any food —

cause to be displayed at the centre’s kitchen, pantry and food serving areas all of the following information:

the name of the child;

the class in which the child is attending;

the food to which the child is allergic;

the measures to take when the child has a food allergy; and

ensure that the child is not served food that the child is allergic to; and

comply with such other requirements relating to the provision of food to the children attending at the licensee’s centre as may be specified by the Chief Licensing Officer.

sexual exploitation or abuse;

corporal punishment, including —

striking the child, directly or with any physical object;

shaking, shoving, spanking or any other form of aggressive contact; and

requiring or forcing the child to repeat physical movements on the pretext of disciplining the child;

giving the child harsh, humiliating, belittling or degrading response of any kind, whether it is a verbal, emotional or physical response;

neglecting the child, and deliberate absence of response;

depriving the child of any meal or other basic need;

isolation of the child unless the child is being supervised by a member of the licensee’s staff who is within sight of the child, or physical restriction of any of the child’s movements;

putting the child at risk of being scalded or burnt;

causing psychological trauma to the child;

force feeding the child;

exposing the child to undesirable content, including pornography.

issue a set of rules regulating the conduct of the licensee’s staff;

ensure that all members of the licensee’s staff are aware of such rules; and

take measures to enforce such rules.

a class register for every class conducted at the licensee’s centre that specifies all the following information on each child attending the class:

name;

date of birth;

daily records of the child’s attendance at the class;

daily records of the time at which the child leaves the centre for the day; and

the information mentioned in paragraph (2) for every child enrolled in that centre.

the application for enrolment signed by a parent or guardian of the child;

the child’s birth certificate number or Singapore citizenship certificate number (whichever is applicable);

the name, date of birth and residential address of the child;

the following particulars of a parent or guardian of the child:

name;

identity card number;

residential address;

email address;

contact number;

a copy of any document evidencing the mother’s employment status, or if the child has no mother, the father’s employment status;

where the child has a single parent, a copy of any document evidencing the single status of the child’s parent;

such other particulars as may be specified by the Chief Licensing Officer;

if applicable, any medical information, including special safety requirements, relating to the child that is provided by a parent or guardian of the child, or a registered medical practitioner for the child;

every written authorisation or consent given by a parent or guardian of the child regarding the following matters:

any emergency medical care to be administered on the child;

the release of the child from the centre to a person authorised by the parent or guardian to receive the child after the end of the child’s class (called in this paragraph the authorised person);

the child’s participation in any programme conducted outside of the centre during the centre’s operating hours;

the following particulars of the authorised person mentioned in sub-paragraph (f)(ii):

name;

identity card number;

residential address;

email address;

contact number;

such other particulars as may be specified by the Chief Licensing Officer;

if the child has a family physician, the following particulars of the family physician:

name;

contact address;

contact number;

the date on which the child is enrolled in the centre;

the date on which the child is withdrawn from the centre (if applicable);

the monthly fees and other charges that are payable to the licensee in relation to the child;

the monthly fees and other charges that are collected by the licensee in relation to the child;

if the child is 18 months of age or younger, a 3‑monthly record of the growth of the child;

up-to-date health information on the child including medical reports, vaccination and immunisation history, all known allergies, chronic physical problems, injuries, and infectious diseases (if any);

a written recommendation, signed by a registered medical practitioner, with regard to any special requirement for diet, rest or exercise in relation to the child (if any);

reports of any serious incident involving the child, any incident where the child required hospitalisation, or the death of the child (if applicable).

the Chief Licensing Officer or an authorised officer; or

authorised by law to inspect the records.

inform the Chief Licensing Officer of the number of children enrolled in the centre; and

submit to the Chief Licensing Officer the information mentioned in paragraph (2)(a), (b), (c), (d)(i) to (v), (i) and (j) relating to each such child.

the letter of appointment to perform any duty in the licensee’s centre that is issued by the licensee to the member (if any);

a copy of the member’s identity card or passport;

where the member is not a Singapore citizen or permanent resident, a copy of the member’s work pass that is in force;

the following particulars of the member:

name;

residential address;

email address;

contact number;

such other particulars as may be required by the Chief Licensing Officer;

a copy of the member’s highest academic certificate (if any);

a copy of the member’s certificate (if any) relating to the member’s completion of any professional course relating to early childhood education;

a copy of the member’s certificate (if any) relating to the member’s completion of any course relating to the administration of first aid;

a copy of the approval granted by the Chief Licensing Officer under section 25 of the Act (if applicable);

a copy of the member’s declaration on whether the member has been previously convicted of any offence, if the Chief Licensing Officer had required the submission of such declaration with the licensee’s application for approval to deploy the member to perform a prescribed duty or prescribed class of duties at the licensee’s centre under section 24 of the Act;

a letter from a registered medical practitioner stating that the member has satisfied the requirements mentioned in regulation 30(3)(a) and (b), the written declaration mentioned in regulation 30(3)(c), the documentary evidence or certificate mentioned in regulation 30(3A) and (where applicable) the written declaration mentioned in regulation 30(3A)(c)(i);

where the member is appointed or tasked with the duty of preparing food for the children attending at the licensee’s centre, records evidencing that the member has satisfied the requirements in regulation 42(2).

a copy of the education service provider’s identity card or passport;

the following particulars of the education service provider:

name;

residential address;

email address;

contact number;

any other particulars as may be required by the Chief Licensing Officer;

a copy of the education service provider’s declaration whether the education service provider has previously been convicted of any offence, if the Chief Licensing Officer had required the submission of such declaration with the licensee’s application for approval to engage the education service provider under section 30 of the Act;

a letter from a registered medical practitioner stating that the education service provider has satisfied the requirements mentioned in regulation 30(3)(a) and (b), the written declaration mentioned in regulation 30(3)(c), the documentary evidence or certificate mentioned in regulation 30(3B) and (where applicable) the written declaration mentioned in regulation 30(3B)(c)(i);

if the education service provider is employed by an entity, the following information on the entity:

name;

business activities;

if the entity is registered with any public agency for the purpose of carrying on its business, the public agency and the registration number assigned to the entity by the public agency.

where the entity is incorporated or formed in Singapore, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority established under section 3 of the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority Act (Cap. 2A); and

where the entity is incorporated or formed in a foreign country or territory, an authority of the foreign country or territory, or any board, commission, committee or similar body, whether corporate or unincorporate, established under the law of the foreign country or territory for a public purpose.

the records mentioned in regulation 27(3)(a) and (7)(c);

the record mentioned in regulation 29(2) in relation to every child enrolled in the centre (if any);

the class register mentioned in regulation 34(1)(a);

the information mentioned in regulation 34(2)(a), (b), (c) and (d) for every child enrolled in the centre;

the information mentioned in regulation 34(2)(e) to (p) for every child enrolled in the centre;

where Government subsidy is implemented for any child enrolled in the centre, the forms used for such implementation;

bank statements and other financial records of the centre that evidence the receipt by the centre of payments made for each child;

the records mentioned in regulation 35(1) in relation to every member of the licensee’s staff;

the records mentioned in regulation 36(1) in relation to every education service provider who is engaged to provide educational services to the children enrolled at the centre;

past daily programme schedules that the licensee no longer complies with;

past written menus that the licensee no longer follows;

records of official visits of inspection mentioned in regulation 37;

records of all other visits to the centre or any child attending at the centre in any year, other than the official visits mentioned in sub‑paragraph (l);

records of evacuation drills that are conducted under regulation 60(c) during the term of the licensee’s licence.

in the case of paragraph (1)(a), (b) and (e), at least one year after the date on which the child is withdrawn from the centre;

in the case of paragraph (1)(c), at least 3 years after the class graduates;

in the case of paragraph (1)(d) and (f), at least 3 years after the date on which the child is withdrawn from the centre;

in the case of paragraph (1)(g), at least 3 years after the last entry is made to the bank statements or financial records, as the case may be;

in the case of paragraph (1)(h), at least one year after the date on which the member of the licensee’s staff ceases to perform any duty at the centre;

in the case of paragraph (1)(i), at least one year after the education service provider ceases to provide any educational services at the centre;

in the case of paragraph (1)(j), at least one year after the date on which the licensee ceases to comply with the past daily programme schedule;

in the case of paragraph (1)(k), at least one year after the date on which the licensee ceases to follow the past written menu;

in the case of paragraph (1)(l), the longer of the following periods:

one year after the date of the official visit of inspection;

the period between the date of the official visit of inspection and the date on which the licensee’s licence expires (both dates inclusive);

in the case of paragraph (1)(m), until 31 December of the year immediately following the year to which the records mentioned in paragraph (1)(m) relates; and

in the case of paragraph (1)(n) —

in the case where the licensee renews the licence, one year after the date on which the licence is renewed; or

in any other case, the last date on which the licensee may make an application to renew the licence.

any legal action commenced against the licensee that may affect any child, any member of the licensee’s staff or the operation of the licensee’s centre; or

any legal action commenced against any key appointment holder of the licensee that may affect any child, any member of the licensee’s staff or the operation of the licensee’s centre,the licensee must report the legal action to the Chief Licensing Officer within 24 hours after becoming so aware.

in the case of paragraph (1)(a) and the licensee is a company —

an application that is made to wind up or dissolve the licensee under the Companies Act (Cap. 50);

an application that is made to place the licensee under judicial management under the Companies Act; and

any criminal proceedings against the licensee;

in the case of paragraph (1)(a) and the licensee is an individual, any criminal proceedings against the licensee; and

in the case of paragraph (1)(b), any criminal proceedings against the key appointment holder of the licensee.

if the licensee’s centre is leased by the licensee, any event or occurrence which may result in the shortening or termination of the lease;

if the licensee’s centre is owned by the licensee, any event or occurrence which may result in the transfer of ownership of the centre.

every member of the licensee’s staff who is deployed to perform a duty at the licensee’s centre; and

every education service provider who is engaged by the licensee to provide any educational service at the licensee’s centre,within 28 days after the date of such deployment or engagement (as the case may be), to the Chief Licensing Officer in such form as the Chief Licensing Officer may require.

name;

residential address;

email address;

contact number;

any other particulars which may be required by the Chief Licensing Officer.