Singapore To Build Four Mega Childcare Centers in 2018

Making the country more child-friendly, Singapore plans to build additional children's centers this year, which will conclude by the second half of 2018. The number will bring to a full nine child centers which will all be run by anchor operators - PAP Community Foundation in Punggol, NTUC My First Skool in Punggol and Bukit Panjang, and Skool4Kidz in Sengkang.

According to the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) in its press release, "To enhance learning and developmental opportunities for children enrolled in the new centers, they will be constructed to integrate with the community and the environment." "For example, the center at Sengkang Riverside Park will be the first child care center built in a park," they wrote.

These huge child care centers are the government's way to meet the growing needs of new families by bringing a total of 2,700 children's learning area. Two child centers in Punggol will hold 1,000 child care area each, while Sengkang and Bukit Panjang will hold 400 and 300 child places correspondingly.

A ceremony broke down on Wednesday for the structures to be built. It was revealed afterward that these child centers are four times bigger than an average learning place and will incorporate green architectural designs.

The Straight Times reported that ECDA has tagged National Parks Board to plan activities suitable for children to learn about Singapore's environmental and natural heritage. In fact, educational resource packages that teach about the country's biodiversity has also been distributed to 80,000 children in 1,600 pre-schools.

Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin said during the ground-breaking ceremony, "This center at Sengkang Riverside Park is the result of a partnership with the National Parks Board, so our children can easily participate in physical and outdoor activities. This enhances the children's wellbeing and development, and also nurtures their appreciation for nature from a young age."