What's been done

OUTREACH TO FIVE-YEAR-OLDS

• Pamphlets explaining the benefits of preschool education are sent out to parents early in the year.
• Grassroots leaders visit homes and suggest solutions to problems that families face in sending their children to preschool. OUTREACH TO SIX-YEAR-OLDS
• Parents declare whether their children have attended preschool during the Primary 1 registration exercise.
• Four self-help groups - the Chinese Development Assistance Council, the Eurasian Association, Mendaki and the Singapore Indian Development Association - work with parents to get their children enrolled in kindergartens.
• Since 2006, a four-week Bridging Programme has been organised by the four self-help groups. Children who have missed preschool or are weak in their studies are taught reading skills and basic numeracy concepts, as well as familiarised with daily school routines. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEMES
• Families with a household net income of $1,800 and below can apply for the Kindergarten Financial Assistance Scheme to receive subsidies for kindergarten fees.
• Families with a net income of $1,000 and below may be given a start-up grant of up to $200 per child to pay for the initial expenses of attending preschool.
• Working parents with a monthly household net income of $1,800 and below can apply for the Centre-Based Financial Assistance Scheme for Childcare. A monthly subsidy of up to $340 will be given to each child in a family. This is on top of the government childcare subsidy for all working mothers, which is $300 per month.
• Families can also receive help from community groups and self-help groups' funds such as the ComCare Fund, Home Ownership Plus Education Scheme and Mendaki Education Trust Fund.