PCF to open mega childcare centre in Woodlands next year
PM Lee among the audience during the High Flyers bird show at the Pools Amphitheatre during the PCF Family Day at Jurong Bird Park today. Photo: Jason Quah
SINGAPORE — The mega childcare centre opening in Woodlands by the end of next year will have green outdoor spaces, a rooftop play area, as well as classrooms designed to integrate indoor learning with the outdoors, said the PAP Community Foundation (PCF), which was announced today (Nov 1) as the operator.
Making the announcement on the sidelines of its Family Day celebrations held at the Jurong Bird Park today, the PCF said it will build the S$5 million standalone double-storey centre that can accommodate 300 children on an empty plot of land at Woodlands Street 13, opposite the Woodlands Stadium and Woodlands Town Park East. It will accept children aged 18 months to 7 years.
“At the end of the day, kids don’t just want to sit and learn in the classroom for a long time ... They learn very well when they run around, and we hope to incorporate (more open spaces) ... That will accelerate and aid learning,” PCF chief executive officer Victor Bay told reporters today.
The centre will also tap on nearby amenities like the Woodlands Stadium and Woodlands Town Park East to offer children a holistic learning experience, such as an appreciation of nature and activities that promote health and wellness, a spokesperson said.
Noting that its typical childcare centres sited at Housing and Development Board void decks accommodate only about 100 children, Mr Bay added: “Unlike in traditional PCF centres at void decks where space is a constraint, here, with this mega centre we will have areas for free play of space.”
The PCF said the fees are still being worked out — the Early Childhood Development Agency imposes a S$720 limit. Currently, PCF’s childcare fees are about S$669 per month, said a spokesperson. Mr Bay said given that the PCF serves “less financially well-off families, we must make sure the fees are (affordable) for them”.
The PCF is the third operator announced for five jumbo childcare centres that the Government has said it will build by the end of next year to add 2,400 spots in addition to the 20,000 it had pledged to provide between 2013 and 2017. In August, it was announced that the mega childcare centres in Punggol and Sengkang that will offer 1,000 places collectively will be run by EtonHouse International’s E-Bridge Pre-School and NTUC First Campus’ My First Skool, respectively.
Two more of these mega childcare centres will be built in Jurong West and Yishun and run by anchor operators, which have not been named.
Parents who live in Woodlands are looking forward to the refreshing concept of the upcoming childcare centre.
Ms Stella Jean, 26, who has a three-month-old daughter, said she will consider enrolling her child there.
“I like that it’s more green ... at least she will be able to interact with, and touch, and smell nature. It will be good for her learning.”
Ms Jean, however, expressed concern about whether the fees might be slightly more expensive, given the new facilities.
Mrs Doris Teo, who is looking for a childcare centre for her one-year-old daughter next year, said she has tried her luck with three centres. One of them told her that there are about 50 people on the waiting list.
“I think opening a mega centre is good, as it has more places. If I really have no luck with (the others), I will try for a place there,” said the 30-year-old, who works as a department store manager.
The annual PCF Family Day was attended by about 10,000 children and families. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth Lawrence Wong, and other People’s Action Party Members of Parliament also joined in the activities, including watching the High Flyers bird show at the Pools Amphitheatre, a walk through the Wings of Asia aviary, as well as visiting the Flamingo Lake.
