PCF to give
rebates to parents affected by fee hikes for
2016
SINGAPORE — Rebates will be given to parents affected by the PAP
Community Foundation (PCF) pre-school fee hikes for next year as a
goodwill gesture, the foundation said today (Sept 25).
In a statement, PCF said these rebates will be given out for the
first six months of the year, from Jan 1 to June 30.
“During this period, all Singaporean and permanent resident
children in the centres will enjoy a rebate equivalent to the fee
increase amount,” PCF said. This means the new fees will only take
effect from July 1 next year. “We are reaching out to all parents
to inform them of this rebate,” the PCF said.
TODAY reported earlier this week that PCF, the largest
pre-school operator here, is set to raise fees for most of its
kindergarten and childcare centres from next year. The anchor
operator did not say which or how many of its 153 childcare centres
and 215 kindergartens will be affected, nor did it provide
information on the new fees.
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) sets a fee cap of
S$720 a month for full-day childcare for anchor operators. MY World
Preschool and E-Bridge, which are also anchor operators, earlier
told TODAY they will not raise the fees for next year.
In response to queries, the ECDA did not say if other anchor
operators were adjusting their fees, and reiterated that these
operators must abide by fee caps for full-day childcare and for
infant care. The agency added: “Pre-school operators raise fees
from time to time to ensure sustainability as operating costs rise,
and to recruit and retain teachers to deliver quality
programmes.”
-- TODAYonline
