How to start a preschool in Singapore

Aspiring preschool founders in Singapore embarking on the journey to establish an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) will find a robust and supportive regulatory framework in place. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) serves as the primary regulatory and developmental authority for all ECDCs, encompassing both kindergartens and child care centres, catering to children under the age of seven. Operating an ECDC in Singapore necessitates obtaining a licence under the Early Childhood Development Centres Act and Regulations. This guide provides an overview of the essential steps and requirements to navigate the licensing process, ensuring compliance with local standards for early childhood education and care. Familiarising yourself with the legislative requirements and engaging with the ECDA early in your planning is crucial for a smooth and successful launch.

Regulations

Health safety: Specific details on health and safety policies such as safeguarding, medication administration, immunization requirements, illness exclusion policies, and incident reporting are not explicitly detailed in the provided sources. However, as ECDCs are governed by the Early Childhood Development Centres Act and Regulations, it is a certainty that comprehensive policies and procedures for health, safety, and child safeguarding are mandatory. These would be essential components of the 'Parents' Handbook' required for submission and would be thoroughly assessed during licensing visits and ongoing inspections by the ECDA, ensuring a safe and protective environment for all children.

Licensing overview: All Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs) in Singapore, which provide care and/or education to children below 7 years of age, are required to obtain a licence under the Early Childhood Development Centres Act and Regulations. The ECDA is the regulatory authority, overseeing all aspects of child development for this age group. The application process is primarily for business users, meaning a UEN-registered company/entity with Corppass. The initial licence is valid for 12 months, with subsequent renewals potentially extending to 6, 12, 24, or 36 months based on the quality of care and services. The processing time for a new licence application is typically 14 working days, provided all documentation is complete and premises suitability is confirmed during a site visit.

Licensing authority: Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA)

Staff qualifications: Specific staff qualification details are not provided in the source material. However, it can be inferred that lead teachers and assistant teachers would require recognised early childhood education qualifications. Background checks will undoubtedly be a mandatory requirement for all staff working with children, given the emphasis on child safeguarding and well-being within the regulatory framework. Ongoing professional development and training are generally expected in the early childhood sector to maintain high standards of care and education. The ECDA would have comprehensive guidelines on staff qualifications to ensure a competent and nurturing environment for children.

Facility requirements: The proposed premises for an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) must meet various requirements, including those set by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) for fire safety, evidenced by a Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) or Temporary Fire Permit (TFP). The facility must also be deemed safe for occupancy, requiring a Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) or Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP). Additionally, approval for 'Change of Use' must be obtained from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) for most properties, or a 'Change of Trade' letter from HDB for privately owned HDB properties. A QP-certified floor plan with a breakdown of floor areas is also a mandatory submission, ensuring the layout matches the physical premises and adheres to specified standards for child care and education.

Curriculum requirements: The source material does not explicitly mandate a specific curriculum framework such as EYFS or NQF. However, as the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is the regulatory and developmental authority for all Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs) in Singapore, it can be inferred that there are prescribed educational outcomes and quality standards that all centres must adhere to. While the International Preschool Curriculum (IPC) is not mentioned, any curriculum adopted by an ECDC would be expected to align with the ECDA's overarching objectives for holistic child development, promoting age-appropriate learning and school readiness. Further details would be found within the 'Guide to Setting Up an Early Childhood Development Centre' and the 'Early Childhood Development Centres Code of Practice'.

Startup costs

Startup costs vary significantly based on the type and scale of the Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC). A smaller, home-based or rented-suite operation with minimal renovations and fewer children can expect to be at the lower end. Conversely, a larger, purpose-built centre accommodating 60-100 children will incur substantially higher costs due to extensive renovation or construction, specialized equipment, higher staffing levels, and potentially higher rental or property acquisition expenses in Singapore's competitive real estate market. Location, quality of furnishings, and marketing efforts also contribute to the overall expenditure.

Timeline

1. Familiarisation with Legislative Requirements (Ongoing): Before any formal application, individuals or organisations intending to set up an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) must thoroughly familiarise themselves with the Early Childhood Development Centres Act and Regulations. This involves reviewing the 'Guide and Application To Set Up an Early Childhood Development Centre' and understanding all legislative requirements, as licensees are obligated to comply with these. This initial step ensures a foundational understanding of the regulatory landscape and prepares applicants for the subsequent stages of establishing a compliant ECDC in Singapore.

2. Business Registration and Preparatory Documentation (1-4 weeks): Applicants must be a UEN-registered company or entity with Corppass in Singapore. This step involves registering the business with ACRA. Concurrently, essential documents must be prepared, including proof of legal entity (ACRA registration), a tenancy agreement or proof of ownership for the proposed premises (ideally 2-3 years in length for stability), and preliminary floor plans. These initial documents are crucial for demonstrating the legal and physical feasibility of the ECDC before proceeding with the licence application.

3. Obtaining Premises-Related Clearances (4-12 weeks): This critical phase involves securing various approvals for the proposed ECDC premises. Key clearances include a Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) or Temporary Fire Permit (TFP) from SCDF, a Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) or Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) for occupancy safety, and an 'Approval for Change of Use' from URA (or 'Change of Trade' letter from HDB for specific properties). QP-certified floor plans detailing the layout and area breakdown are also required to confirm the premises meet the ECDA's requirements.

4. ECDA Licence Application Submission (2 weeks (processing time)): Once all preparatory documents and premises clearances are in order, the ECDC licence application can be submitted via the GoBusiness portal. The application requires a comprehensive set of documents, including the ACRA registration, tenancy agreement, fire safety certificates, occupation permits, change of use approvals, QP-certified floor plans, declarations (offences/warnings, financial capacity), and a Parents' Handbook. The processing time is approximately 14 working days, contingent on a complete submission and successful site visit.

5. Site Visit and Awaited Approval (Varies): Following the submission, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will conduct a site visit to assess the premises' suitability and ensure all regulatory requirements are met. It is advisable for applicants to conduct a self-assessment using the 'Site Visit Checklist' prior to this visit. Final clearances from relevant authorities and the successful outcome of the site visit are crucial for the application's approval. The licence will not be issued, and operations must not commence, until all requirements are satisfied and a valid licence is obtained.

6. Commencement of Operations and Licence Renewal (Ongoing): Upon successful acquisition of the Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) licence, the centre can officially commence operations. It is imperative to remember that advertising, commencing operations, or accepting monetary payments without a valid licence is an offence. The initial licence is valid for 12 months. Subsequent renewals can be granted for 6, 12, 24, or 36 months, depending on the centre's adherence to licensing criteria and the standard of care and services provided by the preschool.

Next steps: explore the IPC curriculum, read about preschool enrollment, or browse all start-a-preschool guides.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a licence to operate an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) in Singapore?

Yes, all persons intending to operate an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) in Singapore are legally required to obtain a licence under the Early Childhood Development Centres Act and Regulations. Operating a centre without a valid licence is a serious offence under Section 6(1) of the Early Childhood Development Centres Act 2017. Contravention of this act can lead to severe penalties, including a fine not exceeding S$10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both. For continuing offences, a further fine not exceeding S$1,000 for every day or part of a day the offence continues after conviction may be imposed. Therefore, obtaining the ECDC licence from the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is a mandatory prerequisite.

What is the processing time for a new ECDC licence application in Singapore?

The normal processing time for a new Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) licence application by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is 14 working days. This timeframe commences upon ECDA's confirmation of receiving a complete application with all required supporting documents. The processing time also includes clearances from relevant authorities and the successful clearance of the premises' suitability as an ECDC during the licensing visit. It is important to note that this duration is an estimate and is contingent on all submitted information meeting the ECDA's requirements and no complications arising during the site assessment. Providing a comprehensive and accurate application from the outset can help expedite the process.

What documents are required to apply for an ECDC licence in Singapore?

To apply for an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) licence in Singapore, a comprehensive set of documents must be submitted. This includes proof of legal entity (e.g., ACRA registration, ROS registration), a signed tenancy agreement or proof of ownership for the premises (preferably 2-3 years in length for stability), a Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) or Temporary Fire Permit (TFP) from SCDF, and a Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) or Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) for occupancy. Additionally, approval for 'Change of Use' from URA (or 'Change of Trade' letter from HDB for specific properties) is required, along with QP-certified floor plans detailing the layout. Declarations of offences or warnings, financial capacity, and a Parents' Handbook are also mandatory submissions. A detailed checklist is available in the 'Guide and Application To Set Up An Early Childhood Development Centre' from the ECDA.

What is the validity period and fee for an ECDC licence in Singapore?

The initial Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) licence issued by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) in Singapore is valid for 12 months. Upon successful renewal, subsequent licences can be granted for varying tenures of 6, 12, 24, or 36 months. The duration of the renewed licence is dependent on the standard of care and services provided by the preschool, with longer tenures indicating adherence to higher licensing criteria. The licence fee for an ECDC is S$360. Payment for the licence can be made through various methods, including PayNow, American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Mastercard, UnionPay, and Visa. It is important to note that if an application is withdrawn, any fees already paid will be forfeited.

Can an ECDC advertise or accept payments before obtaining a licence in Singapore?

No, an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) is strictly prohibited from advertising, commencing operations, or accepting monetary payments without holding a valid licence issued under the ECDC Act and Regulations. This is a critical regulatory requirement overseen by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) to ensure that all centres meet the necessary standards for child care and education before engaging with the public or enrolling children. Operating without a licence constitutes an offence and can lead to significant penalties, as outlined in the Early Childhood Development Centres Act 2017. Compliance with this directive is essential for all aspiring ECDC operators in Singapore.

What is the role of the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) in Singapore?

The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) in Singapore was established on 1 April 2013 and serves as the primary regulatory and developmental authority for all Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs). Its mandate encompasses overseeing key aspects of children's development from birth up to the age of seven, covering both kindergartens and child care centres. ECDA is responsible for licensing, regulating, and thereby ensuring the quality and safety of early childhood education and care services across the nation. They also provide guidance and resources like the 'Early Childhood Development Centres Code of Practice' to support operators in maintaining high standards.

How long should the tenancy agreement for an ECDC premises be in Singapore?

When submitting a tenancy agreement for an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) premises in Singapore, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) advises that the tenancy should be for a minimum duration of two to three years. This extended tenancy period is recommended to ensure continuity and stability for the centre's operations. A longer tenure provides a more secure environment for both the ECDC and the enrolled children, demonstrating a commitment to sustained service provision. The tenancy agreement must be signed between the person owning or on behalf of the entity operating the ECDC and the landlord, and it is a mandatory supporting document for the licence application.