Dear TRS,
Small wonder @ Punggol, located at 211A, PUNGGOL WALK, #01 - 623, SINGAPORE 821211 had lost my child during an outdoor trip and was only aware he is unaccounted for when someone else brought him back to the childcare centre.
Below is the email I wrote to the authorities on this matter:
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Attn to:
Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) (contact[at]ecda.gov.sg)
Ministry of Social and Family Development (msf_email[at]msf.gov.sg)
CC: Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Social and Family Development (chunsing[at]msf.gov.sg)
Dear Sir/Mdm,
I am writing this email to lodge a formal complaint over the serious lapse of supervision by your licensed anchor childcare centre operated by KNOWLEDGE UNIVERSE SINGAPORE PTE. LTD., located at 211A, PUNGGOL WALK, #01 - 623, SINGAPORE 821211, Centre Code: PT9066, under the brand name of Small Wonder, for which I wish that the department in charge can launch a formal investigation.
On 23 Dec 2014, I was notified by Small Wonder Formal Teacher through mobile phone at around 1230hr that my son (2Yr 2 Mth Old) was unaccounted for a period of time when the teacher brought out the kids for outdoor activities. According to the account from the teachers, the two teachers are carrying crying kids, which caused them to overlook to do proper head count while outdoor. The teachers in charge are total unware that my son was not with the group after they brought him out together. A kind parent in the vicinity of my son brought him back to the centre when the parent found him unattended and unsupervised. It is only then that the centre realised that my son was unaccounted, unsupervised.
The centre is unable to provide me with a satisfactory answer and they unable to show me the CCTV recording to show the actual time that my son was brought back to the centre. Hence the period of time that my son is unaccounted for is not backed by evidences. Furthermore, they are not willing to reveal the name of the parent whom brought back my son back to the centre for us to understand the situation better. It appears that the teachers are not well trained in handling kids outdoor even when the centre claimed that the teacher/child ratio is sufficient.
The incompetence of the centre to ensure the safety of the children under their care is a cause for alarm. This is especially so when they can have a child unaccounted and unattended and only realised it when a parent bring the child back. If someone with ill-intent is nearby, there is this possibility that the child might be kidnapped, sexually abused etc, causing long term harm to the child.
I hope that the authorities can investigate if the centre had violated any policies set out by the ministry and mete out the necessary penalties such as suspension of license for the safety of children. The ministry may want consider to implement additional measures on the teacher/child ratio for outdoor activities due to the higher risk involved.
(Attached letter from Principal acknowledging the incident without further details of events leading to incident)
And here is the reply from ECDA today:
Dear Mr Lau
Feedback on Knowledge Universe Singapore Pte. Ltd at 221A Punggol Walk Singapore 821211
Please refer your email dated 24 December 2014, our telephone conversation and email reply on 26 Dec 2014 on your feedback that your son, <name removed>, had been left unsupervised outside the above centre on 23 Dec 2014.
Arising from your feedback, we have conducted an unannounced visit to the centre. Our findings revealed that there was a lapse in children supervision, resulting in <name removed> being left unsupervised outside the centre during outdoor play time.
We understand that you have met with the centre Supervisor, Ms Anne Nirmala Fernandis on 23 and 24 Dec 2014, and that the centre has issued a letter of apology, as well as shared additional measures taken to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents.
ECDA takes a serious view on issues pertaining to children’s safety and well-being in child care centres. We have issued both the centre and the teacher with warning letters for the incident. We note that centres had taken measures to prevent the occurrence of similar incidents, and we will continue to monitor the centre closely.
5 Please contact me at Tel: 6xxxxx if you require further clarification.
So no serious action was taken in this case. Only warning letters. So they only want child to be kidnapped they will take real action. I am dismayed over the handling of this matter. Please share for awareness.
Mr Lau
TRS Contributor