Beyond Social Services to Close Bukit Merah Preschool by End-2025 Due to Falling Enrolment
SINGAPORE - A preschool serving children from lower-income families, run by Beyond Social Services (BSS), will close by the end of 2025 after more than 20 years of operation. The Healthy Start Child Development Centre (HSCDC) in Bukit Merah, which was attended by four-year-old Megan Khung, a victim of abuse by her mother and her boyfriend, will cease operations. Teachers and social workers had attempted to help Megan after noticing bruises on her body.
The closure is attributed to declining enrollment, with BSS reporting a drop from over 50 children in 2018 to just 14 in 2024. This decline is partly due to families relocating due to housing redevelopment. BSS also noted that more affordable and accessible preschools have become available in Bukit Merah, reducing the need for a specialized center like HSCDC. However, challenges such as irregular preschool attendance persist, impacting children's development.
The ComLink+ scheme, launched in 2023, aims to provide financial incentives and support to low-income families with children, encouraging them to improve their lives. Despite this, only 26% of ComLink+ families maintained an attendance rate above 75% for their children aged three to six. BSS's front-line staff observed that families face barriers such as transport issues, irregular work hours, and balancing financial stress with emotional exhaustion, which disrupt attendance and affect children's development.
BSS plans to redirect its resources towards community-rooted initiatives that strengthen caregiving capacity and mutual support among families. They believe that reinvesting in community support can help families establish predictable routines, enhance caregiving skills, and prepare children for school, complementing existing preschool services. As HSCDC winds down, BSS will engage parents and caregivers to co-design the next phase of its family support work.
The closure of HSCDC raises questions about the support available for families in similar situations. It also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by low-income families in accessing quality preschool education. The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) is expected to provide further insights into the support systems in place for these families.
