Playgroup for Singapore Toddlers

Playgroup for Singapore Toddlers

A playgroup is a place where children, mostly below the age of four years, go to interact with one another. They learn to socialise and build relationships while under the care of their parents. Toddlers are often seen exchanging toys, playing games or simply just sitting side by side watching cartoons together.

For Singaporean parents juggling with full-time jobs, securing a place in a playgroup is becoming increasingly difficult. The number of registered playgroups has dropped from 685 in 2004 to 634 last year. This is due to the escalating rentals which are eating into the budgets of many families.

And with no government help in sight, parents may be priced out of the market.

It's quite an amount to fork out for childcare, especially when it's not something you are used too. And the prices have gone up over the years.

They have considered running their own playgroup to cut cost but are put off by rental costs that range from $20 thousand to about $50 thousand a year for a space of more than 1,000 sq ft.

For parents who have a hard time getting into a playgroup, kindergartens will be their only resort to meet other children with similar ages. But school hours are usually from 7am to 6pm. So there is little time left for parents to run errands or carry out household chores after dropping off and picking up the kids from school.

Parents are also concerned about the safety of their children during playtime in school hours because only one adult would be looking out for more than 30 children. So, parents have come up with an idea to start a playgroup at home where they can keep a watchful eye on their kids while being close by. Yet, that would require more space, which they are finding hard to come by.

Parents are also looking at hiring an ayah which is more expensive but nevertheless a consideration.

The median monthly household income for 2006 was $3,845 with about 11 percent of the population falling below the poverty line. And the rising costs of living means managing finances is becoming tougher.

This is a clear and present issue for parents and something the government should consider providing assistance to. There needs to be some form of relief as it will definitely be beneficial to those who need help.

T.K is an avid writer on business topics, he writes for Koh Management