Little Paddington Preschool to close Bishan branch with 1 week's notice

A Little Paddington Preschool outlet in Bishan will be closed from June 10, with parents of children enrolled in the centre given only a week's notice.

- Shermaine Ang

Parents were initially informed on May 30 that the lease for its premises would end the next day, on May 31, as it could not reach an agreement with its landlord. Parents were told their children would be relocated to another branch, in Thomson Walk, on June 2.

The school later received a one-week extension for the operations of the Bishan branch, delaying the relocation of the children to June 10.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said it is investigating if Little Paddington Preschool has done its due diligence to meet regulatory requirements, and will take action if it has not done so.

Under the agency's regulatory requirements, pre-schools must provide six months' notice to parents as well as the ECDA before ceasing operations. Operators that breach these requirements may be issued warning letters or barred from applying for future preschool licences.

Pre-schools must also inform parents and ECDA once they are notified of the possibility of non-renewal of tenancy agreements, said ECDA, adding that it was informed of the school's cessation on May 30.

The agency is working with the pre-school to support affected parents. "We understand that a sudden cessation like this can impact parents and children significantly," ECDA said.