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Lower-income families with PCF pre-schoolers get help to make homes more child-friendly

The Straits Times

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October 19, 2025

A new initiative aiming to make homes more conducive for children to learn and thrive will provide 260 lower-income families with up to $1,500 for household appliances, as well as items that can be used for a child's development.

- Zhaki Abdullah Correspondent

Families can purchase items such as study tables, as well as appliances such as refrigerators or electric fans.

KidStart Sparkle Homes, which was launched on Oct 18, is open to families with at least one child registered with a PAP Community Foundation (PCF) preschool.

The families must have been registered as a beneficiary with KidStart for at least eight months and be nominated by their practitioner - KidStart professionals trained in areas such as early childhood development.

The scheme will receive up to $412,000 in funding between 2025 and 2027 from PCF's charity division, under an agreement signed in July between the foundation and KidStart.

KidStart is a nonprofit organisation under the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Early Childhood Development Agency that supports the development of children in lower-income homes.

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