5-day week for pre-school teachers good but not longer weekdays

As part of ongoing efforts to improve the working conditions of early childhood (EC) educators, it was announced in July 2023 that the mandatory requirement for childcare centres to operate on Saturdays would be removed, with this change starting in January 2025.

- Paulyn Leong

Most early childhood educators were grateful to hear this as this meant more quality time with their families.

However, this happiness was short-lived when some pre-schools announced that to fulfil the existing contractual hours of 44 hours per working week, educators are expected to extend their working hours during the five-day week. This is despite there being no extension of operating hours in the pre-school during the weekdays.