New holidays and flexible operating hours aim to improve educator well-being and support early childhood development
Starting in 2024, pre-schools in Singapore will observe two additional holidays: Teachers’ Day and Children’s Day, in recognition of early childhood educators’ efforts. This comes on top of the six days already allowed for organizational activities such as staff training and curriculum planning.
The announcement was made by Minister for Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli, who emphasized the Government’s commitment to supporting the well-being and development of educators. The six existing closure days will be rebranded as “Development Days,” providing educators with time to focus on professional growth.
Furthermore, pre-schools will have greater flexibility regarding holiday closures. They will no longer be required to close for half a day on the eve of major public holidays such as New Year’s Day and Christmas, allowing pre-schools to tailor their hours according to the needs of parents and staff.
At the Early Childhood Celebrations and Conference, Mr. Masagos also highlighted the importance of ensuring that teachers can rest and recharge during their breaks, in line with the Employment Act. Educators like Farhana Mohamed Hassan, a senior infant educator, welcomed the announcement, seeing it as an affirmation of their hard work.
Additionally, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) introduced the updated Early Years Development Framework 2023, providing educators with new guidelines for supporting children aged three years and below. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of early childhood education across the sector.
