Preschools told to give longer notice on fee hikes - MCYS

ALL content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_809637.html

Guidelines were issued to childcare centres last month on the raising of fees, and some centres have begun following them.

The move by the MCYS follows a recent uproar among parents over what they saw as unreasonable preschool fee hikes.

Centres that have begun following the guidelines include Kinderland and those run by Knowledge Universe, which owns Brighton Montessori, Learning Vision, Pat's Schoolhouse and Odyssey.

The PAP Community Foundation already enforces fee increases only in the new school year as a matter of policy. EtonHouse preschool said it gives parents more than three months' notice of fee hikes.

Centres run by NTUC's My First Skool have no firm plans to change their fee policy. My First Skool does not have a schedule for raising fees because factors such as the economic climate come into play, it said.

The following guidelines were issued last month:

1) Give three months' notice of a fee revision, up from two months so that parents can be financially prepared and make alternative arrangements where necessary.

2) Schools are to explain to parents the rationale for the revision and to address their queries.

3) Schools are encouraged to time the effective date of the new fees with the start of the academic year, after having given sufficient notice the year before.