A 33-year-old Singaporean woman has been charged for allegedly mistreating a 20-month-old girl, causing her to fall and sustain injuries at a preschool in the northern part of Singapore. The incident is reported to have taken place on Nov 6, 2023. The woman, who was a childcare teacher at the school, has been banned from working in the preschool sector.
According to CNA, the woman’s charge sheet indicated that she had mistreated the girl repeatedly around 12:28 pm. She had used her leg to trip the girl twice, resulting in physical injury. The girl and the school’s names have not been disclosed due to a gag order by the court. The woman was also not identified.
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) told CNA that it is aware of the incident. On Nov 7, 2023, the girl’s parents reported the incident to ECDA after she suffered a face injury. ECDA then started investigating the case before it was informed by the school of a child mishandling incident by a former employee. A police report was subsequently made on Nov 21, 2023. The woman has since stopped working in the school.
ECDA took action against the school and employees involved, including banning the woman from working in the preschool sector. The agency has reminded all preschools to prioritize the safety and well-being of children in their care.
The woman has not pleaded guilty and will appear in court again on May 20, 2024. Those found guilty of ill-treating a child may be jailed for up to eight years or fined up to S$8,000, or both.
This incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of children in preschools. Parents entrust their children to these institutions, and it is the responsibility of the schools and their employees to provide a safe and nurturing environment. The authorities will not hesitate to take action against those who fail to uphold this responsibility.