My First Skool to implement measures to reassure parents amid alleged abuse case

My First Skool to implement measures to reassure parents amid alleged abuse case

    POSTED: 18 Jul 2013 8:01 PM
  
My First Skool, which is embroiled in an alleged childcare abuse case, said it has put in place measures across all its centres to provide further reassurance to parents.

SINGAPORE: My First Skool, which is embroiled in an alleged childcare abuse case, said it has put in place measures across all its centres to provide further reassurance to parents.

On Wednesday, My First Skool was informed by the Early Childhood Development Agency through a warning letter that the licence tenure of its childcare centre at Blk 192 Toa Payoh would be cut from 24 months to six months with immediate effect.

The measures are aimed at improving its communications with parents, enhancing the incident review process, reinforcing the importance of proper care of children and stepping up support for teachers.

To improve parent communications, parents can direct their queries to its headquarters via a newly-set up email address (feedback@myfirstskool.com). Calls can also be made to its customer service team at 6634 9989.

My First Skool's management said it will see to the closure of all feedback.

As for improving the incident review process, it said all cases of injury, accident or mishandling reported through its principals or HQ are investigated thoroughly and promptly.

It added that complex cases will be assessed by an independent review panel with the aim to give parents greater assurance of transparency and accountability of the incident review process.

In terms of proper care for children, My First Skool said it will encourage staff to report questionable practices to their supervisors.

It wants its staff to escalate their feedback under its whistle-blowing policy should the issues not be satisfactorily attended to.

My First Skool said whistle blowing is done through an independent channel which reports to the board audit committee.

As for support for teachers, My First Skool said it will also deploy additional resources over time to assist teachers in managing classes that require more support. 

- CNA/xq

- wong chee tat :)