My First Skool to offer 2,000 more childcare places this year
NTUC's My First Skool also aims to grow its enrolment to 20,000 by 2020 - up from the current 13,000 places.
By Loke Kok Fai
Posted 15 Mar 2016 23:20 Updated 16 Mar 2016 15:09
SINGAPORE: Young, dual-income families can look forward to over 2,000 more childcare places in 2016, with the National Trade Union Congress' (NTUC) My First Skool opening childcare facilities in Jurong West, Punggol and Sengkang.
Each of the four centres opening this year can take in between 200 and 500 children.
My First Skool aims to grow its enrolment to 20,000 by 2020 - up from the current 13,000 places. This was announced at the opening of its newest childcare centre at Punggol Waterway Point on Tuesday (Mar 15).
NTUC's Secretary-General Chan Chun Sing, who was at the launch, said larger childcare centres give teachers the chance to pilot and try new ways of doing things. For instance, they can try out different teaching and learning pedagogies to bring out the best in every child.
"It's not just about the numbers - we're talking about people who are committed to the preschool sector and have the interests of the children at heart," he said. "But as you can see in this larger centre, it actually allows us to have economies of scale. It also makes it more attractive for the teachers to come because they're working as part of a larger team. So actually it gives us a lot of advantages to try new concepts."
- CNA/ly
- wong chee tat :)
Showing posts with label Destiny's Child. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Destiny's Child. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Premature births on the rise in Singapore
Premature births on the rise in Singapore
TODAY reports: The national rate of preterm births has gone up, from 7.2 per cent to 9.5 per cent, despite low birth rates in the past decade, said Professor Victor Samuel Rajadurai, head and senior consultant at KKH’s Department of Neonatology,
By Eveline Gan, TODAY
POSTED: 11 Nov 2015 07:11
SINGAPORE: When Mdm Audrey Lim first saw her twin babies after giving birth to them at just 25 weeks in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), she knew they would face an uphill task to stay alive in the following months. “They had so little flesh on them that they looked two-dimensional. There were also so many tubes and wires going through them. At that moment, I felt so much heartache and helplessness,” said the 38-year-old property agent.
At birth, twins Ethan and Emma Low each weighed just slightly more than 700g. Despite their severe prematurity, the twins survived.
PRETERM BIRTHS INCREASING
It is estimated that about one in 10 babies is born too early. As preterm birth rates rise worldwide, Mdm Lim’s experience is no longer a rare occurrence - even in developed nations with top-notch medical care. A preterm birth is defined as one that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
The phenomenon has become increasingly more common here, too, said local experts TODAY spoke to ahead of World Prematurity Day on Nov 17.
Premature babies make up about 13.5 per cent of the babies born at KKH. Professor Victor Samuel Rajadurai, head and senior consultant at KKH’s Department of Neonatology, noted an increase in the incidence of preterm births seen at KKH, from 11 per cent to 13.5 per cent in the past decade. The national rate of preterm births has also gone up, from 7.2 per cent to 9.5 per cent, despite low birth rates over the same period, said Prof Rajadurai.
No one knows for sure what triggers premature labour. However, several factors, including older maternal age due to delayed childbearing and the use of fertility treatments, have been known to increase the likelihood.
Assisted reproductive technology is now more commonly performed than before, and that increases a woman’s chance of multiple pregnancy, which is associated with a higher risk of preterm labour, said Associate Professor Su Lin Lin, senior consultant at National University Hospital (NUH) Women’s Centre. The number of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles done at NUH Women’s Centre has more than tripled in the past decade. About 700 IVF cycles were carried out at its centre last year.
Associate Professor Tan Thiam Chye, senior consultant and head of Inpatient Service at KKH’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, added that the risk of preterm delivery for twin pregnancies increases three to five times compared with a singleton pregnancy. In a triplet pregnancy, the risk increases to seven to nine times.
Assoc Prof Su said that advances in medicine have also made it possible for women with certain existing illnesses that affect fertility to conceive and go through a pregnancy. Some of these conditions, such as some kidney and autoimmune diseases, are linked to a higher risk of preterm labour.
Several studies have also linked preterm labour to high levels of chronic psychological and physical stress during pregnancy, but Assoc Prof Su said this area needs further research.
Current treatments to delay preterm labour include medication such as progesterone and tocolytic drugs to stop womb contractions, said Assoc Prof Tan. The mother is then given a steroid jab to hasten the baby’s lung development.
In instances of very early preterm labour (less than 24 weeks of pregnancy), the doctor may recommend a cervical cerclage. This is a procedure where stitches hold the cervix closed to prevent a premature birth.
In spite of the medications given to slow down contractions, Mdm Lim - whose twins were conceived naturally - was fully dilated within half a day and nothing could stop her babies from arriving four months early.
SURVIVING PREMATURITY
According to the World Health Organisation, preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn deaths and the second-leading cause of deaths in children under the age of five. However, modern neonatal intensive care has made it possible for even the tiniest of babies to survive their prematurity. About 90 per cent of premature babies treated at KKH’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) survive and the majority go on to live relatively normal lives, said Prof Rajadurai.
The two smallest survivors at KKH were born about 15 years ago, at 26 weeks, with a birth weight of 435g and 470g. At Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute, the lightest survivor was a 26-weeker who weighed 487g at birth in 2007. All three have gone on to lead normal lives.
However, Prof Rajadurai stressed that the above cases are exceptional as outcomes for premature babies born below 23 weeks’ gestation and/or birth weight of 500g are known to be “extremely poor”. Even with modern NICU care, the survival for premature babies born at 25 weeks is between 70 to 75 per cent, said Prof Rajadurai. About 30 per cent may have trouble with development.
After birth, Mdm Lim’s twins spent the first four months of their lives in the hospital battling a host of complications, including infections, liver and breathing problems. “The first year was the hardest because we had to constantly monitor their breathing at home, which could suddenly stop without warning. They were also hospitalised almost every other month due to low oxygen levels,” said Mdm Lim.
Today, the twins are growing well, apart from a few “manageable” health issues, said Mdm Lim. For instance, older twin Ethan has some vision-related problems and is having speech therapy as he stutters.
“Back then, my husband and I practically lived day by day not knowing what will happen to our babies. Now they look like any healthy kids who love to play and jump around. Looking back, we are really fortunate to have access to proper facilities and expertise to save our preemies,” she said.
Read the original TODAY report here.
-TODAY/av
- wong chee tat :)
TODAY reports: The national rate of preterm births has gone up, from 7.2 per cent to 9.5 per cent, despite low birth rates in the past decade, said Professor Victor Samuel Rajadurai, head and senior consultant at KKH’s Department of Neonatology,
By Eveline Gan, TODAY
POSTED: 11 Nov 2015 07:11
SINGAPORE: When Mdm Audrey Lim first saw her twin babies after giving birth to them at just 25 weeks in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), she knew they would face an uphill task to stay alive in the following months. “They had so little flesh on them that they looked two-dimensional. There were also so many tubes and wires going through them. At that moment, I felt so much heartache and helplessness,” said the 38-year-old property agent.
At birth, twins Ethan and Emma Low each weighed just slightly more than 700g. Despite their severe prematurity, the twins survived.
PRETERM BIRTHS INCREASING
It is estimated that about one in 10 babies is born too early. As preterm birth rates rise worldwide, Mdm Lim’s experience is no longer a rare occurrence - even in developed nations with top-notch medical care. A preterm birth is defined as one that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
The phenomenon has become increasingly more common here, too, said local experts TODAY spoke to ahead of World Prematurity Day on Nov 17.
Premature babies make up about 13.5 per cent of the babies born at KKH. Professor Victor Samuel Rajadurai, head and senior consultant at KKH’s Department of Neonatology, noted an increase in the incidence of preterm births seen at KKH, from 11 per cent to 13.5 per cent in the past decade. The national rate of preterm births has also gone up, from 7.2 per cent to 9.5 per cent, despite low birth rates over the same period, said Prof Rajadurai.
No one knows for sure what triggers premature labour. However, several factors, including older maternal age due to delayed childbearing and the use of fertility treatments, have been known to increase the likelihood.
Assisted reproductive technology is now more commonly performed than before, and that increases a woman’s chance of multiple pregnancy, which is associated with a higher risk of preterm labour, said Associate Professor Su Lin Lin, senior consultant at National University Hospital (NUH) Women’s Centre. The number of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles done at NUH Women’s Centre has more than tripled in the past decade. About 700 IVF cycles were carried out at its centre last year.
Associate Professor Tan Thiam Chye, senior consultant and head of Inpatient Service at KKH’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, added that the risk of preterm delivery for twin pregnancies increases three to five times compared with a singleton pregnancy. In a triplet pregnancy, the risk increases to seven to nine times.
Assoc Prof Su said that advances in medicine have also made it possible for women with certain existing illnesses that affect fertility to conceive and go through a pregnancy. Some of these conditions, such as some kidney and autoimmune diseases, are linked to a higher risk of preterm labour.
Several studies have also linked preterm labour to high levels of chronic psychological and physical stress during pregnancy, but Assoc Prof Su said this area needs further research.
Current treatments to delay preterm labour include medication such as progesterone and tocolytic drugs to stop womb contractions, said Assoc Prof Tan. The mother is then given a steroid jab to hasten the baby’s lung development.
In instances of very early preterm labour (less than 24 weeks of pregnancy), the doctor may recommend a cervical cerclage. This is a procedure where stitches hold the cervix closed to prevent a premature birth.
In spite of the medications given to slow down contractions, Mdm Lim - whose twins were conceived naturally - was fully dilated within half a day and nothing could stop her babies from arriving four months early.
SURVIVING PREMATURITY
According to the World Health Organisation, preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn deaths and the second-leading cause of deaths in children under the age of five. However, modern neonatal intensive care has made it possible for even the tiniest of babies to survive their prematurity. About 90 per cent of premature babies treated at KKH’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) survive and the majority go on to live relatively normal lives, said Prof Rajadurai.
The two smallest survivors at KKH were born about 15 years ago, at 26 weeks, with a birth weight of 435g and 470g. At Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute, the lightest survivor was a 26-weeker who weighed 487g at birth in 2007. All three have gone on to lead normal lives.
However, Prof Rajadurai stressed that the above cases are exceptional as outcomes for premature babies born below 23 weeks’ gestation and/or birth weight of 500g are known to be “extremely poor”. Even with modern NICU care, the survival for premature babies born at 25 weeks is between 70 to 75 per cent, said Prof Rajadurai. About 30 per cent may have trouble with development.
After birth, Mdm Lim’s twins spent the first four months of their lives in the hospital battling a host of complications, including infections, liver and breathing problems. “The first year was the hardest because we had to constantly monitor their breathing at home, which could suddenly stop without warning. They were also hospitalised almost every other month due to low oxygen levels,” said Mdm Lim.
Today, the twins are growing well, apart from a few “manageable” health issues, said Mdm Lim. For instance, older twin Ethan has some vision-related problems and is having speech therapy as he stutters.
“Back then, my husband and I practically lived day by day not knowing what will happen to our babies. Now they look like any healthy kids who love to play and jump around. Looking back, we are really fortunate to have access to proper facilities and expertise to save our preemies,” she said.
Read the original TODAY report here.
-TODAY/av
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, June 27, 2013
New eligibility criteria for preschool Anchor Operator Scheme announced
New eligibility criteria for preschool Anchor Operator Scheme announced
By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid and Monica Kotwani
POSTED: 27 Jun 2013 3:50 PM
Religious organisations which run preschool centres and commercial operators will now be able to qualify for the government's Anchor Operator Scheme, under new eligibility criteria revealed on Thursday.
SINGAPORE: Commercial preschool operators and religious organisations that run preschool centres will now be allowed to apply for the government's Anchor Operator Scheme, under new eligibility criteria revealed on Thursday.
Previously, only not-for-profit organisations could apply.
Getting anchor operator status will allow access to government funding.
Those applying will need to show that they are motivated by a strong social mission to provide good quality and affordable services.
The current two anchor operators, PCF and NTUC's My First Skool, are not only eligible for government subsidies, but they also get first dibs over the allocation of sites in HDB estates.
In turn, the two operators, which run some 330 centres, are required to provide good quality services that are accessible to most low- and middle-income families.
In calling for more anchor operators to come on board, Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing said the expansion of the scheme would give parents more options and help cater to the diverse learning needs of children.
Religious organisations that run preschools can now also apply to become anchor operators, but they have to ensure their programmes are secular and cater to children of all backgrounds.
Mr Chan said: "If they have good innovative practices that can drive the cost down and lower prices for our parents we welcome that, but at the same time, money-making cannot be their primary goal. The special mission must be their primary goal, when it comes to educating and laying the foundations for our youths."
Those interested to become anchor operators will have to meet strict criteria.
These include running at least ten centres or having an enrolment of 1,000 children, providing a financial guarantee of six months of operating costs or S$10 million (whichever is lower), and having a governing body with independent members.
Applicants will also need to cap their monthly fees for services.
For a full-day childcare programme, fees cannot exceed S$720.
Kindergarten fees will be capped at S$160 and infant care fees at S$1,275.
Operators said they understand the rationale behind the stringent criteria, but they are worried it may squeeze out smaller operators, which are already having a tough time with competition from bigger players.
Frances Ng is the founder of Carpe Diem Group, which oversees 26 centres.
He highlighted the criteria of showing six months of operating costs based on the total number of centres for that year.
He said: "That is still quite substantial... We don't have that many operators in Singapore with that kind of finances. If you look at the market, over the last few years, they are constantly being squeezed out with the newcomers, new commercial operators, and in the last three years, with more AOP centres coming out, they feel the squeeze further.
"Smaller operators will definitely have a tougher time ahead of them, but having said that, I think it's not impossible to do well, they just need to find their own niche."
Mr Ng said the way around this is to enter into a joint venture with other "like-minded" people. He said he is in talks with a few other potential partners.
Under changes to the scheme, anchor operators will now have to ensure all their teachers are diploma-trained, compared to 80 per cent of teachers before.
Some operators Channel NewsAsia spoke with have welcomed this move, saying it would generally add to the quality of teachers, but some are worried it would add to the severe manpower crunch that is already present.
Mr Ng said: "Five years ago, the number of new centres was about 40 centres. Three years ago, it... doubled to about 80-90 new centres a year for the last three years. With that increase in (number of) centres, we don't have enough teachers to accomodate the additional centres we have.
“With the new criteria of requiring all teachers in the AOP centres to be diploma holders, it's going to pose a huge challenge, not just for the new AOPs but across the board. Everybody will be fighting for the small cake that we have."
He added: "I'm not against increasing the number of centres to accommodate parents, but I think we need to manage the growth across the industry."
Interested operators have until 27 August to submit their proposals.
The Early Childhood Development Agency, which is overseeing this call for proposals, said only those who meet all criteria will be selected.
- CNA/fa/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid and Monica Kotwani
POSTED: 27 Jun 2013 3:50 PM
Religious organisations which run preschool centres and commercial operators will now be able to qualify for the government's Anchor Operator Scheme, under new eligibility criteria revealed on Thursday.
SINGAPORE: Commercial preschool operators and religious organisations that run preschool centres will now be allowed to apply for the government's Anchor Operator Scheme, under new eligibility criteria revealed on Thursday.
Previously, only not-for-profit organisations could apply.
Getting anchor operator status will allow access to government funding.
Those applying will need to show that they are motivated by a strong social mission to provide good quality and affordable services.
The current two anchor operators, PCF and NTUC's My First Skool, are not only eligible for government subsidies, but they also get first dibs over the allocation of sites in HDB estates.
In turn, the two operators, which run some 330 centres, are required to provide good quality services that are accessible to most low- and middle-income families.
In calling for more anchor operators to come on board, Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing said the expansion of the scheme would give parents more options and help cater to the diverse learning needs of children.
Religious organisations that run preschools can now also apply to become anchor operators, but they have to ensure their programmes are secular and cater to children of all backgrounds.
Mr Chan said: "If they have good innovative practices that can drive the cost down and lower prices for our parents we welcome that, but at the same time, money-making cannot be their primary goal. The special mission must be their primary goal, when it comes to educating and laying the foundations for our youths."
Those interested to become anchor operators will have to meet strict criteria.
These include running at least ten centres or having an enrolment of 1,000 children, providing a financial guarantee of six months of operating costs or S$10 million (whichever is lower), and having a governing body with independent members.
Applicants will also need to cap their monthly fees for services.
For a full-day childcare programme, fees cannot exceed S$720.
Kindergarten fees will be capped at S$160 and infant care fees at S$1,275.
Operators said they understand the rationale behind the stringent criteria, but they are worried it may squeeze out smaller operators, which are already having a tough time with competition from bigger players.
Frances Ng is the founder of Carpe Diem Group, which oversees 26 centres.
He highlighted the criteria of showing six months of operating costs based on the total number of centres for that year.
He said: "That is still quite substantial... We don't have that many operators in Singapore with that kind of finances. If you look at the market, over the last few years, they are constantly being squeezed out with the newcomers, new commercial operators, and in the last three years, with more AOP centres coming out, they feel the squeeze further.
"Smaller operators will definitely have a tougher time ahead of them, but having said that, I think it's not impossible to do well, they just need to find their own niche."
Mr Ng said the way around this is to enter into a joint venture with other "like-minded" people. He said he is in talks with a few other potential partners.
Under changes to the scheme, anchor operators will now have to ensure all their teachers are diploma-trained, compared to 80 per cent of teachers before.
Some operators Channel NewsAsia spoke with have welcomed this move, saying it would generally add to the quality of teachers, but some are worried it would add to the severe manpower crunch that is already present.
Mr Ng said: "Five years ago, the number of new centres was about 40 centres. Three years ago, it... doubled to about 80-90 new centres a year for the last three years. With that increase in (number of) centres, we don't have enough teachers to accomodate the additional centres we have.
“With the new criteria of requiring all teachers in the AOP centres to be diploma holders, it's going to pose a huge challenge, not just for the new AOPs but across the board. Everybody will be fighting for the small cake that we have."
He added: "I'm not against increasing the number of centres to accommodate parents, but I think we need to manage the growth across the industry."
Interested operators have until 27 August to submit their proposals.
The Early Childhood Development Agency, which is overseeing this call for proposals, said only those who meet all criteria will be selected.
- CNA/fa/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, January 21, 2013
More than S$8.3b disbursed in tax rebates to encourage procreation
More than S$8.3b disbursed in tax rebates to encourage procreation
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 20 January 2013 1802 hrs
SINGAPORE: The government last year gave out more than S$8.3 billion in tax rebates and reliefs aimed at encouraging procreation in the Year of Assessment 2012.
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore also told Channel NewsAsia that more than 850,000 working mums and dads enjoyed such tax breaks in 2012.
Thirty-six-year-old assistant marketing manager Lum Sook Fong collected nearly S$27,000 in child tax reliefs last year.
Together with other rebates, the working mother of two ended up not paying any taxes to the government at all.
Madam Lum said: "I know there should be some kind of relief but exactly what amount, I didn't know until I get the statement, so I was kind of surprised because the amount is quite substantial."
Currently, there are three kinds of rebate and reliefs aimed at supporting working mums with children.
They are: Parenthood Tax Rebate of up to S$20,000 per child; the Qualifying/Handicapped Child Reliefs; and the Working Mother Child Relief.
Both the Parenthood Tax Rebate and the Qualifying/Handicapped Child Relief can be claimed by both mums and dads.
Sums worked out by tax consultant Ernst & Young show that working mums earning about S$94,500 to S$351,000 a year don't have to pay any taxes after taking into account the Parenthood Tax Rebate, the Working Mother Child Relief, and other tax breaks like the Foreign Maid Levy Relief.
This applies to a Singaporean tax payer aged 55 and below, married, with three children.
There are various monetary incentives to support families, including cash gifts like the Baby Bonus.
Those Channel NewsAsia spoke to say while such incentives can ease the financial burden of bringing up baby, money isn't everything.
It may encourage those who already have children to have more but it may not change the minds of couples who don't want any children in the first place.
Joni Ong, president of advocacy group I Love Children said: "I agree that money is useful but money isn't everything. I believe if you love children and you want to have children to complete your family, no matter how much money is there or not there, you will proceed to have the babies anyway."
Experts said what is needed is a supportive environment at home and at work, among other things.
"For my case, I would think it would be useful as well if the Baby Bonus is higher because what we have, could only tied us for the first few years. After that, I have to start paying cash for their childcare," said Madam Lum.
She added: "Another part is also the family support like maybe having grandparents to be there to take care of the kids. As a working mum, I would say that the environment is very important and also the work-life balance that we have."
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
By Imelda Saad | Posted: 20 January 2013 1802 hrs
SINGAPORE: The government last year gave out more than S$8.3 billion in tax rebates and reliefs aimed at encouraging procreation in the Year of Assessment 2012.
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore also told Channel NewsAsia that more than 850,000 working mums and dads enjoyed such tax breaks in 2012.
Thirty-six-year-old assistant marketing manager Lum Sook Fong collected nearly S$27,000 in child tax reliefs last year.
Together with other rebates, the working mother of two ended up not paying any taxes to the government at all.
Madam Lum said: "I know there should be some kind of relief but exactly what amount, I didn't know until I get the statement, so I was kind of surprised because the amount is quite substantial."
Currently, there are three kinds of rebate and reliefs aimed at supporting working mums with children.
They are: Parenthood Tax Rebate of up to S$20,000 per child; the Qualifying/Handicapped Child Reliefs; and the Working Mother Child Relief.
Both the Parenthood Tax Rebate and the Qualifying/Handicapped Child Relief can be claimed by both mums and dads.
Sums worked out by tax consultant Ernst & Young show that working mums earning about S$94,500 to S$351,000 a year don't have to pay any taxes after taking into account the Parenthood Tax Rebate, the Working Mother Child Relief, and other tax breaks like the Foreign Maid Levy Relief.
This applies to a Singaporean tax payer aged 55 and below, married, with three children.
There are various monetary incentives to support families, including cash gifts like the Baby Bonus.
Those Channel NewsAsia spoke to say while such incentives can ease the financial burden of bringing up baby, money isn't everything.
It may encourage those who already have children to have more but it may not change the minds of couples who don't want any children in the first place.
Joni Ong, president of advocacy group I Love Children said: "I agree that money is useful but money isn't everything. I believe if you love children and you want to have children to complete your family, no matter how much money is there or not there, you will proceed to have the babies anyway."
Experts said what is needed is a supportive environment at home and at work, among other things.
"For my case, I would think it would be useful as well if the Baby Bonus is higher because what we have, could only tied us for the first few years. After that, I have to start paying cash for their childcare," said Madam Lum.
She added: "Another part is also the family support like maybe having grandparents to be there to take care of the kids. As a working mum, I would say that the environment is very important and also the work-life balance that we have."
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Terence Cao happy to be a father
Terence Cao happy to be a father
By Han Wei Chou | Posted: 05 December 2012 1726 hrs
SINGAPORE: A woman from Shanghai came to Singapore in October and claimed that Singapore actor Terence Cao is the father of her 19-month-old daughter.
Cao confirmed on Wednesday through his lawyer that a DNA test has been conducted on the child, and that he is indeed the child's father.
"Initially it was a shock but now he is happy. He is happy to know that he is a father," said Cao's lawyer Sunil Singh Panoo.
He went on to reveal that they are now negotiating with the child's mother over child maintenance issues.
"His stand from the very start is that so long as he is the father, he will pay, so long as the amount is reasonable," said Cao's lawyer.
He expressed that the amount of child maintenance Cao pays will depend on the income level of both parties as well as "the child's reasonable expenses".
-CNA/h
- wong chee tat :)
By Han Wei Chou | Posted: 05 December 2012 1726 hrs
SINGAPORE: A woman from Shanghai came to Singapore in October and claimed that Singapore actor Terence Cao is the father of her 19-month-old daughter.
Cao confirmed on Wednesday through his lawyer that a DNA test has been conducted on the child, and that he is indeed the child's father.
"Initially it was a shock but now he is happy. He is happy to know that he is a father," said Cao's lawyer Sunil Singh Panoo.
He went on to reveal that they are now negotiating with the child's mother over child maintenance issues.
"His stand from the very start is that so long as he is the father, he will pay, so long as the amount is reasonable," said Cao's lawyer.
He expressed that the amount of child maintenance Cao pays will depend on the income level of both parties as well as "the child's reasonable expenses".
-CNA/h
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Experts caution against toddlers getting too familiar with devices
Experts caution against toddlers getting too familiar with devices
By Evelyn Lam, Dylan Loh | Posted: 24 November 2012 2242 hrs
SINGAPORE: Experts have cautioned against letting toddlers three years old and below, get too familiar with mobile devices.
They said it might hamper their ability to learn as they grow.
Three-year-old Randy Smith has been playing with an iPad since the age of two, and his parents said he is quite familiar with some of the more advanced features in the mobile device.
Experts said children this young should spend more time interacting with their physical environment.
They said interacting too much with a virtual interface could interfere with a child's ability to understand the world around him.
Colin Smith, father of Randy Smith, said: "There was once when we just left him (Randy) to go to bed with an iPad.
"We didn't check on him till about two hours later because both of us were working at home and when we got to him, we found that he had been playing for the past two hours and didn't want to go to sleep."
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
By Evelyn Lam, Dylan Loh | Posted: 24 November 2012 2242 hrs
SINGAPORE: Experts have cautioned against letting toddlers three years old and below, get too familiar with mobile devices.
They said it might hamper their ability to learn as they grow.
Three-year-old Randy Smith has been playing with an iPad since the age of two, and his parents said he is quite familiar with some of the more advanced features in the mobile device.
Experts said children this young should spend more time interacting with their physical environment.
They said interacting too much with a virtual interface could interfere with a child's ability to understand the world around him.
Colin Smith, father of Randy Smith, said: "There was once when we just left him (Randy) to go to bed with an iPad.
"We didn't check on him till about two hours later because both of us were working at home and when we got to him, we found that he had been playing for the past two hours and didn't want to go to sleep."
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
Saturday, December 11, 2010
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