Do you know in Singapore, there are 2 main type of operator for public preschools?
Don't know right?
So, the government got a few schemes to make sure quality early childhood education is affordable for all families.
Two main schemes parents always hear about are the Anchor Operator (AOP) scheme and the Partner Operator (POP) scheme.
These schemes help to subsidize preschool fees and improve the quality of early childhood education, but they work a bit differently.
Knowing the difference between these two can help you choose the right preschool for your child.
What is the Anchor Operator Scheme (AOP)?
The Anchor Operator (AOP) scheme started in 2009 and was upgraded in 2014.
It was created to support affordable and good-quality preschools, especially for families from lower-income backgrounds.
The government gives selected preschool operators a lot of funding to keep fees low, improve education quality, and make sure the teachers got good training.
Key Features of the AOP Scheme:
- Fee Caps:
- Full-Day Childcare: Capped at $680 per month (excluding GST).
- Full-Day Infant Care: Capped at $1,235 per month (excluding GST).
- Kindergarten: Capped at $150 per month (excluding GST).
- These fee caps help to keep preschool affordable for families.
- Quality Standards:
- AOP operators must meet strict quality standards set by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).
- This includes following a curriculum that helps children grow well, keeping the school safe, and having qualified teachers.
- Professional Development:
- The AOP scheme also supports ongoing training for teachers.
- This means the teachers are always learning new ways to teach better.
- Operators:
- Some of the key operators under the AOP scheme include PCF Sparkletots, My First Skool, My World Preschool, Skool4Kidz, and E-Bridge Pre-School.
What is the Partner Operator Scheme (POP)?
The Partner Operator (POP) scheme started in 2016 to complement the AOP scheme.
The POP scheme aims to make early childhood education more affordable by supporting more childcare operators.
The government gives funding to selected operators to help them keep costs low while improving the quality of care and education they provide.
Key Features of the POP Scheme:
- Fee Caps:
- Full-Day Childcare: Capped at $720 per month (excluding GST) for Singapore Citizen (SC) children.
- Full-Day Infant Care: Capped at $1,290 per month (excluding GST) for SC children.
- These fee caps are slightly higher than AOP, but still help keep fees affordable.
- Quality Enhancement:
- Like AOP, the POP scheme also focuses on providing good quality education.
- POP centres are encouraged to improve their curriculum and teaching methods.
- Operators:
- The POP scheme includes a wider range of childcare centres, from big chains to smaller independent schools.
- This gives parents more choices depending on what they prefer for their child.
Which Scheme is Right for You?
Choosing between AOP and POP depends on your family's needs.
- If you want to save more money and prefer a well-known operator with a standard curriculum, an AOP centre like PCF Sparkletots or My First Skool might be best.
- If you want more choices or a specific program that suits your child’s interests, a POP centre might be better.
Both schemes aim to provide quality education at an affordable cost, so whichever you choose, your child will be in good hands.
Why Overthinking Preschool Choice Might Not Help
Before you stress too much about choosing between AOP and POP, remember that overthinking can sometimes make things harder.
Both schemes are designed to give quality education at a good price.
Instead of getting lost in all the details, focus on finding a preschool where your child feels happy, safe, and excited to learn.
For more tips on this, you can read our article on Why Overthinking Preschool Choice Might Do More Harm Than Good.