12 Sept 2008
The Government provides a monthly subsidy for working mothers who enlist the services of childcare or infantcare centres. But at least one childcare centre has seen fit to profit from this.
On Thursday, activist housewife Jaslyn Go, who is mother of two kids, tried calling Superland Montessori childcare centre to enquire about its rates for half-day childcare.
The centre’s director, Ms Tung Guo Mei, informed Jaslyn that it would set her back by $600 per month.
However, Jaslyn quickly pointed out that according to the MCYS childcare website, the rates for half-day childcare at Superland Montessori should be $400, not $600. See the screen capture below:
Jaslyn asked why the rates had increased by so much.
Probably without giving it too much thought, Ms Tung mentioned that their price increases were due to recent heavy subsidies from the Government.
In PM Lee’s National Day Rally speech, it was revealed that working mothers would soon be getting double the amount of monthly subsidies at childcare centres, from $150 to $300. At infantcare centres, their subsidies would also go up, from $400 to $600 a month.
Jaslyn pointed out that these subsidies were meant for parents to help them with the cost of living, not an additional source of profit for childcare centres which were already benefitting from separate MCYS grants.
Taken almost by surprise, Ms Tung hurriedly retracted her words, saying that was not what she meant.
If so, what did she mean?
Ms Tung fumbled further by mumbling something about the choice being up to Jaslyn, and that the price hikes affected all parents. After a short retort from Jaslyn, Ms Tung rudely slammed down the phone.
It is a shame when business people use Government subsidies as an excuse to exploit citizens. It is a further shame when they themselves realize what they are doing, but refuse to face up to it.
