SINGAPORE: As Singapore seeks to become more family-friendly, preschool educators warn that extending childcare hours could lead to burnout. Samantha Pua, a seasoned educator with over 30 years of experience, highlights the disproportionate mental cost for teachers when operating hours extend beyond 7pm. While the idea of longer hours may seem practical for working parents, it shifts administrative tasks and emotional labor onto evenings, affecting personal time and family life.
The early childhood sector is already under pressure due to manpower shortages and high attrition rates. Many passionate graduates leave within a year, citing high administrative demands and emotional burnout. Extending official hours does not reduce workload; it merely delays it, leaving educators emotionally depleted and unable to sustainably nurture young children.
Digital connectivity further blurs boundaries between work and home, with parent-teacher communication apps requiring immediate responses even after hours. The lack of clear guidelines for preschool educators contrasts with primary and secondary schools, where teachers have protected personal time.
To truly build a family-friendly society, Singapore must address the well-being of those who care for the youngest among us, ensuring they can provide quality care without sacrificing their own health and family life.