2 preschoolers at PCF Sparkletots get Covid-19; some children, staff put on leave of absence

• The siblings were last at the PCF Sparkletots preschool at Block 115 Bedok North Road on July 27
• The Ministry of Health is tracing their close contacts and will place those identified under quarantine
• For now, some children and staff members who were at the centre at the same time as the siblings will be given leave of absence

SINGAPORE — A PCF Sparkletots preschool in Bedok was shut for disinfection for two days and will be putting some children and staff members on leave of absence after a pair of siblings tested positive for Covid-19.

In a letter sent to parents on Saturday (July 31) and seen by TODAY, Ms Norzaidah Baski, principal of the centre at Block 115 Bedok North Road, said that the two children were last at the centre on Tuesday. 

One of them is from Kindergarten 1 and the other from Kindergarten 2. 

The centre was closed on Friday and Saturday for deep cleaning and disinfection of the premises and equipment, Ms Norzaidah said.  

When contacted on Saturday, PCF Sparkletots confirmed the veracity of the letter.

The two siblings had tested positive while in quarantine. 

The Ministry of Health (MOH), Ms Norzaidah said, is tracing the close contacts of the siblings who tested positive.

Children and staff members identified as close contacts will be quarantined.

As a precaution, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has directed the preschool to grant leave of absence to staff members and children who were present when the siblings had been at the centre. 

They include staff members and children from nursery and Kindergarten 1 on the second storey of Block 115 as well as all Kindergarten 2 children and staff who were using a separate space at Block 117 Bedok North Road.

The leave of absence took effect on Saturday and will lapse on Aug 10.

It covers the 14-day incubation period from the siblings’ last day at the centre on Tuesday.

Barring any unexpected developments, the centre will resume operations next Monday for children not placed in quarantine or on leave of absence.

Parent Joey Ho, 31, whose two children aged 2 and 4 attend the preschool, said that the centre has yet to tell him whether his children will be put on leave of absence, even though his daughter goes to nursery at Block 115. 

His calls to the centre have gone unanswered.

Mr Ho, a finance professional who works from home, said that he was at a loss because he does not want to take his children to his parents’ home to be cared for, especially when his children could be infected.

“If they send everyone on that list for a swab, at least we can restart things earlier,” he suggested.

In a separate letter to parents on Saturday, Ms Jamie Ang, chief licensing officer at ECDA, advised parents whose children are on leave of absence to keep them at home and minimise close contact with others.

She urged parents to monitor their children's health and to avoid taking them to crowded places or social gatherings.

If their children fall ill, they should seek medical attention promptly and not self-medicate. 

“ECDA is in close consultation with the Ministry of Health and will keep parents and guardians informed should there be further actions required,” she said.

Right now, preschools are required to take steps to contain the spread of Covid-19. 

These include raising the frequency of temperature checks, and ensuring that children interact only with those within their classes and practise good hygiene.

In response to TODAY’s queries, Ms Marini Khamis, senior director of the preschool management division at the PAP Community Foundation, which runs PCF Sparkletots, said that the preschool operator was tracking the situation closely with MOH and ECDA. 

The preschool stands ready to adjust its precautions against Covid-19 where required by the authorities.

"The health and safety of our children and staff are our highest priority,” she said. “We will remain in close contact with parents to follow up on the well-being of their children.”