The Big Read in short: Plugging the gaps in babysitting services

Parents and experts said more can be done to help parents feel secure in choosing childminding services, and to help childminders professionalise their services.Each week, TODAY’s long-running Big Read series delves into the trends and issues that matter. This week, we look at the range of childminding services for infants in Singapore, and parents and experts' responses to an upcoming launch of a childminding pilot for infants aged two to 18 months’ old.

Some parents expressed concern about the safety and high costs of childminding options, which are currently unregulated If finding an ad hoc babysitter is tough, finding a long-term infant care service can be just as difficult, parents told TODAY. According to MSF, monthly fees for childminding services range from around S$1,200 to S$2,800, while professional childminding operators told TODAY it can cost up to S$3,500 a month.Parents, childcare professionals and experts noted that there is a huge demand for more childcare options that are safe, regulated and offered at affordable rates, so MSF's pilot is a welcome move.

Other parents had concerns about the fact that MSF plans to allow childminders under the pilot to care for up to three infants at one time.

Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)

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