SPARK Certification for Pre-schools
January 16, 2012
SPARK-certified pre-schools can display the SPARK logo in their centres and on their publicity materials. Each certification is valid for three years.
The search for a suitable kindergarten or childcare centre is no elementary matter for parents, who might consider issues such as teaching standards, class size and programmes, cleanliness, safety and how well the school is managed. To help parents with this process, in November 2010 MOE launched SPARK, or the Singapore Pre-School Accreditation Framework. This is a quality assurance framework aimed at raising the standards of local pre-schools and giving parents an objective guide to the island's pre-schools.
There are now 69 SPARK-certified kindergartens and childcare centres, which have been endorsed by MOE after a rigorous assessment of their programmes and facilities. The external appraisal is carried out by qualified assessors who are experienced educators well-trained in early childhood education. Pre-schools which meet the mark are awarded SPARK certification, which is valid for three years.