By Dr Jacqueline Chung
How should we respond when we see or hear about inappropriate actions by preschool teachers or family members in relation to children in their care? Hopefully, we feel unsettled and disturbed enough to respond and not turn a blind eye.
I was shocked and dismayed when I read at the case of more than one preschool teacher mishandling the children in their care, in which one teacher allegedly forced a child to drink water while another hit a child. It was disturbing to watch the videos that have gone viral on social media.
Two teachers have been arrested and investigations are ongoing.
In the aftermath of this incident, parents are understandably concerned about their children’s safety. Can they trust teachers and centre leaders with their children’s well-being? Can they trust that they will be told the truth when something is amiss?
1. Understand the challenges in the early childhood sector

Unfortunately, such incidents can happen at home too.
Teachers and family members sometimes say and do things they later regret. When these things happen, we often judge the person’s actions. The deeper issue however is the intent. Why did the person do what he or she did? Was it done in a moment of frustration? Were there mitigating circumstances?
When family members are unacceptably harsh towards their children, bordering on verbal and physical abuse, centre leaders and teachers often tread carefully. Children often reveal more than their families might prefer but the details are not always clear. For centre leaders and teachers there may be a tension between protecting the child and offending the family.

On the other hand, when teachers make mistakes or fall short of standards expected, they are often worried that they may incur the wrath of families, leaders, management, and even government agencies like the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). In serious cases, they may even be arrested for a criminal offence.
While even good teachers have moments when they err in judgement, child abuse is a serious and unacceptable matter.
Some centre leaders might be under pressure to exercise extra strict surveillance over staff to the point of keeping an eagle eye on the CCTV monitor in their office. Any accident or misdemeanour by staff may escalate from an incident to an issue of larger magnitude. They know they will be held accountable for everything on their already full plate that often spills over.
How will they adequately monitor the quality of staff and the safety of children? How can they assure families that their children will be well cared for?
The management and ECDA may decide to put in place more standard operating procedures and mete out harsher penalties. Will solutions be knee-jerk reactions or responses that are carefully considered for the longer term? I have posed many questions that I’m sure will elicit a spectrum of responses from the different stakeholders involved.
2. Do everything in the best interest of the child

While we talk about who is to blame and who is responsible for safeguarding our children, at the centre of it all, let us not forget the child.
A guiding principle in early childhood care and education is that everything should be decided and done in ‘the best interest of the child’. It is in the child’s best interest that teachers, leaders, management and ECDA work together with their families.
Teachers, leaders, and families need to have honest and open conversations in the best interest of the child.
Having people outside the circle commenting on the issue is not helpful as these add fuel to fire. Anger, name-calling, and fault-finding create a vicious cycle that is not constructive.
Our thoughts, words, actions, and decisions reflect our beliefs and values. Beliefs stem from our spiritual orientation, life experiences, and the culture we are part of. Our beliefs of what we consider right and wrong, shape and influence our values. Our values indicate our judgement and the importance we attribute to objects, people, and behaviour in terms of standards in our everyday life.
Anglican Preschool Services, like all preschools, have our individual vision, mission, and value statements. The core values of APS are faith, integrity, community, unity, and excellence. Our early childhood educators are honour-bound to not only espouse our values but to enact and impart them moment by moment in all our interactions with children, families, and one another.
3. Create a culture of mutual care, kindness and respect

A preschool community that loves and respects children will have a culture of care, kindness, and respect. This is evident in the words and actions of teachers and leaders.
Teachers and parents should raise pertinent issues when they have concerns knowing that leaders will take their grievances or complaints seriously and will address matters justly. Parents and teachers should seek to clarify when in doubt.
These difficult conversations take courage and patience. May we be willing to hear each other out, see each other’s heart, and believe the best in each other.
Some may say that this is too idealistic, but I think not. As a leader in the early childhood sector in Singapore for 26 years, I have met many parents who are understanding, supportive, encouraging, and appreciative of the challenging work of early childhood teachers and leaders.
I have encountered many teachers who are passionate about their work, and selflessly love and care for the children in their charge. I have interacted with heart-centred leaders who sacrificially give their time and energy to support children, staff, and families.
I believe that everyone makes mistakes, but as long as there is an acknowledgement of wrongdoing and genuine remorse, there is space for grace, forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration. This leads to a culture of care, integrity, excellence, and trust.

Let us work towards strengthening the beliefs and values that shape the culture within our preschools. This is the best safeguard for the wellbeing of our children, teachers, and leaders.
We often quote the saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. I believe that it also takes a village to raise quality early childhood teachers and leaders of good character. Families and staff can all play a positive part in building a culture of mutual responsibility, trust, respect, and integrity.
Dr Jacqueline Chung is the Academic Director of Anglican Preschool Services.