Student Care Centre Investigation Sparks Anxiety Among Parents, Raises Questions Over Unpaid Wages
SINGAPORE – Parents of children attending student care centres operated by Little Professors Learning Centre (LPLC) are grappling with uncertainty and anxiety following the revelation that the company is under investigation by police and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The investigation stems from reports of double-charged fees and, separately, unpaid salaries to staff.
News of the investigation broke on Saturday, February 14th, leaving parents scrambling to secure alternative childcare arrangements. Four parents who spoke with CNA expressed concerns about the disruption to their children’s routines and the potential financial strain of finding new care options.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has stepped in to provide interim measures, including meals and homework supervision after school, at no cost to affected parents. However, many parents feel reliant on these temporary arrangements, with limited alternatives readily available.
“As much as I pity the teachers, volunteers and the school staff, I see no other options,” said Ms Mas, whose son attends LPLC’s student care at Punggol Cove Primary School. She described the situation at the school earlier this week as “pretty chaotic” and voiced concerns about the potential burnout of teachers tasked with providing additional support.
Ms Mas also expressed fears that she may be forced to quit her job as a sales assistant if a replacement operator isn’t found, a situation that would significantly impact her family’s finances. “That would affect my whole family financially as we are a big family of seven,” she said.
The sudden closure has also taken a toll on the children, with many needing time to adjust to the disruption. Mr Teng, whose daughter had recently transitioned from nursery to K1, noted the importance of a stable environment for young children. “They spent the last month getting used to a new routine, new classmates and new teachers,” he said, emphasizing the role teachers play in helping children settle in.
Mdm Suriani Rabu echoed these sentiments, stating that the situation had caused her anxiety and placed parents in an “unfair position,” forcing them to juggle existing responsibilities with the added stress of finding new childcare solutions and seeking refunds for improperly charged fees.
Unpaid Wages and Parliamentary Scrutiny
The investigation into LPLC extends beyond the financial concerns of parents. The company is also under scrutiny for failing to pay the salaries of 54 employees. The Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board detected outstanding contributions in December 2025 and has initiated prosecution action, with the case currently before the courts.
Nineteen affected employees have filed reports with the CPF Board, seeking resolution to the unpaid wages. MOM is also investigating the company for potential violations of the Employment Act.
MP Shawn Loh (PAP-Jalan Besar GRC), whose Whampoa division includes the LPLC branch at Hong Wen School, has voiced his concerns about the situation. In a Facebook post last Saturday, he highlighted the impact of the abrupt closure on student care teachers. Speaking to CNA, Mr Loh described the operator’s actions as “highly irresponsible” and expressed concern for the livelihoods of the affected staff. He also noted that nearly 10 parents had approached him regarding GIRO deductions.
Mr Loh, who also serves as an advisor to the Education Services Union, has filed parliamentary questions seeking clarification on the interim plan to continue student care operations and address the concerns of parents and employees. MOE has assured him that student care services will continue at no additional cost to parents.
– The situation remains fluid as authorities continue their investigation and parents navigate the challenges of securing reliable childcare. The long-term impact on both the affected families and the student care sector remains to be seen.
