A pupil at E-Bridge Preschool in Jurong West tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the centre at 140 Corporation Drive to close for a week, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) on Monday (13 April). The temporary closure will begin on Tuesday (14 April).
According to ECDA, the child had been in quarantine, after a family member tested positive for the virus on 8 April. All staff and children at the school have been placed on leave of absence (LOA).
An E-Bridge Preschool centre. | Image source: E-Bridge Preschool / Facebook
Barring any new developments, the centre will resume limited service provision on Tuesday (21 April 2020) to serve the limited group of parents who are working in essential services and are unable to extend their alternative care arrangements beyond the closure period.
It can be noted that preschools and child care centres have been ordered suspensions in line with the “circuit breaker” measures implemented on 7 April. Home-based learning resources developed by various preschools have since been progressively shared with all other preschools and parents. Preschools will also continue to keep in contact with children during this period to check on their general well-being and progress.
Preschool Closures During COVID-19
The E-Bridge Preschool centre in Jurong West is not the first centre to close after a student or a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
In April alone, at least 5 preschools have been temporarily closed due to the coronavirus infection. This includes My First Skool at 49 Rivervale Crescent, PCF Sparkletots Preschool at Bedok Reservoir Punggol Blk 414, Little Gems Preschool at 3 Ang Mo Kio Street 63, My World Preschool at 460 Bukit Batok West Ave 9 and the most recent, My First Skool at Blk 541 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10.
My First Skool at Blk 541 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 | Image source: Screenshot/Google Maps
The said preschools were closed for at least a week for thorough cleaning and disinfection before reopening again.