Two six-year-olds, a girl and a boy, are currently undergoing counseling as a result of an alleged molestation case at a PAP Community Foundation (PCF)-run childcare centre, the pre-school operator said in a statement early Monday morning (April 18).
The incident took place last Tuesday (April 12) at the PCF Sparkletots Child Care Centre at Blk 161 Taman Jurong.
According to PCF’s statement, the girl reported that the boy had touched her inappropriately. The centre’s staff immediately notified their parents.
A Facebook post by the girl’s father claimed that no teacher was present when the alleged incident took place, and that another child in the class had witnessed it.
Last Friday, a video was posted on YouTube showing a confrontation purportedly between the girl’s parents and PCF staff. The mother of the six-year-old girl was heard crying and asking: “Is that right or not? She’s my daughter okay? Of course I will get upset”.
In the video, which has been viewed over 61,000 times, police officers were also seen at the childcare centre trying to defuse the situation.
PCF Chief Executive Officer Victor Bay said the company’s headquarters was informed of the incident on Wednesday (April 13).
He added: “We deeply regret the incident and fully sympathise with the parents in their distress. Our top priority is the well-being of our young children.”
Mr Bay said a child psychologist and teacher have been assigned to engage the girl and look after her well-being.
A psychologist is also counseling the boy, whose parent has agreed not to send him to the centre for the time being. A teacher will also continue to stay in touch with the boy and his parent.
The PCF said it is also liaising with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Early Childhood Development Agency on the alleged incident.
“Based on the findings and recommendations of the child psychologists, PCF will take the necessary follow-up action. We will do everything we can to ensure our students’ well-being and to provide a safe and conducive environment for them,” Mr Bay said.
Source: TODAY Online
