A number of images of children allegedly being ill-treated at a childcare centre in River Valley, Singapore have gone viral online forcing the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) to investigate the matter. According to reports, the centre is believed to be Sam's Early Learning Centre at Jalan Mutiara.
A report by Stomp contributor, May, stated that an anonymous netizen posted the photos on WeChat on Feb 14. The photos included that of a bare-bottomed child who had defecated and had faeces smeared all over his body in a cot.
The netizen wrote in Chinese that the child had apparently 'dug' out the faeces from his butt and eaten it. Several other images showed children lying on bare floor tiles while taking a nap without any mats or padding.
The reports said the netizen also claimed that the children were fed rotten fruit and said that the milk powder which was given to the staff by the parents to feed their children were all thrown away by the teachers.
A spokesperson from the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said that "under the Child Care Centres Act, all childcare centres are required to meet the stipulated regulatory requirements to protect the safety, wellbeing and welfare of children in centres".
Reports said a police spokesperson has confirmed the incident with Stomp. A police report has been lodged and the authorities are looking into the matter.
