---
title: "Mum claims Yishun preschool teacher ‘hit’ toddler, but school suggests it was a ‘tap’ to prevent accident"
url: "/singapore-seen/mum-claims-yishun-preschool-teacher-hit-toddler-school-suggests-it-was-tap-prevent-accident"
published: "2026-10-28T04:55:16.000Z"
updated: "2026-10-28T07:56:37.000Z"
section: "Singapore Seen"
authors: ["Cherry Tan"]
tags: ["singapore seen","Yishun","preschool","child safety","teacher"]
---

# Mum claims Yishun preschool teacher ‘hit’ toddler, but school suggests it was a ‘tap’ to prevent accident

*A mother who enrolled her daughter in a preschool in Yishun was shocked to learn from the girl that a teacher had apparently “beat” her on three separate occasions.*

Soon after enrolling her daughter in a preschool in Yishun, a mother was shocked to learn from the girl that a teacher had apparently “beat” her on three separate occasions.

The woman, who only wanted to be known as Mrs Jek, said her 24-month-old daughter started school on Sept 22.

Her daughter had been living in Australia with some relatives for about half a year, as Mrs Jek — who is Singaporean — and her husband focused on relocating to Singapore.

The family had chosen the preschool in question due to its proximity to their home.

“I also hoped that a private preschool would provide more personalised attention as the intake would usually be lesser, (and there is) better communication with parents,” shared Mrs Jek.

However, within a matter of weeks, her daughter shared something that sounded concerning.

“During playtime with her father, my daughter shared that a teacher had beaten her during the second and third weeks of school,” said the Stomper, who is a preschool educator herself.

“I felt it was important to take her words seriously while allowing time to understand what had happened,” she added.

The couple decided to observe the situation before raising their concerns, but felt they could no longer ignore the matter after the girl “brought it up on three separate occasions and repeatedly demonstrated the same action while pointing to the same area where she said the teacher had hit her”.

Mrs Jek said her daughter had even pleaded “mummy, please, no, no,” on the way to school one day.

## School says teacher ‘tapped’ daughter

When the parents brought their concerns to the school, they were reportedly told that a review of the CCTV footage showed that the teacher had “tapped” the toddler while she was rocking on a chair to prevent a possible accident.

According to them, the school further suggested that the action might have happened “so quickly” that Mrs Jek’s daughter “perceived it as being beaten”.

However, the Stomper remained unconvinced, saying her daughter had been taught to stop whatever she was doing when she hears the word “upset” or “I am angry with you”.

“If it was only a tap, why did our toddler repeatedly express fear when approaching the preschool?” the mother further questioned.

## Parents lodge report with ECDA and police

Although the school supposedly apologised and asked for a second chance, the Stomper wanted to discuss the matter with her husband first, who subsequently requested to view the CCTV footage for a better understanding of what happened.

After receiving no satisfactory response, the parents decided to withdraw their children from the preschool.

The school declined immediate withdrawal, citing a two-month notice period, so they sought assistance from the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and lodged a police report.

Stomp understands that ECDA’s investigations are ongoing.

Since her report to ECDA, Mrs Jek said that the preschool’s communication has been more prompt. She was also informed that the teacher in question had been suspended.

“My concern is that the principal’s explanation focused on one particular incident, whereas my daughter had shared her experience with her father on three separate occasions.

“I am still waiting for these repeated accounts to be properly addressed,” said the worried mother.

When asked why she chose to share this with Stomp, Mrs Jek said: “I believe every child deserves to feel safe, respected and protected in school.”

She added that parents should not have to “struggle to obtain clarity” when young children express concerns about their experiences.

“I hope that sharing this experience will encourage greater awareness, transparency and accountability in preschool settings, so that no parent has to question whether their child is safe in a place where they are supposed to be cared for,” she said.

## School: Staff not on duty during investigation

Responding to Stomp’s queries via email, a representative from the preschool said on Oct 27 that it was aware of the concerns raised by Mrs Jek.

The school also emphasised that “anything relating to children’s well-being is taken very seriously”.

As a precautionary measure, the staff member concerned is not on duty while investigations are underway.

In response to a Stomp query, the police confirm that a report was lodged and investigations are ongoing.