SINGAPORE PRESCHOOL ACCREDITATION FRAMEWORK (SPARK 2.0)

Framework

SPARK is a multi-tier framework which aims to provide recognition and support for preschool leaders and teachers in their efforts to improve teaching and learning, administration and management processes to enhance holistic development and well-being of young children. It empowers preschools to take ownership whilst serving as a guide throughout their quality improvement journey.

There are 3 tiers in the framework.

The 1st tier begins with the mandatory registration of preschools. At this stage, registration and licensing measures are put in place to ensure minimum standards for operation.

After registration, preschools are strongly encouraged to practise self-appraisal annually (2nd tier). SPARK 2.0 adopts a validation approach where it recognises the diverse landscape of the sector and empowers preschools to take greater ownership of their own quality improvement. The validation approach is aligned to global shifts in quality assurance, where preschools self-appraise their quality levels and explain how the quality standards are met. ECDA then validates the preschools’ self-appraisal with the documents they provide to substantiate their self-appraisal.

Once preschools have a better understanding of their own quality and are ready to have their self-evaluation validated, they can proceed to the 3rd tier of the framework. This tier involves an external validation of preschool quality.