Court hears 18-month-old girl’s behavior changed after moving to a new class
A 30-year-old preschool teacher in Singapore has pleaded not guilty to a child abuse charge involving an 18-month-old girl, in a case that has drawn attention to safety and trust in early childhood care settings.
Teacher Faces Child Abuse Charge
The 30-year-old woman is accused of abusing an 18-month-old girl on May 3, 2024, at a kindergarten in northeastern Singapore where she worked at the time. According to reporting cited from Shin Min Daily News, she allegedly lifted the child and threw her to the ground, and also pushed the girl’s shoulder, causing her to fall backward. The trial began on March 10, 2026.
She faces one charge under the Children and Young Persons Act. A gag order has been issued to protect the child’s identity.
Parents Were Asked to Review CCTV Footage
The girl’s father testified in court that his daughter had moved from a preschool class to a toddler class in May 2024. About three weeks later, the child’s mother received a call from the school principal saying the girl had been abused and asking both parents to view CCTV footage at the kindergarten.
The father said the parents were also asked to check the child’s head and chest for injuries. After watching the footage, he alleged that he saw his daughter being dragged and restrained by the teacher, and said the incident appeared to leave the toddler in emotional distress.
Court Hears Child’s Behavior Had Changed
The father told the court that before moving classes, his daughter had been happy to attend school. But after entering the new class, her behavior changed and she would cry the night before going to school.
He said that for several weeks she cried uncontrollably at night and clung to her schoolbag, while he and his wife tried to comfort her and get her to sleep. At the time, he believed she was simply struggling to adapt to a new environment, but later told the court he did not expect the alleged abuse to be the reason.
Defense Points to Teacher’s Messages
During cross-examination, defense counsel highlighted that on the day of the incident, the defendant had sent messages in a group chat saying the girl had cried and vomited at school. The defense suggested that this showed concern for the child.
The girl’s father disagreed. He said that if the teacher had truly been concerned, she should have asked the child’s mother to check for injuries immediately, rather than leaving the parents to learn about the alleged abuse weeks later.
Case Highlights Childcare Safety Concerns
The case adds to wider public scrutiny of child safety in preschool settings in Singapore, where courts and regulators have dealt with several abuse-related cases involving young children in recent years.
While this case is still before the courts and the accusation has not been proven, it underscores how quickly trust can break down when questions arise about the treatment of very young children in care environments.
The trial will determine whether the allegations against the preschool teacher are proven in court, but the case has already raised difficult questions about child welfare, school oversight, and how quickly parents are informed when concerns emerge. For Singaporeans, it is another reminder of how critical transparency and accountability are in early childhood education. For Indonesians and others in the region, it also reflects a broader issue shared by many urban societies: parents increasingly expect childcare providers to meet not only educational standards, but the highest standards of safety and trust.
Sources: Mothership (2026) , The Online Citizen (2026)
Keywords: Singapore Preschool Teacher, Toddler Abuse Charge, Children And Young Persons Act, CCTV Preschool Case, Child Protection Singapore
