SINGAPORE: Preschools in Singapore are prepared to move activities indoors and step up monitoring of children’s well-being if haze causes air quality to worsen.

Singapore is among several Southeast Asian countries facing a high risk of severe transboundary haze for the rest of 2026, according to think-tank Singapore Institute of International Affairs. 

The risk is expected to peak between August and September amid hotter and drier conditions.

Some preschool centres are keeping a close watch on the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) latest air quality readings. 

EtonHouse Pre-School Upper Bukit Timah, for example, checks the readings every two hours.

At the preschool, activities such as playing in the sandpit and sketching outdoors remain part of a typical school day.

But should the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) enter the unhealthy range – where it exceeds 100 – the preschool will stop all outdoor play and move the children indoors.

The preschool has several enclosed spaces available for children and is equipped with air purifiers in its classrooms and shared learning areas, said Ms Natalie Loh, its senior principal.

“We currently have masks on standby for both children and staff, but it really depends on the situation,” said Ms Loh, adding that the preschool is ready to purchase more masks if needed.

KEEPING CHILDREN ENGAGED INDOORS