Singaporeans currently make up six in 10 of mother tongue language teachers, according to Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) figures.
Across the sector, there are about 5,700 early childhood educators who specialise in teaching mother tongue language, of whom 3,300 are locals.
Dr T. Chandroo, chief executive of pre-school chain Modern Montessori International, said most younger Singaporeans speak English and would not opt for Mandarin early childhood courses. Fifteen out of its 20 mother tongue language teachers are foreigners.
Similarly, 80% of EtonHouse's Chinese language teachers are from China, while the rest are locals.
Ng Yi Xian, executive director of EtonHouse International Education Group, said it is always looking out for quality Mandarin teachers who can help children appreciate different cultures.
"As this talent pool can be quite limited in Singapore, we therefore have to recruit from overseas," he told The Straits Times, adding that the school taps on EtonHouse's schools in more than 20 Chinese cities in its hiring process.
Julia Gabriel Education hires 49 Chinese teachers, all of whom are from abroad.
"For many Singaporeans their first language is English, so their competency in Mandarin may not be at the same level as a native speaker,” said Fiona Walker, chief executive of Julia Gabriel Education.
"In pre-school, especially, where so much of the engagement involves singing and nursery rhymes, it can be quite hard for locals as it's not just teaching a language formally."
Her group runs six Chiltern House pre-schools and Chengzhu Mandarin Centre, which has a kindergarten as well as Mandarin enrichment programmes. Its Chinese teachers have each served for an average of five years, with the longest at 22 years.
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