Singlet oxygen ($^1O_2$) is an important species for oxidation in biological processes. $^1O_2$ is implicated in the genotoxic effect, and plays an important role in the cell-signaling cascade and in the induction of gene expression. However, the rapid detection of $^1O_2$ in biological environments with sufficient specificity and sensitivity is hampered by its extremely low emission probability. Here, a layer-by-layer (LbL) film of CdTe quantum dots (QDs), polymers, and ascorbate have been designed as a rapid, highly selective, and sensitive fluorescence probe for $^1O_2$ detection. Upon reaction with $^1O_2$, the probe exhibits a strong photoluminescence (PL) response even at trace levels. This remarkable PL change should enable the probe to be used for $^1O_2$ detection in many chemical and biological systems and as an environmental sensor.