
Growing bright futures: How NTUC First Campus helps children succeed in an ever-changing world
'We wanted more than just basic care,' said Mrs Zhang. 'Fortunately, we found My First Skool, where the focus goes beyond milestones to nurturing each child's growth. The teachers work closely with us to understand Jordan's behaviours and habits, which makes for a smoother transition between home and school.'
Jordan started at My First Skool at just 10 months old. Now aged three, he is a curious child who often asks thoughtful questions about the world around him.
A TRUSTED NAME IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
Since 1977, NTUC First Campus has grown from a handful of preschools into one of Singapore's largest and most renowned early childhood providers. It now serves more than 29,000 children across over 180 My First Skool and Little Skool-House centres.
'The world is changing rapidly, and so are the needs of our children and families,' said Mr Justin Ang, CEO of NTUC First Campus. 'We are constantly innovating, not for innovation's sake, but to ensure that every child gets the bright start they deserve.'
He added: 'We are committed to giving every child a strong, equal start – preparing them not just for formal education, but for life – through a holistic, inclusive and research-led approach.'
INNOVATION WITH A PURPOSE
NTUC First Campus' preschools offer well-designed curricula and resource-rich environments, led by educators who are passionate about shaping young lives. Each centre is tailored to meet community needs, ensuring every child – regardless of background – has access to meaningful learning that goes beyond literacy and numeracy.
Recognising that parents seek holistic development, NTUC First Campus provides a wide range of enrichment activities that parents can sign their children up for, including speech and drama, music, sports and coding. These activities are integrated into the school day, allowing children to explore their interests in a familiar setting while giving busy families added peace of mind.
'My First Skool builds everything into the day, so we don't have to rush to different classes after work or on weekends,' said Mrs Zhang. 'More importantly, we know our child is happy, safe and learning in valuable ways.'
In addition, NTUC First Campus runs Outdoor School Singapore, which offers children aged three to 12 immersive nature experiences that build resilience, responsibility and risk-taking skills, while nurturing a love for the environment.
To support children's learning needs beyond preschool, NTUC First Campus also operates an after-school care and enrichment centre, Changemakers by SEED Campus. Run by experienced educators and enrichment specialists, the centre offers flexible programmes that combine academic support with life skills development.
The latest addition to NTUC First Campus' suite of services is ZooSchool, a collaboration with Mandai Wildlife Group. Designed by educators from both organisations, ZooSchool provides hands-on experiences and holiday camps that introduce young children to wildlife, conservation efforts and practical survival skills.
A PARTNER TO FAMILIES
For Mrs Zhang, My First Skool is more than a preschool – it is a trusted partner in her parenting journey. 'It's comforting to know we're not alone in raising our son. The teachers genuinely care, giving equal attention to each child's needs and collaborating with parents to support their learning.'
Mr Benjamin Tan, 38, whose five-year-old son attends a Little Skool-House centre in the west of Singapore, shared how his child's teachers have made an impact. 'Shane comes home excited every day to share what he's learned, and this speaks to the dedication of his teachers,' he said.
The experiences of parents like Mrs Zhang and Mr Tan reflect NTUC First Campus' broader mission: enabling bright futures for every child and their family. With a deep understanding of Singapore's fast-changing social landscape, NTUC First Campus plays a vital role in building an inclusive community where every child can thrive and every family feels supported.
"By making high-quality preschool education accessible and impactful, we empower children to become lifelong learners and future-ready citizens,' said Mr Ang. 'We're not just preparing children for school; we're helping shape a better, more cohesive society.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CNA
10 hours ago
- CNA
Institutes of higher learning to launch 54 new career transition programmes
Fifty-four new courses will be launched to help mid-career Singaporeans cope with the growing demand for skills in emerging areas such as AI and entrepreneurship. These courses, which will be offered at 10 institutes of higher learning, are now open for applications.


Independent Singapore
12 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
20 y/o Singaporean says older generations' idea of job security — committing to a 9-6 full-time job — is outdated for Gen Zs like him in the age of AI
SINGAPORE: In a world where artificial intelligence writes your emails, edits your videos, and even analyses your spreadsheets, is a traditional full-time job still worth committing to? According to 20-year-old Amos Lau, a Gen Z Singaporean, that question haunts many of his peers. In a candid Letter to the Editor published by The Business Times , Amos doesn't mince words: 'I'll admit it: I'm afraid to commit to a traditional full-time job.' It's not fear of hard work or lack of ambition. It's the creeping anxiety that comes from watching artificial intelligence (AI) evolve faster than you can update your resume, and Amos isn't alone… AI is here – and it's moving fast 'McKinsey's report that 92% of companies will increase their AI investment over the next three years says everything,' Amos writes. 'The AI wave is no longer on the horizon — it's here,' he warned. And Amos would know. As a marketing student, he's already well-acquainted with the AI arsenal: ChatGPT for writing and copy ideas Invideo AI for automating video creation Excel GPTs for data processing and spreadsheet automation These are the very tools that promise to make work easier, but for Amos and many in Gen Z, they also present a silent threat: If AI can do what I'm training to do — and do it faster — why would a company hire me at all? The great Gen Z career dilemma Older generations often preach the gospel of the 9-to-6: climb the ladder, stash away Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings, chase that 'dream job' title. However, to Amos and his peers, that formula seems increasingly detached from reality. See also Robert Downey Jr talks about leaving MCU 'As a 20-something in Singapore, I often hear older generations talk about job security, retirement savings, or climbing the corporate ladder,' he says. 'But for many in my generation, those ideas feel increasingly outdated — if not completely out of reach.' Amos raises some serious questions that strike a nerve for many young adults: 'If AI can write, design, and even strategise at scale, where does my human value lie?' 'Is it worth specialising in something today if AI could automate it tomorrow?' 'Should I take a full-time job when the skills I'm hired for may be obsolete before I get promoted?' These aren't abstract musings. They're daily roadblocks for Gen Z workers stepping into an unpredictable world of work. The rise of the portfolio generation Instead of betting everything on one job or one title, Amos says many of his peers are opting for what some have dubbed 'portfolio careers.' That means: Freelancing across industries Picking up short-term micro-skills Switching fields as needed Learning fast, pivoting faster On the surface, it sounds like a dream: freedom, flexibility, and creative control, but beneath the surface? Exhaustion, instability, and an identity crisis. 'This agility comes with its own cost,' Amos admits. 'Instability, burnout, and the fear of never becoming truly 'expert' at anything,' he fears. Why skilling isn't the same as stability Everyone's talking about 'upskilling' or 'reskilling' — government grants, SkillsFuture credits, and corporate training sessions galore. However, Amos believes these aren't always enough. AI is accelerating faster than these programmes can keep pace. And no certificate, no matter how shiny, guarantees long-term employability anymore. See also Concerns over fraud protection grow among Singapore bank customers 'We need not just skilling pathways,' he writes, 'but also realistic conversations about what long-term employability looks like in an age where technology evolves faster than training programmes can keep up.' This call for honesty — not just hype — might be the most important thing Gen Z is asking for right now. Commitment issues or conscious caution? Amos isn't rejecting the idea of work. He's rejecting the outdated blueprint of what work should look like. 'Until we bridge that gap,' he warns, 'don't be surprised if more Gen Zs like myself hesitate to sign on to the traditional 9-to-6 contract – not out of disinterest, but out of deep uncertainty.' In other words, Gen Z isn't lazy. They're calculating — and not without reason. If a 9-to-6 job no longer offers stability, financial security, or even the promise of professional growth, then why sign the dotted line? Are we witnessing the slow death of the traditional career? For decades, a full-time job has been the cornerstone of adulthood, but Amos Lau's letter is a sign that this cornerstone may be cracking under the weight of modern uncertainty. His generation is growing up with: Economic unpredictability (hello, inflation and housing prices) AI-powered disruption (from blue-collar to white-collar jobs) Social media-fuelled career comparisons (the 'LinkedIn hustle culture' effect) Put all that together, and it's no wonder Gen Z is having second thoughts. What needs to change? Amos isn't asking for pity. He's asking for change, and maybe, the ball is now in the court of employers, educators, and policymakers to: Redefine job roles to emphasise irreplaceable human traits (like emotional intelligence and ethical judgment) Design adaptable, modular career paths Prioritise psychological safety and flexibility over rigid KPIs And most importantly, listen to what young workers are actually saying See also Tech Titans Collaborating To Shape The Future Of Ai Because if Amos' letter proves anything, it's that Gen Z isn't afraid of hard work — they're just afraid of becoming obsolete in a system that refuses to adapt. AI might be the elephant in every boardroom today, but for Gen Z, it's the shadow that follows them from school into the job market. If we want to future-proof the workforce, we need more than just tech tools and training manuals — we need radical honesty, bold reinvention, and mutual empathy across generations. And it starts by listening to voices like Amos Lau's. In other news, just like Amos' peers who are opting for 'portfolio careers,' another Gen Z, Kevin Quah, a Singaporean young millionaire, peeled back the hood on what it actually takes to build a million-dollar business. 'I'm not a stock market expert,' he said, adding that what financially worked for him most was building something useful and meaningful, such as connecting AI with real-world, everyday needs, including empowering senior citizens, people with disabilities, and underprivileged communities. You can read his full story here: 'You don't need to be a stock market expert to get rich' — Young Singaporean millionaire reveals how solving problems of others with AI led to his first million


Independent Singapore
13 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
RHB: SGX securities daily average value to increase 9% YoY in FY2026, with growth continuing into 2027
Photo: Depositphotos/tang90246 SINGAPORE: The Singapore Exchange (SGX) is on track for further growth in securities trading activity, with its securities daily average value (SDAV) forecasted to jump 9% year-on-year (YoY) in FY2026 and 4% in FY2027, Singapore Business Review reported, citing a report by RHB. In FY2025, the SDAV surged 27% to reach S$1.3 billion. In a report published on Thursday (July 10), RHB analyst Shekhar Jaiswal stated that the growth momentum is expected to continue, backed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)-led initiatives to broaden equity participation beyond Straits Times Index (STI) stocks. Mr Jaiswal said SGX will likely benefit from elevated near-term market volatility, with higher securities turnover supported by MAS-led equity market initiatives. SGX's operating revenue for the year is projected at S$616 million, while profit after tax and minority interests (PATMI) is expected to hit S$308 million. While the FY2026 yield remains 'unappealing,' even with a possible increase in payout ratio, Mr Jaiswal said there are 'upside risks to distributions.' /TISG Read also: S$701M exits Singapore banks in April as institutions turn to telecommunications and industrial stocks Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only) () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });