Latest news with #MyFirstSkool
CNA
4 hours ago
- Business
- CNA
Growing bright futures: How NTUC First Campus helps children succeed in an ever-changing world
Becoming a first-time mother was a joyful yet challenging experience for Mrs Dorcas Zhang. As the 34-year-old prepared to return to work soon after giving birth, a new priority quickly emerged: finding a caring, reliable environment where her son Jordan could thrive. Thankfully, there was a My First Skool centre just minutes from their home in central Singapore. '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.'
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Rise in job switches among Gen Zs; more employees taking ‘micro-retirement' breaks, say experts
SINGAPORE: In just three years in the workforce, Nathaniel Wong has had three careers – as a barista, in finance, and now a trainee kindergarten teacher. "I think initially in my early stage of life, making all these transitions - yes, it seems scary,' said the 25-year-old, who now teaches at My First Skool. 'But I have no regrets … in these industries, when combining the experience together, it helps to shape me to who I am today. I feel that it's a good opportunity for me to expand my horizon and learn about different job scopes.' Key to his job changes was the Career Conversion Programme (CCP) run by government agency Workforce Singapore (WSG), which he said helped him secure the skills and certification needed to qualify as a preschool teacher. According to WSG's figures, the number of Gen Z workers – or those typically aged below 28 – who changed jobs last year more than tripled to over 900, compared to 2021. Some Gen Zs are also switching careers much earlier in life, with some starting their third of fourth job by the age of 25. The statutory board noted that more young jobseekers like Mr Wong are turning to the CCP, which are usually targeted towards mid-career switchers. Over 2,400 people born after 1997 enrolled in the programme as of 2025 – up from just over 300 participants in 2021. YOUNG EMPLOYEES SEEKING A PURPOSE Ms Safrah M Eusoof, director of healthcare and social and business services at WSG, told CNA that many young working adults make career switches driven by personal values and aspirations. 'Interestingly (we see) that they transitioned from some sectors, including finance and petrochemical (industries),' she added. Career coaches said they are starting to engage fresh graduates earlier to plan their careers. "It's important that they (acquire the skills) needed for the job, instead of expecting the new employer to train them,' said Ms Joey Kang, a senior career coach at WSG. She added that graduates with the right skills are more attractive to employers who do not need to train them from scratch, despite multiple job changes. Human resource experts noted that while it is natural for young workers to try out different industries, they advised them not to job hop continuously but to plan their moves with a purpose. 'My recommendation is … build certain skills that … add value … as they move through their career,' said Kirsty Poltock, country manager of recruitment firm Robert Walters (Singapore). She told CNA's Singapore Tonight programme that while employees should embrace artificial intelligence, they should also develop soft skills like people management which AI cannot replace. 'But don't forget to be human. AI is not human. You can be human, you can use empathy, curiosity, experimental learning,' said Ms Poltock. She noted that firms have realised that employees are not staying for long periods like five or 10 years. Ms Poltock added companies are also hiring contract staff, freelance workers and 'boomerang' employees - individuals who have left and returned after a break. MID-CAREER MICRO-RETIREMENTS More employees are also taking mid-career breaks – or 'micro-retirement' – to recharge, pick up new skills or explore personal passions, according to business and employment social networking site LinkedIn. Its data showed that 17 per cent of its users who took career breaks last year did so for personal goals, up from 12 per cent in 2020. "These breaks can range from weeks to even years. It reflects a growing shift away from the mindset that a career path needs to be linear and that there needs to be fixed milestones that one needs to hit,' said Ms Chua Peiying, head economist for APAC at LinkedIn. One worker who took such a break was Mr Dom Chiam, who quit his job as a project manager in 2023, after 12 years in the workforce. "I was in an environment where the working hours are long … (with a) seven-day work week,' said the 39-year-old. His partner Ms Lim Hui Jing, an engineer, joined him a few months later. 'Housing was also expensive in Singapore, so we wanted to try an alternative way of living … (by pursuing) van life,' she added. The couple said they took more than a year's break from work, travelling and camping around Southeast Asia. Others like 31-year-old Chen Zhi Liang started a new venture as his way of taking a break from employment, taking greater control of their time and work. 'I feel more recharged now. I think Monday blues is no longer a thing. I look forward to Monday, and of course … with the flexibility of running my own business … I can also plan my day better," said the founder of a design and web development practice. Still, Mr Chen acknowledged that his extended break was a privilege due to ample savings from work and some side hustles. Experts said that companies need to adapt to more people considering 'micro-retirement' because of burnout and changing priorities. "If companies have those programs that are available for their employees, then the employees would feel empowered to take these breaks,' said Ms Chua. She added that employees would not view such breaks as stigmatising but rather as 'an opportunity for growth, an opportunity to learn new skills, or gain perspective, or even just mental renewal.' For Mr Chiam and Ms Lim, their travels in a van became a key talking point when they returned to Singapore, helping the duo stand out during job interviews. "It became … an icebreaker during our job interview process. Sometimes taking the leap of faith does have (a) good outcome,' said Mr Chiam. Returning to work has motivated them to continue with their travel goals, he added. They are now saving up for their next 'micro-retirement' journey – driving to the United Kingdom. 'Even though … now that we are back, we never really stopped travelling in our van. We still go for short trips here and there whenever we can,' said Ms Lim.
CNA
16-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
Preschools take precautions as HFMD cases rise in Singapore
SINGAPORE: Some preschools in Singapore are stepping up their checks and cleaning measures amid a recent increase in cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Figures from the Ministry of Health (MOH) showed that for the week of Apr 27 to May 3, there was an average of 61 HFMD cases a day. The daily average did not go above 50 cases in 2023 and 2024. At least two major preschool chains are taking precautions to protect their students from being infected. Doctors are also encouraging parents to ensure their children maintain proper hygiene ahead of the June school holidays. KEEPING AN EYE IN SCHOOL My First Skool, a preschool chain with over 160 centres, said it has taken various steps from mandating daily temperature checks to reporting HFMD cases to the authorities. Its staff also check children for ulcers in the mouth and ensure they are washing their hands. The preschool said that lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic have helped it improve hygiene practices. "We continue to (teach) regular handwashing habits (to) our children, we also continue to sanitise our high touch surfaces,' said Ms Thian Ai Ling, general manager of My First Skool. She added that health education forms an important part of how the preschool prevents infectious diseases. Ms Thian said its centres have also invested in air purifiers and conduct regular checks to ensure proper indoor air quality in their premises. She added children with HFMD are required to stay away from the centres to prevent infecting others, adding that its staff will step up their daily cleaning and thorough sanitisation of the premises. 'Our cleaners … are now trained professionally in enhancing the cleaning procedures and also understanding hygiene standards,' she said. Ms Thian added that the preschool will help parents with online teaching resources and access to the children's teachers during their absence. Another operator, PCF Sparkletots, said it is closely monitoring the health situation across its nearly 350 preschools. The preschool said it conducts daily health checks as well as regular cleaning and disinfection of the centres. Centres also promote good personal hygiene to prevent the spread of HFMD infections, and work with parents to ensure children who are unwell remain at home. REASONS FOR THE SPIKE One doctor said the rise in cases could be due to an increasingly hot climate caused by global warming as well as virus mutations. 'HFMD tends to spread more … in warm and humid situations, in contrast to some of the other respiratory viruses (which) tend to spread more in the cold winter seasons,' said Dr Dave Ong, a paediatrician at Kids Clinic @ Punggol. 'There can sometimes be mutations in the genetics of the virus that may introduce new strains that people haven't had immunity to it before but that remains to be proven, depending on the genomic studies done on the viruses,' he added. Dr Ong said adults can also be infected with HFMD and the symptoms are often more severe than what children experience. He noted that adults have a mature immune system that reacts more aggressively against the virus, which could lead to greater severity of the symptoms. 'So, the symptoms may look more severe than the kids with a more immature immune system,' he added. Dr Ong said treatments usually focus on managing the symptoms. These include managing fever with medication, ensuring the patient is well-hydrated and pain relief for mouth ulcers. 'If the child becomes very dehydrated from poor oral intake or vomiting, then they may need to be admitted to the hospital for IV hydration,' he added. IMPORTANT TIPS Ahead of the upcoming school holidays, doctors urge parents to ensure children maintain good hygiene. Dr Ong warned that overseas travel could be another avenue for infection, with families travelling to other countries that may happen to have HFMD outbreaks. He added it is important to be careful of environments where surface transmission can occur. Dr Ong said the virus which causes HFMD spreads through contact with saliva and via droplets. With children having lots of daily interaction at places like schools, childcare and infant care, there is concern over infection from the surfaces they interact with. He said maintaining a good level of hygiene is very important, even for surface interaction at outdoor places such as playgrounds, parks and gyms. Dr Ong added that parents should ensure proper handwashing habits, be careful about sharing food and drinks, and clean surfaces and toys regularly. The paediatrician also advised them to be aware of potential symptoms of HFMD, including fever, throat ulcers or rashes with blister-like spots.
Straits Times
11-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Celebrating parent involvement with their child's pre-school with Our Wonderful Parents
Mr Justin Doray, 51, carrying his daughter Islay, 3. With them is his wife, Sumita Kunalingam, 44. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG Celebrating parent involvement with their child's pre-school with Our Wonderful Parents Singapore - Mr Justin Doray is a familiar face at his three-year-old daughter's, Islay, pre-school. The 51-year-old engineer is part of My First Skool@Blk 153 Bisha n parents support group, and he actively helps at various activities and excursions organised by the pre-school. For instance , he conducted arts and craft activities related to the theme of Christmas to celebrate the festival. He also sang and danced with the children to celebrate National Day, and co- hosted the school's sports day alongside a teacher. Mr Doray, who only has one child, said: 'I enjoy being with the kids, and it's lovely to see them playing together. 'It's also a learning experience for me to see how other children develop, and also how Islay interacts with the other children.' Ms Cheryl Lin, the pre-school's principal, expressed her intention to nominate Mr Doray for a new initiative called Our Wonderful Parents, as his consistent involvement and willingness to offer help has a positive impact on the centre's educators. Our Wonderful Parents is dedicated to recognising and celebrating positive examples of collaboration between parents and their child's pre-school, to encourage parents to be more involved, said Dr Cheong Su Fen, founder of educational consultancy Preschool Market, which organises the initiative . The initiative is supported by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and the Singapore Kindness Movement. The initiative was launched at the first-ever Start Small Dream Big 'Walk for Good: Little Feet, Big Hearts' walkathon in Sentosa on May 11. Over 2,000 people joined the 1.5km walkathon. Dr Cheong said: 'The Our Wonderful Parents initiative was born from a desire to shine a light on the everyday acts of kindness and collaboration between parents and preschools — partnerships that often go unnoticed but make a tremendous difference in a child's learning journey.' Dr Cheong, 41, who has a 4-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter , said she has seen many examples of parents volunteering at school events, reading sessions, excursions, among other activities. Dr Cheong Su Fen said she has seen many examples of parents volunteering at school events, reading sessions, excursions, among other activities. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG For example, her children's pre-school, E-Bridge Pre-School at Corporation Drive, holds an Occupation Day every year where parents from all walks of life tell the children about their occupations. 'When children see their parents and educators working as a team, it gives them a strong sense of security and confidence. They are more motivated to learn and feel emotionally supported,' she said. ' As for educators, parents' insights can help to tailor approaches to better support each child. It also boosts educators' morale.' The ECDA's chief executive Ku Geok Boon said that research has shown that the collaborative effort of educators, families and the community is crucial for the development of children, especially in their early years. Pre-schools can nominate parents who exemplify values such as altruism, empathy and respect for the initiative from May 11 to July 11. Dr Cheong said that all eligible nominees will receive a token of recognition, such as a customised photo frame. Selected stories will also be shared at the initiative's website at among other platforms. Ms Jessica Teo, principal of Greenland Childcare@Punggol Drive , plans to nominate at least one parent, Madam Zakiyah Rosli. Ms Teo praised Madam Zakiyah, 39, for her enthusiasm in supporting the pre-school's activities and her active communication with her son's teachers. For example for Hari Raya, Madam Zakiyah, her husband and their 5-year-old son donned their festive best and brought festive cookies, among other things, to the pre-school to share with the students as they talked about the festival. Madam Zakiyah, who is expecting her second child, said her son is a quiet boy, and she is teaching him about confidence through her involvement in his school's activities. 'I want him to feel proud that we want to get involved. It's joyful and fulfilling to see our children learn and grow, and to be more caring and giving,' she said. The Start Small Dream Big movement was initiated by the ECDA in 2015 to encourage pre-schools to create platforms for children to learn through community service projects, and the movement also raise funds for the President's Challenge. At the walkathon, the ECDA also unveiled a refreshed version of its Beanstalk website, The site contains information for educators and parents covering various aspects of early childhood development, such as child development milestones and effective behaviour management strategies. Get the ST Smart Parenting newsletter for expert advice. Visit the microsite for more
