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CNA
10-07-2025
- 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
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNA
Actress Carrie Wong is taking her time to move in to her newly renovated loft condo and a big reason why is her dog
When Carrie Wong, 31, posted snaps of herself rolling a pineapple across the floor of her new home on Instagram last August, it wasn't just for good luck – it also rolled its way into the headlines. The Mediacorp actress had just snagged her very first property, and thanks to its high ceiling and mezzanine floor, some media assumed she had bought a penthouse. 'Pent your head!' Wong quipped when giving a tour of her new crib. 'I wish! How to afford?' What she did buy is a two-storey, 850 sq ft loft condo in central Singapore – chic, cosy, and very much the perfect bachelorette pad except she doesn't actually live in it. Not yet, anyway. For now, the apartment is more like her 'vacation home'. She pops by a few times a week to use the facilities, host friends and family, film content, or simply spend some me-time. During our visit, she served us water in wine glasses gifted by her A Quest to Heal co-star Qi Yuwu. There was no proper tableware here yet, unless you count paper plates. Her wardrobe? Empty, save for a bunch of lonely hangers. Her bed? Still untouched. Wifi? Nope. All of this is by choice. Though renovations were completed two months ago, Wong is taking her time settling in – partly because she just wrapped four months of back-to-back shoots for a film and drama in Malaysia. But mostly, it's because of her 13-year-old toy poodle, Gege. 'I sleep with her every night,' Carrie says. 'She's old already, and I didn't want to stress her out with a new environment.' For now, Wong's splitting her time between her parents' place and the new apartment and fully embracing her role as a devoted dog mum. Also, she confessed that she's not ready to tackle the household chores. 'That's why I'm using paper plates,' she laughed sheepishly. Her target is to move in by Christmas. "I GOT A REALLY GOOD DEAL" So why buy a place when she's not ready to move in? 'For investment. Properties in this area won't lose value,' she explained matter-of-factly. She added that she got a 'really good deal' on the seven-year-old apartment (she declined to reveal the price), and since it was below her budget, she snapped it up 'straight away'. Wong had been house-hunting since 2020, and this unit ticked all her boxes: floor-to-ceiling windows, an unblocked view, a balcony, and of course, a loft layout. MINIMALIST RESORT VIBES The interiors are just as dreamy, a calming blend of off-white, neutral tones and wood textures that give the space a warm, resort-like vibe. It's minimalist but inviting. Renovations for the one-bedroom, one-study apartment took eight months and cost more than S$100,000, though Wong candidly admitted her renovation was sponsored. Since she was overseas for much of the process, she left most of the design decisions to her interior designer. 'I rarely came down, I was most active in the WhatsApp group chat,' she laughed. 'I trust my ID and am quite an easy-going person. I brought my friends to see the place before reno was complete and they kept pointing out things that needed to be touched up. I didn't even notice them – they didn't really bother me.' OPEN CONCEPT LIVING The home features an open concept look, combining the kitchen, dining and living areas. Thanks to the 5m-high ceiling and wall of windows, the space feels bright, airy and expansive, a perfect little escape in the city. Wong spends most of her time in the dining area. It's where she works, watches TV, hosts friends and just chill watching the sunset. The kitchen may be small, but it's all Wong needs – especially since she doesn't cook. The typical glass stair railings were swapped out for fence-style wooden beams, giving the space a rustic, textural edge. From the top of the stairs, Wong has what she calls her 'favourite view' of the neighbourhood and beyond. LOFT-STYLE MASTER SUITE The master bedroom, bathroom and vanity area take up the loft. To create a more open and spacious feel, the two rooms were combined to form a master suite Glass panels enclosing the loft and the study door were removed to give the space a breezier feel. Another favourite spot? Her vanity corner. It's where Wong winds down and, more often than not, ends up just chilling.
