Equipping Preschoolers With Skills For The Future

Singapore, 6 October 2019 – PAP Community Foundation celebrated its annual Family Day today in the Civic District, with more than 10,000 staff and their families present. Themed “Together for our Future”, the event commemorated Singapore’s Bicentennial and celebrated the nation’s rich cultural diversity and history through PCF Sparkletots children’s performances, an activity trail, a carnival and an art exhibition.

Guest-of-Honour, Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the People’s Action Party, Mr Lee Hsien Loong attended the event, together with Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, Minister Lawrence Wong (PCF Council Chairman), Minister Gan Kim Yong, Minister Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor (Organising Chairperson, PCF Family Day 2019), Senior Minister of State Dr Janil Puthucheary (PCF ExCo Deputy Chairman), as well as current and former Members of Parliament.

This year, 200 artworks completed by PCF Sparkletots children were on display at Victoria Theatre and Asian Civilisation Museum. They were created using different art mediums and reflect the children’s impression and interpretation of Singapore’s past, present and future. In touring the exhibition, participants embarked on a journey of discovery to trace Singapore’s growth from a small fishing village to a thriving metropolis she is today through the eyes of our young artists.

Participants also went on an activity trail which took them on an adventure around Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall, Asian Civilisations Museum, National Gallery Singapore, Raffles’ Landing Site by the Singapore River and both sides of the Cavenagh Bridge. Bicentennial-themed games and activities at the carnival enabled children to learn about the history of Singapore in a fun and engaging way.

PCF Chief Executive Officer, Mr Victor Bay shared, “Outdoor learning has always been a key focus at PCF Sparkletots. Every child, regardless of whether he or she is enrolled in a large centre or a HDB void deck-based centre, will have the opportunity to be exposed to similar learning experiences beyond the classroom. Looking ahead, we are excited to announce plans for two new preschools with an emphasis on outdoor learning. As we commemorate the Singapore Bicentennial and reflect on how far we have come as a nation, we are also looking ahead and preparing our children to be future-ready. We will gradually introduce invention and entrepreneurship programmes into our curriculum to equip our children with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential skills for the future.”

PCF Sparkletots @ Radin Mas, which will begin operations by the fourth quarter of 2019, will be among the first preschool of its kind in PCF to feature custom designed outdoor learning trails and unique playscapes. These include an Adventure Trail, Forest Trail, Flora Trail and Water Trail. PCF Sparkletots @ Joo Chiat will open by the second quarter of 2020 and will also house an expansive outdoor learning space, twice the size of the built-up area. These will facilitate unique learning experiences for the children, sharpen their senses, stimulate creative thinking and improve overall health and physical fitness. The children will also learn about appreciation, responsibility and stewardship of the environment in which they live and play in.

As the largest preschool operator and employer in Singapore, PCF Sparkletots is committed to providing quality education to our children by continuously improving its teaching pedagogy. Since 2018, PCF Sparkletots has piloted the STEMIE Approach (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Invention and Entrepreneurship) at 12 of its preschools. Moving forward, more centres will be implementing the STEMIE Approach into their curriculum by 2020. This learning approach will allow children the opportunity to use their knowledge and creativity to solve real world problems in an innovative way.

Through its fundraising efforts and support of charities and organisations over the years, PCF has touched the lives of countless beneficiaries and families. This year, $611,540 was raised through the annual Mayor-led fundraising. Driven by the South East District led by Mayor of South East District, Dr Maliki Osman and Members of Parliament of the District, the amount raised will benefit 30 non-profit and charitable organisations.