My First Skool at Fernvale launches Stem programme for children

SINGAPORE — The largest My First Skool childcare centre branch at Fernvale in Sengkang housing estate had its official opening on Monday (July 10), and it has made use of its space to roll out a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) programme for its pre-schoolers.

This programme is done through a three-year partnership with KidsSTOP — a unit of Science Centre Singapore which caters to young children — with the aim of exposing young learners to the sciences through play-based activities.

The 2,500sqm childcare centre, managed by NTUC First Campus, has stations for children to showcase their works, for example, and there are science kits on display for children and parents to explore together.

The centre, which has a capacity for 520 children, has already taken in 387 children aged between two months and six years.

Ms Kristelle Loh, 39, a finance manager and a mother of three, said that the science-based curriculum appealed to her most when she registered her three children there.

“They are at a curious level now, so they need as much exposure as possible. I think kids nowadays are more (adept at using) technology, so it’s good to start them off early with thinking skills and an inquiring nature,” she said.

Ms Thian Ai Ling, deputy general manager of My First Skool, said: “Children are incredibly active learners between two and six years old... Research confirms that the brain is particularly receptive to learning math and logic between the ages of one and four. Early exposure to Stem and ecology develops early critical thinking and reasoning skills, and naturally enhances later interest in Stem study.”

The Stem programme is also expected to benefit another learning centre, the AWWA Early Intervention Centre (EIC), which My First Skool is partnering to organise activities together for the children under their care. They have set up a play-buddy system, and facilities such as sand-pits, playground and indoor gym are shared between them.

Ms Tan Peng Chian, assistant director of education and development support at AWWA EIC, said: “It’s about sharing spaces since we’re neighbours. We want to take advantage of this close proximity, where children can move easily between the two centres and they can be exposed to different types of people. It’s also an opportunity for teachers to learn from each other.”

The centre, which has an enrolment of 140 children, also had its official opening on Monday. It can take up to 300 children in its new space at Fernvale. These are children aged between six months and six years who need developmental support, such as those with autism spectrum disorder or speech and language delays.

Figures from the Ministry of Health (MOH) released last year showed that the number of children diagnosed with developmental delays has grown from 2,500 in 2010 to 4,000 in 2015.

AWWA EIC said that its latest branch would help to accommodate the growing number of children who require early intervention in this area.

Both My First Skool and AWWA EIC at Fernvale are the largest of their kind, and are expected to serve and meet the growing needs of families and children in Sengkang, which has one of the highest population of young children.

Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Social and Family Development Minister, who was at the opening ceremony, hopes to see more such centres working together in future. “These collaborations will inculcate acceptance and understanding of peers with special needs, and will go a long way towards achieving a more inclusive society,” he said.