NTUC’s My First Skool (MFS) at 51 Fernvale Link and AWWA Early Intervention Centre (EIC@Fernvale) were officially opened on 10 July 2017 by Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin.
Standing at 2,500sqm, the new MFS centre is one of the largest managed by NTUC First Campus and is able to provide some 520 childcare places.
Meanwhile, EIC@Fernvale, which is situated in the same compound as MFS, is AWWA’s third largest centre and is able to serve up to 300 children with conditions such as autism and global developmental delay.
Both centres aim to help meet the growing needs of families and children living in Sengkang, which has one of the highest number of young children in Singapore.
“As we continue to strive towards opening centres in areas of demand across Singapore, we will look out for opportunities to bring new and beneficial learning environments and activities to our children, working alongside community partners and parents, to ensure peace of mind for the families we serve,” said MFS Deputy General Manager Thian Ai Ling.
Interaction between Children
According to MFS and AWWA, the location of the two centres allows for inclusive activities. Children from both centres will have opportunities to interact in places and settings such as sand-pits, a playground and an indoor gym.
The setting will allow children with and without special needs to learn and accept each other’s differences while having healthy social interactions.
“Through this co-location with MFS, we hope to enhance learning opportunities not just for children from both centres but also facilitate learning opportunities for teachers and educators,” said J. R. Karthikeyan, director of AWWA Education and Development, Disability Support, Family and Caregiver Support.
Science in Curriculum
MFS also aims to expose children to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at an early age through their curriculum.
On the same day as the official opening, MFS and KidSTOP, the science centre for children, announced a three-year partnership to develop a high-quality programme focussing on experiential learning through science at the new centre.
The MFS centre will feature learning stations dedicated to STEM, on-site learning opportunities at KidSTOP and Science Centre, and equipping teachers with skills to design exciting STEM-based education programmes.
Ms Thian said: “Children are incredibly active learners between 2 to 6 years old. Their foundation in STEM can be built through play. Research confirms that the brain is particularly receptive to learning math and logic between 1 and 4 years old. Early exposure to STEM develops critical thinking and reasoning skills, and naturally, enhances later interest in STEM studies.”
The partnership also engages parents to ensure a continuum of children’s learning from school to home. Parents will be invited to join their children at STEM learning stations and attend relevant workshops with their children.
