In Singapore, not much recognition is given to the importance of pre-school education, with some parents thinking that it is no different from teaching their own children at home ("Call to boost pay and image to attract more pre-school teachers"; Oct 17).

They are not exposed to the idea of "learning through play" - a key concept that is currently transforming the pre-school education field.

With this poor understanding comes less than ideal pay for pre-school teachers, adding to the unattractiveness of the job.

If we want to raise the prestige of early childhood educators here, educating parents about what pre-school education is and what it entails for their children is important.

Parents need to know what these qualified professionals are teaching children, and to believe that they are truly paying for a service that can make a lifelong impact on their children.

Jacelyn Chia Yee Fang (Miss), 19,

third-year polytechnic student