17 pre-school educators win awards

8 centres also lauded for Excellence in Early Childhood Development

Ms Jacintha Jayadas, 27, reading a book with infants under her care at Tots and Teddies pre-school in Telok Ayer. Despite initial worries that she might not be able to handle the work, the former nurse feels more confident now in caring for infants a
Ms Jacintha Jayadas, 27, reading a book with infants under her care at Tots and Teddies pre-school in Telok Ayer. Despite initial worries that she might not be able to handle the work, the former nurse feels more confident now in caring for infants aged two months to 18 months. PHOTO: TOTS AND TEDDIES

The sight and sound of infants laughing are among the reasons Ms Jacintha Jayadas looks forward to her work as an early childhood educator. The 27-year-old said even on weekends, when she is off, she misses the children.

Ms Jacintha, who is single, now works at Tots and Teddies in Telok Ayer, having made the switch in 2017 after being a nurse for two years.

Despite initial worries that she might not be able to handle the work, she feels more confident now in caring for infants aged two months to 18 months. This is due to guidance she received from senior teachers, principals and others, she said.

Ms Jacintha, who has a diploma in counselling, is among 17 pre-school educators and eight centres to receive awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Development in a virtual ceremony held yesterday.

The awards are meant to highlight the professionalism of the early childhood sector and recognise outstanding and promising early childhood educators and centres, according to the Early Childhood Development Agency.

Ms Jacintha received the Promising Early Childhood Educarer Award for her work in building relationships with the families of the children as well as the quality of her care for the infants.

Among the centres that won awards is Chatsworth Preschool, which has two campuses here. It received the Early Childhood Innovation Award (Distinction) for its Language of Food project, which aims to cultivate responsibility during mealtimes.

Its centre at Piccadilly Circus in Seletar got toddlers involved in a number of activities, from food preparation to cleaning up the kitchen space. It also customised and integrated the food pantry into the classroom, so that mealtimes could become part of the curriculum with children picking up skills such as language, numeracy and motor coordination.

In a pre-recorded video for the ceremony, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said the award winners showcase quality standards in teaching, caring, leadership and innovation in the early childhood sector.

"But they are just the tip of the iceberg. Beyond the visible are thousands of educators who continue to give their best every day, inspiring, teaching, caring for, and nurturing our children," he noted.

"I hope that all our early childhood professionals will continue to strive for excellence as a fraternity and cheer one another on, as we work towards a common goal of giving every child a good start in life," added Mr Masagos, who also said early childhood professionals are the heart of quality pre-schools.

"A good educator makes a good pre-school, which produces happy and well-developed children," said Mr Masagos.

Ms Jacintha is currently enrolled in a part-time degree programme in Early Childhood Guidance and Counselling. She will graduate in March next year.

"With training in counselling, I can help more children address problems or situations they may face," she said.

Her nursing experience has helped. When something happens, such as an accident or a fall, she is able to respond quickly.

"I immediately know my next course of action, and I'm not afraid of blood or bruises, and I can think on my feet," said Ms Jacintha.

She enjoys her work as an infant educarer, as she feels it is at this stage in their lives where one can really make a difference.

"I can contribute to the first step that they take, the first words they speak," she said. "I feel like I help the parents the most at the infant stage because many of them are first-time parents," she added.


Ex-architect enjoys 'building the lives of children'

St James' Church Kindergarten (Gilstead) principal Eudora Tan, 33, received the Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher Award. PHOTO: ECDA

When 33-year-old Eudora Tan made the switch to early childhood education from architecture five years ago, there were many who questioned her decision.

She had spent five years studying to be an architect at the National University of Singapore, including completing a master's degree.

"To them, architecture seemed like a profession that took me such a long time to learn, but I gave it up after just a few years of working," said Ms Tan.

She found the work too demanding because of the long hours involved, and decided to try something different.

"I've always had the opportunity to be with children, whether at Sunday school in church or with my nephews, and that got me thinking - that I do like working with them."

In 2014, Ms Tan took the leap by taking a Diploma (Conversion) in Kindergarten Education-Teaching at Singapore Polytechnic. She joined St James' Church Kindergarten (Gilstead) as a mathematics teacher in 2015, and was promoted to principal in July this year.

She received the Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher Award at the Early Childhood Development Agency Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Development virtual ceremony yesterday.

"I just enjoy going to school - the children are amazing. I simply love the conversations with them, they reveal their curiosities and their thought processes."

Her training as an architect has been put to good use, said Ms Tan, who is married and has a two-year-old son.

"Being an architect is not just about design, but seeing a project through and thinking about how to solve problems, working through the details.

"It has translated into how I work with children, by helping them to solve problems instead of just giving them the answers."

She added: "I may not be designing a building but I am building the lives of the children, and that goes a long way."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on November 29, 2020, with the headline 17 pre-school educators win awards. Subscribe