Pre-school enrichment programme brings art classes to more kids from lower-income families
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Under the expanded initiative, about 40 children from Nanyang, Boon Lay and Taman Jurong attended the weekly sessions between July and October.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Follow topic:
- Bright Horizons Fund expands "You've Got Talent" to include more lower-income children from Boon Lay and Taman Jurong.
- Children engaged in art and craft activities, boosting confidence and creativity, with tailored support for diverse needs.
- NTUC First Campus plans speech and drama classes and aims to extend the programme to Choa Chu Kang and Sembawang.
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SINGAPORE – An enrichment programme for pre-schoolers has been expanded to allow more pupils and older children from lower-income families to develop their creativity through art and craft classes.
Run by Bright Horizons Fund, the charity arm of pre-school operator NTUC First Campus, the programme known as “You’ve Got Talent” was previously reserved for My First Skool pre-schoolers.
Under the expanded initiative, about 40 children aged between four and eight from Nanyang, Boon Lay and Taman Jurong attended the weekly sessions between July and October.
The programme was run in partnership with the Social Service Office in Boon Lay and Taman Jurong.
On Oct 11, NTUC First Campus said the participants included children under ComLink+, a government programme where low-income families with children get financial incentives and other support if they take steps to better their lives
The children took part in guided activities, such as painting and 2D and 3D art techniques, that were conducted by industry professionals.
Ms Louisa Chng, general manager of Bright Horizons Fund, said it was the first time some of the children had attended such enrichment classes.
The fund hopes to “close the enrichment gap” so that every child, regardless of background or ability, can discover and develop their potential.
“By partnering with agencies like the Social Service Office and other community partners, we can bring these opportunities to even more children and families across Singapore,” she said.
Childrens’ artwork on display at the Bright Horizons Fund’s You’ve Got Talent graduation ceremony in Boon Lay on Oct 11.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
A graduation ceremony for the children was held at a multi-purpose hall at 189A Boon Lay Drive on Oct 11.
Education Minister Desmond Lee, an MP for West Coast-Jurong West GRC, attended the event and presented certificates to the children.
Five of the children in the programme had some developmental and language needs, and took part in the same creative projects alongside their peers, said NTUC First Campus.
“With caregiver support and tailored adjustments from instructors, they were able to fully enjoy and express themselves through the programme,” it added.
Mr Lee Chih Wen, the father of one of the beneficiaries of the programme expansion, told The Straits Times that his six-year-old daughter, Lee Zhi Xuan – who has autism spectrum disorder – benefited from the sessions.
Although she is a pupil at My First Skool, the school in Kang Ching Road in Jurong West does not conduct the art enrichment programme for free.
Education Minister Desmond Lee presenting a certificate to six-year-old Lee Zhi Xuan, who is accompanied by her father, Mr Lee Chih Wen.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Mr Lee, a 49-year-old taxi driver, said his daughter showed little interest during the first few sessions, producing only a few scribbles for a minute or two.
“During the fifth or sixth lesson, she could colour following instructions. So it’s a big achievement, a big change,” he said.
He added that he has had trouble finding enrichment classes that can cater to his daughter’s needs, such as music or swimming, and hopes for more sessions like the one organised by Bright Horizons Fund.
Mr Lee Chih Wen said his daughter Lee Zhi Xuan benefitted from the sessions.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Bright Horizons Fund will introduce speech and drama classes for children from Boon Lay, Nanyang and Taman Jurong estates in 2026.
It will work with more community partners to extend the programme to more locations, with upcoming sessions planned in Choa Chu Kang and Sembawang.
