education (children & youth)

​First announced by Minister Tan Chuan-Jin in September 2015, ECDA's Professional Development Programme supports the career aspirations of pre-school educators with professional development opportunities and a structured career progression pathway.

This year, the Early Childhood Development Agency’s (ECDA) “Start Small Dream Big” initiative will involve some 20,000 children from over 300 preschool centres taking part in community service projects over a period of six months. This is double the number of 150 preschools which participated in the inaugural run of the initiative last year.

​The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) will pilot a new system of support for low income and vulnerable children, to enable them to have a good start in life. The new initiative, called KidSTART, will coordinate and strengthen support across agencies, extend new forms of support, and monitor the progress of these children from birth to six years old.

Opening Remarks by Mr Tan Chuan-Jin at the ECDA Scholarships and Awards Ceremony on 19 October 2015, 3.30pm at Community Hall, Ministry of Social and Family Development

​With 203 more pre-schools receiving their Singapore Pre-school Accreditation Framework (SPARK) certificates today, one in four pre-schools island-wide are now SPARK-certified. This will provide parents greater assurance of good quality pre-schools across Singapore, offering holistic early childhood programmes, certified by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).

Opening Speech by Minister Tan Chuan-Jin at the Early Childhood Conference and Carnival 2015 on 25 September 2015, 11am at Suntec Convention Hall

Minister answers question by Ms Chia Yong Yong, Nominated Member of Parliament on plans to develop competencies of teachers in the Early Intervention Programmes for Infants and Children (EIPIC) and other programmes

Speech at Early Childhood Conference 2014

Minister answers question by Mr Yee Jenn Jong, Non-Constituency Member of Parliament on Child Development Co-Savings Scheme

Minister answers question by Ms Lee Li Lian, MP for Punggol East SMC on savings in Child Development Account