1. 'Start Small Dream Big’ (SSDB) was initiated by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) for President’s Challenge. In celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, it has achieved the highest record of participation of over 80,000 preschoolers from 1,200 preschools. This marks a ten-fold increase from its inception in 2015, when 8,000 children participated in the 1st SSDB. Survey results further showed that the SSDB movement has made a tangible impact on home-preschool-community partnership and children’s holistic development over the years.
2. The SSDB movement aims to inculcate good values in children, such as kindness, compassion and respect, and encourage them to give back to society, in partnership with families, educators and community partners. Themed “Doing Good Together: Celebrating 10 Years of Start Small Dream Big”, SSDB dovetails with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) designating 2024 as the Year of Celebrating Volunteers.
3. Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Home Affairs, graced the SSDB Official Launch and 10th Anniversary Celebration event today at Gardens by the Bay, attended by over 750 children, parents, educators and community partners. She said, “It is important to foster a culture of giving from young, especially as we strengthen our social compact. The ‘Start Small Dream Big’ movement provides a meaningful platform for young children to discover the joys of volunteering, and actively contribute to the community, together with their families and preschools. I am heartened by how the movement has a significant impact on the holistic development of our children and partnership between parents and preschools over the past 10 years. It reflects the SSDB motto of ‘No one can do everything, but everyone can do something’!”
Positive Impact of the ‘Start Small Dream Big’ Movement
4. A survey was commissioned by ECDA to evaluate SSDB’s impact on home-preschool-community partnership and children's holistic development. More than 1,500 key stakeholders, including educators, parents, children and community partners, participated in the survey. The key findings (see details in Annex) are:
a. There was strong consensus among stakeholders (96% of educators, 97% of parents, all community partners) that SSDB provides a meaningful platform to support and nurture children’s holistic development, including their social and emotional development.
b. There has been a sustained impact of SSDB on educators, with more than 6 in 10 educators having incorporated SSDB as part of their engagement with parents, whilst more than half have infused SSDB in their preschool’s curriculum.
c. More than 9 in 10 parents agreed that SSDB effectively instils positive values in children, with most reinforcing these learnt values and life skills at home. Educators also played a significant role in encouraging parental participation.
Strengthening Partnerships between Educators, Parents and Community Partners
5. Over the years, an increasing number of community partners have joined the movement to engage the preschool sector and promote their respective community-building initiatives. This year, 31 partners are on board the SSDB movement, including three new partners: Ain Society, Children’s Museum Singapore, and Singapore Book Council.
6. In support of SSDB this year, SG Cares Volunteer Centres (VCs) @ Ang Mo Kio, Punggol and Sengkang, operated by Allkin Singapore, have developed an Educator’s Guide to foster the spirit of volunteerism in children. Titled ‘Small Hands, Big Hearts’, the guide provides information on how preschools and parents can kickstart and support a child’s volunteering journey. An e-version is available to all preschools at https://www.allkin.org.sg/resources/publications.
7. Another resource guide was released by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to commemorate the SSDB’s 10th Anniversary. Titled “Bridging Generations: Intergenerational Guide for the Community Care and Early Childhood Sectors”, the guide supports preschools and community care organisations in developing intergenerational programmes that foster meaningful interactions between preschoolers and seniors. Ms Heidi Rafman, Chief of Healthy Ageing Department, Agency for Integrated Care, says: “Intergenerational activities foster mutual learning, understanding, and well-being for both children and seniors. The partnership with ECDA through SSDB since 2020 has been invaluable. We hope that this guide, developed together with ECDA and eight partners from the Early Childhood and Community Care sectors, will serve as a catalyst for more intergenerational collaboration between the two sectors, enriching the lives of children and seniors alike." The guide is available at https://for.sg/aic-bridging-gen-main.
ISSUED BY
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
About the Early Childhood Development Agency
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) was set up in 2013. The autonomous agency oversees the regulation and development of infant, child care and kindergarten programmes for children below the age of seven. To achieve their vision of giving every child a good start, the agency works in partnership with stakeholders to ensure that every child has access to affordable and quality early childhood development services and programmes.
About President’s Challenge
Started in 2000, President’s Challenge (PC) is a national movement led by the President to rally Singaporeans to build a caring and cohesive society by raising funds as well as galvanising support for our disadvantaged communities through volunteering and inclusive employment. Focus areas of PC in recent years include empowering persons with disabilities, building a digitally inclusive society, supporting lower-income families, advocating support towards persons with mental health conditions and caring for caregivers. 100% of the donations raised goes to benefitting agencies supported by PC.
More information on President’s Challenge can be found at http://www.presidentschallenge.gov.sg.
Annex – Start Small Dream Big 2024
Supplementary Information – Start Small Dream Big 2024