I am Joanna Wong, the principal of My First Skool at Block 66 Kallang Bahru (KBC).  Pursuing my love for nurturing young children, I made a career switch into the early childhood sector back in 2004 while caring for my two young children. Spending more than a decade as an early childhood educator, I have never looked back.  

Graduating with a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from Deakin University, Australia in 2017, and achieving the Head of School Award, I took on new challenges by joining My First Skool as a Deputy Centre Lead, and now a Principal. Through my years of experience of teaching and mentoring the new generation of teachers, I was presented with opportunities to develop my professional development skills in leadership roles.  

At Kallang Bahru, our team of teachers work on several key niche programmes by implementing Centre-Wide Positive Behaviour Support through a variety of strategies. We were awarded with several ECDA innovation grants throughout the years by embarking on projects to extend children’s learning in a fun and meaningful way.  

In our Intergenerational Programme, we are collaborating with the Baptist Golden Age Home    through our monthly visits to the elder care centre. During each visit, we have planned meaningful activities allowing children to have quality engagement and interactions with the seniors. This inculcates values in the children, such as empathy, compassion, and respect, thereby fostering relationships with the residents.     

I believe that a joyful and engaging preschool learning experience is the precursor to a successful future.  It is important that every aspect of a child’s development should be recognised and valued to maximise the potential of each child to be a life-long learner.