My First Skool’s early childhood educators clinched three awards at ECDA Awards 2023

Three My First Skool’s early childhood educators were recognised at this year’s ECDA Awards 2023 award ceremony on October 28.

The ECDA Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Development recognises the exemplary achievements and accomplishments of educators, early intervention professionals, leaders and centres that have excelled in their teaching and learning, and innovative practices in the early childhood sector.

This is a list of our winners and finalists for the ECDA Awards 2023:

1. Outstanding Early Childhood Leader Award: Jennifer Low, Executive Principal, My First Skool (6 Segar Road)

2. Promising Early Childhood Leader Award: Nurhamizah Salehudin, Executive Principal, My First Skool (Blk 135 Simei)

3. Promising Educator Award: Nur Atikah, Lead Teacher, My First Skool (Blk 491 Admiralty Link)

4. Outstanding Early Childhood Leader (Finalist): Josephine Choo, Principal, My First Skool (49 Rivervale Crescent)

5. Outstanding Infant Educator (Finalist): Chen Feicui, Teacher, My First Skool (51 Fernvale Link)

6. Promising Infant Educator Award (Finalist): Nur Nazhifah Sainar, Teacher, My First Skool (209 Ang Mo Kio)

Upskilling to make a bigger difference in children’s lives

Nur Afifah Rakif (middle), Deputy Centre Lead at My First Skool, posing alongside her colleagues.

Nur Afifah Rakif, Deputy Centre Lead at My First Skool (MFS), who is currently undertaking a Bachelor in Early Childhood Education with Early Childhood Education Leadership under the Singapore University of Social Sciences’ Work-Study Degree programme was put in the spotlight this week.

Afifah’s determination to upskill herself was mentioned in Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s speech at the debate on the President’s Address in Parliament on April 17 and Straits Times also featured her in an article on April 25. Highlighting that learning must be a continuous journey throughout one’s lifetime, Mr Wong said Afifah exemplifies the spirit of lifelong learning and the value of reskilling and upskilling in pursuing one’s passions.

Afifah shared that working in the early childhood education sector motivates her to upskill and be a better teacher, due to the impact of the work she does. “I see it as giving back to the community and playing a part in shaping the future, as working with young learners will have an impact on Singapore’s future generation,” she shared.

She added that upskilling has given her the opportunity to understand herself better and figure out her strengths and areas to work on. “I think we shouldn’t be scared to venture out and do something new. There is no age limit to chasing our dreams. If you want to upskill yourself, it’s never too late,” said Afifah.

News Coverage

Straits Times Online (25 April 2023)

My First Skool Early Year Centre is officially opened! On the 23rd May, we had the honour of having Mr. Ng Chee Meng, Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress and Minister in the Prime Minster’s Office to officiate the opening of our centre.

At My First Skool, one of our priorities is to provide a quality and affordable pre-school programme. Besides ample outdoor play areas and in-house commercial kitchen helmed by an experienced head chef, our Early Year Centre at 2 Punggol Drive also leverages on technology to keep our children healthy and safe. A temperature scanner, a visual paging system as well as biometric security access system are just some of the ways we help paretns have a peace of mind knowing that thier child is learning in a safe environment.

Read this article by Channel News Asia to find out how we alleviate the health concerns that parents may have regarding pre-school centres.