22 Educators and Centres to Receive ECDA Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Development

1 In recognition of their professional excellence and innovation, 22 pre-school educators and centres will receive the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Development from Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Social and Family Development, at ECDA's annual Early Childhood Conference on 13 September 2019.

2 The ECDA Awards, now in its seventh year, recognises both outstanding and promising early childhood educators and centres which have displayed professional excellence in early childhood care and education. Their contributions help to set quality benchmarks that encourage and inspire fellow educators and preschool centres in doing better for our children.

3 "Preschool educators are crucial in ensuring quality early childhood care and education for our children. All 22 winners of the ECDA Awards embody a high standard of professionalism and an exemplary innovative spirit. They are role models who can inspire the early childhood fraternity. This is how we can give every child a good start," said Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Social and Family Development.

4 The 22 award recipients were carefully selected from over 300 nominations. Since the inauguration of the ECDA Awards in 2013, centres have supported the Awards consistently by nominating strong and quality candidates. Please see Annex A for a full list of awards recipients.

5 Since the introduction of the ECDA Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Development, 58 educators and 94 preschools have been recognised. More information on the categories of awards can be found in Annex B.

6 One of the Outstanding Early Childhood Educarers, Ms Janice Ong from The Ascension Kindergarten, had followed in her mother's footsteps in becoming an early childhood educator. From a young age, her mother was a positive role model, and imbued in her the values of perseverance and resilience. Having spent her childhood in the kindergarten where her mother had worked, Janice is now teaching at the same kindergarten she grew up in.

7 This year, apart from the individual award winners, a total of 10 preschools will receive ECDA Awards for their excellent teaching and learning practices, as well as innovative projects. These centres have improved the quality of their preschool programmes and the learning experience for children. They have developed innovative pedagogical practices and curricula tools that support the development and well-being of young children. These innovative projects range from sensory play, exploration of history, culture and science and emotion regulation.

8 Early Childhood educators, families and members of the public can visit the Awards Booth at the ECDA Early Childhood Exhibition on 13 and 14 September 2019 at the Suntec City Convention & Exhibition Centre to find out more about these award-winning projects.