Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (Centre) and Chairman of NurtureStars Mr Ho Lye Sum (Right), doing craft work with their new friend, Ci En.

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong recently visited our newest NurtureStars Preschool on 23 November 2023 and made some new friends.

He had earlier that day opened the Singapore Armed Forces Reservist Association’s (SAFRA) latest clubhouse in Choa Chu Kang Drive, where the NurtureStars Preschool is located. NurtureStars Preschool is managed jointly by SAFRA and Kinderland International Education.

His visit to our centre was part of an official guided tour of the premises. He was welcomed and hosted by NurtureStars’ Joint Committee Chairman, Mr Ho Lye Sum, Mr Robert Leong, the CEO of Kinderland, and Senior Principal, Ms Angela Tan.

The DPM met some of the children who were doing craftwork and joined them in the activity. He was also introduced to NurtureStars’ signature JACPA physical education programme from Japan.

Mr Wong uploaded a post with some photos on his Facebook page later in the evening. One of the photos shows him talking with two of the NurtureStars children. In the caption he said, “Did some artwork with my new friends, Ci En and Fariha from NurtureStars Preschool.”

In the Facebook post he also said that the clubhouse has “many firsts — a sheltered swimming pool, futsal court, and the largest EnergyOne gym. The new SAFRA Choa Chu Kang is also a gem to our YewTee residents as we are linked via the park connectors”.

This 29,000 sq ft clubhouse serves more than 90,000 national servicemen and their families in north-west Singapore. It has attracted more than 700,000 visitors since its soft launch in June.

NurtureStars@Choa Chu Kang commenced operations in July 2023. It provides quality infant care and bilingual preschool education for young children primarily from families of national servicemen. The preschool aims to join the other 6 NurtureStars preschools as ECDA’s Partner Operator in 2024.

NurtureStars runs a preschool in each of the seven SAFRA recreations clubs mainly located at Jurong West, Choa Chu Kang, Mount Faber, Punggol, Tampines, Toa Payoh and Yishun for national servicemen and their families.

Kinderland International Education is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Crestar Education Group.

Mr Ho Lye Sum, Chairman of NurtureStars Joint Management Committee welcoming DPM to the New NurtureStars @ SAFRA Choa Chu Kang.

Our preschool uses natural sunlight and energy-saving lights to illuminate and enliven the learning and play areas. Preschool’s interior photos (Classroom photos with resources)

Led by Ms Mimi of JACPA, our children showing off confidence, agility, discipline and teamwork in a special gymnastic formation.