Jump, dear, jump! Mdm Huang urges as she helps her 5-years-old son Jayden Mok to skip over the rope in one of the events at the combined Sports Day for children from 24 Nurturestars, Kinderland, and ELFA centres.

Mother and son were among some 700 toddlers, preschoolers and their parents who took part in the event hosted by the Crestar Education Group at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall on 16 September 2007.

It was an opportunity for some 150 children from the six Nurturestars Preschool centres have a good time, get a taste of competitive sport and bond with their parents.

A parade by Singapore’s very First Preschool Marching Band from Kinderland featuring 66 children playing six different types of instruments, accompanied by a Pom-Pom team, kicked off the programme.

The opening ceremony began with march-in of the participants, followed by a mass “Salute” to mark NS50 after the event was declared open by Guest of Honour Mr Ho Lye Sum, Chairman of the Joint Management Committee for NurtureStars, a collaboration between Kinderland and SAFRA. Mr Ho also helped to launch a 24-page, National Service-themed preschool reader entitled “Our Dad Our Hero!”, co-written by the NurtureStars teachers and Kinderland curriculum team. The readers were made available for sale to the parents in attendance.

Throughout the opening ceremony, spectators and participants watched in anticipation the Olympic-inspired torch relay, some gymnastics display, and speeches by children representing their respective preschools.

The “competition” thereafter featured some 13 exciting relay races and games, including family bonding events for toddlers with their parents, as well as pairs of parents and older children to engage them in co-ordinated activities. There was a “Chop Chop” game for parents and staff to know each other better, and a Tug of War for sporting dads.

“Medals” were awarded to the winning teams during the closing ceremony.

5-years-old Adrial Tan jumps over a wooden horse during the gymnastics display

Guest-of-Honour Mr Ho Lye Sum, Chairman of the Joint Management Committee (JMC), giving a opening speech and launch of the NS Reader during the Sports Day

A parent preparing his toddler for the next parent and child activity.