Together we can make a difference

Some 90 teachers and principals of NurtureStars Preschool centres from six SAFRA clubs had a day off on 3 July for their turn in learning and having fun while at it. They joined some 560 staff from three other brands in the Crestar Education Group, namely Kinderland, ELFA and Skool4kidz, in the day-long centralised training programme as part of the Group’s continuing learning policy.

The theme for the learning exercise held at Singapore Expo Max Atria was “Building a Strong Foundation for Continuous Learning”. They began the day picking up some tips on “Keys to Positive Communication” presented by Mr James Siew, Director of Training Vision Institute Pte Ltd.

Thereafter, principals, vice principals and senior teachers attended a workshop on “Creating self-directed learning environment” that was tailored to equip them in designing quality, developmentally-appropriate learning environments for children 4 – 6 years to help them feel secure, comfortable, welcome and ready to explore and learn.

The teachers attended the “Music and creative Expression for infant and toddlers” session, in which they learned a broad set of skills to use music as a tool to communicate with and engage young children in back-and-forth interactions in a fun and creative way.

For Chinese teachers, a specially-designed “Picture book learning” workshop was conducted for them to learn more about using picture prompts to help stimulate thinking and promote oral and aural Chinese language skills.

Several cooks too had the opportunity learn more about “Strategies in Attending to Infant and Toddlers during routine care” a seven-hour bilingual workshop funded by the Employment and Employability Institute (E2i).   It is designed to equip them with the basic knowledge on hygiene and safety, so that they can support and sometimes assist teachers in daily routines and care for infants and toddlers.

Overall, the staff had fun learning together and getting to know each other better away from their centres and classrooms.

The workshops helped to equip them with additional knowledge and practical experience in providing better service for the holistic development and learning capabilities of NurtureStars children.

NurtureStars’s staff taking part in one of the activities.

Teachers learning and having fun at the same time.

Acquiring new techniques from the workshop.