My delivery job does not make enough for me to support my family, so my wife has to work to supplement the family income. We had to send our children for childcare so that we could focus on our jobs.

Our son entered My First Skool (MFS) in 2019 when he was 22 months and our daughter joined him in 2020. They are now four and three years old respectively.

Initially, we were worried about whether the children would eat and sleep well in school. But the teachers shared updates with us regularly, letting us know that the children were settling in well and had no problems eating and sleeping. This made us feel better and we have learned to trust the centre completely in caring for our children.

We learned about the Bright Horizons Fund (BHF) from Ms Mairah, the Deputy Centre Lead, when we enquired about uniforms and financial assistance. She was very helpful in explaining the details to us and encouraged us to apply for it.

The BHF has really helped to ease our financial burden. Initially the school fees were high but with the subsidies we get through the BHF, it is now more affordable. We do not have to worry about being able to send our children to school. The children’s learning is taken care of, and we know that MFS always has the children’s best interest at heart.

Of the many initiatives that we have received from the BHF, the CDA top-up has been the most beneficial. With the top-up, we do not have to worry about school fees. The money can also be used for doctor visits for the children. This practical form of assistance is very helpful to us.

We are glad that we chose MFS for our children. Being at MFS has been very good for them. They have learnt to speak better after attending school and are curious learners who always ask questions. Bryan will even correct Mum’s English at times. Both of the children have made friends in school and picked up important social skills too. Eden also speaks a lot and asks many questions.

Together with the support from MFS, we are confident in raising our children and ensuring that they receive a good preschool education that will prepare them for formal education in Primary school.

We would encourage parents to enrol their children in MFS. We have shared with our relatives and friends about how the BHF, set up by NTUC First Campus with the sponsorship of generous donors, has enriched our children’s early years at MFS. The free uniforms and subsidies are very useful for families like ours. The children also love their birthday cakes and are happy to receive them. We are very satisfied with all that we have received at MFS. It has exceeded our expectations of what a preschool will do for children and their families.