Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Social and Family Development, reads to children from My First Skool at Blk 509B Yishun during the launch of ‘Little Chick Goes to School Too!’.

To encourage greater preschool attendance among children from low-income families, NTUC First Campus (NFC) produced a children’s storybook ‘Little Chick Goes to School Too!’, which raises awareness of the benefits of regular preschool attendance in fostering social, cognitive, and emotional development among young children.

The book details a child’s joys of learning at school, such as meeting up with friends, learning how to count and write letters, and exploring the outdoors. Designed for children in Nursery 1 to Kindergarten 2 levels, as well as their families, the book uses simple language and vibrant illustrations to make its message easy to understand and to inspire action. It also provides an engaging perspective on the preschool experience, helping parents understand its importance in their child’s educational journey.

“Attending preschool regularly lays the foundation for lifelong learning, but some families, especially those from low-income backgrounds, face challenges in ensuring their child’s consistent attendance. As the first preschool operator in Singapore to develop such a resource, this initiative highlights NTUC First Campus’ commitment to ensuring every child has access to quality early childhood education, equipping them with the foundational skills necessary for primary school life,” said Louisa Chng, NFC’s Chief Child Support Officer.

Dedicated attendance support

This storybook is part of NFC’s pilot Attendance Support Initiative, launched at eight My First Skool centres to improve preschool attendance among children from low-income families. Implemented in collaboration with the Early Childhood Development Agency, the initiative has benefited more than 930 children to date.

A key pillar of this initiative is NFC’s Family Support Executives (FSEs), who work closely with parents and caregivers to encourage consistent preschool attendance. The storybook complements these efforts by reinforcing the message through a child’s perspective, making it easier for parents to understand and relate to the preschool experience.

As a result of these targeted interventions, preschool attendance rates among children from low-income households have improved to 77 per cent in 2024, bringing NFC closer to its goal of 80 per cent attendance.

Empowering Families with Holistic Support

These initiatives reflect NFC’s broader commitment to empowering families. Through its comprehensive support framework, NFC provides integrated support to children and their families, addressing a broad range of needs. These include learning and development support, and assistance across financial, socio-emotional and health dimensions for their families. In 2025, NFC’s support programmes will benefit 7,000 children.

Making a Real Difference: A Family’s Journey

Nur Quraisha Binte Misngat, a Kindergarten 1 child at My First Skool at Blk 509B Yishun, is one of the beneficiaries of NFC’s support.

Between 2022 and 2024, Nur Quraisha often missed school, with her attendance rate ranging from 10 to 30 per cent. In mid-2024, her mother, Nur’Ain Binte Osman, became the family’s sole breadwinner and focused on improving her daughter’s school attendance. With her daughter attending school, Nur’Ain was able to pursue a part-time job to support her family of five.

With support from the FSE, community partners and the school’s learning facilitators, Nur Quraisha started to thrive. The FSE also provided emotional help to Nur’Ain, encouraging her to continue sending her daughter to school. 

“I am truly grateful for the support NTUC First Campus provided my family during this tough time, and I am so happy to see Nur Quraisha enjoying school now,” said Nur’Ain.

By equipping families with the right resources and support, NFC continues to champion accessible quality early childhood education. The organisation remains committed to collaborating with families and stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities for young learners to thrive.

Media coverage:

Straits Times coverage of NTUC First Campus’ My First Skool (4 April 2025) – online

Lianhe Zaobao coverage of NTUC First Campus’ My First Skool (4 April 2025) – online

8world coverage of NTUC First Campus’ My First Skool (4 April 2025) – online