More than 2,200 educators and partners came together at the Early Childhood Celebrations & Conference (ECCC) 2025 on 25 and 26 September at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre to celebrate the achievements of the early childhood sector and chart the next phase of its development.

Themed “Weaving a Tapestry of Quality,” the event featured keynote addresses with announcements of new government initiatives to strengthen inclusive practices, drive innovation, and recognise contributions across the sector. These efforts reinforce the Government’s commitment to quality early childhood care and education, ensuring that every child has a good start in life.

KLC International Institute (KLCII) has always been working to raise the quality of Singapore’s early childhood practitioners through our diploma- and certificate-level courses and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes. We were honoured to be able to contribute to the conference through presenting three concurrent workshops, showcasing our expertise in bilingual early childhood education, executive function development, and inclusive practices.

Building Lifelong Learning Foundations in Early Childhood

Unlocking Executive Function: Building Strong Foundations for Lifelong Learning in Early Childhood

Presenter: Ms Joy Tan, Head of English Academic Programme & Lecturer

This workshop focused on equipping educators with strategies to nurture Executive Function (EF) skills through play-based learning and inquiry-driven activities. Ms Tan highlighted the alignment of EF skills development with Singapore’s Early Years Development Framework (EYDF) and NEL Framework, underlining the importance of holistic development and school readiness.

Her role as both a leader and trainer exemplify KLCII’s ability to bridge theory and practice, preparing educators to be confident practitioners in fostering children’s self-regulation, social-emotional growth, and lifelong learning skills.

Ms Joy Tan leading a session on building executive function skills for lifelong learning in early childhood at the ECDA Conference 2025.

Inclusive Education: Ensuring Every Child Thrives

Inclusive Classrooms, Thriving Learners: Practical Strategies for Early Childhood Educators

Presenter: Ms Madhavi Tiwari, Senior Lecturer

Ms Tiwari’s session addressed the increasing emphasis on inclusivity in Singapore’s early childhood sector, echoing ECDA initiatives such as the Inclusive Preschool Workgroup, DS-LS programme, and Early Intervention (EI) services. Through hands-on activities and case discussions, she guided educators in applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and adapting curriculum for diverse learners.

This underscores KLCII’s role in training educators who can create supportive and inclusive learning environments where all children—regardless of ability—can flourish.

Ms Madhavi Tiwari (Debbie) engaging educators with hands-on strategies for inclusive classrooms at the ECDA Conference 2025.

Strengthening Executive Function Skills Through Play

Enhancing Executive Function Development in Infant and Toddler Mandarin Learning through Play-Based Teaching (在华语游戏教学中促进婴幼儿执行功能的发展)

Presenter: Ms Yu Xiufeng, Lecturer, Chinese Early Childhood Programme

This Mandarin session explored how play-based teaching supports executive function (EF) skills development—working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility—in infants and toddlers. Ms Yu, with over a decade of preschool Mandarin teaching experience, shared practical strategies such as vocabulary games and “listen-and-do” activities to enhance classroom interactions and language learning.

Her expertise reflects KLCII’s commitment to quality Chinese early childhood education—a key strength that addresses Singapore’s bilingual context and the growing demand for highly skilled Mandarin educators.

Ms Yu Xiufeng presenting strategies for developing executive function in toddlers through play-based learning at the ECDA Conference 2025.

Showcasing KLCII’s Strengths as a Training Provider

KLCII’s presence at this national platform demonstrates not only the calibre of our trainers but also our deep alignment with Singapore’s early childhood priorities, as highlighted by ECDA and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).

According to MSF, advancing quality in preschool education requires:

  • Greater inclusivity through strengthened support for children with developmental needs.
  • Stronger recognition of educators, ensuring they are empowered and valued.
  • Partnerships with parents to reinforce children’s learning and wellbeing【MSF, Sep 2025】.

By contributing to the workshops that address executive function, bilingual learning, and inclusivity, KLCII showcases how we prepare educators to meet these priorities with practical strategies, robust pedagogies, and reflective practices.

Looking Ahead

Participation in the ECDA Early Childhood Celebrations and Conference 2025 highlights KLCII’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of early childhood educators. Through innovative training programmes, bilingual expertise, and inclusive education approaches, KLCII remains at the forefront of advancing the quality of early childhood education in Singapore.

As Singapore strengthens its early childhood sector, KLCII will continue to champion excellence, inspire educators, and empower them to create meaningful learning experiences for every child.

For more information on KLCII’s continuous professional development courses, please [click here].

Organisations interested in customised mass training sessions may contact Mr Derrick Lee at [email protected].

To learn more about the “Every Child · Every Teacher” (ECET) initiative, please [click here].