Virtual Graduation 2020 December 2020 |

Jointly managed by SAFRA and Kinderland Contents

3 Chairman’s Message

4 NurtureStars 2010 – 2020

5 Exclusive club preschool In 6 SAFRA Clubs

6 Programme

7 NurtureStars Curriculum

8 JACPA Physical Education Programme

9 Home-Based Learning

10 Coding and Social Responsibility

12 Family Involvement

13-15 Our Graduants: 2020 Cohorts

16-18 The NurtureStars Memories

19 NurtureStars Song Chairman’s Message

Dear Parents,

Welcome to NurtureStars’ Annual Graduation Concert 2020! This year, as with most face-to-face gatherings, our graduation concert has gone virtual.

Without needing to explain, you will agree with me that 2020 has been extremely challenging in every sense. When the circuit breaker suddenly dawned upon us, we had to innovate in the conduct of home-based learning for our NurtureStars children. When our students were allowed back to school, new measures had to be implemented to ensure the safety of everyone – students, teachers, staff & parents. There were new protocols for the sanitization of our centres, screening of visitors and the management of those who were sick. Even our teachers’ training had to be conducted via zoom for the first time.

Amidst these challenges, we saw the resilience of our people – our teachers, students and even the parents of our students from NurtureStars. They have demonstrated their spirit of unity, perseverance and adaptability to changing and challenging times. And so, the theme of our graduation concert today is appropriately titled “Singapore, United as One”. Our children will present a music & dance featuring Singapore’s past and present - something which their parents & grandparents would be familiar with. You will see a display of “strength”, “courage” and “determination” from our K2 students.

There is something special about the 100 K2 students who are graduating today. All of them have been with NurtureStars since they infants or toddlers. They spent their formative years at one of our 6 NurtureStars centres. We are proud of them and extend our best wishes to them as they progress to their next milestone in life.

Today’s concert would not have been possible without the hard work of the all the NurtureStars Principals, Teachers and Staff. They have worked tirelessly to maintain a high standard of performance year after year. Please join me in applauding and thanking them for their commitment and dedication.

Finally, I want to thank all parents who have entrusted the care of your children to us. It is our joy and privilege to see them grow and develop into healthy and confident individuals. Thank you for your support. Please enjoy the concert and have fun bonding & making memories. Stay healthy, stay safe!

Thank you.

LTC (Ret) Ho Lye-Sum Chairman, NurtureStars Joint Management Committee

3 NurtureStars: 2010 – 2020 Nurturing A Fitter, Sharper Younger Generation

NurtureStars turns 10 this year! Born from a sturdy collaboration between Singapore Armed Forces Reservist Association (SAFRA) and Kinderland Educare Services Pte Ltd in 2010, our mission is to nurture our future generations to be stronger in bodies and sharper in minds. The NurtureStars curriculum reflects this mission, integrating the unique physical fitness programme from JACPA (Japan) with Kinderland’s established expertise in early childhood curriculum design. JACPA is the largest pre-schooler physical education organization in Japan.

The first NurtureStars Preschool started at in 2010. In 2016, we opened our 6th centre at SAFRA .

The first NurtureStars Preschool started at Mount Faber in 2010.

In our wonderful journey during the last 10 years, NurtureStars Preschool has chalked up many memorable accolades. These include the Platinum Singapore HEALTH Award 2019 (Healthy Pre-school), the ASSETS Best Employer Award 2018 (Childcare operator with 50 employees or more) and the NSMark by The Advisory Council for Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD) in 2018.

Our little NurtureStars preschoolers have left their own footprints in Singapore too, raising more than $77,000 for the aged and frail at Ju Eng Home, our CSR partner since 2015.

An ECDA-Appointed Childcare Partner Operator (POP) from January 2021

With all NurtureStars preschools appointed under the POP scheme, parents can now access the same quality educational and child care services alongside with SAFRA club facilities and amenities, at even more affordable fees.

4 Exclusive club preschool In 6 SAFRA locations

Mount Faber NurtureStar’s first Spacious learning areas & Vibrant learning environment preschool in Singapore large greenery environment Exciting ‘adventure club’

Jurong Punggol Spacious learning areas Centrally located Eco-friendly learning Free access to Kidz Amaze’s Cosy learning and play spaces Scenic 17,000 sq ft indoor playground Free access to Kidz Amaze’s Free access to Singapore's first 12,700 sq ft indoor playground indoor water playground at Kidz Amaze

5 Programme Graduation Ceremony

Centre / Item Item Title Synopsis

NSPG - Eng One Singapore • We are One Singapore, United as One NSPG - Ch 《我相信》 • Importance of having “Positive Mind” and being Inspired NSPG - JACPA Reach out for the • Bold and fun gymnastics moves that encourage children stars Remix to stay fit and healthy

NSMF - Eng Pompeii • Feel the rise and fall of Pompeii with us through our dance. NSMF - Ch 时刻准备着 • 众志成城，抗击疫情！我们要做一个爱国、勇敢、团结、自 强的好孩子！时刻准备着为祖国做贡献！ NSMF - JACPA Reach out for the • Bold and fun gymnastics moves that encourage stars Remix children to stay fit and healthy

NSJW - Eng One United People • Singapore, where people of different backgrounds stand together as one heart and one voice to create one history. NSJW - Ch 勇敢向前飞 • 心莲心不错过，明天的梦会闪烁，请欣赏舞蹈 ‘舞蹈向前飞’。 NSJW - JACPA Reach out for the • Bold and fun gymnastics moves that encourage children stars Remix to stay fit and healthy

NSTPY - Eng Tomorrow’s Here Today • A captivating performance by our energentic children dancing to the song, “ Tomorrow’s Here Today” NSTPY - Ch 未雨绸缪 • Let our children show you the importance of planning ahead in this Chinese Speech and Drama performance. NSTPY - JACPA Reach out for the • Bold and fun gymnastics moves that encourage stars Remix children to stay fit and healthy

NSTM - Eng English Speech & Drama • No matter our size, we should help each other and (The Lion and the Mouse) these kind deeds get rewarded. • Being helpful to others promotes a united spirit! NSTM - Ch Chinese Dance • Not giving up is one of the most important spirit to have as we stand united and strong! NSTM - JACPA Reach out for the • Bold and fun gymnastics moves that encourage stars Remix children to stay fit and healthy

NSYS - Eng Tomorrow’s Here Today • A captivating performance by our energentic children dancing to the song, “ Tomorrow’s Here Today” NSYS - Ch 我爱新加坡 • 小小的新加坡，种族多、文化多、吃的多、玩的也多，欢迎 大家来坐坐。 NSYS - JACPA Reach out for the • Bold and fun gymnastics moves that encourage stars Remix children to stay fit and healthy

6 NurtureStars Curriculum

Unique Active Learning Curriculum

NurtureStar’s unique Active Learning Curriculum promotes mental and physical development through hands-on participation and multi- sensory, result-oriented learning experiences.

Guided by a team of dedicated teachers, these movement-based opportunities allow children to build confidence and reinforce their sense of progress and accomplishment while honing their skills.

In addition, available facilities at SAFRA clubs are incorporated as part of the day-to-day learning Our teacher guiding the children as they play and learn during areas for the students. For Kindergarten Two their classroom activities students, visits to primary schools are scheduled to prepare them for formal schooling.

Children learn to build a house using toy blocks.

A K2 child enjoying his math activity during the session. A sailboat exercise routine helps build a stronger body.

7 JACPA Physical Education Programme

Children jumping over a Vaulting Horse to train their muscle strength and agility. Instructors from Japan guides our preschoolers in their fitness routines.

In NurtureStars, we prepare our children for active Akira Maehashi, a well-known researcher based in learning through physical movement and instill a Waseda University, Japan, positive attitude towards a healthy lifestyle. Our partner, JACPA, has been nurturing children NurtureStars focuses on personality development and helping them to develop emotionally, mentally and basic physical strength of our children. In and physically for over 35 years. They strongly addition to helping them acquire essential motor believe that supporting and helping children skills, we are mindful that the children should enjoy develop in their early years is critical for their future what they do. Our programmes also help the as personality and character are formed during children to learn to cooperate with one another this period. and to be socially aware.

One of the key highlights of the Active Learning Curriculum is our JACPA Physical Education Professor Akira Maehashi Programme for young children. NurtureStars is the Professor Maehashi is a well- known researcher and the only preschool to offer this formal, age-appropriate author of many books related physical education programme in Singapore. to children’s health, well-being, nutrition, sleep, and preschool The NurtureStars-JACPA partnership facilitates an physical education. He has won several accolades for his work. important research collaboration with Professor

8 Home-Based Learning

Children learnt about the history of the calendar and participated in the activity games online.

This year, we introduced Home-Based Learning and staff worked very hard to ensure that the when the Covid-19 circuit breaker forced all children continue to learn at home. We would like preschools in Singapore to close. to say a big THANK YOU to our parents for the many encouraging messages and appreciative letters to Almost overnight, we had to learn and innovate our teachers for their efforts. Your kind gesture will to implement new programmes suited to home- serve as an added motivation for them to deliver based learning for our NurtureStars children. During even better HBL lessons! this circuit breaker period, NurtureStars’ teachers

Children practiced using prepositions, “This” and “that” in In our exploration around Inventions, children acquired a order to group old inventions to their newer ones that share deeper understanding of how inventions evolve over the years the same function. to make work and life easier. 9 Coding

NurtureStars has introduced coding into the curriculum programme to prepare our children for the digital era as the nation move towards building a SMART nation. We believe that early exposure facilitates the acquisition of foundational skills to code and to develop logical thinking required in the 21st century.

Our children are progressively immersed in hands- on experiences with various coding robots. They include Code-A-Pillar, Robot Albert, Bee-Bot, Code & Go Colby the Robot Mouse and Dash, developed by the Info-communications Media K2 children playing with tech toys to create, innovate and experience the fundamentals of coding once a week. Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) under its PlayMaker Programme. Social Responsibility Start Small Dream Big

The childhood community "Start Small Dream Big" inculcates good values in our children. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something!

Children participated in a carnival where the proceedings went to Ju Eng Home for the elderly.

A K2 child got artsy crafty using recyclables to create K2 children baked and sold healthy cookies to raise a small functional stationary holders! amount of money for our beneficiary – Ju Eng Home for Senior Citizens. 10 Raising Funds for Senior Citizens at Ju Eng Home

In conjunction with Children Day, our centres started the Little Entrepreneur Project 2020 to raise funds for needy senior citizens with the theme “Magic of Giving”.

Teachers and children brainstormed and came up with ideas of doing a fun-raising charity event by putting up paintings, food and stationery for our children to sell. Parents purchased coupons in advance from their children and redeemed them for games. Parents assisting the centre to deliver the donation items to Ju Eng Home.

Much thought and preparation were put in to make the event a success. With encouragement and support from the parents, our children managed to successfully raise a total of $12,820.

On behalf of Ju Eng Home for Senior Citizens, we would like to thank everyone for their support and generosity.

Our K2 children assisted in sorting and packing the items.

Children enjoyed the process of this fun raising event.

11 Family Involvement Mother’s Day & SAF Day Celebrations

Mother’s Day

Mothers are everything but our young children were at loss how to express their love in words and deeds. So when Mother’s Day came in May, our teachers at all six NurtureStars preschools went online to help our young ones create something special at home for their mothers.

SAF Day

In appreciation of our NSmen’s contributions towards national defence, our teacher taught the children the importance of defence and how we all can do our part to protect Singapore. As NurtureStars has its roots in SAFRA, this is part of our efforts to promote national service and inculcate appropriate appreciation and understanding of the importance of national defence. Celebration of SAF Day with our NurtureStars children.

Our children saluting to NSman for The class showed their appreciation to the SAF men by writing a dedication note to their contributions their fathers.

12 Our Graduands 2020 Cohort

Kindergarten 2 (Safra )

Kindergarten 2 (Safra Mount Faber)

13 Kindergarten 2 (Safra Punggol)

Kindergarten 2 (Safra Tampines)

14 Kindergarten 2 (Safra Toa Payoh)

Kindergarten 2 (Safra Yishun)

15 The NurtureStars Memories

16 17 18 NurtureStars Song

I want to be Happy I want to be a Star At NurtureStars you can be No matter who you are

This is where we learn, ABC This is where we come to meet YOU & ME This is where we count, 123 This is the place we want to be

NurtureStars is wonderful It’s fun times that we spend We are always ready To share & learn & make new friends

I want to be Happy I want to be a Star At NurtureStars you can be No matter who you are

我愿有颗快乐的童心, 闪烁的星星 无论是你，我和他 是我们的育星!

在这里我们学, ABC 欢声笑语中成为好朋友 我们高声一起数＂一，二，三！ 在这里我们大家同欢聚

育星多么美好 一起共度欢乐时光 我们一起为成长做好准备 一齐分享、学习、成为好朋友

我愿有颗快乐的童心, 闪烁的星星 无论是你，我和他 是我们的育星!

19 NurtureStars Preschool www.nurturestars.sg

NurtureStarsPreschool nurturestars

SAFRA Jurong SAFRA Mount Faber SAFRA Punggol SAFRA Tampines SAFRA Toa payoh SAFRA Yishun 6254 0859 6377 0859 6222 0859 6789 8393 6354 0859 6755 0859