Conclusion of Good Start Early Childhood Conference 2025
We are thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of the 2025 Good Start SG Early Childhood Conference, held in Singapore, Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre on 22nd August 2025. This exciting event welcomed a remarkable 1,004 attendees, all eager to engage and learn about the importance of play in early childhood education. The strong turnout exceeded our expectations and contributed greatly to the vibrant atmosphere that characterized the conference.
The theme, "Do(n't) Play Play, is a playful nod to the local colloquialism emphasizing the importance of play. This theme underscores the critical role of play in building connections, fostering learning, and creating inclusive and joyful environments. The conference reminded educators and leaders that cultivating a playful mindset is essential for the nation's continued growth and adaptability in an ever-evolving world.
The conference focused on four key strands:
Building Inclusive Classrooms through Play
Learn how to create environments where every child feels valued, and how play can support diverse abilities and backgrounds.
Creating Joyful Classrooms through Play
Explore how play can bring joy to learning, transforming classrooms into dynamic spaces for growth.
Making Family Time Count through Play
Discover how families can move away from screens to engage in meaningful, active play that strengthens family bonds.
Bridging Generations through Play
Learn how play fosters connections between young and old, promoting shared joy and mutual respect across generations.
The conference offered a rich variety of 70 concurrent sessions, each delving into crucial topics surrounding play in early childhood development. Notably popular sessions include:
- AE9: Let's Play Pretend! Inclusive Strategies for Play-Based Learning with 74 RSVPs.
- CE3: How To Tell Crazy Good Stories that attracted 71 RSVPs.
Other fascinating sessions like <CE6: The Power of Playful Leadership in Classrooms> and <BE1: Fostering Inclusion in Preschools: Why “I” Matters> also showcased valuable discussions and insights tailored for educators and practitioners.
LEGO® Project - Playful Heart, Artful Play
About 100 preschools participated in the LEGO® Project - Playful Heart, Artful Play. Rooted in Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development (SPICE: Seeing, Perceiving, Interpreting, Constructing, Expressing), the programme invites children to explore creativity while developing respect, celebrating individuality, and fostering an inclusive environment where every voice matters. Beyond exploring artistic concepts such as lines, shapes, colours, textures, and Cubism, children will be guided through conversations using the Making Thinking Visible (MTV) framework—encouraging them to uncover their thinking, collaborate with peers, and express complex ideas.
We were honored to showcase the children’s work at our Conference—sparking joy and wonder, and showing how play can inspire creativity, nurture inclusion, and develop critical thinking skills in children.
Little Heroes of Inclusion Award
Presented annually during the Good Start Early Childhood Conference, this award honours the quiet yet powerful acts of empathy and inclusion displayed by preschool children. Nominated by their schools and with parental consent, these "little heroes" are selected for modeling compassion—whether by cheerfully playing with peers who have developmental needs, motivating them, or helping them engage meaningfully in learning. These awardees not only uplift individuals, but also inspire a movement toward inclusive classrooms, reminding educators and communities that even the gentlest gestures can spark profound change.
Good Heart for Good Start
One of the highlights of the conference was our outstanding lineup of over 70 pro-bono speakers who brought valuable insights from their diverse backgrounds that are shaping the future of early childhood. These exceptional speakers captivated our audience and set a high standard for engaging and informative sessions throughout the day.
Among these, we had the privilege to feature:
- Dr Sirene Lim, Ass. Professor, SUSS
- June Wong, Director, ECDA
- Charlotte Goh, Executive Director, Playeum
- Hanin Hussein, Senior Lecturer, NIEC
- Samantha Tan, Founder, Kurios Oasis
- Titus Ting, Founder, Tiny Mountains
Celebrating Friendships
It is also our privilege to host educators from Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong!
A special shoutout to preschools who have dedicated our Conference Day as a Professional Development (PD) Day. Your faith in us affirms the value of coming together to learn, reflect, and grow as a community committed to giving children the best start in life.
List of Participating Organizations
Animals And Us Academy
Adventist Schoolhouse
Anglican Preschool Services
AWWA
BearyFun Gym
Bethel Day Care Centre
Bethel Preschool
Bonfire Pediatrics
Julia Gabriel Education
Kaleidoscope Therapy Centre
Kensington Preschool
KidSTART Singapore
Kindle Garden Preschool
Kitakids Preschool
KLCII
Kurios Oasis
Odyssey The Global Preschool
PCF
Playeum
Po Leung Kuk
Pre-School By-The-Park
Presbyterian Preschool Services
Sarada Kindergarten
Red Balloon Therapy
Busy Bees Asia
Canossaville Preschool
Carpe Diem MI Preschool
Carpe Diem MI Schoolhouse
Carpe Diem Young Joy
Catholic Preschool Education
Centre of New Life Schoolhouse
CHILD
KYDZ International
Latido Therapy
Learning Vision
Let’s Learn Outside
Lirvana Labs
Little Mighty Me
Little Olive Tree Preschools
Living Sanctuary Preschool
SEED Institute
Singapore Repertory Theatre
SJI International
Skoolopedia
Speech Matters
Sport Singapore
SUSS
The Chinese Kindergarten
Children’s Cancer Foundation
Chua Foundation
Collective Perspectives
Community Psychology Hub
Creative O Preschoolers' Bay
E-Bridge Preschool
ECCA Family Foundation
ECDA
The Elpis Centre
The Impact Collective
The Music Scientist
Tiny Mountains
Treehouse Playschool
Trehaus Pte Ltd
TwinkleKidz Group
Vivo Kinetics Pte Ltd
M.Y World Preschool
MapleBear Academy
MapleBear Little Lighthouse
Methodist Preschool Services
MOE Kindergarten
Mosaic Preschool
MSF
My First Skool
EtonHouse International
EtonHouse Preschool
Fei Yue Community Services
Focus on the Family Singapore
Gentle Seeds
House on the Hill Montessori
Iyad Perdaus
Jolly Bee Preschool
NAFA International
Nanyang Kindergarten
New Life Community Services
New Life Preschool Services
NIEC
NTUC First Campus
NUS CHILD
Oaks Plus Limited
Workforce Singapore
Zion Bishan Kindercare
Zip Zap Zoom Collective
育達科技大學
Sponsors
Exhibitors
Chia & Thai
Deli X-press
Ivy Chia Consulting Services
KLCII
LEGO® Group
LEE
Little Lives
Pharmline Marketing Pte Ltd
Workforce Singapore
Zappy
AIA
Care Corner
Chia & Thai
ChildEd
Filos Community Services
KLCII
KYDZ International
Let's Learn Outside
Liebe Global Japan
Ministry of Social and Family Development
NTUC First Outdoor School
Playeum
Presbyterian Preschool Services
Singapore Repertory Theatre
Vivo Kinetics
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