A ground-up initiative
To Equip, Engage and Empower
Good Start Conference, started in 2022, is a ground-up initiative championing inclusion in Singapore’s preschool sector. Created to equip, engage, and empower educators, the Conference brings together practitioners and leaders to grow in inclusive practice, strengthen their impact, and help every child thrive.
As we celebrate five years of inspiring early childhood excellence, we turn our attention to the heart of child development—social emotional learning.
Because children who understand their emotions and connect meaningfully with others don't just succeed academically; they flourish in every area of life.
Come ready to learn, connect, and be inspired as we give every child a strong and hopeful start in life.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
PROF TAN OON SENG
Professor Tan Oon Seng is Dean of Special Projects and Centre Director of the Singapore Centre for Character and Citizenship Education at the National Institute of Education (NIE), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. A leading figure in teacher education and educational psychology, he is widely recognised for shaping Singapore’s teacher education landscape—most notably through the Teacher Education 21 model—and for advancing learning innovation, teacher identity, and character and values as foundations of learning. He previously served as Director of NIE (2014–2018), where he strengthened teacher preparation and professional learning, expanded international practicum opportunities, and drove technology-enhanced learning and design-thinking improvements. Prof Tan has authored/edited 20+ books and 150+ scholarly works, is Editor-in-Chief of Educational Research for Policy & Practice (Springer), and has advised governments and international organisations globally.
GUEST-OF-HONOR
MS KU GEOK BOON
Ms Ku Geok Boon is the Chief Executive of the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), Singapore's regulatory and developmental authority for the early childhood sector, shaping the shared vision of giving every child a good start in life. Prior to joining ECDA on 1 May 2025, Ms Ku held the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SG Enable from 2013 to 2024. As the founding CEO, Ms Ku played a pivotal role in advancing disability inclusion in Singapore. She also spearheaded the development of the award-winning Enabling Village as a beacon of inclusion and led strategic collaborations and advisory projects to advance Singapore’s international cooperation efforts and thought leadership. Ms Ku began her career as a teacher, later serving in leadership roles in the Ministry of Education and schools before joining the Ministry of Social and Family Development in 2012. She currently serves on the Board of the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC) and chairs its Professional Advisory Committee. She is also a member of the Centre for holistic Initiatives for Learning and Development (CHILD) Policy Advisory Council. Beyond her professional capacity, she serves as Council Member of the Public Transport Council and board member of ImpactSG, a charity that is growing a community of purposeful givers in Singapore and Asia.
2026 Good Start Early Childhood Conference, Singapore
is co-organized by:
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