By Winnie Sim
Nestled in the heart of Katong-Joo Chiat, a neighbourhood rich in Peranakan culture with boutique cafes and charming shophouses, lies a preschool that provides a nurturing environment for every child to grow into their unique God-given identity.
Little Seeds Preschool (St. Hilda’s Church) offers more than just a peaceful and joyful place to learn – it’s a safe environment where children thrive emotionally, spiritually, and socially.
1. Nurturing a strong, spiritual foundation
As visitors step into LSP (St. Hilda’s Church), they are immediately greeted by a burst of vibrant colours. The front garden, filled with lively hues, sets the tone for a day of discovery and creativity. The sounds of children’s laughter and music fill the air, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Slightly past 8am, the children eagerly exclaim: “Pastor Steven is here!” They quickly gather for devotion and cheerfully greet Pastor Steven with a “High Five!”. As Pastor Steven plays the guitar, the children praise and worship God, with many of them enthusiastically singing and dancing along to action songs, often bursting into giggles. What a fun and joyful start to the day!
2. Preparing children for life
At LSP (St. Hilda’s Church), one of the children’s favourite spaces is the dining hall, where authentic meal experiences and new discoveries take place. The shared space fosters opportunities for meaningful conversations, relationship-building, and the development of important self-help skills, whether it’s trying new foods or learning how to use utensils independently.
One such moment occurred when one of our children Rio ran excitedly to Senior Teacher Levinia Ong and said: “Ms Levinia, I finished my spaghetti today!” At that moment, it dawned on me that the dining hall is also a special place where children can be proud of their achievements!
3. Supporting emotional development
Children are little humans who experience big emotions. At LSP, we recognise that children are not just learning academics – they are also learning to navigate their emotions. As teachers, we play an important role in helping children process and learn about their emotions.
One particularly touching moment I witnessed occurred when a child was not ready for a large group lesson. Instead of scolding, Ms. Darlene gently spoke to the child, saying, “Please sit properly, will you please?”
The child, surprised by this approach, responded, “Why did you not scold me?”
This honest response left a deep impression on both the child and the teacher. We are thankful for teaching moments like this to educate and shape each child’s unique identity. It was a poignant reminder of the importance of helping children understand and process their emotions in a kind and compassionate way.
4. Welcoming parent partnerships
Learning in LSP (SHC) is not limited to our children and teachers. We welcome parents to partner alongside us in learning and engage parents through regular Parent Engagement sessions, where we discuss key topics such as cultivating life skills in children both at school and at home.
For example, during a recent session, we explored how to nurture the 7 essential life skills in young children. Father of a Playgroup child, Andrew, shared his appreciation for the session, saying: “The engagement was a great session that made me feel great about enrolling my child at LSP (SHC).”
I really appreciate the effort the teachers put in to teaching and nurturing our kids, especially in a way that helps them develop important skills.
These sessions not only provide valuable insights for parents but also foster a strong sense of community and collaboration. By working together, we ensure that the children’s development is well-rounded and supported both at school and at home.
5. Fostering community spirit
A warm and joyful environment in LSP (SHC) does not happen only through the efforts of the staff team. It is the spirit of community that we have, reflected through the actions of our parents, who often go above and beyond to help care for one another’s children.
On several occasions, parents have taken the time to comfort children who were crying during the morning drop-off, even when they themselves had their own busy schedules. These small but meaningful acts of kindness are precious to witness and are part of the community that makes LSP so special.
Our pivoting journey has not been easy, but despite the changes, we remain dedicated to grow children into their God-given identity by building positive relationships in a safe and nurturing environment.
If you are looking for a preschool that nurtures not just the minds, but the hearts of our children, Little Seeds Preschool (St. Hilda’s Church) offers the perfect environment.
Join us at our Open House on 12 April 2025 (Sat), 9:30am – 12:30pm, and let your child grow in a place where they are cherished and loved!
To find out more about our preschools, visit https://littleseeds.edu.sg/.
Winnie Sim is the Principal of Little Seeds Preschool (St. Hilda’s Church)
