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Various articles across Singapore’s news outlets highlighted the success of NIEC’s inaugural international conference, held across 2 days on 17 & 18 October and a pre-conference on 16 October. The conference has not only engaged local stakeholders in the sector of early childhood education but also garnered international interest with foreign participants from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and many more flying into Singapore to participate. 

Minister for Education Mr Chan Chun Sing, the Guest of Honour, shared his hopes for the early childhood sector as well as an interesting background on NIEC’s name. NIEC Director and Chief Executive Officer Mrs Loke-Yeo Teck Yong also discussed the significance of the NIEC Conference 2024 as a platform for promoting meaningful exchanges among early childhood professionals.  

In his speech, Minister Chan announced plans for NIEC to become the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Leadership, continuing its role in enhancing educator training and professional development since 2019. It will collaborate with research institutes like NIE and NUS to promote early childhood leadership through research, peer learning, and mentoring. NIEC will also establish communities of practice for early childhood centre leaders and ensure high-quality leadership training aligned with sector needs, in partnership with ECDA and guided by the sectoral Leadership Development Framework.  

In highlighting NIEC’s efforts to foster a supportive community and strengthen professional connections within the early childhood sector, Minister Chan emphasised that NIEC would become a home for all early childhood educators, providing a space for collaboration and growth.