Ng Xueting is a teacher at The Caterpillar’s Cove

Is it rewarding being a teacher?

As an early childhood educator, there are a few important roles that I have to play in the lives of young children. I plan experiences and activities to support their growth and holistic developmental needs.

I also work closely with families to share insights and progress of the child. Most importantly, I need to ensure a nurturing and safe learning environment that supports young children while they advance towards their fullest potential.

What do you enjoy about your job?

I find great satisfaction when I see young children building strong and positive identities of themselves. I feel a sense of fulfilment when young children are able to form healthy and secure friendships with the people around them. It is also gratifying to see children acquire positive learning attitudes that will empower them to be successful life-long learners.

What are some highlights/ achievements in your job?

I was given the opportunity to attend an annual Early Childhood conference in Italy, Reggio Emilia. It is every early childhood educator’s dream to visit Reggio Emilia as it was where the world-renowned, innovative, educational philosophy (The Reggio Emilia Approach) first started.

The trip included visits to local schools, and meeting and exchanging views with fellow professionals from other countries. The trip was the most incredible, mind-blowing, and unbelievable experience in my entire professional career. It made me reflect on my personal teaching philosophy and values, and think about ways to improve my teaching practices.

Why is NTUC First Campus a great place to work at?

Our organisation, NTUC First Campus, strongly believes in supporting the professional development of its staff. Teachers are offered scholarships and interest-free loans to further their studies; and I took up the interest-free loan for my Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education.

NTUC First Campus comprises of various groups, which provides us with opportunities to broaden our career choices. It allows us the space for our individual aspirations to grow, and develop specialties in the field.

Our Centre Director believes in balancing the organisation’s goals with our personal aspirations, and meets us individually throughout the year to plot our career plans. This helps me visualise my career path, and from there I can develop short-term goals.

What are your future career goals?

I am very passionate about cultivating best practices with young children, and so I hope to familiarise more children and their families with the best practices in planning child-centred experiences.

I also hope to be a curriculum specialist one day, developing innovative ways to document a child’s learning patterns and growth.