700 preschoolers from Kinderland, NurtureStars and ELFA marked the nation’s celebration of 50 years of National Service in a combined effort through the simple gesture – a salute. For the first time, pre-schoolers from the three education providers gathered at the largest preschool sports meet, Sports On! held at Toa Payoh Sports Hall. The celebration aimed to inculcate in children, values reminiscent to those espoused through sports – perseverance, discipline and teamwork.

This is done in support of SAFRA’s campaign, “We Salute our NSmen” which aimed to gather 50,000 salutes from the community by the end of October 2017.

To kick off the sporting event, Kinderland Marching Band, Singapore’s first and only preschool marching band, led the march in performance. This was followed by a torch relay by representatives from each of the three preschool present where children actively cheered their peers to give their best. The sports meet included segments where the parents of the preschoolers were able to join in and this further added to the robust atmosphere at the sports hall.

During the event, Mr Ho Lye Sum, Guest-of-Honour, LTC (Rtd), also announced the launch of the schools’ first National Service-themed reader, titled ‘Our Dad, Our Hero!’, a 24-page book put together by the Kinderland curriculum team and teachers from NurtureStars. Filled with engaging illustrations, the book tells the story of a reservist’s life as a reading resource to educate pre-schoolers on the importance of National Service. Proceed from the sales of the books will be donated to the Ju Eng Home for Senior Citizens.

Performance by the Singapore’s First and Only Preschool Marching Band

Opening Speech by our Guest-of-Honour, Mr Ho Lye Sum, LTC (Rtd) Ho Lye Sum

Preschoolers doing the “Salute” to commemorate NS50

NurtureStars children participating in the combat obstacle course

Ms Bernadette Alexander, Director of Regulations & Standards, Early Childhood Development Agency, giving out the medal to one of the little toddlers from the Amazing Toddlers Race.

Mr Tatsuya Sugo, Senior Executive Director, JACPA Japan, joining hands with the parents in Tug-of-War.