More than 300 early childhood educators from Kinderland, ELFA, and NurtureStars came together on 4 July 2025 at YWCA Fort Canning & Singapore Shopping Centre for Crestar Education Group’s 7th annual Professional Development Day (PD Day). This year’s theme, “Future-Ready Classrooms: Artificial and Emotional Intelligence with an Inclusive Early Education,” reflected a powerful blend of empathy and inclusion.

Over 300 of CEG’s best in attendance at YWCA Fort Canning & Singapore Shopping Centre for the annual PD Day.

Balancing Innovation with Emotional Intelligence

The day began with a warm welcome and group photo, followed by the annual Educators’ Pledge—a reminder of each educator’s critical role in shaping the minds and hearts of our youngest learners. Mr Seet Lee Kiang, General Manager of Kinderland Singapore and Dr Carol Loy, Senior Director of Curriculum and Professional Development, both highlighted the importance of balancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Emotional Intelligence (EI) in shaping responsive, inclusive classrooms in their messages.

Our educators from Kinderland, NurtureStars and ELFA standing in unity while reciting the CEG’s Educators’ Pledge.

Exploring Tools for Tomorrow’s Classrooms

Educators attended hands-on workshops such as Applied AI for Educators and Staying Safe and Smart in the Age of Generative AI (Gen AI), learning to personalise teaching with tools like ChatGPT while understanding digital safety.

Educators had hands-on experience with Suno, a Gen AI tool to help educators make music without instruments.

Creating Safer, Healthier Classrooms

Emotional wellness took centre stage in sessions like Supporting Emotional Development of Infants and Toddlers and the Peer Support Workshop, which equipped educators with strategies in empathy, crisis response, and mental health support. Safety and self-care were also key, with practical sessions covering child safeguarding, healthy eating, stretching, and the Science of Happiness.

Ms Tan Yan Ni Joy, Head of English Academic Programme at KLC International Institute, on Supporting Emotional Development of Infant and Toddler.

Looking Ahead with Heart and Purpose

As the day wrapped up, one message was clear: being future-ready is not just about tech adoption – it is about compassion, inclusion, and connection. CEG continues to invest in educators, nurturing their growth as leaders of tomorrow’s classrooms.