Early Childhood and Early Intervention Educators play an important role in the early years of our children’s lives, especially when it comes to shaping their learning and holistic development. And while Teachers’ Day is a wonderful occasion to celebrate the efforts of our educators, you can show your appreciation more than just on this day.

By making gratitude an intentional part of our parenting journey, we can nurture stronger parent-educator relationships and, in turn, better support our children’s growth. True appreciation goes beyond cards and flowers on one day of the year; it is a mindset that acknowledges the dedication and heart that all our Early Childhood and Early Intervention educators bring to the classroom daily.

The Crucial Role of Early Childhood Educators

While they make up about 1% of Singapore’s workforce, Early Childhood and Early Intervention educators make a 100% difference in the children and their families every single day. From guiding children through their early emotions to sparking curiosity, these professionals lay the groundwork for lifelong growth.

Guiding Children In and Beyond the Classroom

Preschools provide a fun and safe learning environment, thanks to the care and creativity of the educators. “Their engaging approach during class makes lessons fun and interesting for my children,” shared Casuarina Ong, mother of two boys aged four and six. Bev Teo, mother of a four-year-old and a seven-year-old, praised educators for “their patience and eagerness to give more to the kids, which is beyond expectation.”

Through thoughtfully designed routines and activities, preschool educators also guide children to develop vital social bonds and self-management skills—capabilities that children carry into their everyday experiences beyond school. 

Recognising Early Intervention and Learning Support Educators

Beyond the familiar preschool teachers, there are also Early Intervention Educators and Learning Support Educators—professionals who help children with developmental needs reach their fullest potential. 

They use strategies that are carefully tailored to support a child’s development in areas like communication, motor skills, social interaction, and learning. These strategies are often customised based on close observation and ongoing collaboration with families.

For example, Liandee Wong’s son began his early intervention journey at Bridging the Gap (BtG) when he was just four years old. His educators used tools like a sensory gym to support learning through movement, and planned play-based activities that helped him develop communication and social skills at his own pace.

Liandee shared how weekly parent updates and home-based activities kept her involved and empowered. The team also picked up on subtle signs, like drooling, and thoughtfully advised her to see a specialist. “These Early Intervention Educators may not create miracles,” Liandee said, “but they’ve been instrumental in helping my son reach milestones we once thought were out of reach.”

Not only do Early Intervention and Learning Support Educators help children with development needs individually, they also play a meaningful role in creating inclusive classrooms, where all children can learn and grow together. Through thoughtful approaches like buddy pairings and group activities, natural opportunities are provided for children with developmental needs and their typically developing peers to build positive relationships—encouraging each other, taking turns, and making requests—ultimately fostering a warm, balanced environment where every child is valued.

Some parents described longer-term, tangible changes after sustained support. Himabindu Chilukuri, mother of a five-year-old son, shared her experience with early intervention at Bridging the Gap.“This has been a life-changing experience for me as a mother. Early intervention has made a tremendous impact on my child’s learning needs, sitting tolerance, focus, his enthusiasm in exploring, etc. We have observed lots of positive changes in my son during his 2.5 years in the program. He is closer to a typically developing child of his age now. I would highly recommend parents not to shy away or be embarrassed about seeking Early Intervention support for their children who have learning challenges.”

How You Can Show Appreciation to Preschool Educators

Small acts of gratitude can make a big difference in encouraging and uplifting the people who guide our children every day.

Embrace the Core Values

Showing appreciation to educators is not always about gifts — it starts with the values we uphold in our daily interactions.

Trust their professional judgment and support the developmental goals they set for your child.

Respect their time, insights, and the effort they put into every lesson and activity.

Show empathy by understanding the challenges of guiding multiple children with different needs every day.

Express altruism through simple acts, whether by offering to help with school activities or simply giving words of encouragement.

Show Appreciation in Small Ways

Appreciation does not have to be grand. A simple thank-you note, a warm greeting at drop-off, or letting your child’s teacher know how their guidance has helped at home can go a long way. When done consistently, these gestures lift the spirits of educators who work tirelessly behind the scenes.

Some parents in our survey shared the simple ways they intentionally give back:

“Greetings with a smile and always say thank you for their hard work.” – Norma Abdul Karim, mother of a three-year-old.

“I feel everyone deserves good words as a motivation rather than a physical gift. I frequently convey my happiness to them. I have referred the same educator to many of my friends whose children need special assistance.” – Rina Bte Samsuri, mother of a four-year-old.

You can also visit go.gov.sg/99forthe1percent to press a virtual button of appreciation and join thousands of others in proudly showing our 1% of educators that the “99%” acknowledge their work and are committed to supporting them.