For almost five decades, NTUC First Campus has been at the forefront of the early childhood education sector, currently supporting 30,000 children across 180+ preschools, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to the professional growth of its staff. The organisation’s vision, that every child deserves equal opportunities for a good start in life, is mirrored in its internal culture, which views its educators as part of a “big family” where continuous learning is a foundational pillar. By prioritising employee well-being and providing tailored, comprehensive learning pathways, NTUC First Campus has cultivated an environment where trainee teachers can evolve into executive leaders and researchers.

These profiles spotlight the inspiring career paths of five educators who have risen to leadership positions within the NTUC First Campus organisation.

Jennifer Low’s career is a definitive example of how passion and a supportive environment can fuel a successful mid-career transition. Fifteen years ago, Jennifer made the bold decision to leave the tourism industry and enter NTUC First Campus as a Trainee Teacher with no prior background in early childhood education. NTUC First Campus facilitated her career shift by providing a sponsored degree in Early Childhood, enabling her to progress through roles as an English Teacher and Principal before reaching her current position as an Executive Principal at My First Skool. Her exceptional leadership was recognised nationally when she received the Outstanding Early Childhood Leader Award at the ECDA Awards 2023, a milestone she views as a motivator to work even harder.

As an Executive Principal, Jennifer’s scope of responsibility is vast; she oversees centre operations, manages a large team of approximately 60 staff members, and is responsible for the care of around 400 children. Despite the scale of her role, she maintains a “people-first” leadership style, believing that a leader must inspire their team toward a common goal through open communication. Her mornings begin at 8:30 am, greeting parents and children to build the connections that set a positive tone for the day. Jennifer is a staunch advocate for outdoor learning, collaborating with the Nature Society Singapore to host annual family bird races that allow children to learn through sensory experiences in nature. She believes that seeing, hearing, and touching the environment creates lasting memories for children in a digital era where screen time is prevalent. Jennifer remains motivated by the “family” culture at My First Skool, and the joy of leadership lies in witnessing her impact multiply through her staff’s success and the graduation of confident, curious young learners.

As an ECDA Fellow, Rita Lim is among a select group of exemplary early childhood professionals recognised for their leadership and expertise. Rita Lim’s 17-year journey at NTUC First Campus highlights the diverse career paths available beyond traditional centre leadership. Joining as an English teacher in 2009, Rita was drawn to NTUC First Campus’s mission of providing quality care to families from disadvantaged backgrounds. After serving as a Principal for six years, she transitioned to the headquarters to become a manager in the child support services department.

In her current capacity, Rita manages a joint three-year research project with the National Institute of Education (NIE). This project studies the effects of the NTUC First Campus Child Support Model, a three-pronged approach designed to support the well-being and learning of children with low income or specific learning needs. Though initially hesitant about moving into research management, Rita found the guidance and support provided by NTUC First Campus empowered her to succeed in this new domain.

Rita also values NTUC First Campus’ commitment to work-life balance. As a mother of three, she benefits from family-friendly policies like child care and family care leave. She recalls the support she received during the COVID-19 circuit breaker when her supervisor encouraged her to take time off to prevent burnout, reinforcing the idea that life at NTUC First Campus is not only about work. This culture of understanding has been central to her long-term commitment to the organisation.

Zoe Chan’s career at NTUC First Campus is a classic example of “levelling up” through structured, tailored opportunities. As a mid-career switcher, she joined the organisation in 2013 as a Trainee Teacher and has spent over 13 years growing with the community. Zoe highlights that the support she received from day one was comprehensive and specifically tailored to each stage of her career progression.

Like many of her peers, Zoe found joy in the accessible learning opportunities that NTUC First Campus provides to all staff members, such as a sponsored Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education and mentoring courses. These helped to enhance her capabilities, allowing her to level up. After her third year, she became an English Lead Teacher. By her fifth year, she was promoted to Deputy Centre Lead. By her eighth year, she was promoted to Centre Principal.

A significant milestone in Zoe’s career was her nomination for the Engaging Leadership Programme in 2022. This initiative helped her hone her leadership skills and, more importantly, foster a growth mindset.

She believes that NTUC First Campus’ extensive network of centres creates a unique learning experience, where “insightful sharing sessions” allow educators to solve struggles together. To Zoe, the power of collaboration at NTUC First Campus perfectly affirms the saying that “it takes a village to raise a child”.

She values the intentionality behind NTUC First Campus’ support, noting that benefits such as exam leave allow staff to upskill amid daily duties, while overseas exposure and leadership courses offer the right opportunities to move into the roles they aspire to.

For Zoe, the most fulfilling aspect of her tenure has been the collaborative atmosphere where achievements are celebrated collectively.

Zohreh F. Hashemian Gholami (or Zee) is currently in her 16th year at NTUC First Campus, having navigated a career path that balances professional advancement with personal passion.

Zee notes that from day one, NTUC First Campus’s development programmes and benefits have been very comprehensive and tailored to each stage of her career. Career development programmes, such as an immersive onboarding process (“NTUC First Campus SHINE programme”) and in-house curriculum courses for educators, help equip her with the necessary skills to tackle her day-to-day responsibilities.

By her fourth year, Zee was promoted to Senior Teacher. Two years after that, after completing her Diploma in Early Childhood Leadership, she was promoted to Vice Principal, then a year later, Principal. Now, as a Senior Educational Development Specialist, she focuses on curriculum development and delivers coaching support to empower educators.

Zee also participated in an overseas learning journey and international conferences. One of these focused on children’s drama, during which she learned new drama strategies to facilitate classroom engagement.

What unites these five distinct stories is the robust ecosystem NTUC First Campus has built to ensure that “learning never stops,” regardless of how long an educator has been with the organisation. The organisation’s approach to “enabling staff to be more” is built on several key pillars:

• Sponsored Education and Traineeships: NTUC First Campus offers sponsored diplomas and degrees, enabling those with passion but no prior experience to enter the field and succeed.
• Structured Leadership Development: Programmes such as the Professional Development Programme (Leaders) and the Engaging Leadership Programme ensure that educators are not just promoted but also recognised and equipped with the skills to lead effectively.
• Holistic Well-being: NTUC First Campus recognises that great educators need to be well-supported themselves. This includes dedicated self-care resources, medical checkups, exercise and hobby workshops, and generous family-leave schemes.
• A Culture of Innovation: Staff are encouraged to try new ideas, for example, introducing nature-based pedagogy, fostering a greater sense of empowerment.

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on children’s lives while embarking on a rewarding journey of personal and professional growth? At NTUC First Campus, your career is more than a series of roles. It is a pathway to becoming a leader, an innovator, and a cherished member of a supportive “big family”. Whether you are a fresh graduate or a mid-career switcher looking for a meaningful change, NTUC First Campus offers the sponsored training, overseas exposure, and mentorship you need to thrive.

Learn more about careers at NTUC First Campus and browse our job portal to find your dream job today!