Lee Siew Ting and Toh Kiat Boon with their daughter.

ECDA’s Beanstalk recently featured three families whose shared experiences and encouragement have inspired careers in the early childhood sector.

At My First Skool, educators Lee Siew Ting and her husband Toh Kiat Boon found a shared purpose after Siew Ting, who joined the sector in 2018, encouraged Kiat Boon to make a career switch in 2024.

Before becoming a preschool educator at My First Skool at Blk 135 Simei, Siew Ting was an associate librarian with the National Library Board, where she engaged children through storytelling with MOLLY the Mobile Library. Having seen how naturally her husband connected with their nieces and nephews, she encouraged him to explore early childhood education after more than a decade in his family’s engineering business.

Today, Kiat Boon is the only male educator at My First Skool at Blk 627B Tampines. Drawing on his science background, he encourages his K2 children to ask questions and investigate the world around them — including through hands-on activities such as growing sugar crystals and observing changes over time. He also makes a conscious effort to build trust with families and be a familiar presence during drop-off and pick-up.

Beyond the classroom, the couple exchange ideas about their work, support each other through challenges and share caregiving responsibilities for their young daughter. What began with Siew Ting encouraging her husband to try a new career has grown into a shared journey of purpose, with both educators bringing their unique experiences and perspectives to inspire the next generation.

Media coverage:

ECDA’s Beanstalk (21 August 2026)