Looking Ahead
PRESCHOOL SERVICES
PAP Community Foundation (PCF) is a foundation dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and communities in Singapore. Through our business operations, PCF creates a significant social impact. PCF is the largest Preschool operator in Singapore with some 360 centres, providing affordable and high-quality early childhood education to some 40,000 children from diverse backgrounds at any one time.
In the next 2 years, we will adapt our service mix to match changing demands in early childhood education. For instance, the preference for full-day services over traditional half-day kindergarten is on the rise. By staying in tune with evolving preferences and emerging education trends, we proactively tweak our offerings to cater to families’ changing needs and provide the most fitting and captivating educational experiences.
Having a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on important life skills, positive learning dispositions, and school readiness is very much in line with our educational philosophy. We will continue to expand our innovative programmes like STEMIE (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Invention and Entrepreneurship) to give children the opportunity to solve real-world problems. We will leverage on our strong partnership with our Senior Care Centres to allow us to offer intergenerational programmes to our preschools; bringing together young children and seniors through thoughtful programming and specially designed activities.
As we move into 2024 and 2025, we will capitalize on our expertise in inclusive education and intergenerational programmes, providing valuable services that will attract parents seeking a well-rounded early years education. Our strategy involves providing programmes through research and partnerships with respected organizations like NUH, KKH, and KidSTART. This collaboration enables us to cater to the unique requirements of diverse learning groups, especially focusing on vulnerable ones.
Notwithstanding a very competitive space, our steadfast commitment to our social mission remains unwavering. We strive to provide accessible, high-quality early childhood education to enrich lives across diverse communities. Our aim is to ensure that top-notch preschool services are accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances.
SENIOR CARE SERVICES
PCF also operates eldercare centres and community outreach programs, promoting active aging and fostering intergenerational connections. By focusing on social impact, PCF strives to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and contribute to the holistic development and well-being of the Singapore society as a whole.
Moving into the future, we will be making strides to enlarge of footprint in the senior care space. This is to meet the growing needs of seniors. Today, we have 7 Senior Care Centres Island-wide, serving over 800 clients. The 8th PCF Sparkle Care Centre will be located at Bukit Panjang and its development will commence in 2024.
We also aim to expand our coverage in the active aging space. Since 1 October 2022, active ageing services have been provided to seniors in the community through the Transition Grant (TG) scheme. The TG team reaches out to seniors in four communities: Yew Tee, Shunfu, Braddell Heights, and Eunos. Looking ahead to 2024 and 2025, it is our intention to expand our coverage in this space by multiple folds.
CHARITY
Our PCF Charity Division, also known as Sparkle Charity, is making significant strides in helping to close the opportunity gap and build a more resilient community. We offer financial assistance to families in need and make quality preschool education more affordable.
As we press forward towards 2024 and 2025, our primary focus to provide support for the vulnerable, including children, seniors, and families remain. Our commitment extends to even supporting like-minded charities with limited access to funding through donations.
Significant portions of our charity resources will be directed towards financial assistance and initiatives aimed at reducing the cost of preschool education. Our goal is to increase accessibility to preschool for more children in need.
Beyond financial aid, we are dedicated to fund and expand our range of programmes to enrich the learning journey of our lower-income preschool children. These initiatives encompass a spectrum of engaging excursions and opportunities designed to nurture creativity and holistic development in preschool children. Some examples include interactive visits to local museums, art galleries, and theatres, where they can explore various forms of artistic expression. Moreover, outdoor nature trips and hands-on workshops aim to instil a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them.
Through these experiences, children can develop a well-rounded perspective while fostering their artistic and intellectual growth. Our aspiration is to ensure that these opportunities are accessible to all children, transcending financial barriers and reaching beyond privileged backgrounds.
In the next five years, we will adopt an organisation-wide approach to our CSR efforts. This means that everyone in PCF will be involved in making a difference in our community. We will reach out to more communities and provide support in a variety of ways, such as providing financial assistance, donating food and supplies, and volunteering our time.
We believe that everyone has something to offer and that we can all make a difference. Together, we can create a more just and equitable society for everyone.