Haslan* (not his real name) is the youngest child in the family of 5. Given the limited resources, not much attention has been paid towards his overall growth and development. At the other end of the spectrum, Alan, who is from a middle-income family has been placed in a nurturing and stimulating environment since birth.

Despite the difference in environment, both are generally contented about their current lifestyle. Upon entry into mainstream education, statistics have shown that a conducive environment can go a long way to built up the self-esteem and confidence of young children.

The Healthy Start Programme is a Government strategy aim at providing parenting support for young children like Haslan and their families who are in the lower-income bracket. The desire is to provide these children and their families living in poverty with critical assistance to minimize the risks to their later academic growth and development.

Care Corner Family Service Centre (Woodlands) is one of the centres nominated by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports to run this programme.

However, not everyone is accepted into the programme. Families are usually accessed by social workers on a case-by-case basis based on a strict admission criterion.

Although debate still rages on whether such early childhood intervention does make any difference, it does seem such programme can help to facilitate overall healthy child development, allowing the kid to be well-adaptable in most environment.

The programme’s pyramidal framework outlines three specific targets which are child and family-focused; parental education, counselling and support, and early childhood education

Under the programme, the centre organises parenting workshops to engage the families as well as providing suggestions on child management. The primary objective is to impart positive parenting skills that can help to nurture the well-being of the child.

For many of the parents who have gone through the programme, they experienced less stress as well as lower depression level when it comes to handling difficult children. By understanding and applying their new found skills, many of their children have also experienced significantly improved behavior.

The programme extends beyond the classroom as home visits are often conducted by social workers to oversee the progress of the families. Other areas covered also include crisis response and individual and family counselling where necessary.

The programme is designed to avoid frictions and extend concessions within the family.

With the rising importance on early childhood education, the programme also offers financial support for pre-school education for low-income families. The impetus is to create an intellectually stimulating and nurturingenvironment that would enhance their school performance later.

“Access to early childhood education should not be restricted only for the middle to high income group,” quipped Ms Claris Kuang, Social Worker, Care Corner Family Service Centre (Woodlands)

Even though the programme involves a modest cost for the Government, it has successfully generated multiple positive effects on the community.

By investing in our children’s future now, we are providing opportunities for the children to succeed when they grow up.

For more information on the programme, please contact Care Corner Family Service Centre (Woodlands) at 63622481 or email wl.fsc@carecorner.org.sg