Mr Patrick Tay, Member of Parliament of Pioneer SMC
Ms June Wong, Director, Early Childhood, ECDA
Distinguished guests
Families and children
- Good morning. Welcome to SPD@Jurong West’s Open House. This is one of our latest centres providing the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children, or EIPIC, as many of us call it.
- Today’s open house is more than just a celebration; it is also a reflection of how far we have come. Our first EIPIC programme began in 2011 at our headquarters in Tiong Bahru.
- We started as a small but dedicated team, united by a simple belief: that every child deserves the chance to learn, participate, and thrive. That conviction has not changed. It continues to be the foundation of our work, even as we grow and expand our reach.
- Since then, we’ve grown from a single centre into one of the biggest EIPIC service providers with six centres across Singapore, and another slated for opening next year.
- In the earlier years, EIPIC was primarily a one-size-fits-all programme. Together with two other EIPIC service providers, SPD piloted the Early Intervention Continuum in 2016 to better cater to the diverse needs of our children. Last year, collectively we served over 900 children and their families, and we are likely to see this number grow.
- SPD@Jurong West, which has been operational since July last year, marks another step forward. It brings our early intervention services closer to families here, so that support is not only available, but accessible and part of the community fabric. With this new centre, we will be able to serve about 150 more children each year.
- Caregivers play an essential role in every child’s development, and SPD works closely with them to ensure their children receive the support they need. Later, we will hear more about the journey of two caregivers.
- As we think about the many people who help our children grow, our heartfelt appreciation goes to Deloitte for your steadfast partnership. Your support signals a clear belief in the potential of every child who will walk through these doors. We thank your team for stepping in to volunteer today as well.
- We are also pleased to welcome the children from Little Footprints Preschool with their delightful performance, as well as students from Jurong West Secondary School who are volunteering as photographer and event crew today.
- In many ways, this event has shown us what is possible when the community comes together. When caregivers, staff, and community partners collaborate with a shared purpose, we create safe and nurturing spaces where children can grow with confidence.
- At the heart of all these is a team of dedicated staff. Their passion and commitment have created a warm and supportive environment for our children to explore and grow.
- And to our caregivers, thank you for entrusting us with your children’s journeys. Your partnership reminds us that supporting a child is never the work of one person, but of a community that chooses to walk together.
- As we look ahead, may this centre continue to be a place of hope and belonging, where children are celebrated for who they are, families find support they need, and every act of care brings us one step closer to a more inclusive society.
- Thank you and have an enjoyable day ahead.