Delegation from Singapore

Paradigm Infinitum recently hosted a visit by 22 members of the PAP* Community Childcare Centre in the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. The delegation, organised by Mr Chiou Chong Wei and Ms Penny Low MP, and led by Mr Chiou, spent several days visiting child care centres and kindergartens at the University of Queensland in St Lucia, Brisbane, including Campus Kindergarten, Playhouse Childcare Centre and the Munro Centre.

According to Mr Chiou, the Singaporean visitors had learnt a great deal from the visit. Mr Chiou was full of praise for the way in which all three centres were organised and run. “It was a real eye opener for both the Singaporean teachers and their Australian counterparts. It was fascinating to discover the similarities and differences in the childcare profession in Australia and Singapore, including practices, policies and procedures. Much of it is driven by differences in culture and the expectations of parents and guardians”, said Paradigm Infinitum general manager Ms Shona Leppänen-Gibson.

The PAP Community Childcare Centre in the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC is funded and supported by the ruling Peoples’ Action Party (PAP) in Singapore. All three Brisbane-based centres are community based organisations managed by committees of parents and childcare professionals.

*(PAP - People's Action Party, the ruling party in Singapore).