PhD project examines early childhood care in Singapore
Foong Ling Yong has a rich and diverse background in early childhood education in Singapore, having served as a teacher, centre principal, and currently as a Principal Education Development Specialist. In her current role, she focuses on curriculum development, teacher training, and providing centre-based support.
Her extensive experience was invaluable during her PhD project, ‘A Mixed Methods Study of a Primary Caregiving System in Singapore’, which investigated the impacts of Singapore’s mandatory primary caregiving system on the quality of early childhood care and education (ECCE). Here she talks about her choice of Deakin for her PhD studies and her plans for the future.
Why did you choose to study early childhood care and education in Singapore?
Singapore’s mandatory primary caregiving system for infants and toddlers aged 2 to 18 months has been in place since 2017 and is recognised as a key component of high-quality ECCE programs for children under three. However, there is limited systematic research on its implementation and effects on ECCE quality in Singapore. I chose this topic to fill this research gap and provide valuable insights to inform policy and improve early childhood education practices in Singapore.
What were you hoping to achieve with your research?
Through this project, I aimed to positively impact the early childhood education community by highlighting the benefits of Singapore’s primary caregiving system, such as improved continuity of care, secure attachment, and well-being for infants and toddlers. Additionally, by uncovering critical challenges in its implementation, I hoped to provide actionable insights that can support educators, caregivers, and policymakers in enhancing the quality of early childhood care and education practices.
Why did you decide to do your PhD at Deakin?
I chose Deakin University because of its strong reputation and dedication to supporting international students, which creates an excellent environment for academic success. Additionally, Professor Louise Paatsch and Professor Bonnie Yim’s expertise and extensive experience in supervising PhD students assured me that I would receive exceptional guidance for my research.
How was your experience with your supervisors?
My experience with my supervisors has been incredibly positive. I am deeply grateful for their invaluable guidance and unwavering support throughout my doctoral research. Their insightful advice, constructive feedback, and consistent encouragement have motivated me and kept me progressing steadily toward completing my thesis. I am especially thankful for the opportunity to learn from their expertise and wisdom, which has greatly enriched my academic journey.
What was a highlight of your PhD?
A highlight of my PhD was the opportunity to conduct original research and uncover meaningful findings with the potential to inform and enhance early childhood education practices. Additionally, engaging in meaningful discussions with my supervisors and peers, as well as presenting my work at the Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association (PECERA) Conference in 2023, were enriching experiences that broadened my perspective and strengthened my research skills.
Now that you have completed your PhD what are your next steps?
Now that I have completed my PhD, my next steps are to share my findings with educators and policymakers to improve early childhood care and education practices. I plan to do this through publications and conference presentations. Additionally, I aim to explore other areas of ECCE research and further develop my research skills. A key challenge will be securing research opportunities while establishing myself as researcher. This includes finding suitable positions or collaborations, competing for research funding, building professional networks and gaining recognition in my field.