“Christian preschools are sacred spaces”: Head of Methodist Preschools on the “priceless” impact of Christian early childhood education

Some of Fann Kang’s earliest memories are of children singing at a church kindergarten across the road from her attap house. 

Though she was not enrolled in the kindergarten, she was drawn to the music as a child and often wandered over to watch the students. 

“I also often played with my neighbours there, running around playing hide and seek, and seeking shelter at the church whenever it rained heavily as my attap house roof leaked,” she recalled. 

She did not know it then, but those early moments would one day come full circle.

Today, Fann serves as the Executive Director of Methodist Preschools (MPS), overseeing a network of six church-based preschools that not just educate young children, but also introduce them to the love of Christ. 

Fann grew up playing in a church kindergarten across from her home, and never thought she would one day oversee six such schools at Methodist Preschools.

More than a preschool 

For Fann, who took over the helm in May 2025, preschools are not merely places of early learning. 

“Christian preschools are sacred spaces,” she said. “They are where young hearts and minds are nurtured in the light of God’s Word.” 

Every aspect of the curriculum is designed to care for the whole child – spiritually, emotionally, socially and intellectually – so that they grow in wisdom and grace, she shared.  

It is not just about teaching literacy or numeracy, she added, but also about shaping character and planting seeds of faith that she prays will one day bear lasting fruit. 

More than a place to grow academically, preschools lay the foundation for a child’s character, said Fann.

This conviction is deeply personal as she has seen firsthand how the impact of the Gospel can ripple through generations. 

“My daughter is a fifth-generation Christian,” said Fann, a mother of one. “She enjoys this blessing of faith because five generations ago, someone heard about Jesus, followed Him and obeyed His command to share the Gospel.” 

That perspective shapes how she views her work at MPS. 

“When I look at the preschool children, I don’t just see them and their families. I think about their future generations,” she said. “If we do our part well and this child comes to know Jesus, the impact cannot be belittled. It is priceless.” 

The everyday matters 

Fann describes Christian preschools as a place where both believing and non-believing children and their families can encounter Jesus. 

“It’s not just for outreach to non-Christians,” she said. “It is also about discipling children who already believe, and feeding His sheep.”  

Each lesson and programme aims to inculcate values that reflect a Christian worldview, said Fann (right).

In school, the children are introduced to the Gospel through songs, Bible stories and daily devotions, which are often conducted in partnership with each preschool’s hosting church. 

Not every lesson is explicitly spiritual, she acknowledged, but each lesson and programme aims to inculcate values that reflect a Christian worldview. 

For example, in MPS’ signature Designathon programme, older children work in teams to solve real-world problems and design prototypes, such as robots to clean polluted water. Along the way, they learn teamwork, creativity and responsibility, while also discussing themes like creation care. 

Preschoolers with a sketch of their Designathon prototype.

Involving parents in the making of the Designathon prototype.

For younger children, responsibility is taught through assigning them simple roles like chair monitor, door monitor, lights monitor or tap monitor, so they can learn how to take ownership of their environment in little ways. 

A shared endeavour 

In MPS’ mission to nurture children and love their families, local churches have been indispensable partners, said Fann. 

Each MPS centre is anchored by a hosting church, with a chaplain who oversees outreach to children and families. Churches invite parents to events, run parenting talks and organise special programmes for children during the holidays. 

Volunteers from Bedok Methodist Church with a child from its preschool at an outreach programme.

But beyond structured activities, it is the everyday acts of partnership that move Fann most deeply. 

At Bedok Methodist Preschool, volunteers from its hosting church, Bedok Methodist Church, set aside time every week to run a “Tuesday Fun” programme for parents, grandparents, and helpers.  

Between 11am and 1pm, as caregivers pick up or drop off their children, they can linger to play pool or Rummikub, join short cooking sessions or simply enjoy light refreshments with the community. 

Each month, a church librarian also makes parenting and children’s books available for them to borrow. 

“These are just 10- to 30-minute sessions,” Fann said. “But through them, relationships are built.” 

At Faith Methodist Church, staff from Faith Methodist Preschool are treated as part of the church family. The church leadership invites them to yearly staff appreciation dinners and has even dropped by the school with care packages to encourage the teachers. 

Children from Faith Methodist Preschool with volunteers from Faith Methodist Church at an outreach event.

Whenever the church organises Christmas or Easter events, children from the preschool are always invited and given opportunities to perform as well. “Whenever there are festivities, they never forget us,” Fann said. 

“When I see all this happening, I treasure it – that we all have the same heartbeat to reach out together.” 

United in purpose 

Fann has experienced this unity in the wider Christian preschool community as well. 

Though MPS is one of several Christian operators in the sector, Fann describes a spirit of collaboration rather than competition among them, undergirded by a shared purpose. 

Fann speaking on a panel at a gathering of Christian preschool leaders in Singapore – the first such event in some 10 years. Photo courtesy of Christian Preschool Alliance.

Once every two months, she meets up with some of her counterparts to pray, talk through challenges and support each other as they chart the way forward as a sector.  

They also co-organise events like conferences, share resources and consult one another for expertise. 

“If I need advice, I’ll call someone who has experience in that area. They are always very ready to help,” said Fann. 

“It’s something very special,” she added. “I don’t think I can find it anywhere else.” 

Fann (second from left) has found a sense of partnership and camaraderie among leaders of other Christian preschools. Photo courtesy of Christian Preschool Alliance.

Bathed in prayer 

With more than two decades of experience in education, including roles at the Ministry of Education and the Early Childhood Development Agency, Fann brings both expertise and conviction to her leadership. 

However, her hopes for MPS are simple: “We want to live up to the mission we have in the Methodist tradition: To provide education for outreach purposes.”

She believes the foundations are already strong: A robust curriculum, dedicated teachers and supportive churches. “But we pray that the preschools will thrive,” she said, “just like the mission schools in Singapore have.” 

Forming character day by day.

When Fann stepped into her role, one of her first initiatives was to rally prayer support. 

“In almost every church, I asked: ‘Will you pray alongside me?’ Because if we see this as a ministry, then someone must be praying,” she said. 

Since then, regular prayer meetings have become a cornerstone of MPS’ work. Leaders, teachers, church members and even parents come together to intercede for the preschools, its staff and leaders, the children and their families. 

“That has brought that dependence on the Lord, rather than keeping ourselves so, so busy with the operations,” she said. 

The impact is not always measurable in conventional terms, but Fann feels encouraged to see the growing participation of parents and staff at these prayer gatherings. 

Through faithful prayer and collaboration with the wider Church, her vision ultimately is to see lives transformed through knowing and following Jesus. 

Back in her childhood, across the road from a humble attap house, she once watched other children sing about Jesus. Today, she is helping hundreds more do the same. 

And perhaps, generations from now, the echoes of those songs will still be heard. 

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