Excellence in Early Childhood
Stories from Phyu Phyu, GCA Thailand
One of the ways that GCA Thailand supports families and protects children is through Early Intervention preschool at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) and the Shalom Center. The expert teachers and childcare specialists work to provide a stable, nurturing environment where children can learn and thrive.
The ECDC and Shalom Center enroll children ages three to five, with special case-by-case consideration given to some families with two year olds, and are ready to meet them wherever they are and provide individualized support so that they can grow to their fullest potential. We understand the school system in Thailand, and our goal is to give young children a strong foundation so they’ll be successful as they move on to Thai school. When the time comes for an ECDC student to “graduate,” we assist families of the students in enrolling their children in Thai schools so that they can continue their education journey, uninterrupted, and have the best chance to be successful.
Myat Nora Htoo
Some families, like Myat Nora Htoo’s, have crossed the border into Thailand from war-torn Myanmar in search of safety and the hope of a better future. Nora’s parents are well-educated and had good jobs back in Myanmar. However, after fleeing the war and arriving in Thailand as refugees, they had to start from scratch and take on whatever jobs they could find, which meant they needed full-time care for their children. Nora’s younger brother attends ECDC with her, and at first, Nora preferred to spend her day taking care of him rather than playing and making friends. Soon, because of the gentle care and nudging of the teachers, Nora began to trust that her little brother would be safe and well cared for by his teachers with his classmates; and she started to spend time with her peers, learning to interact, play, and enjoy her day with friends.
Naung Min
The ECDC also serves children who would be home alone, while their parent(s) work, were it not for the first rate childcare we provide. At just three years old, Naung Min had stayed home alone while her older siblings were at school and her parents worked. When Naung Min’s family learned about the ECDC, they excitedly enrolled her, knowing that she would receive exceptional care. Naung Min went from a shy child who preferred to play alone, to a child who sings joyfully at school and at home! She tells her parents everything she does while at the ECDC, and her excitement for school has only grown.
Aye Pwint Phyu
We know that every child’s needs are different and we take an individualized approach to childcare and instruction. When we met Aye Pwint Phyu we learned that as a premature baby who stayed in the NICU for over two months, she had needs that were different from many of her peers. Our trained staff were able to work with Aye Pwint Phyu at the Shalom Center and her family in a true school-to-home partnership to support her growth and development. We offered her parents support, training, and advice on how to manage certain behaviors and how to set reasonable expectations and attainable goals that can be celebrated. We are delighted at Aye Pwint Phuy’s progress! She now plays soccer with her peers and loves singing and dancing. Social and observant, she always wants to play with others, loves calling her classmates by their names, and will ask about friends who are absent. Aye Pwint Phyu has found a way to show her wonderful personality and her willing heart to help others.
These are just a few of the children our Early Intervention team serves. Your support helps us continue to increase our capacity and welcome more children into a loving, stable, and engaging environment where they can grow, learn, and play. Thank you for making this possible with your partnership.