The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) is at the forefront of Singapore’s social welfare efforts. With a mission to foster social well-being and strengthen familial ties, MSF tackles an array of societal challenges through innovative programmes, progressive policies, and unwavering support.

Having taken on the role of Senior Early Childhood Officer, Loraine Choo is committed to improving lives through well-researched policymaking and service delivery. She plays a pivotal role in ensuring young, vulnerable children have equitable access to quality education.

Loraine’s transformative path began when she was awarded the Local Merit Scholarship by MSF. This scholarship offers exceptional individuals the opportunity to pursue their educational aspirations while nurturing their passion for serving the community.

She tells us more about her journey to where she is now and what motivated her to undertake it.

Your passion for social work is evident. How did you develop an interest in it?

It was a build-up of experiences over time. I had done some volunteering when I was in secondary school and junior college which, in turn, piqued my interest in different lived experiences. Subsequently, I did an internship at MSF after A-levels, and this further developed my interest through exposure to different perspectives.

Can you elaborate more on how your internship with MSF led you to pursue a scholarship with them?

I thoroughly enjoyed the work I was exposed to. I also found the work environment to be warm and supportive. For instance, my internship supervisor actively sought opportunities to expose us to different branches of MSF’s work, such as probation. This allowed me to better understand the different areas of work that MSF does.

Given my positive internship experience and a budding interest in social issues, the MSF scholarship was naturally one of my choices when I was considering scholarship options.

Speaking of the scholarship, how have you benefitted from the support you received from it?

I am fortunate to have had a mentor from MSF while I was pursuing my studies. Now that I am currently in service, I am also assigned a mentor, who has been extremely helpful in addressing queries I had regarding my work and overall professional development. Mentorship aside, the scholarship also provided me with funding support, which enabled me to access various valuable opportunities, such as graduate studies and a semester exchange abroad.

Tell us more about your job. What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

As a member of the Sector Funding department at the Early Childhood and Development Agency (ECDA), my role encompasses several vital tasks. I conduct reviews of the Anchor Operator Scheme to ensure that children, especially those from lower-income or disadvantaged backgrounds, are able to access quality and affordable early childhood care and education. I also work with my team to streamline and digitalise reporting processes, to reduce the administrative workload for preschool operators and departments. I also serve as a desk-head to Anchor Operators. This involves addressing their queries and concerns promptly, as well as computing and thereafter disbursing funds to Operators on a timely basis.

That’s interesting! Can you tell us what you find most meaningful about your work?

I derive meaning from the knowledge that through ECDA’s schemes, Singaporean children will be able to access affordable and good preschool services. In turn, this helps to build a strong foundation for good child development, especially in their early years.

Loraine Choo

What’s the work culture at MSF like?

MSF’s work culture is extremely supportive. I am fortunate to have had bosses and colleagues who gave guidance, especially when I was new to the department and trying to learn the ropes. In turn, this creates a safe environment in that I can readily sound out issues to my bosses or colleagues if I am stuck and require some guidance.

My bosses also prioritise staff professional development a lot. If there is a particular portfolio or posting that you are interested in, it helps to share with your bosses, who can then help to look out for opportunities to acquire relevant new skills and competencies.

MSF sounds like a great place to work. What are the possibilities for people who do choose to join the organisation?

Given the diverse portfolios in MSF, there are plenty of opportunities to do meaningful work across a wide range of social causes, such as supporting lower-income individuals. Additionally, the organisational culture is one that is nurturing and supportive. In turn, this provides staff with a safe environment to acquire new skills and knowledge.

Do you have any final advice for someone considering your field?

I would strongly recommend exploring that interest further. This could mean taking up an internship at a government agency to better understand what the civil service is like or participating in relevant seminars conducted by different organisations. It may also help to reach out to seniors or peers in the same field to learn about what their experiences have been like. This will help in figuring out if it is indeed something that you would like to pursue.