Quality early childhood education and a nurturing environment play a vital role in building children's confidence, resilience and readiness for school.
This was highlighted by Daily Care Dental Principal Dentist Dr Mehar Angez at Busy Bees Preschool Early Childhood Education Week celebrations under the theme Together for Every Child's First Steps: Early Learning and Its Possibilities.
She says early childhood is one of the most critical stages of development as the foundations for learning, health and behaviour are established during these formative years.
Dr Angez says children experience rapid physical, emotional, social and cognitive development during this period, shaping how they think, learn, interact with others, understand emotions, form relationships and develop empathy.
She stresses that the experiences children receive in their early years have a lasting impact on their future success in education, health and social well-being.
Dr Angez says the theme emphasises the importance of providing a strong play-based educational foundation before primary school to support children's cognitive, social and emotional development.
She says teachers are on the frontline, working closely with families and playing a vital role in shaping kindergarten students.
Speaking on the challenges faced by children today, Dr Angez says changing lifestyles and rapid technological advancements have made it even more important for parents to take an active interest in their children's upbringing.
Dr Angez urges parents to nurture their children's spiritual, mental, physical and social well-being while also promoting good oral, general and environmental health.
She also taught children how to properly brush their teeth, emphasized the importance of washing their hands, and distributed free Colgate toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Meanwhile, Director of Busy Bees Preschool Shamika Vinod says the centre does not believe in babysitting but in proper upbringing and nurturing of children, saying they are shaping Fiji’s future.
She says the preschool is now planning to expand to the Western Division following positive feedback, with proposed locations in Sigatoka and Rakiraki, where she adds there are limited early childhood facilities.
The Director also invites parents and members of the public to visit and tour the centre, saying it offers a safe environment where parents can have peace of mind.
