Singapore, 12 February 2026 — Babilou Family has announced the launch of its new Endowment Fund, “Babilou Family Empowering Children,” reinforcing its long-term commitment to advancing early childhood education in Singapore and globally through scientific research, Sustainable Education®, and educational innovation.

The Endowment Fund builds on nearly a decade of impact by the Babilou Family Foundation and will further strengthen research-driven practices across the Group’s 10 operating countries — including Singapore.

For families seeking high-quality preschool and childcare in Singapore, this initiative represents a continued investment in evidence-based education that supports children, parents, and educators alike.
 

Strengthening Sustainable Education® in Singapore’s Preschool Sector

Since its establishment in 2017, the Babilou Family Foundation has helped transform childcare centres into high-quality educational environments grounded in neuroscience and sustainable practices.

The Foundation has contributed significantly to the development and dissemination of Sustainable Education®, an approach embedded in daily teaching practices across Babilou Family centres worldwide.

Key milestones include:

• The publication of Sustainable Education®
• The International Neuroscience Congress on Early Childhood Education, organised in partnership with UNESCO in 2024

With the launch of the Endowment Fund, Babilou Family strengthens its ability to fund international research, equip early childhood professionals, and implement innovative educational models that benefit children in Singapore’s preschool ecosystem and beyond.

3 Major Research Programmes Shaping the Future of Preschool Education

In 2026, the Endowment Fund will roll out three major research programmes under a newly established Scientific Education Committee.

These programmes are designed to enhance inclusive preschool education, multilingual learning, and family engagement, key priorities in Singapore’s evolving early childhood landscape.

1. Parenting & Parenthood: Strengthening Family Engagement

Led by Dr. Angela Low, Professor of Educational Psychology and Human Development (University of Vancouver, Canada), this programme examines how nursery and preschool experiences impact parents, parenting practices, and family climate.

The goal is to position early childhood centres as trusted partners and resource hubs that strengthen parenting capabilities sustainably. Following a prototype study in 2025 between France and Belgium, the main research phase will take place in 2026, with publication expected in 2027.

2. Inclusion & Observation: Advancing Inclusive Preschool Education in Singapore

Beginning in March 2026 and running for three years, this programme is conducted in partnership with Dr. Carmen Dione, Professor in the Department of Psychoeducation and Social Work at the University of Trois-Rivières, Canada.
 

Its objectives include:

• Developing educational practices that promote inclusion among children
• Strengthening educators’ observation skills
• Adapting teaching strategies to support diverse learning needs
• Encouraging inclusive interactions within early childhood classrooms

The programme will be implemented in Singapore and Germany, positioning Singapore at the forefront of research-backed inclusive preschool practices. This aligns closely with Singapore’s national focus on inclusive education and holistic child development within the preschool and childcare sector.

3. Multilingualism & Language Development: Supporting Multilingual Learning

Starting in September 2026, the third programme will be led by Dr. Amalini Simon, Clinical Psychologist (AP-HP, Paris).

The initiative aims to design a language development assessment tool specifically adapted to multilingual contexts. Its objectives include:

• Valuing children’s home languages
• Supporting expression in the language spoken at home
• Encouraging harmonious language development

In a multicultural society like Singapore, where bilingualism and multilingual exposure are part of daily life, such research reinforces best practices in language development within preschool settings.

International Governance with Strong Singapore Representation

• The Endowment Fund is overseen by a new governance body comprising:
  Morgane Weill, Chief Operating Officer, Babilou Family Group
• Benjamin Busse, CEO, Babilou Family Singapore
• Lee Galbraith, CEO, Babilou Family USA

This governance structure ensures a shared global educational vision while anchoring implementation in local realities — including Singapore’s regulatory and educational landscape.

Morgane Weill, COO of Babilou Family Group and President of the Endowment Fund, stated:
“With the Babilou Family Empowering Children Endowment Fund, we are taking a new step in our longstanding commitment to young children. By strengthening research, equipping professionals, and collaborating with internationally recognised scientists, we affirm our conviction: giving ourselves the means, through research, to offer every child the highest standards of education across our 1,200 Babilou Family centres.”

Benjamin Busse, CEO of Babilou Family Singapore, added:
“In Singapore, families place strong trust in the preschool and childcare sector to nurture not only academic readiness, but also social, emotional and language development. Through the Empowering Children Endowment Fund, we are reinforcing our commitment to evidence-based early childhood education. By investing in research on inclusion, multilingualism, and parenting support, we ensure that children in our Singapore centres benefit from global expertise while receiving education that is locally relevant and future-ready.”

 

About Babilou Family

Founded in 2003, Babilou Family is one of the world leaders in early childhood care and education. Operating in 10 countries — including Singapore — the Group manages nearly 1,200 centres supported by 14,000 professionals, welcoming more than 70,000 families daily.

In Singapore, Babilou Family operates preschool centres under the KiddiWinkie Schoolhouse and Little Footprints Preschool brands and is committed to delivering high-quality, research-informed early childhood education grounded in Sustainable Education® principles.

For more information, visit:
www.babilou-family.com