Special Needs After-School Care & Support

Special Needs After-School Care in Singapore: Why Mainstream Student Care Centres Can’t Meet Your Child’s Needs

In This Article The After-School Gap That Affects Thousands of Singapore Families What Mainstream Student Care Centres Are Built For (And Who They Miss) What Your Specially-Abled Child Actually Needs After School How Bridging the Gap’s After-School Programme Is Different A Typical Afternoon at Bridging the Gap: What Does the Day Actually Look Like? BtG After-School Care vs. Mainstream Options: A Direct Comparison Your Questions, Answered: Special Needs After-School Care in Singapore You Shouldn’t Have to Choose Between Your Career and Your Child’s Progress Sources & Further Reading Special Needs After-School Care in Singapore Buona Vista

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Nina

"I’ve always been passionate about working with children and making a meaningful impact on their lives. Supporting those with complex developmental needs allows me to turn patience and dedication into real, lasting progress, where even small steps create big change. I enjoy incorporating play and a little “magic” into my lessons- Abracadabra!

Head of Operations |
Head of Early Interventionists | Play Therapist

Nina holds an Advanced Diploma in Special Education from the College of Allied Educators, a Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills, and a Diploma in Health Management and Promotion. For over 10 years of experience supporting children with special needs, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, global developmental delay, and speech delays, she has been empowering children and families at Bridging the Gap since its birth. Nina combines her expertise, compassion, and practical experience to help each child reach their full potential.

 

She has also served as a licensed gym instructor, providing Movement Therapy in a multi-sensory gym environment. As Head Senior Teacher and Play Therapist, Nina creates impactful learning experiences for children and mentors' teachers, guiding the team in developing strategies that nurture every child’s growth and potential.

Wong Suet Leng

"Over time, my perspective expanded. I realized that a child's success is deeply intertwined with the well-being of their entire ecosystem which is their family, their teachers, and their support network."

Head of Programmes | Head of Allied Team |
Principal Speech & Language Therapist

Suet Ling holds a Bachelor of Applied Sciences (Speech Pathology) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Early Intervention). She finished her degree in University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne. She has 27 years of experience in the field and has undergone extensive training across various leading organizations to strengthen her skills and expertise.

 

Driven by a passion for empowering children and families, Suet Ling works closely with families to navigate complex challenges, equipping them to be strong advocates for their children. She also supports caregivers’ well-being, recognizing that their mental health is crucial for a child’s development.

 

Beyond working directly with children, Suet Ling is deeply committed to training and mentoring teachers and professionals, believing that building capacity in others amplifies her impact. She creates networks of support that help children access the tailored education they need while ensuring families and educators have the tools and resilience to guide them through every transition.

 

Her passion for working with children began early in her career, inspired by the joy of seeing children discover and grow in their own unique ways. This foundational experience continues to guide her belief in the profound impact that thoughtful, compassionate support can have on young lives.

Hannah

"Every day is a chance to turn small moments into meaningful learning opportunities, ensuring that every child feels seen and celebrating even the tiniest progress."

Senior Early Interventionist

Hannah holds a Degree in Special Needs Education and earned the Academic Achievement Award from Leyte Normal University, Philippines. With years of experience teaching children across Early Intervention, Mainstream, and Transition Education programmes, she is dedicated to supporting both children and their families. She empowers children with diverse developmental and learning needs to grow, build confidence, and reach their full potential.

 

Passionate about early intervention, Hannah understands that timely support can make a meaningful difference in a child’s development. She uses creative, hands-on approaches such as role-play and interactive activities to make learning engaging, purposeful, and enjoyable. Hannah believes that every child deserves a nurturing environment where they can explore, express themselves, and truly thrive.

Mickey

"Working in Early intervention allows me to be part of the journeys of different families. It’s fulfilling to know that my efforts, big or small, help make a difference in children’s lives and contribute to their holistic growth."

Senior Early Interventionist

Mickey holds a Degree in Elementary Education, Major in Special Education, from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines. With 8 years of experience, she works closely with children in the classroom, witnessing their small milestones and celebrating the pride they feel when achieving something new.

 

Mickey enjoys crafty hobbies such as painting by numbers, building LEGO sets and miniature houses, and completing 500–1000-piece puzzles. These activities help her empathize with students’ patience and persistence as they tackle challenging tasks, allowing her to better support and guide them through learning.

Ying Wen

"I enjoy planning simple activities and games for children, using toys like cooking sets, dolls, or pretend play materials to make learning fun and engaging. It’s always rewarding to see children enjoying the activity while learning at the same time."

Senior Early Interventionist

Ying Wen holds a Degree of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Mental Health from Southern New Hampshire University / INTI International College Subang, Malaysia. She has been serving children and families at Bridging the Gap and finds joy in witnessing each child’s small steps of growth and confidence.

 

She is passionate about Early intervention and Special education, knowing that the right support can help children develop essential skills for learning and daily life. Ying Wen enjoys collaborating with her team to create tailored strategies and activities that meet each child’s unique needs, celebrating every achievement along the way.

Ashley

"What motivates me most is witnessing the small but meaningful progress each child makes, and the daily interactions that help build trust, confidence and joy in learning."

Senior Early Interventionist

Ashley holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Nottingham, Malaysia. She brings her passion for teaching into every classroom moment, turning lessons into engaging mini adventures through singing, acting out story characters, or using games to teach numbers and words.

 

With her role as a Senior Early Interventionist and Teacher-in-Charge at the Buona Vista branch of Bridging the Gap, Ashley is dedicated to understanding each child’s unique needs while making learning fun and meaningful. She creates a supportive and joyful environment where children can explore, grow, and build confidence every day.

Karen

"When I see a child make progress, even the smallest steps- it makes me feel proud."

Senior Early Interventionist

Karen holds a Degree in Special Needs Education from Quest International University, Ipoh, Malaysia. Inspired by her aunt, who has special needs, she developed a deep love and understanding for children with developmental challenges. She has a particular affection for children with Down syndrome, which inspired her to dedicate her career to supporting children with diverse needs.

 

With her role as a Senior Teacher and Teacher-in-Charge at the City Square Mall branch of Bridging the Gap, Karen’s kind and nurturing approach helps children feel motivated, engaged and confident in their learning. She believes children learn best through play and naturalistic settings, integrating growth opportunities into daily routines. Her goal is to provide a safe, loving, and supportive environment where children can explore, learn, and develop at their own pace.

Sangheetha

"Seeing children gain skills, confidence, and independence inspires me and fuels my passion for Early intervention and Special education. I am committed to continuous learning, currently pursuing my Master's degree, to apply the latest strategies and ensure every child reaches their full potential."

After School Care Programme Lead

Sangheetha holds a bachelor's degree in psychology with Honors from the National University of Malaysia and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Children with Special Needs. She has more than 5 years of experience working with children and has been part and now leading the After School Care Programme, which provides a safe and supportive environment for children outside school.

 

Her background includes working with adults facing mental health challenges, volunteering with the Penang Mental Health Association and the I-Life Suicide Prevention Campaign, and conducting project-based research, experiences that shaped her holistic approach to child development. Sangheetha began her career as a Special Needs Teacher, supporting children aged 7–9 with diverse learning needs, and initiated the design of a Snoezelen multi-sensory room, reflecting her commitment to creating engaging and innovative learning environments.

Sellam Rajandran

“I love to sing and dance so I am often adding that element in my sessions by singing phrases or carrying out dance and freeze with my students”

Senior Speech Therapist

Sellam holds a Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology from the National University of Singapore. She has 14 years of experience supporting children with special needs across various developmental and learning challenges. Her approach combines professional expertise with creativity, tailoring activities to each child’s unique abilities and interests to maximize engagement and learning outcomes.

 

What drives Sellam most is seeing children achieve progress, whether big or small, and witnessing the joy, pride, and confidence that these successes bring. She is deeply inspired by the resilience and determination of children and their families, and is passionate about advocating for her students, guiding them through challenges, and creating opportunities for them to grow, communicate, and thrive. Her work reflects the belief that early intervention, when delivered with care and creativity, can transform lives.

Bernice Liang

“I’m passionate about martial arts and inclusive sports and I enjoy exploring how activities like Taekwondo can be adapted for children of all abilities. It reflects how I approach teaching- creative, structured, and always focused on helping each child succeed in their own way.”

Occupational Therapist

Bernice holds a Master of Special and Inclusive Education (MSIE) from the University of Newcastle, Australia, a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (Honours) from the Singapore Institute of Technology, and diplomas in Sport Science & Wellness and Biomedical Science from Republic Polytechnic, Singapore. With 5 years of experience, she has supported children and young adults across early intervention programs, clinics, centres, home-based therapy, special schools, hospitals, and school-to-work programs with SG Enable.

 

Bernice is inspired by children’s curiosity and openness, finding joy in witnessing them gain confidence, whether mastering a skill, expressing themselves, or engaging with others. She combines professional expertise with creativity, tailoring activities to each child’s abilities and interests. Passionate about advocating for her students and supporting families, Bernice believes that early intervention, delivered with care and creativity, can transform lives and empower children to thrive.

Michelle Sim

"It is meaningful to walk alongside families as they navigate their child’s developmental journey and to help the little ones build skills that allow them to communicate, participate, and grow more independent in their daily lives”

Senior Speech Therapist

Michelle holds a Master’s in Speech Pathology from Curtin University, Western Australia, and has 7 years of experience in early intervention across both social service and private sectors, supporting young children with diverse developmental needs. She has been recognized for her excellence with the NCSS Social Service Award (2017) and the Most Outstanding Clinical Performance Award (2019) among final-year Speech Pathology students in Western Australia.

 

Michelle is passionate about working closely with both children and their families, guiding them through developmental challenges, celebrating every step forward, and equipping them with strategies to thrive in daily life.

 

Her approach blends professional expertise with creativity and empathy, ensuring that learning is engaging, supportive, and tailored to each child’s unique needs. Michelle’s work reflects her belief that early intervention transforms lives, empowering children to communicate effectively, participate fully, and reach their full potential.

Janice Tay

“Drawing from My Journey as a mother and Special Education Professional, I am dedicated in supporting families, breaking down barriers and creating Inclusive environments where every child with developmental needs can flourish and integrate.”

 

 

Founder and Clinical Director

Janice Tay, our Founder and Clinical Director, holds a degree in Statistics and Finance and has previously worked in the financial sector. As a mother of a prematurely born child with developmental delays, Janice personally experienced the challenges of navigating mainstream education for a child with special needs. This inspired her to pursue a Master of Education in Special Education at Nanyang Technological University and to establish our Early Intervention center.

 

Passionate about providing holistic education for children with special needs, Janice is a strong advocate for inclusive and supportive environments. She is also a strong advocate in church settings, championing the creation of more structured and supportive environments for children and families. She has deep empathy for children who face learning challenges and social barriers, and she is committed to helping them integrate successfully into society.

 

To equip herself in supporting her own child and other children, Janice studied Educational Psychology and completed courses in ABA Therapy, Dyslexia, and Dyscalculia. She has extensive experience working one-on-one with children, designing Individualized Therapy programs tailored to their unique needs.

Currently, Janice serves as Case Supervisor, providing ongoing guidance and supervision for children’s Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), ensuring each child receives the support they need to thrive.