The NIEC conference, tailored for early childhood educators, centre leaders, and other professionals working with young children, brought together passionate individuals dedicated to shaping the future of early childhood education. In offering valuable insights, expert perspectives, and opportunities for professional growth, we aimed to inspire and empower participants to enhance their practice and impact on the field.

The first day of the conference was held at Sands Expo & Convention Centre (Singapore), where participants heard from international and local keynote speakers, including Professor Patricia Jennings (Professor of Education, University of Virginia), Professor Kenneth Poon (Dean, Education Research and Centre Director, National Institute of Education), and Professor Lynn Ang (Professor of Early Childhood Education, Pro-Director and Vice-Dean of Research, UCL Institute of Education). Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with the speakers in a panel session.

The conference focused on three topic strands:

Professional Development: Enabled educators to explore their personal and professional identities, enhancing their understanding of themselves and their impact on the learning environment.

Pedagogy and Curriculum: Re-examined teaching methodologies and curriculum design, emphasising effective strategies for enriching young children's learning

Trends, Policy, and Local Research: Examined the broader ecosystem of early childhood policies and developments, placing educators' work within the larger framework and fostering a deeper understanding of the professional landscape.

The second day was packed with over 30 concurrent sessions presented by invited international and local speakers, which were held virtually. Most sessions were conducted in English, with some presented in Malay, Mandarin, or Tamil. Participants could choose to join the sessions "live" or view the recordings at a time convenient to them. For overseas visitors who traveled to Singapore for the conference, a viewing party was held at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, where the sessions were streamed and projected on a screen for a small group.

Pre-conference activities took place on 16 October 2024, including a masterclass with the keynote speakers and learning journeys to an early childhood development centre, an inclusive preschool, or to explore niche programmes at one of the community partners.