In 2014, Big Fat Smile signed a Memorandum of Understanding that commits to an ongoing cultural exchange with the Ladder Education Group in Yangzhou, China.
This program provides a platform for exchange of professional expertise and cultural experiences, benefiting children attending Big Fat Smile Community Preschools in Australia and Ladder Education Group Preschools in China.
As part of the cultural exchange, three of our Community Preschools have established ‘sister school’ partnerships with three Preschools in China. For over 12 months, Western Suburbs Community Preschool, Bingara Gorge Community Preschool and Woronora Heights Community Preschool have been exchanging expertise with three Moon City, Meiqi and Ming Xing Bilingual Preschools in China.
On Tuesday 21 July, 2015 five teachers from Yangzhou arrived in Wollongong and embarked on a 12 day itinerary. The delegates were immersed into Australian culture with a focus on learning and observing Australian early childhood education practices.
Ladder Education Group Chairman Zhang Zhihong and CEO Li Yi Wen arrived on Thursday 30 July, 2015.
On Friday 31 July, all representatives from Ladder Education Group and Big Fat Smile attended Bingara Gorge Community Preschool where children from Western Suburbs Community Preschool and Bingara Gorge Community Preschool demonstrated the Kung Fu skills they have developed since participating in the cultural exchange. Ladder Education Group’s Master Yang, an expert in Kung Fu was there to guide the children through the demonstration.
