By Les Ong on December 15, 2025
What drives someone to leave a successful corporate career and invest their life savings into opening a preschool? For Ling Chung, School Director and owner of Building Kidz School of Hillsborough, the answer is simple yet profound: the desire to serve.
“I think there comes a moment in time where you wake up in the morning and you go, what is my real purpose in life?” Ling reflects. “I think my real purpose in life is to serve. And what better way to serve than to serve families with young children.”
After years of climbing the corporate ladder at major companies like Chase, Bank of America, and Verizon, Ling reached a crossroads. She had achieved significant success in the business world, but something was missing. The moments that brought her the greatest joy weren’t completing impressive presentations or achieving corporate milestones. Instead, they were the times when she helped colleagues find their voices, build confidence, and realize their potential.
This realization led Ling to make a bold decision: to channel her talents into early childhood education, where she could make a lasting impact on young lives during their most formative years.
Ling’s passion for education is deeply rooted in her own life story. As an immigrant who came to America for educational opportunities, she understands firsthand the transformative power of learning. “I am the first person in my family to go get a college degree,” she shares. “My parents bet everything on the farm to send me to America to get this wonderful college degree.”
Throughout her journey, from navigating a new country as an immigrant to pursuing higher education and building a corporate career, Ling encountered teachers and mentors who made all the difference. These educators didn’t just teach subjects; they opened doors, offered guidance, and helped her see what was possible.
“I had teachers who would lend me a hand, who would help me figure out stuff,” Ling recalls. “All these teachers left such a great, strong memory that enabled me to go forward and pursue a career.”
Building Kidz School of Hillsborough, which has been serving the community for over two years, is New Jersey’s first location of this innovative franchise. The school is licensed to serve up to 109 children, ranging from infants to kindergarteners, with an after-school program extending to age 13. Currently operating at about half capacity, the school is steadily growing through word of mouth and community connections.
What sets Building Kidz apart in Hillsborough’s competitive educational landscape? The answer lies in Ling’s holistic approach to early childhood development.
“We don’t just give a run-of-the-mill kind of early learning curriculum,” Ling explains. “We align our curriculum to the seven standards that New Jersey has for preschool teaching standards. And then we made it even better by integrating performing arts.”
The school features specialized instructors who provide music and dance programs, creating an environment where learning extends far beyond traditional academics. This isn’t just about adding fun activities to the day; it’s a carefully designed approach to child development.
“When you are able to create an atmosphere and a learning experience that has all these qualities to it, like music, dance, it’s magical,” Ling says. “Now suddenly school is fun for them. Learning is fun.”
One of Ling’s earliest memories offers insight into her educational philosophy. Growing up in Singapore, she attended a preschool with a music and dance component. She remembers her mother putting blue eyeshadow on her before a performance, the blinding stage lights, and stumbling through her lines. Despite the imperfections, the experience left her with an overwhelming sense of pride.
“If we can get all our children to have that moment on stage and perform for their parents, it does wonders for their soul,” Ling reflects. “They may stumble through their lines, they may miss a step here or there, forget that dance routine. But what it does is it creates that magical connection between child, parent, school.”
This philosophy extends to every aspect of the school’s approach. Through music, dance, and movement, children aren’t just learning their ABCs and 123s. They’re developing confidence, learning to express themselves positively, and building communication skills with their peers. These experiences lay a foundation that serves them long after they leave Building Kidz.
“My hope is that they stand taller, they shine brighter, and they are the future leaders,” Ling shares. “When they leave my school and go out into the real world, they will be able to say, ‘Oh, wow, school is so much fun. Learning is so much fun.'”
Ling firmly believes in the principle that practice shapes identity. “You become what you eat. I believe you are what you practice,” she explains. “If you practice being confident, you become confident. If you practice giving children the chance to be on a certain platform and just giving them an opportunity to shine, those children eventually will become really good at it.”
This philosophy influences everything from how teachers interact with students to how the school structures its daily activities and special events. The goal is to create countless micro-moments where children experience success, build skills, and develop positive associations with learning.
“Kids don’t wake up one morning and go, ‘I don’t like math, I don’t like school, I don’t like English,'” Ling observes. “They don’t like it because they had all these micro-moments where it wasn’t fun, and learning wasn’t great. All these micro-moments become friction that eventually becomes this big obstacle, and that’s what I want to avoid here.”
One of Ling’s core values is making quality early childhood education accessible to as many families as possible. She works with families of different budgets and price points because she believes every child deserves the opportunity to benefit from the program.
“I want to make this great experience that I’m trying to do here be as accessible to as many children as possible,” she emphasizes. “The goal is to get as many children to benefit from this program.”
This commitment to accessibility reflects Ling’s broader philosophy about business and service. She believes that when you focus on truly serving your community, success follows naturally.
Ling’s commitment to Building Kidz extends beyond business ownership. She’s at the school every day, opening and closing, describing it as her “second home.” Her own daughter attended and graduated from the program, a testament to her faith in what the school offers.
“If you want other people to believe in what you do, you have to be willing to invest your own self into it,” Ling explains. “So I brought my child into it.”
Now happily married with two children, Ling balances family life with her dedication to the school. Some days she stays late; some weekends you’ll find her at the school with her daughter, who loves coming along. This hands-on approach ensures that families receive the personalized attention and care that Ling considers essential.
Ling chose Hillsborough deliberately. New Jersey is known for its high public school education standards, and Hillsborough in particular is home to families who prioritize quality education.
“People here are very focused on education,” Ling notes. “It’s a great place to be. This is where like-minded parents are.”
The community’s commitment to educational excellence creates an environment where Building Kidz can thrive and where families appreciate the school’s comprehensive approach to early childhood development.
When asked about her vision for the future, Ling’s response centers on expanding her impact. “My hope is five years from now, we would have multiple locations so we can touch more lives, teach more children, bring the same kind of magic to them,” she shares.
For Ling, growth isn’t about building a business empire; it’s about serving more families and giving more children the foundation they need to succeed. “We continue to serve because I feel like that’s the greatest purpose in life is to serve,” she says.
Building Kidz School of Hillsborough represents more than an alternative to traditional daycare. It’s a place where education and performing arts combine to create confident, capable learners. It’s where personalized attention helps each child discover their potential. And it’s where an immigrant’s gratitude for educational opportunities transforms into a mission to provide those same opportunities to the next generation.
Under Ling Chung’s leadership, Building Kidz is fostering an environment where children practice confidence, creativity, and joy in learning every single day. The result? Children who don’t just know their ABCs and 123s, but who stand a little taller, shine a little brighter, and approach the world with enthusiasm and self-assurance.
As Ling’s school tagline promises: “Learning, playing, performing, growing the whole child.”
Discover how Building Kidz School of Hillsborough can help your child build confidence, develop a love of learning, and prepare for future success. Schedule a tour today and see firsthand the magic that happens when education meets performing arts.
Building Kidz School of Hillsborough 133 Stryker Lane Hillsborough Township, New Jersey 08844 Phone: 908-308-5945
Visit the website: www.bkteaching.com
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