Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Education (N96)

Why ECDE?

• Experience practice-oriented training with a six-month enhanced internship programme and two practicum attachments
• Expand your career options by pursuing either the Early Intervention Specialisation or Mother Tongue Language Teaching Specialisation (Chinese or Tamil) when you take up relevant electives*
• Enjoy full course fee sponsorship, professional development grant and monthly allowance with the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) Training Award
• Gain an extra edge with NP's signature Personalised Learning Pathway and graduate with a Diploma + Minor of your choice!

*subject to terms and conditions

About ECDE

Love interacting with children and want to make a meaningful impact in shaping their growth? Our Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Education (ECDE) is the right course for you! 

This course is conducted by the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC) in collaboration with NP at the NIEC (NP) campus. The qualification is recognised by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) for graduates to be certified and practise as an early childhood educator in Singapore.

Overview of your ECDE journey

Further Studies

Learning doesn't stop after you enter the sector. Take your early childhood career to the next level and deepen your expertise with NIEC's Specialised Certificates, Continuing Professional Development, and Post-Diplomas courses. These courses will equip you to progress into roles such as Lead Preschool Teacher, Centre Principal, Learning Support Educator, Early Intervention Educator, and more.

If you are considering furthering your studies, our diploma is recognised by local and overseas universities for admission. At Institutes of Higher Education offering early childhood-related degrees, you may be eligible for advanced standing and be granted exemptions.

Singapore

• Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
  • Bachelor of Early Childhood Education with Minor

Australia

• Deakin University
  • Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
  • Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education
• Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
  • Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
  • Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Birth to Five)
• University of South Australia (UniSA)
  • Bachelor of Early Childhood: B-5 Years (MBXC)

Careers

As early childhood education gains greater significance in Singapore, the sector offers promising career prospects and a wealth of training opportunities. Awarded by NIEC in collaboration with NP, this diploma qualifies you as a Level 2 early childhood educator*, allowing you to teach children aged 18 months to 6 years, from Pre-Nursery to K2. You can also explore careers in other child development related fields.

With further studies and training, you can find employment in the following areas:

• Child Support and Family Services
• Early Intervention, Special Needs Education
• Curriculum Development
• Play Therapy
• Teacher Education

*In order to be granted teacher certification status by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) to teach Kindergarten levels, graduates must have a minimum of a B4 grade for GCE O-Level English as a First Language (EL1) or equivalent.

Entry Requirements

AGGREGATE TYPE ELR2B2-A

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must have the following GCE ‘O’ Level examination (or equivalent) results.

Applicants must also have sat for Additional Mathematics/Mathematics and fulfil the aggregate computation requirements for the ELR2B2-A Aggregate Type (English Language, 2 relevant subjects and 2 other best subjects) listed at www.np.edu.sg/docs/ELR2B2.pdf.

Note:
*All applicants with a C5 or C6 in EL in the GCE ‘O’ Level examination are given two years from the point of teacher registration to obtain at least a B4 or a minimum of band 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (Academic) – IELTS (Academic).

Applicants admitted to the Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Education [N96] and are keen to register to be certified by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) as an L2 English Language Preschool Teacher (deployable to teach up to kindergarten level) after graduation must obtain a minimum of B4 in their GCE O-Level English Language (EL1) or an English Language Acceptable Alternatives (ELAA). Applicants who do not meet the English Language requirement would be given up to 2 years from their registration as pre-school teachers to do so.

Note: The main medium of instruction for these subjects must be in English, except for a language subject.

ITE Certificate

• Higher NITEC in Early Childhood Education with minimum GPA of 2.0 and above (inclusive of CCA bonus points)
• Higher NITEC with minimum GPA of 2.0 and above (inclusive of CCA bonus points)
• GCE ‘O’ level EL1 grades 1 – 6

Foreign Qualification
(i) Formal Education in English

• Completed 10 years of formal education in EL, and
• Passed state exam in 5 different subjects including a C6 grade in GCE ‘O’ level EL1 or any of the acceptable alternatives*

(ii) Formal education Not in English

• Obtained an undergraduate degree with English as the medium of instruction from a state-recognised university. (This also applies to applicants with state-recognised PhD/Master degree with English as the medium of instruction).

Other Requirements
Candidates would need to be certified medically fit for study by a certified medical doctor, and to work with children according to ECDA’s medical requirements for early childhood educators.

Please take note that in order to be granted teacher certification status to teach up to Kindergarten levels by Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), new teachers must have a minimum of a B4 grade for EL1. Mother Tongue (MT) teachers must have at least a B4 grade in MT. Those with a C5 or C6 in EL1/MT are given 2 years from the point of teacher registration to obtain either a B4 or any acceptable alternatives* for EL teachers, and a minimum level 6 in Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) for CL teachers.

View the list of acceptable alternatives in place of GCE ‘O’ level English Language.
View the list of acceptable alternatives in place of GCE ‘O’ level Chinese Language.
View the list of acceptable alternatives in place of GCE ‘O’ level Tamil Language.

View the video to find out some dispositions of an Early Childhood Educator.