Be willing to

educate and not

just teach give
yourself to the lives
of young children.
For me, I have no
regrets and have

07
enjoyed every
moment of it.
Lee Xin Yi Cara
Senior Teacher

01 Entry Requirements 11 Centre Leaders

03 Welcome Note 13 ECDA Training Award

04 About ECDA 14 ECDA Scholarships &

Teaching Awards
05 Pre-School Teachers
15 Professional Conversion
08 Educarers Programmes for Mid-
Career Entrants

06
I graduated from
Nanyang Polytechnic
with a Diploma in
Nursing, but decided
to make a career
switch from the
health-care industry
to follow my dream.
Siti Norshakilla Binte Yusof
Pre-School Teacher
 Educarer Track

TURN TO PAGE 08-10

2 months to 2 to 18 2 months to
3 years old months old 3 years old
AGE GROUP OF CHILDREN

3
Para-
Educarer Infant Early Years
(Teacher Educarer Educarer
CAREER POSITIONS Assistant)

Fundamentals

2
in Early 1
WPL WSQ Higher WSQ Advanced
Childhood SOA 4 Certificate in Certificate in
Care & Infant Care Early Years
Education (HCIC) (ACEY)
(FECCE)
EARLY CHILDHOOD COURSES

1
Sec 4 with
1
WPL average
Sec 2 or min. 8 SOA of 5 and
years of formal credit in EL1
education or IELTS 5.5 or
SOA 5 in WPL
MINIMUM ENTRY CRITERIA (written)

1
WPL refers to the Workplace Literacy series, part of the Employability Skills Workforce Skills Qualifications (ES WSQ) developed by the Singapore Workforce
Development Agency (WDA). Upon completion of each test, you will get a Statement of Attainment (SOA) to certify your English language proficiency.

01 / Entry Requirements
Pre-School Teacher Track

TURN TO PAGE 05-07

5 to 6 18 months to 18 months to
years old 4 years old 6 years old

Para
Pre-School Pre-School Centre
Educator
Teacher Teacher Supervisor /
(Teacher
Principal
Assistant)

Diploma in Early WSQ Professional

Childhood Care Diploma in Early
& Education Childhood Care Dip. in Early Childhood
WSQ Advanced Certificate Teaching & Education 2 years of Care & Education -
in Early Childhood Care & (DECCE-T) - Childcare pre-school Leadership (DECCE-L)
Education OR (PDECCE-CC) teaching OR
(WSQ ACECCE) WSQ OR experience Specialist Dip. in Early
OR Professional WSQ Diploma Childhood Care &
ITE Higher Certificate in Early Dip. In Early (Conversion) in Education (SDECCE) -
Childhood Education Childhood Care & Kindergarten Leadership Components
Education Education
(WSQ PDECCE) Teaching (NVKET)

Local
Polytechnic
3 GCE O levels 5 GCE O levels
Diploma in EL1
with credit in with credit in
or Degree,
EL1* or MT EL1 or MT
in other
disciplines

*Alternative English language qualifications may be considered for course admission. Refer to any training providers of accredited Early Childhood courses.

Entry
CentreRequirements
Leaders / 02
/ 10
Welcome Note
Welcome Note
t is an exciting time to be in the early
childhood care and education sector.
There has been growing recognition
that what young children experience
and acquire in their early years serves
as the foundation for future learning
and development.
This has generated strong demand from
parents for quality early childhood care
and education services.
Early childhood professionals are key
contributors to the quality of early
childhood programmes. Hence, in
addition to increasing capacity, the
Government has been working towards
raising the competency of early
childhood professionals in Singapore.
The Government is investing $30
million over the next 3 years in the
pre-school sector for manpower
capacity and capability building through
scholarships, training awards and
teaching awards. ECDA also provides
a suite of professional development
programmes and professional pathways
for a rewarding career experience.
03 / Welcome Note
If you enjoy working with children and
have the passion, flair and creativity to
nurture their growing minds, we urge
you to join the vibrant and dynamic
early childhood profession. As an
educator, you hold the key to moulding
bright, inquisitive young minds and
preparing them for life.
Through this booklet, we hope to share
with you the various resources that
can assist you in becoming an early
childhood educator. There is support
tailored to the needs of every individual
whether you are a fresh school-leaver,
a mid-career entrant, or rejoining the
workforce.
This booklet will provide you an insight
into the profession, and we hope that
you will join the family of professionals
featured here as a first step to a
fulfilling career in the early childhood
sector.
Be an Early Childhood Educator. Give
Every Child in Singapore A Good Start.
Dr Lee Tung Jean
Chief Executive Officer
Early Childhood Development Agency
About The Early Childhood and Development Agency (ECDA) was
formed on 1st April 2013, as the regulatory and development
ECDA authority for the early childhood sector in Singapore.

Child Care Centres Kindergartens

Child care centres provide child Kindergartens provide a 3-year

care services for children aged
18 months to 6 years. Infant care
programmes for infants aged
between 2 to 18 months old are
also available at several centres.
Centres offer full-day, half-day and
flexible programmes to cater to
the different working schedules of
parents. You can search for
child care services at
www.childcarelink.gov.sg.
pre-school developmental
programme for children between
4 to 6 years of age. The 3-year
programme consists of Nursery,
Kindergarten 1 and 2. Most
kindergartens run two sessions
a day, with each session ranging
from 3 to 4 hours, 5 days a
week. You can search for a
kindergarten service at
www.preschool.edu.sg.

About ECDA / 04
Pre-School Pre-School Teachers design and implement
programmes for children aged 4 to 6 years old,
Teachers ensuring their holistic development.

What You Do What You Need

Plan, implement and Passion and

deliver a holistic and interest in
developmentally developing and
appropriate early caring for young
childhood curriculum children

Plan activities and Ability to work

source materials to well with children
support childrens and families
learning in the various
curriculum areas Good
communication
Provide a safe and clean skills
learning environment
for the care and
development of children
in the centre

Partner parents and

other key stakeholders
to ensure that centres
service meets the needs
of children and families

Certificate Holders Diploma Holders

*Para-Educators *Pre-School Teachers
start from $1,400 start from $1,900

*depending on
qualifications and
experience

05 / Pre-School Years
 Siti Norshakilla Binte Yusof, 23

Pre-School Teachers
Pre-School Teacher, Nurturestars
1 year in the Early Childhood sector
Holds a Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education

Working with parents

inspires me. It is
rewarding to see the
children happy as their
parents are involved in
their pre-school life.

I switched
careers to
follow my
dreams!

What do you do on a daily basis?

My daily job is to plan and execute
developmentally appropriate lessons and
activities, supervise the children in their
learning, communicate with their parents and
discuss about their progress, such as what
their strengths are and which areas they
need more help with.

Why did you choose this field of work?

I have always wanted to teach preschoolers
- it has been my dream since young! I had
graduated from Nanyang Polytechnic with a
Diploma in Nursing, but decided to make a
career switch from the health-care industry
to follow my dream. I was glad to be given
the opportunity to take a Diploma course in
Early Childhood Care and Education under
a Place-and-Train programme (Professional
Conversion Programme), which allowed me
to work and study at the same time.

Who inspires you in your job?

I have a younger sister who is of preschool
age, and she inspired me to take up the
course and this job as I want to be able to
understand how she is progressing and
to ensure she is developing appropriately
according to her age.
Pre-School Years / 06
Lee Xin Yi Cara, 28
Senior Teacher, St James Church Kindergarten
9 years in the Early Childhood sector
Holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
What is a day in your job like?
The day begins with morning interactions
with colleagues and welcoming the children
to school.
The morning hours are spent mostly
planning for the day, working on curriculum,
school events planning, creating teacher
resources, tending to any concerns from
parents, and checking on the teachers in
my team. In the afternoons, I teach a class
together with a Chinese teacher. I also
mentor the teachers in the centre.
Why did you choose this field of work?
It was a conscious decision to join the Early
Childhood field after my O levels. I applied
for the Early Childhood Education course in
Ngee Ann Polytechnic and started teacher
training at the age of 17. I was motivated
by my passion to work with children and
the daily joys of interacting with the little
ones entrusted to my care. It is a privilege
to make a difference in the lives of children
that have long-term positive effects.
What advice would you give to new entrants
to this field?
Passion is important A calling to influence
young lives responsibly, and with love, will
help you to stay connected to your job.
07 / Pre-School Years
This
is my
calling!
Respect children and families Allow
children to express themselves in ways that
are unique to their personalities. Embrace
diversity within the environment. A teacher
who creates a respectful environment will
develop respectful individuals.
Have patience and dedication Engaging
children requires fortitude to deal with
frustrations, challenging behaviours and
situations that go against the grain of ones
personal beliefs.
Adopt positive learning dispositions
Being open to new perspectives will help
early childhood educators to celebrate
childrens little successes, engage the world
through their eyes, and exude positivity. As
educators, we must be a source of positivity
and hope for children!
Take a moment to ask yourself why you
want to work with young children. If it brings
warmth to your heart and a quickening in
your spirit, then you will experience joy and
fulfilment in this field.
Be willing to educate and not just teach
give yourself to the lives of young children.
For me, I have no regrets and have enjoyed
every moment of it.
Educarers Early Years Educarers support the
learning and development of infants
and toddlers aged 0-3 years.

What You Do What You Need

Plan and implement Passion and interest in

early childhood developing and caring for
curriculum to meet the infants, toddlers and young
physical, emotional, children
social and intellectual
needs of infants, Ability to work well with
toddlers and young children and families
children
Good communication skills
Plan activities and
source materials to
support the various
curriculum areas
planned for the children

Provide a safe and clean

learning environment for
the children in the centre

Partner parents and

other key stakeholders
to ensure that centres
service meets the needs
of children and families

*Para-Educarers
start from $1,300

*Infant/Early Years
Educarers start
from $1,400
*depending on qualifications
and experience

Early Years / 08
Punetha D/o Krishnan, 39
Para-Educarer, Cherie Hearts Bright Kidz
18 years in the Early Childhood sector
Holds a Fundamental in Early Childhood Care
and Education Certificate
Im
staying
strong in
the field!

I chose to do this
so that I can play
What is a day in your job like?
As an early childhood educator, I constantly
a part in helping
create new experiences to share with the young children
children I do this collaboratively with the
main educator. I assist with the preparation develop in all
of activities and ensure the safety of my aspects physically,
charges, at the same time equipping them
with social skills and nurturing their love for cognitively, socially
learning. Providing them with a safe, clean
and conducive environment for learning is
and emotionally
also my key responsibility.

What do you love about your job?
The smiles I see on the childrens faces and
the satisfaction gained from witnessing
their progress! I love working with young
children, to nurture and motivate them
through play and hands-on activities. It is
fun, rewarding, stimulating and enjoyable to
work with young children.
Why did you choose this field of work?
I chose this field as it keeps me cheerful.
Working with children keeps me
enthusiastic as their energy level is very
high. I chose to do this so that I can play a
part in helping young children develop in all
aspects physically, cognitively, socially
and emotionally.

09 / Early Years
 Rhoda Ang, 58
Infant Educarer, Pats Schoolhouse Baby Haven
Im a

Educarers
7 years in the Early Childhood sector
Holds a Certificate in Infant and Toddler Care, and back-
16-hr Early Years Development Framework Training to-work
mum!
What does your job scope comprise?
I plan and organise each individual infants
daily programme - maintaining a high-
quality learning programme is important to
me. I ensure a clean and safe environment
for the infants, document daily observation
reports, and establish their diapering,
feeding, showering and sleeping routine. A
big part of my job is also to communicate
and form positive interaction and
partnerships with parents.

I find joy when

I see the infants
growing and
developing well
under my care

what I learned from the books. Sometimes

Which industry
were you from previously?
I was a receptionist in a car rental company
for 8 years and really enjoyed my job, but
gave it up to become a full-time parent after
my son was born. In the beginning, I had a
tough time handling my baby, but I started
reading about infant care and tried to apply
they didnt work, but it made me understand
that every child is unique. Soon, not only
was I handling my own child; friends also
left their babies with me when they needed
a caregiver. I then realised the benefits of
caring for infants in a group for example,
they are more likely to not crawl away when
I read to them together, then if I were to read
to them alone! The 15 years I spent being
a full-time parent changed my view about
caregiving. Id begun to love babies and
understood the importance of authentic
relationships with infants. Im grateful for
all the learning opportunities Ive had and
have no regrets about joining this sector. I
believe I will retire as an infant educarer!
What do you love about your job?
I enjoy the challenge in building genuine
relationships with infants, helping them
grow and learn new skills, and seeing them
achieve new developmental milestones.
Early Years / 10
Centre Centre leaders may be known as a Supervisor,
Principal or Centre Director. They lead and mentor
Leaders teams of early childhood professionals.

What You Do What You Need

Ensure daily Strong leadership

operations, finances, qualities
human resource and
management of the centre are Excellent
carried out effectively communication and
inter-personal skills
Work within the centres policies,
philosophy and procedures Ability to liaise with
various stakeholders,
Plan and co-ordinate change in authorities and
consultation with the centres organisations
operator/licensee, management,
staff and families Ability to manage
centres daily
Work with programme staff operations, budget,
to develop a holistic and income and expenditure
developmentally appropriate early
childhood curriculum

Lead and manage delivery of

quality curriculum and plan and
monitor individual staffs continuing
professional development

Ensure that centres service meet

the needs of children and families

This job is packed

with a whole lot of
satisfaction,
fulfilment and
pleasant surprises if
*Centre Principals we choose to notice it!
/ Supervisors start
from $3,300 Tan Xin Yi Cynthia
*depending on
Principal
qualifications and
experience

11 / Centre Leaders
 Tan Xin Yi Cynthia, 27
Principal, The Caterpillars Cove Child Development and Study Centre
4 years in the Early Childhood sector
Holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Educational Studies
and Leadership (with Honours)
Why did you choose this field of work?
At 18 years of age, it was difficult to know
for sure what vocation I wanted to pursue.
After weighing my options, I decided to give
Early Childhood Education in Ngee Ann
Polytechnic a try. I told myself to do my
very best in order to discern carefully if it
was the career for me. As I ventured deeper,
I found great fulfilment through the work
and interactions with people, and came to
discover that this field of work enriches me
not just as a professional, but completes me
as a person. This job is packed with a whole
lot of satisfaction, fulfilment and pleasant
surprises if we choose to notice it!
What is a day in your job like?
As a principal, I manage centre operations,
support the professional development of
the staff, and the quality development of
the centres curriculum. I draw a balance
between the managerial and administrative
aspects of my job, and being on the ground
with my teachers, children and families,
which can mean being in and around the
different classrooms with the teachers and
children, or having small group discussions
with different teams of teachers and staff.
Centre Leaders
This job
brings me
to greater
heights!
I include myself in the shift duties with the
teaching team, such as serving breakfast,
taking a class, being physically available
during the pick-up and drop-off times, and
chatting with families who come by the
centre.
I enjoy and value the ground work because
this enables me to develop an authentic
understanding of the centres daily
operations, understand and empathise when
problems arise, and most importantly, earn
the respect from the staff as a dedicated
leader who does what is preached and never
stops learning too.
What advice would you give to new entrants
to this field?
As clichd as it may sound, it does take
passion to sustain a career in this field.
Having confronted with a crossroad in
my own journey, I always encourage new
entrants or pre-service students to discern
their choices wisely and speak with people
who can give them good insight about
themselves, be it mentors or loved ones.
Centre Leaders / 12
Development Support ECDA offers a range of support in your pursuit of
an exciting and rewarding journey as a teacher in
Training &

the Early Childhood Sector.

These courses are accredited as Diploma in
Early Childhood Care & Education - Teaching
(DECCE-T) by the Early Childhood Training
Accreditation Committee (ECTAC).
Annual Professional
Development Fund of
up to $1,000 per year
for Early Childhood-
One-off learning related supplementary
resource grant courses supported by
of $1,050 for Monthly
allowance the Polytechnics (e.g.
study-related Art, Speech & Drama, Special
expenses of $800 Needs, etc.)

Full course
sponsorship

Programmes
Offered

Ngee Ann
Polytechnic ECDA Training Award
Diploma in The ECDA Training Award provides
Early Childhood
Education support for students undergoing the full-
Diploma in Child Funding time Early Childhood Care and Education
(ECCE) diploma courses at either Ngee
Offered
Psychology &
Early Education Ann Polytechnic or Temasek Polytechnic.
Temasek
Polytechnic
Early Childhood
Studies
A years
Post-
Eligibility bond to the
Study Early Childhood
Criteria sector for each
Conditions year of support

Singapore Citizen Full-time students All first, second Must not Have keen interest
or Permanent undergoing an Early and third year Early concurrently hold to start their
Resident at point Childhood diploma Childhood diploma or be serving out career in the
of application. course at either Ngee Polytechnic their bond for any pre-school sector
Ann Polytechnic or Students are other scholarship, immediately after
Meet the entry Temasek Polytechnic. eligible to apply. bursary or funding. graduation.
requirements of
the course.

13 / ECDA Training Award & Scholarships

 For In-Service Teachers
on Part-Time Degree /
Master Programmes
Learning 100% or 80%
Resource Course Fee
For Pre-Service Teachers
Allowance Study on Full-Time Degree
Bonus Training Programme
Allowance

Learning
Resource
Allowance
Centre
Subsidy

Subsidy for
Overseas
Immersion
100% or 80% Programme
Course Fee

ECDA Scholarships
and Teaching Awards
Programmes Funding The ECDA Scholarships and Teaching Awards
Offered Offered are offered to outstanding and deserving early
childhood professionals who wish to pursue a
Bachelor or Master degree in Early Childhood
National Institute Care and Education (ECCE) to enhance their
of Education pedagogical practice as well as hone leadership
Master of Education competencies.
(MEd EC)
We strongly encourage ECCE practitioners who
SIM University
Bachelor of Early
are committed to serving the Early Childhood
Childhood Education with Sector to apply.
Management (BECEM)
ECDA also offeres Sponsorships for part-time Diploma
SIM University in Early Childhood Care and Education courses.
Bachelor of Early
Childhood and Chinese For more information on the ECDA Training Awards,
Language (BECCE) Scholarships, Teaching Awards and Sponsorships, log
on to our website at www.ecda.gov.sg
Singapore Institute of
Technology (SIT)
Bachelor of Science in Early
Childhood Education (BSc ECE)

Singapore Not concurrently Have been accepted ECDA-certified L2 teacher or

Citizen or holding or be into the programme principal currently employed
Eligibility Permanent serving bond for any to be awarded a with a child care centre

Criteria
Resident. other scholarship, scholarship or licensed with or kindergarten
bursary or funding. teaching award. registered with ECDA (For
applicants who are currently
in-service teachers). .

ECDA Scholarships and Teaching Awards / 14

 Professional Conversion Programme
(for Mid-Career Switchers)
Mid-career switchers who possess tertiary qualifications can enrol in the Professional
Conversion Programme (PCP) for Childcare Teachers or Kindergarten Teachers, and
undertake the WSQ Professional Diploma in ECCE (Childcare) [WSQ PDECCE (CC)] or Diploma
(Conversion) in Kindergarten Education - Teaching (NVKET) / WSQ Professional Diploma in ECCE
(Kindergarten Teaching) [WSQ PDECCE (KT)]

A one-time
grant of $2,000
learning resource
allowance to
be used for the
purchase of study-
related materials
during the course
of study
90% course
fee funding
(after MOEs
subsidy, if
applicable)

Early Childhood Care and

Programmes
Education-STEP (Skills Training
Offered Funding for Excellence Programme)
Offered Scholarship
Singapore
Polytechnic The Singapore Workforce Development
Diploma (Conversion) Agency (WDA) is offering Early Childhood
in Kindergarten Care and Education (ECCE) scholarships to
Education - Teaching provide upgrading opportunities for the ECCE
(NVKET)
teaching professions. In-service pre-school
SEED Institute
professionals can apply for the ECCE-STEP
WSQ Professional Diploma scholarships to pursue degree programmes
in Early Childhood Care & in areas of specialisations such as Chinese
Education [WSQ PDECCE] language, child development or business
(Childcare)
management.
KLC School of Education More information on WDAs ECCE-STEP Scholarships can
WSQ Professional Diploma be found at www.wda.gov.sg
in Early Childhood Care &
Education [WSQ PDECCE]
(Childcare)

15 / Professional Conversion Programme for Mid-Career Entrants