Early Childhood Care and Education

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) allows you to groom and shape the lives of our future generation.

The ECCE sub-sector employs about 13,000 personnel. Due to the growing number of ECCE establishments, the demand for manpower is increasing.

Progression Pathway

Note 1: Both courses are delivered on an accelerated basis via Professional Conversion Programmes to reskill new entrants to be kindergarten OR childcare teachers.

Note 2: With effect from 1 Jan 2009, all pre-school teachers must have at least a B4 in English (as a first language) or their Mother tongue. New teachers must meet this language requirement and obtain a Diploma in Pre-school Education-Teaching or a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education-Teaching to be registered as a teacher.

Typical Job Roles

Assistant Pre-School Teacher

They assist in the development of children, supervision of services and programmes as well as preparation and use of resources and aids.

Certificate in Early Childhood Care & Education (CECCE) WSQ Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education
Basic knowledge on pre-school child development such as: Apply basic health, hygiene, safety and nutrition practices for children Enable trainees to collaborate with fellow colleagues, parents and other professionals in supporting children's development Skills and practical knowledge to facilitate lesson-planning

Childcare Teacher

They care for pre-school children, provide guidance and enhance children’s development through daily programmes and experiences.

WSQ Professional Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (Childcare)
Higher level knowledge on infant, toddler and pre-school child development such as: Apply and provide guidance on basic health, hygiene, safety and nutrition practices for children Plan and implement programmes to enhance child’s development Knowledge and skills on classroom and programmes management such as: Manage situations during class

WSQ Professional Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (Childcare)

Higher level knowledge on infant, toddler and pre-school child development such as:

Apply and provide guidance on basic health, hygiene, safety and nutrition practices for children
Plan and implement programmes to enhance child’s development

Knowledge and skills on classroom and programmes management such as:

Manage situations during class

Kindergarten Teacher

They provide guidance and enhance children’s development through planning and implementing daily programmes and experiences.

WSQ Professional Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (Kindergarten Teaching)
Higher level knowledge on toddler and pre-school development such as: Design, implement and evaluate programmes and experience to enhance child’s development Provide positive guidance on basic health, hygiene, safety and nutrition practices for children Knowledge and skills on classroom and programmes management such as: Manage situations during class Work with other professionals and family

WSQ Professional Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (Kindergarten Teaching)

Higher level knowledge on toddler and pre-school development such as:

Design, implement and evaluate programmes and experience to enhance child’s development
Provide positive guidance on basic health, hygiene, safety and nutrition practices for children

Knowledge and skills on classroom and programmes management such as:

Manage situations during class
Work with other professionals and family

Pre-school Teacher (Kindergarten and Childcare)

They care for pre-school children, provide positive guidance and enhance children’s development through planning and implementing daily programmes and experiences.

Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education - Teaching WSQ Professional Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education
Higher level knowledge on infant, toddler and pre-school child development such as: Design, implement and evaluate programmes and experience to enhance child’s development Provide positive guidance on basic health, hygiene, safety and nutrition practices for children Knowledge and skills on classroom and programmes management such as: Work with other professionals and family Manage situations during class

Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education - Teaching WSQ Professional Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education

Higher level knowledge on infant, toddler and pre-school child development such as:

Design, implement and evaluate programmes and experience to enhance child’s development
Provide positive guidance on basic health, hygiene, safety and nutrition practices for children

Knowledge and skills on classroom and programmes management such as:

Work with other professionals and family
Manage situations during class

Pre-school Principals

They lead a team of teachers and manage the administration of the centre. This includes workplace safety and health risks and risk control procedures. They also develop services and programmes for the children, and manage student teacher practicum / attachments and mentoring programmes for student teachers.

Specialist Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education (SDECCE) WSQ Specialist Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education + WSQ Professional Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education
Advance level knowledge on pre-school child development To design and evaluate programmes and experience To manage and develop children with complicated needs Leadership and organisation management skill for childcare / kindergarten centre. Communication and Interpersonal skill To manage effective workplace relationship To work with other professionals and family

Specialist Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education (SDECCE)
WSQ Specialist Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education +
WSQ Professional Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education

Advance level knowledge on pre-school child development

To design and evaluate programmes and experience
To manage and develop children with complicated needs

Leadership and organisation management skill for childcare / kindergarten centre.

Communication and Interpersonal skill

To manage effective workplace relationship
To work with other professionals and family

Click here to download the ECCE WSQ brochure for more information.

"I'm interested in human psychology, and my previous jobs were largely people-centric. But I wanted to work with children as I believe that influences in successful learning, positive attitudes and skills should start from a young age. I made the switch in September 2007 and embarked on the Trainee Principal course in October 2007. The course ends in May 2010. To contribute back to society, I hope to nurture pre-schoolers through strong character-building, so that they will grow into well-adjusted adults."

Agnes Khoo, 50,
Trainee Principal, My First Skool