Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Early childhood education (ECE) is usually referred to as pre-primary school education. In Singapore, compulsory education only starts in Primary 1, or when a child is 7 years old. With an increasing number of mothers in the workforce within Singapore, most children are placed in childcare -which highlights the importance of ECE.
What is the ECDA Agency?
The Early Childhood and Development Agency (ECDA) is Singapore's regulatory and developmental body for the early childhood education sector, responsible for all facets of young children's growth in kindergartens and child care facilities up to the age of seven. ECDA is an independent organization that is jointly managed by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). The Pre-School Education Branch of the MOE and the Child Care Division of MSF have combined their regulatory, planning, professional development, and public education activities under the umbrella of the ECDA, which was formally inaugurated on April 1, 2013.
Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE)
Both kindergartens and child care facilities make up Singapore's pre-school sector. Preschool development programs are offered at kindergartens for children from about 2 years old to those who are younger than 7 years old. Additionally, kindergartens may provide five days a week schedules for Playgroup, Pre-Nursery (or Nursery 1), and Nursery (or Nursery 2). Most playgroup and pre-kindergarten sessions last between two and three hours, whereas nursery and kindergartens one and two last between three and four hours.
For children ranging in age from 18 months to younger than seven years old, child care facilities offer child care services as well as preschool developmental programs. For infants 2 to 18 months old, some centers also offer baby care programs. Centers may provide full-day, half-day, or flexible programs to accommodate various working parents' schedules.
Why is High-Quality ECCE crucial?
In order to guarantee that each child achieves the appropriate learning outcomes, rich and exciting learning environments are created by early childhood educators.
Adult outcomes, such as scholastic success, future wages, health, and socio-emotional development, are strongly influenced by high-quality early childhood education. Thus, the experiences that young children have in their relationships with other people and their surroundings have a significant impact on these outcomes.
Singapore Government: Additional Support for New Hires and In-Service Teachers
The secret to engaging young, curious minds and preparing them for life, lies with early childhood educators. The government is dedicated to assisting early childhood educators who are passionate about providing a positive start for every child. Prospective employees can enter the industry through a variety of routes, such as full-time programs or place-and-train initiatives.
Usual Characteristics of a Early Childhood Educator
The early childhood (EC) educator is committed to promoting the complete development of young children. They foster critical thinking and encourage each child's curiosity and love of learning. Above everything else, the EC educator is a self-assured and qualified professional who upholds the standards of the field.
What are Educarer’s Main Roles and Responsibilities?
The Educarer supports each child's particular needs and fosters their curiosity with commitment, resiliency, and confidence. She/he should be passionate about promoting the overall development of young children.
What are Preschool Teacher’s Main Roles and Responsibilities?
In order to promote each child's overall growth and well-being, the preschool teacher also builds meaningful relationships with each child and his or her family. The preschool teacher exhibits professionalism and commitment in his or her work while being committed to developing educational practice.
What are the Main Roles and Responsibilities of an EC Educator who takes on Teacher and Center Leadership?
An EC educator is a pedagogical change agent who increases teaching and learning capacity. He or she is skilled at promoting learning and does it through a variety of tools, including professional or networked learning groups. She/he is in charge of overseeing center operations and creating structures and procedures to encourage long-term collaborative partnerships with stakeholders.
How to Become an Early Childhood Educator in Singapore?
You must enroll in the appropriate programs, such as
- WSQ Higher Certificate in Infant Care (WSQ HCIC)
- WSQ Advanced Certificate in Early Years (WSQ ACEY)
- WSQ Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Care & Education (WSQ ACECCE)r WSQ Professional Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education (WSQ PDECCE)
These must be obtained at WSQ-approved training organization to obtain the necessary credentials to work as infant educators, early years educators, teacher assistants, or pre (ATOs).
WSQ Programmes in the ECCE industry
The Singapore government welcomes those that wish to work as early childhood professionals in the ECCE sector, particularly if they are passionate about working with children. The secret to stimulating young minds and preparing them for their future and for life, lies with early childhood specialists. The knowledge and skills needed to become an Educarer and Pre-school Teacher are taught through WSQ programmes. Workforce Singapore, the Early Childhood Development Agency, and the industry all recognize the WSQ certificates that are given out by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).
Required Qualifications to Become a Certified Preschool Teacher?
In Singapore, you must possess at least a Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) or a Diploma in ECCE to be eligible to teach preschool. You can either be an English Language Teacher (English as first language) or a Second Language Teacher (Chinese, Malay, Tamil, Non-Tamil Indian Language (NTIL).
Teacher Certification - Verification Proof for Applicants with Foreign Early Childhood Qualifications
If a teacher candidate has foreign early childhood credentials, ECDA will determine if such credentials are sufficiently in line with their ECDA-approved early development programs.
Candidates must provide verification documentation for their foreign qualifications upon ECDA's request. An international verification agency like Veremark should provide the verification proof.
Importance of Verifying Education
The need for education verification services stems from the fact that some candidates exaggerate or falsify their credentials in an effort to land positions for which they are ineligible. Some candidates will deceive employers and state that they attended institutions they never attended or that they hold degrees they never held.
With the advancement of technology, diploma mills or those companies that provide phony certificates and degrees have become popular choices for candidate’s aiming to falsify their education credentials. Candidates can easily order from these companies to make the claim that they went to institutions that don't exist and received degrees they don't have.
To make sure you only hire trustworthy teachers/educators, an education verification will help you swiftly spot any fabrications an applicant may have made about the universities they attended and the degrees they obtained.
Veremark can provide you with reliable, fast and accurate information on a candidate's education.
3 Simple Steps for an Education Verification Process
The entire verification procedure can be completed in 3 easy stages.
1. After placing an order, you will need to supply the applicant's contact information. We will then email the candidate, asking them to enter our secure portal and fill out a brief form with the essential data to begin the checks.
2. The candidate will then need to provide us the following details:
- Full Name
- Awarding Institution Details
- Qualification Attained
- Dates of Attendance (to and from)
- Date of Graduation
- Copies of transcripts, certificate and practicum letters (where applicable)
- Copy of passport
3. As soon as we get the verification, we will let you know that the results are ready and provide you with the login information so you may download them from our site. This verification confirms that the degrees are legitimate and were given out by organizations that are recognized by Singapore's regulatory body which is ECDA.
