Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Education (N96 & T68)
Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Education (N96 & T68)
About Course
The Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Education (ECDE) is conducted by NIEC in collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) and Temasek Polytechnic (TP) at the NIEC (NP)/NIEC (TP) campuses. Recognised by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), this professional qualification allows graduates to be certified as early childhood educators in Singapore.
Choose between the NIEC (NP) or NIEC (TP) campus*, each offering its own campus life, facilities, CCAs, student support services, and campus-wide modules. Regardless of the campus you choose, you will receive the same core early childhood training for teaching children aged 18 months to 6 years. You’ll learn to create engaging learning experiences in language and literacy, numeracy, motor skills development and more. Additionally, you’ll gain hands-on experience through internships and training with experienced educators throughout the diploma!
You will also have opportunities for cross-campus learning through specific electives. In your final year, you can deepen your skills with specialisations—Early Intervention or Mother Tongue Language (Chinese or Tamil) tracks at NIEC (NP), or Visual Arts or Mother Tongue Language (Malay) track at NIEC (TP).
*Course Codes:
- Diploma in ECDE at NIEC (NP): N98
- Diploma in ECDE at NIEC (TP): T68
Core Early Childhood Training
Gain a strong foundation in child development and early childhood education through modules such as:
- Curriculum Planning & Implementation: This module introduces you to the curriculum planning and assessment cycles. The main philosophical and pedagogical principles of various approaches and models of early childhood care and education will be discussed. You will take reference from the Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) Framework to plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate learning experiences for diverse preschool children that integrate different learning areas and learning dispositions. You will also learn how to incorporate various types of play, learning technologies and teaching strategies in their planning.
- Working with the Exceptional Child: This module introduces you to various exceptional needs in young children including physical, cognitive, behavioural, emotional and sensory characteristics that make them different. Trends and issues in relation to inclusive practices and policies will be covered. You will learn about the educator’s roles in an inclusive learning environment, especially in designing individualised learning plans and communicating with families. You will also explore community resources and find out more about professionals that provide support for children with additional needs.
- Aesthetic and Creative Expressions: This module introduces you to an array of visual and performing arts and provides exposure for the appreciation of the creative art forms. In addition, you will develop an understanding about the importance of art experiences in children’s development and discuss issues related to the value of the arts, opportunities for growth and aesthetic development. Theories of creativity and stages of artistic development will also be discussed. You will learn multiple approaches to engage young children in creative-arts expressions that are aesthetically rich and imaginative. Through both theory and experiential sessions, you will encounter the arts at first hand and will design art experiences that are developmentally appropriate, meaningful and informed by practice.
For a full list of modules and detailed descriptions, visit the Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic websites.
Practice-Oriented Learning
- Experience hands-on training through a 22-week enhanced internship programme and 2 practicum attachments, applying the skills and knowledge you gain throughout the diploma.
Deepen Your Skills
- Choose relevant electives in your final year to specialise in the Early Intervention track at NIEC (NP) or Visual Arts track at NIEC (TP), building advanced expertise in your chosen track.
Learn more here on how you can enjoy full course fee sponsorship, professional development funding, and a one-off grant for study-related expenses with the ECDA training award.
Graduates of the Diploma in ECDE meet the professional qualifications of a Level 2 early childhood educator, allowing you to teach children from Pre-Nursery, Nursery, K1 and K2.*
With further studies & training, you may also explore careers in other children-related fields such as:
- Child Support and Family Services
- Early Intervention, Special Needs Education
- Curriculum Development
- Play Therapy
- Teacher Education
*To be certified by ECDA to teach Kindergarten levels (K1 and K2), graduates must have a minimum of a B4 grade in GCE O-Level English as a First Language (EL1) or an equivalent qualification. Students without a B4 in GCE O-Level English Language (EL1) will receive conditional certification to teach Kindergarten levels for two years. They must achieve a B4 in EL1 or an English Language Acceptable Alternative (ELAA) (e.g., IELTS 6.5) within this period, or they will be certified to teach only up to Nursery levels after the two-year conditional certification. Visit here for more information.
Further Studies
With our diploma, you can also:
- Apply for full-time degree programmes at Autonomous Universities (AUs) or overseas universities. You may find the full university accreditation list here.
- Continue learning through NIEC’s post-diplomas or continuing professional development courses.
Entry Requirements
GCE O-Level Certificate
Aggregate type: ELR2B2-A
| Subject | O-Level Grade |
| GCE O-Level English | 1 – 6* |
| Any one of the 1st group of Relevant Subjects for the ELR2B2-A Aggregate Type | 1 – 6 |
| Any one of the 2nd group of Relevant Subjects for the ELR2B2-A Aggregate Type | 1 – 6 |
Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) for N(A) Students
Find out your eligibility and application process below. For more details, visit the Ngee Ann Polytechnic or Temasek Polytechnic websites.
Graduating Higher Nitec Student
- Higher Nitec GPA of at least 2.0 (inclusive of CCA bonus points)
- GCE O-Level English Language (EL) Grades 1 – 6
Foreign Qualifications
Formal Education in English
- Completed 10 years of formal education in English Language; AND
- Passed state exam in 5 different subjects; AND
- Minimum C6 grade in GCE O-Level English Language (EL) OR An English Language Acceptable Alternatives (ELAA)
Fees Payable
Course fees will be at the prevailing rates at the respective campuses. Visit the Ngee Ann Polytechnic or Temasek Polytechnic course fee pages to find out more.
Course Schedule
For graduating GCE O-Level students
For graduating ITE students
For graduating N(A)-Level students
For working adults with 2 years of relevant working experience
Note: Interested applicants are encouraged to list ECDE, i.e. course codes N96 and T68 for NIEC’s Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic campuses respectively, in their choices during the various Admission Exercises.
