Advanced Certificate in Early Years (ACEY)
Advanced Certificate in Early Years (ACEY)
About Course
If you have a love for caring for infants 2 months to 3 years old and would like to gain fundamental knowledge and skills to apply basic health, hygiene, safety and nutrition practices for them, the Advanced Certificate in Early Years (ACEY) course is for you!
This course is also available in Chinese here.
Acquire knowledge and skills
- Acquire necessary practical knowledge and skills to interact, plan and implement programmes, and set up conducive environments in childcare settings for children from birth to three years of age.
Deepen your understanding
- Understand the guiding principles behind the practices of the Early Years Development Framework 2023 (EYDF 2023). Apply and implement the suggested practices stated in the EYDF 2023 in their work with young children and families.
Practice-oriented training
- Participate in 3 practicums totalling 180 hours in an ECDA-registered early childhood development centre with infant care.
Find out more about the modules covered in this course here.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be conferred the ACEY by NIEC and be eligible for certification as EY2* educators by ECDA. You will be qualified to care for infants, playgroups & pre-nursery groups, and children from 2 months to 3 years of age.
*Graduates below 21 years old will be granted EY2C certification and be re-certified at EY2 certification level automatically once they turn 21 years old.
Enjoy full course fee sponsorship under the Career Conversion Programme (CCP)!
Under Workforce Singapore’s CCP, your employer may sponsor your training at NIEC and provide a monthly salary during your course.
Note: Only the day intakes (8 months) are eligible for sponsorship under CCP. Night intakes (14 months) are NOT eligible.
Here’s how it works:
- Secure sponsorship by an early childhood development centre (ECDC) licensed by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). You may need to fulfil a bond to work with your employer. Visit the ECDA website for job portals and contact the centres directly for CCP opportunities.
- Apply for our courses within 6 months of being hired. Upon successful enrolment, you will start your training at NIEC while working at the ECDC.
- Enjoy full course sponsorship and a monthly work salary, provided by your employer!
The CCP is open to all company-sponsored applicants who:
- Are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents aged 21 years and above;
- Graduated or completed National Service, whichever is later, at least 2 years at the point of application;
- Are newly-hired by participating ECDA-licensed ECDCs;
- Are not in the same job role prior to joining the CCP.
To be eligible, you must be employed as a trainee teacher for no longer than 6 months from the course application date. Other terms and conditions apply. Learn more.
This course is eligible under Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP), click here to find out more.
Other funding support and financial schemes may be available. Find out more here.
Entry Requirements
Local Qualification
- Completed Secondary 4 education, AND
- Obtain ONE of the following:
- A credit in GCE O-level English (EL1); OR
- An English Language Acceptable Alternatives (ELAA); OR
- An average score of 5 for the Workplace Literacy (WPL) Comprehensive Series, consisting of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing, AND obtain a minimum score of 5 for the Writing component.
Foreign Qualification
- Completed 10 years of formal education, AND
- Obtain ONE of the following:
- An English Language Acceptable Alternatives (ELAA); OR
- An average score of 5 for the Workplace Literacy (WPL) Comprehensive Series, consisting of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing, AND obtain a minimum score of 5 for the Writing component.
Other Qualification
- Existing Preschool Teachers:
- ECDA-certified L1/L2 preschool teachers may apply for the Professional Certificate in Infant Care (PCIC), subject to entry requirements.
Alternate Pathway:
If you have other relevant qualifications, you can contact the course in-charge to learn more about the alternate pathway.
Fees Payable
Download the 2024 course fee table below.
Note: The course fee shown is an estimate only. Course fees payable are subject to revision, funding eligibility and approval. Please contact us for details on course fees.
Registration Fee
$87.20 (inclusive of GST).
Note: The registration fee is non-refundable.
Course Schedule
8 months / 600 hours
Monday to Friday: 2pm to 6pm
Please note:
- Course schedule and venue are subject to changes. NIEC reserves the right to reschedule/cancel any programme and amend information without prior notice.
- Classes will only commence if the minimum class size is met. A confirmation email will be sent to you at least 3 weeks before course commencement.
- Priority will be given to applicants enrolling under the Career Conversion Programme.
- Your learning is important to us, and we have designed our lessons to facilitate your optimal learning experience for this course. Our courses are largely conducted online and around 40% of lessons will be conducted face-to-face for effective learning across practice-oriented sessions, such as for child safety and child development. You will be expected to attend the face-to-face lessons physically. A schedule of upcoming modules will be provided to you in advance before course commencement.
- A course orientation will also be conducted face-to-face where you will be provided with important information about the course, NIEC’s academic policies, the support that you can expect to receive as a student and connect with your community of learning. You are required to attend this session and will be notified of the date and venue 2 to 3 weeks prior to the orientation.
Hear More From Our Students!
I enjoyed the sharing from my lecturers and classmates which broadened my vision on early childhood. I am very excited and would like to apply what I have learnt and heard from them to my first job in early childhood.
The course content is rich and prepare the students well. With hands-on practical sessions I’m able to put theories into action. Lecturers are very experienced and helped me to deepen my understanding on how dedicated an early childhood educator should be.
Su See Ling,
Graduate of ACEY 2022Before You Apply
Here is a checklist for you to download to prepare your application.
Have questions? Connect with us!
Ms Hasinati Binte Lateh
hasinati_lateh@niec.edu.sg
