Specialist Diploma in Early Childhood
Intervention (Special Needs) (SDESN)

About Course

Note: This course will be conducted via online learning, except for selected modules that will be more effective conducted face-to-face. This is subject to prevailing COVID-19 measures implemented by the government. Students will be notified at least 2 weeks prior to the commencement of modules that are conducted face-to-face.

What You Will Learn

SDESN comprises Post-Diploma Certificates (PDC) 1 & 2.
Click here for a complete list of modules that will be covered in the course.

Entry Requirements

SDESN PDC 1 only

Candidates for SDESN PDC 1 are required to:

• Have completed one of the following qualifications:
  • Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education-Teaching (DECCE-T) or acceptable equivalent; OR
  • NIE Diploma in Special Needs (DISE); OR
  • NIE Certificate in Special Needs (CISE) and 2 ‘A’ levels; OR 
  • Diploma or Degree in a related field* (Psychology, Social Work, Human Services) from a recognised Tertiary Institution; AND
• Have relevant work experience in teaching children (0 – 6 years) in an early childhood or early intervention setting.

SDESN Full Qualification (PDC 1 & 2)

In addition to the above requirements, candidates for SDESN (both PDC 1 & PDC 2) are required to:

• Be employed as Beginning/Early Intervention Educators at an ECDA funded Early Intervention Programmes for Infants and Children (EIPIC) centres; OR
• Be employed as Educators in an Inclusive Support Programme (InSP), OR
• Be employed as Learning Support Educators (LSEds) in a Development Support (DS) and Learning Support (LS) Programme (DS-LS) for preschool.

Note: Completion of PDC 1 is a pre-requisite for PDC 2. 

*Candidates who do not have early childhood training but found to be suitable by Early Intervention Programmes for Infants and Children (EIPIC) centre for the role of an early intervention educator are encouraged to embark on a 120 hours of Child Development modules from the DECCE-T offered as SBMC.

Please note:

• Priority will be given to applicants sponsored by EIPIC Centres, other EC Intervention Programmes, and Early Childhood Development Centres with DS Plus programmes. 
• Completion of PDC 1 is a pre-requisite for PDC 2.
• Candidates who do not have early childhood training but have at least an equivalence of a Polytechnic Diploma and found to be suitable by Early Intervention Programmes for Infants and Children (EIPIC) centre for the role of an early intervention teacher can embark on 120 hours of Child Development modules from the DECCE-T offered as Skills-based Modular Courses (SBMC).

Upon Graduation

Upon completion of PDCs 1 & 2, graduates will be conferred the SDESN by NIEC and will be fully trained as early intervention teachers, as certified by the National Council of Social Services (NCSS).

Registration Fee

S$64.20 (inclusive of GST)

Note: The registration fee is non-refundable.

Administration Fee for Module Exemption Requests

Applicants are strongly encouraged to take up the full SDESN qualification. Those who wish to apply for module exemptions may do so at the point of course application. Please note that there will be a one-time administration fee of $128.40 (inclusive of GST) per student. The fee is non-refundable and will apply regardless of the module exemption outcome.

Fill out your details to find out your estimated course fee!

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.