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LET'S GET STARTED!
Hello, aspiring early childhood educators! You’re about to head out on a fun and exciting picnic!
You’re about to uncover the know-hows to take a step closer towards achieving your dream as an early childhood educator. You will gain useful information about applying for our early childhood (EC) courses via the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) too.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started with a message from our Director & CEO, Mrs Loke-Yeo Teck Yong!
USEFUL TOOLS
There may seem to be a lot to prepare for but fret not! We are here to give you a rundown:
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What is Early Admissions Exercise (EAE)?
EAE is an aptitude-based admissions exercise that allows students to apply for and receive conditional offers for admission prior to receiving their final grades. If you have strong aptitude and passion in the early childhood field, scroll down to find out more on how you can apply for EAE!
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When is EAE?
Mark your calendars! Mark your calendars! The EAE application periods for ITE and polytechnic admissions will be as follows:
ITE Admission:
- 24 May - 30 May (Graduating N/O-Level and final-year Nitec students)
Poly Admission:
- 8 June - 14 June (Final-year ITE students)
- 22 June -28 June (Graduating O-Level students)
- 5 June - 2 July (Working adults with at least 2 years of relevant work experience)
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Where can i find out more?
Join us for our Learning Journeys to our campuses! You will get to:
- find out how to secure a spot in NIEC,
- gain tips on how to ace your Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) application,
- talk to our lecturers and students about our vibrant campus life,
- get a sneak peek of lessons that you'll take as an early childhood student, and
- tour around our campuses
Register here
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How do I apply for EC courses via ITE EAE?
Here’s how in 3 easy steps:
- Apply via the ITE EAE portal during the application period.
- Choose up to 3 courses.
- Submit a write-up (up to around 100 words), List down your talents, aptitude, achievements, passion and interests relevant to the early childhood course.
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How do I apply for EC courses via Polytechnic EAE?
Here’s how in 3 easy steps:
- Apply via the Poly EAE portal during the application period.
- Choose up to 3 courses.
Pro Tip: If you apply for the Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Education (ECDE) in Ngee Ann Polytechnic (N96) & Temasek Polytechnic (T68), they will be counted as 2 choices. - Submit 2 write-ups, namely:
- A course-related write-up on your interest for early childhood education (max. 600 characters)
- A write-up on your talents/achievements (max. 1,000 characters)
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What happens when I’m shortlisted for an interview?
Before the interview:
If you are shortlisted for an interview, you will receive an email with more details on your e-portfolio requirements and interview process. Do prepare your e-portfolio in advance! It should illustrate your passion for the course, your positive attributes, and your potential to do well as an early childhood educator.
Not sure what to include? Here are some examples:
- Your achievements in school/work. and
- Photos of your interaction with young children.
During the online interview:
On the day of the interview, you will get to answer questions from our panel, in a group! You will also work together in your small group to plan and present an activity for young children.
Note: Students who apply for NIEC's polytechnic courses via EAE, be it for Ngee Ann Polytechnic or Temasek Polytechnic, are evaluated by the same NIEC panel.
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What are the qualities NIEC looks for in an applicant?
To be an early childhood (EC) educator, here is what you will need:
- Passion to nurture, inspire, educate and care for young children; and want to make a difference by giving every child a good start
- Potential to do well as an EC educator
- Positive attributes that every EC educator should have, such as keenness to learn, ability to work well in teams, disposition to care for others, as well as having good values and social skills
If this sounds like you, you’re on the right path to a fulfilling EC career!
Not sure which campus to study in and course to take? Watch the video to hear more from our students about campuses! Lessons aren’t always in lecture theatres or classrooms at NIEC. We have special rooms that simulate real-world early childhood learning facilities.
Click to find out more about the 4 EC courses shared by our students below!
Pro-tip: Deepen your skills with specialisations you can take in your final year*!
Both NIEC (NP) and NIEC (TP) offers the Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Education. You can get to choose the following specialisation tracks in your third year:
- NIEC (NP) Campus: Early Intervention Track or Mother Tongue Language Teaching Chinese or Tamil Track
- NIEC (TP): Visual Arts Track or Mother Tongue Language Teaching Malay Track
Just like assembling a sandwich, various ingredients play an important part in your early childhood training with us! Everyone’s early childhood journey is going to be unique and special!
How you’ll learn is just as important, it’s not just textbooks here. You’ll get a strong foundation through hands-on experience where you’ll be engaged in microteaching (where you conduct a lesson for your peers acting as preschoolers), and more!
Hear from our students on why they decided to join early childhood and what they enjoy learning!
Watch here!
All pumped up and ready to get into the groove of things?
Try out these lessons, where our lecturers share their expertise with you through fun activities!
FUN WITH FINGER PUPPETS
AESTHETICS & CREATIVE EXPRESSION MODULE, MUSIC AND MOVEMENT LESSON
How can you help preschoolers recognise elements of music, explore body movements, and get used to daily routines? Join our virtual lesson and gain the skills to engage young children in learning – with fingerplay and finger puppets!
LET'S LEARN LETTERS
EARLY INTERVENTION & TEACHING APPROACHES MODULE
MULTI-SENSORY APPROACH LESSON
Some children may face learning difficulties. One helpful intervention strategy that we learn is the multi-sensory approach. Watch this lesson to see how we can use this approach to teach children letters and phonics in a meaningful and engaging way!
Our lecturers are so much more than just coaches, they are your partners to an incredible experience!
IMMERSING IN ROLEPLAY
I teach a Drama module that involves various drama strategies they can apply in the classroom. I give my students roleplay scenarios to help them fully immerse themselves in the strategies. For example, I give some students the role of a teacher doing a dramatic reading of a storybook to their children! This helps them better understand the process of each strategy.
- Ms Amelia George, lecturer
ART IS FOR YOU & EVERYONE
Visual arts have always been a vital area for children’s holistic development in critical thinking, openness to new experiences and creativity. These are 21st-century competencies for a new world we face today. As we train students to be early childhood educators, it is important for them to harness the interest in the visual arts, so that they can create an encouraging and creative environment for children and be the nurturing educator alongside children.
- Mr Terence Lin, lecturer
GUIDING EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
As lecturers, we play the role of mentors too! I make time to listen to my students, especially when they are struggling to cope or need a listening ear. I always assure my students that our classroom is a safe space and they are free to express their thoughts and ask questions. Reminding them that all their questions and opinions are valued also sets an example for them. When they become teachers, they should do the same in their classroom.
- Ms Claire Chan, lecturer
If you’re enrolled under our courses, you will be eligible to apply for the Early Childhood Development Agency (EDCA) Training Award! This includes full course sponsorship of fees, learning resource grant for study-related expenses, monthly study allowance of at least $500 and more!
You can find out more here.
Wondering what life is like after you graduate? Let’s take a trip to where you will be working.
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Our alumni has more to share too!
Of course, your journey doesn’t stop at being an educator. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), who takes care of the sector, gives educators plenty of opportunities to progress to leadership roles.
Now that you’re all prepared, let’s take the final step – apply for our poly courses here and higher nitec course here
Applications to our poly courses close on the following dates:
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For O-level students 28 Jun 2023 |
For ITE students 14 Jun 2023 |
For working adults 2 Jul 2023 |
Applications to our higher nitec course close on the following date
| 30 May 2023: |
Have questions?
Email us at niec_eae@niec.edu.sg
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All the best!
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