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LET'S GET STARTED!
If you're on this page, you have probably been thinking about what it takes to make a difference in children's lives and the prospects in early childhood education. Hear from our Director & CEO, Mrs Loke-Yeo Teck Yong on the possible pathways in the early childhood sector and the NIEC experience.
Are you ready for an exciting journey toward your dream of becoming an early childhood educator? Just as you'd prepare meticulously for a trip to ensure a smooth experience, embarking on a career in early childhood education requires careful planning and preparation too. Discover the essentials of becoming an early childhood educator and how you can apply for our courses via the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) here!
USEFUL TOOLS FOR PARENTS
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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 a 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! The EAE application periods for ITE and polytechnic admissions are as follows:
ITE Admission:
- 21 May 2024 - 28 May 2024 (Graduating N/O-Level and final-year Nitec students)
Polytechnic Admission:
- 6 June 2024 - 24 June 2024 (Final-year ITE students)
- 20 June 2024 - 26 June 2024 (Graduating O-Level students)
- 3 June 2024 - 30 June 2024 (Working adults with at least 2 years of relevant work experience)
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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 Polytechnic 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 portfolio requirements and interview process. Do prepare your 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
- Photos of your interactions with young children
During the interview:
You will answer questions from a panel in a group setting and work with those in your group to plan and present an activity for young children.
Note: Students who apply for NIEC's polytechnic courses via EAE are evaluated by the same NIEC panel regardless of the campus they are applying to.
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What qualities is NIEC looking 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.
If you’re a post-secondary student at NIEC (ITE), NIEC (NP) or NIEC (TP), you’ll get to enjoy a dual-identity where you’re a student of NIEC and the campus you are enrolled in! You can enjoy campus facilities and join a CCA at your respective campuses. Additionally, you can enroll in electives in niche areas offered at other campuses. You can also participate in events like learning journeys and naptime webinars. There are even opportunities for you to go on overseas study trips, and exchange programs to develop a global perspective on early childhood education.
ITE Progression Award (IPA)
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has recently announced the ITE Progression Award (IPA) to better support Singaporean ITE graduates to upskill to a diploma. NIEC is pleased to share that our early childhood diploma courses are eligible for the IPA award.
- Singaporean ITE graduates, aged 31 and below enrolled in our early childhood diplomas from 1 March 2024 to 31 December 2024 will get a $5,000 PSEA top-up upon enrolment and $10,000 CPA-OA top-up upon diploma completion, and
- Singaporean ITE graduates, aged 30 and below enrolled in our early childhood in 2025 or after will get a $5,000 PSEA top-up upon enrolment and $10,000 CPA-OA top-up upon diploma completion
All qualifying Singaporeans will only be eligible for the IPA once.
*Please refer to the MOE's website for the full details and the image below to check your eligibility:
Image Source: MOE's website - Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Progression Award (IPA)
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): Early Intervention Track or Mother Tongue Language Teaching Chinese or Tamil Track
- NIEC (TP): Visual Arts Track or Mother Tongue Language Teaching Malay Track
NIEC offers a diverse range of learning modes beyond textbooks. You'll get to go through hands-on experiences where you'll engage in microteaching (i.e. conducting lessons for your peers acting as preschoolers) and much more!
Watch here to find out from our students on why they decided to join early childhood and what they enjoy learning! Hear from some of our Class of 2024 graduates who shared about their journey and accomplishments at NIEC!
Hear from NIEC (NP)’s
Class of 2024!
Hear from NIEC (TP)’s
Class of 2024!
Hear from NIEC (ITE)’s
Class of 2024!
Travelling with a companion always adds to the thrill! Our lecturers are more than just instructors, but your trusted companion to guide you through your educational journey.
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
Students enrolled in our courses are 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 polytechnic courses here and higher Nitec course here.
Applications to our polytechnic courses close on the following dates:
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For O-level students 26 June 2024 |
For ITE students 24 June 2024 |
For working adults 30 June 2024 |
Applications to our higher Nitec course close on the following date:
| 28 May 2024 |
Have questions?
Email us at niec_eae@niec.edu.sg
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All the best!
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