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The story begins...
BOOKMARK THESE
WATCH THE EAE LIVE TALK REPLAY!
Missed our EAE Talk on 19 June? Catch the replay and get the lowdown on how to ace your EAE application for our early childhood courses!
HAVE ALL THE INFO YOU NEED AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
We created an activity book on applying for early childhood courses via EAE. Download it here!
SCORE AN NIEC EAE E-CERT TO ADD TO YOUR PORTFOLIO
Complete the Early Childhood EAE Story and score >85% in our quiz to get an e-cert that you can include in your portfolio for the EAE application!
EXPRESS YOUR EAE FEELS WITH OUR WHATSAPP STICKERS
Share cute EAE-inspired stickers with your pals, or use them to tell them how you're feeling. Download them here!
FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A TEACHER TO OUR LITTLE ONES
Our Head of NIEC shares the traits we're looking for when it comes to the next generation of preschool teachers.
Every good story starts with good characters. Meet our students Anna and Irfan. They both have always loved working with children, which is why they applied for our courses via EAE!
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EAE can seem intimidating to the uninitiated. Here’s a rundown of EAE you should definitely bookmark if you want to apply for an EC course:
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When is EAE?
Mark your calendars! The EAE application period for admission to polytechnics is as follows:
- 10 June to 16 June (Final-year ITE students)
- 24 June to 30 June (Graduating O-Level students)
- 7 June to 4 July (Working adults with at least 2 years of relevant work experience)
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How do I apply for EC courses via EAE?
Here's how in 3 easy steps:
1. Apply via the Poly EAE portal during the application period.
2. Choose up to 3 courses.
Note: If you apply for the Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Education in Ngee Ann Polytechnic (N96) and Temasek Polytechnic (T68), they will count as 2 choices.
3. Submit 2 write-ups, including:
- A course-related write-up on your interests (600 characters)
- A write-up on your talents/achievements (1000 characters)
And that's it! You will be informed via email if you are shortlisted for an interview.
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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
- Photos of your interaction with young children, AND
- The e-certificate you received from scoring >85% in our Early Childhood EAE Quiz!
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 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 course to take? Click on any of the courses to learn more about them. Choose from our 4 EC courses to include in your line-up of 3 choices for EAE!
Pick from any of these EC courses conducted at our NIEC (ITE), NIEC (NP) and NIEC (TP) campuses:
When your EAE chapter closes and you’ve successfully earned your spot in one of our courses, you’re officially an NIEC student! Get a sneak peek of how your story will unfold below.
If you’re curious about what our students learn, watch some of them get grilled by cute preschoolers about it! ;)
Reading is one way of learning, but at NIEC, a hands-on approach is preferred. Our lecturers are great at sharing their EC knowledge through lessons. Try some of them below!
THE DOT
AESTHETICS & CREATIVE EXPRESSION MODULE, VISUAL ARTS LESSON
Visual arts can be a fun and easy way for children to express themselves. Let us show you how you can extend a storybook to inspire their artistic creativity, while teaching them important life values!
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!
Where Lord of The Rings has The Two Towers, we have our Three Campuses!
There’s no way we’re leaving out some other really important characters in our story. Meet more of our students and lecturers - they've got some stories of their own to share!
PICKING UP THE RIGHT SKILLS
In a module called Child Development, we learn different theories to make sense of the way a child develops. It gave me the observation skills I need to make anecdotal records of children to better understand them. It also helped me to suggest ideas and plan activities that best suit a child’s developmental needs. Every child is different!
- Arfah Rasul, NIEC (NP), previously from Juying Secondary School
HAVING A HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Our practice-oriented learning experiences allow us to be very hands-on! For example, I learnt how to stryofoam-print recently. While it was fun and we got to be messy, I realised that the activity actually engages the sensory and fine motor skills of the child! There’s definitely more to lesson planning than just allowing the child to have fun.
- Lia Lee Makise Chihiro, NIEC (TP), previously from Seng Kang Secondary School
APPLYING THEORY TO PRACTICE
Being on practicum in an actual classroom allowed me to apply what I learnt in my modules in a very fruitful way! I got to observe classroom teaching by senior teachers and even had a go at teaching myself! The theories I picked up in school came in especially handy when I was interacting with students of different needs.
– Ashwini, NIEC (NP), previously from Jurong West Secondary School
ENJOYING "DUAL-IDENTITY"
One of the perks of being a student of both NIEC and the poly I’m in is that I get to explore modules from both institutions that will help me as a preschool teacher. For example, in Global Studies, I learn about the hidden values of other cultures in Southeast Asia. This has helped me to appreciate diversity everywhere, especially in the early childhood classroom!
- Bevinn Ong, NIEC (TP), previously from Edgefield Secondary School
BEING PART OF THE WIDER NIEC FRATERNITY
Having peers from other NIEC campus allows us bounce ideas of with one another. Since we’re all aspiring teachers, we naturally would want to give the best we can for the children under us. We talk about what are the new things we can do to aid the children and making learning more fun.
- S Kirthana, NIEC (NP), previously from Anderson Secondary School
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
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, lecturer
NIEC graduates Sha and Jerin would love to share more of THEIR story as a preschool teacher.
When our students graduate, their stories continue – they become part of the larger fraternity of EC educators in Singapore. It does take a village to raise a child!
They’ll get to meet other preschool teachers that share their passion, like the ones in this video! The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) takes care of the sector, and also gives preschool teachers the chance to progress in their careers.
Now that you’ve heard our story,
ARE YOU READY TO WRITE YOUR OWN?
Apply for our courses via EAE here. Applications to our poly courses close on the following dates:
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For O-level students 30 Jun 2021 |
For ITE students 16 Jun 2021 |
For working adults 4 Jul 2021 |
Don’t forget to take part in our quiz! Score > 85% to get an e-cert that you can include in your portfolio for the EAE application.
Have questions?
Here’s how you can reach out to us!
Telegram us @NIECSingapore
Email us at niec_eae@niec.edu.sg
All the best!
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THE END.