NIEC EAE 2025
YOUR CAMPFIRE ADVENTURE BEGINS!
Hey, aspiring early childhood educators! Grab your flashlight and step into an exciting campfire adventure where you’ll discover what it takes to become an early childhood educator.
With a rising demand for preschool services and awareness of the importance of early childhood, the need for quality early childhood educators is surging. Watch Minister Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Education, chat with preschoolers and shed light on the importance of early childhood education!
This microsite is a one-stop place for you to gain access to all information about our early childhood courses and for graduating students to find out more about the upcoming Early Admissions Exercise (EAE), 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 passion and aptitude for the early childhood sector, scroll down to learn how you can apply for NIEC’s courses through EAE!
WONDERING IF WORKING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IS THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU?
Join us at NIEC’s Playtime! event on 11 June 2025 to find out! You’ll get the chance to interact with preschoolers and dive into fun, hands-on activities to experience life as a preschool educator.
Connect with our student leaders and lecturers, who will share insights about NIEC’s courses, campus life, and their personal experiences working with young children. Register your interest here!
P.S. You’ll receive a certificate of participation for attending this event—be sure to present it during your EAE interview to showcase your passion for early childhood education!
Click on the image for more information on the event!
USEFUL TOOLS FOR PARENTS
Get more information about the early childhood sector and how NIEC supports your child here!
Are you ready to begin your journey as a preschool educator? Find out what it takes to be one below!
- You love to interact with children! Each child is unique, and seeing their growth and progress is what inspires you.
- You wish to make a lifelong impact. The early years are crucial as it is a period that can powerfully shape children’s brain development, creating the foundation for later life.
- You want to grow professionally. There are various opportunities for you to develop through NIEC’s post-diplomas and continuing professional development courses!
Additionally, here’s a checklist of qualities you’ll need:
- Resilience
- In a Team (Collaboration)
- Professionalism
- Passion
- Love for Learning
- Enthusiasm
Every great campfire adventure starts with finding the perfect spot! Explore our early childhood education courses and find the best route to achieving your dream.
Explore any of our three courses to learn more and get a glimpse of campus life!
• NIEC (NP) & NIEC (TP) campuses: Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Education (N96 & T68)
• NIEC (NP) campus: Diploma in Tamil Studies with Early Education (N95)
• NIEC (ITE) campus: Higher Nitec in Early Childhood Education (V42)
Pro-tip: Deepen your skills with specialisations you can take in your final year! Both NIEC (NP) and NIEC (TP) offer the Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Education but you can choose to specialise in different tracks in your 3rd year*.
- NIEC (NP) campus: Early Intervention or Mother Tongue Language Teaching – Chinese or Tamil Track
- NIEC (TP) campus: Visual Arts or Mother Tongue Language Teaching – Malay Track
*Subject to prevailing terms and conditions.
You can even get your training fully sponsored and receive a monthly allowance with the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) Training Award! Details here: ECDA Training Award (ITE) and ECDA Training Award (Polytechnic)
Lessons aren’t always in lecture theatres at NIEC. We have special rooms that simulate real-world early childhood learning facilities. You’ll get to engage in microteaching (where you conduct a lesson for your peers acting as preschoolers), and more!
Our alumni have more to share too! Read about our Class of 2024 graduates’ journey and accomplishments at NIEC.
The hands-on learning approach adopted by my lecturers was the highlight of my experience at NIEC (NP)! They would immerse us in their planned learning experiences, making the modules appealing and engaging. One of my fondest memories was my 6-month internship as I saw the significant impact preschool educators have on laying the foundation for children’s learning. After graduation, I am eager to embark on my journey as a preschool educator. Early childhood is a very rewarding and fulfilling career, especially after witnessing children achieve their milestones!
My love for the Tamil language and motivation to nurture children into leaders who embrace the Tamil culture and values inspired me to join early childhood education. The theoretical knowledge acquired at NIEC (NP) helped me greatly in implementing effective classroom management strategies. During my internship, I’ve used it as a guide to tailor my approach to meet the unique needs of every child. I believe that male preschool educators can make a profound impact on children’s lives too so don’t hesitate if you’re passionate about joining this field.
Discover how to make the most of your campfire adventure!
Our lecturers are your guides, ready to share their knowledge and experiences to support you every step of the way!
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.
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.
Curious about the skills and knowledge you’ll gain by graduation? Find out below!
Let’s also take a trip to where you’ll be working after graduation.
Experience life as an early childhood educator through the eyes of those who are already making a difference in the sector!
Expected Starting Salary
Upon graduation, here’s the starting salary you can expect*:
Preschool Educators: From $2,900
Infant & Early Years Educators: From $2,600
*The above is an indication of the expected gross monthly salary ranges for EC educators in Anchor Operator (AOP) centres by 2024. View source.
Further Studies
Of course, your journey doesn’t stop at being an educator. As graduates of our diploma programmes, students will be eligible to apply for full-time degree programmes offered by the Autonomous Universities (AUs) or overseas universities. You may find the full university accreditation list here.
Moreover, we provide a full range of courses for early childhood educators at every stage of their career. Even after graduation when they are working as an educator, they can continue upgrading themselves through our post-diplomas or continuing professional development courses!
ECDA, the agency that oversees the sector, also gives educators plenty of opportunities to develop professionally! Discover more about how ECDA can support your early childhood career below!
You’ve soaked in the warmth of our campfire—now it’s time to spark your own journey!
Apply for our courses via EAE and become a beacon of light for little learners.
The ITE and Polytechnic admission dates haven’t been announced yet. Do check back on this page for the latest updates!
Here’s how in 3 easy steps:
- Apply via the ITE EAE portal during the application period.
2. Choose up to 3 courses.
3. Submit a write-up (up to around 100 words), list down your talents, aptitude, achievements, passion and interests relevant to the early childhood course.
Here’s how in 3 easy steps:
- Apply via the Poly EAE portal during the application period.
2. 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.
3. Submit 2 write-ups, namely:
- A course-related write-up on your interest in early childhood education (max. 600 characters)
- A write-up on your talents/achievements (max. 1,000 characters)
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 suggestions:
- Your achievements in school/work
- Photos of your interaction with young children
- If you attend NIEC’s Playtime! Event on 11 June, you’ll receive a Certificate of Participation to support your EAE portfolio (Sign up here!)
During the interview:
On the day of the interview, you will 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 ITE College Central, Ngee Ann Polytechnic or Temasek Polytechnic, are evaluated by the same NIEC panel.
For more information about EAE, visit here.
