NIEC JAE 2026
Step Up to the Early Childhood Quest!
Gear up to train, level up your skills, and champion the future of young minds.
From unlocking new abilities to inspiring the next generation, your quest to become an early childhood educator starts here.
This microsite is your guide to NIEC’s early childhood courses and how to embark on your journey through the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) 2026.
Useful Tool for Parents
Get more information about the early childhood sector and how NIEC supports your child here!
Step Into a Rewarding Future in Early Childhood
Discover why joining the early childhood sector is a quest worth taking — expand each section below to unlock the rewards waiting for you!
Early childhood educators are in the privileged position of being a child’s first teachers during a crucial period of rapid brain growth. By nurturing young minds and teaching essential skills and values, you can help build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Curious about what it’s really like to be an early childhood educator? Meet the educators who make a difference, one child at a time.
Additionally, hear from our students as they reflect on the moments from their early years that sparked a dream — to become the kind of preschool educator they once looked up to here!
The government has implemented initiatives to support the growth of the sector, creating opportunities for both career and educational progression. During the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA)’s Early Childhood Celebrations 2024, Minister for Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli shared that close to 40,000 new infant and childcare places will be developed from 2025 to 2029 (November 2024, ECDA). This expansion would mean you can enjoy employment opportunities and job security in the sector.
Below is an indication of the expected gross monthly salary ranges for EC educators in Anchor Operator (AOP) centres by 2024. You can find more information here.
Preschool Educators: From $2,900
Infant & Early Years Educators: From $2,600
Your journey doesn’t stop at being an educator. With our diploma, you can:
- Apply for full-time degree programmes at Autonomous Universities (AUs) or overseas universities. You may find the full university accreditation list here.
- Continue learning through NIEC’s post-diplomas or continuing professional development courses.
The Traits of an Early Childhood Champion
Are you ready to begin your journey as an early childhood educator? Discover if you have these core traits to become one!
Additionally, ensure that you embody key qualities such as resilience, the ability to collaborate effectively in a team, professionalism, and enthusiasm.
The Training Grounds
Gain key skills, unlock potential and prepare for your early childhood quest at our campuses! Explore NIEC’s early childhood education courses, offered in collaboration with ITE College Central, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) and Temasek Polytechnic (TP).
• NIEC (ITE) Campus: Higher Nitec in Early Childhood Education (V42)
• NIEC (NP) & NIEC (TP) campuses: Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Education (N96 & T68)
• NIEC (NP) Campus: Diploma in Tamil Studies with Early Education (N95)
Pro-tip: Deepen your skills with specialisations you can take in your final year! Both our NIEC (NP) and NIEC (TP) campuses 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.
Did you know you can get your training fully sponsored and receive a monthly allowance with the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) Training Award?
ECDA Training Award (ITE) | ECDA Training Award (Polytechnic)
Additionally, learning isn’t just in lecture halls at NIEC, but it happens in special classrooms that stimulate real preschool environments. You’ll get to lead microteaching sessions with peers acting as preschoolers, engage in hands-on activities that bring teaching to life…and more.
Hear from our students on what they love most about studying at NIEC here!
Meet the Champions and Your Mentors
Every champion has a story — hear from our alumni who’ve completed the early childhood quest! Discover what our NIEC students enjoyed most, and the skills they gained along the way.
At NIEC (NP), the lecturers always make classes engaging and take the time to guide us. I also had the chance to connect with both local and international early childhood educators, such as when I represented NIEC at EduTECH Asia 2024. There’s still a misconception that early childhood education isn’t important, but my 6-month internship taught me otherwise. Watching the children grow with confidence, curiosity, and joy reminded me how powerful our role as educators can be. It’s in those everyday moments—the spark in their eyes when something clicks, or the stories they share—that you truly feel how being part of a child’s growth is both a privilege and a blessing.
During my time at NIEC (TP), I’ve had the privilege of learning from supportive and dedicated lecturers who guided me in finding my footing in the early childhood sector. The theory and hands-on practicum experiences helped me understand the importance of building meaningful relationships with young children. I learned how small gestures like listening attentively or offering encouragement can have a significant impact on a child’s confidence and willingness to learn. For males interested in the sector, I strongly encourage you to take the leap! You can also bring valuable perspectives and be inspiring role models for all children.
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.
I’ve always appreciated how our lecturers at NIEC (ITE) design practical and hands-on lessons! These experiences prepare us to apply what we've learned in real preschool settings. I enjoyed my internship where I worked with children from diverse backgrounds and learning needs. To better support each child and create an inclusive learning environment, it pushed me to think critically about the lesson materials I create and to adapt my classroom management strategies. I’m excited to deepen my skills at NIEC (NP) where I’ll be pursuing the Diploma in Early Childhood Development and Education
And behind every champion is a mentor. Our NIEC lecturers are here through each stage of your journey, sharing experience, tips, and inspiration to help you succeed.
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.
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 NIEC students 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.
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
Your Quest Awaits—Champion the Future, Starting Today!
Now it’s time for the ultimate move! Apply for our courses via JAE and begin your journey as an early childhood educator.
The JAE 2026 application dates haven’t been released yet — but don’t worry, we’ll update this page once they’re out. Stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled!
Additionally, visit here for more information.
The JAE 2026 application dates haven’t been released yet — but don’t worry, we’ll update this page once they’re out. Stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled!
Additionally, visit here for more information.
You can visit us during the Open Houses at Ngee Ann Polytechnic or Temasek Polytechnic! It’s the best way to get a feel of what studying at NIEC is like by learning more about our facilities & speaking with our lecturers and students. Follow us on Instagram or TikTok for more details on the upcoming Open Houses!
Got a question? Browse our FAQ for quick answers — and if you don’t find what you need, email us at discoverniec@niec.edu.sg
Good luck & looking forward to seeing you soon!
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