Early Childhood Learning Communities (ECLC)
The ECLC is a platform for senior educators who have a passion for direct teaching practice to advance their pedagogical practices and knowledge in key domain areas, through peer sharing and learning at the sector level. Senior educators who join the ECLC as core members will be known as Pedagogist And Specialist in Teaching and Learning (PASTELs). They will be nurtured to become pedagogical leaders and will go on to lead Communities of Practice (CoPs) for other educators in the future.
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimally meet the relevant competencies and skills required for “Senior Infant Educator”, “Senior Early Years Educator”, “Senior Preschool Educator” (Note: Occupational Title should be accurately reflected in ONE@ECDA at point of application)
- Learning Support (LS) Track: Senior Learning Support Educator/Lead Learning Support Educator/Senior Lead Learning Support Educator
- Early Intervention (EI) Track: Senior Early Intervention Educator/Lead Early Intervention Educator/Senior Lead Early Intervention Educator
- Be employed under a licensed Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) or ECDA-funded Early Intervention Service Provider(s) at the point of application;
- Possess a valid Letter of Notification (LON) issued by ECDA or relevant EC/EI qualifications.
- Able to provide strong evidence of past and/or present records of experiences and involvements in domain area applied for
ECLC Domain Areas
For 2026-2027, there are learning communities on the following domain areas.
Customised Professional Development Opportunities and Support for PASTELs
During the two-year membership, PASTELs can look forward to:
- An induction programme organized by ECDA
- Regular participation in their Learning Community with other like-minded educators
- Opportunities to lead a CoP for other educators
- A professional dialogue with local/overseas domain experts
- A professional exchange among core members
- Other professional development opportunities fully funded by ECDA
- An experienced Resource Person who will lead each domain area’s Learning Community
- A Professional Development grant of $1,500 for self-selected courses and resources relevant to pedagogical leadership
Employers of PASTELs will receive an annual manpower relief fund of up to $800 for every ECLC PASTEL.
Early Childhood Learning Communities (ECLC) Programme Highlights
Early Childood Learning Communities (ECLC) PASTEL's Journey
ECLC 2026 List of Pastels
Congratulations to our third batch of PASTELs whose ECLC membership is from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028.
Click here for the list of 2026 ECLC PASTELs.
ECLC Communities of Practice (CoP) by PASTELs
ECLC CoPs are led and facilitated by PASTELs and aim to engage other educators in peer sharing of pedagogical knowledge and best practices on a topic of interest from a domain area.
Registration for FY25 CoPs are closed. Do look out for new CoP topics led by PASTELs in 2026!
PASTELs Connect Newsletter
Discover how our Cycle 2 PASTELs, who led 35 Communities of Practice and benefited over 500 educators across the sector, are developing professionally through Learning communities, Evidence-based practices, Amplifying impact, and Developing others (LEAD). Click on the first issue of the PASTELs Connect Newsletter here to find out more: https://go.gov.sg/pastelconnect-march2026-issue1
Graphic Recordings from the ECLC Professional Workshop & Dialogue
ECLC PASTELs attended a Professional Workshop & Dialogue with domain experts in Year 1, to deepen their knowledge and broaden their perspective in a topic of interest within their domain areas. View their key insights and discussions via the respective Graphic Recordings below.
Click here to view the Graphic Recordings.
