Press Releases

Annex A

1. How is the AIE training different from the current training for infant educarers?

Both AIE training and the existing training for Infant Educarers (i.e. Higher Certificate in Infant Care (HCIC)) can be done part-time where individuals can spend a part of their working hours attending training. However, on-the-job training will make up a larger portion of the AIE training compared to the HCIC course, for which a majority of the training is delivered within the classroom. The AIE training is aimed at equipping individuals with the fundamental skills for quality infant care, while HCIC training aims to give candidates more robust grounding in child development and guidance on planning developmentally appropriate activities.

2. Who can apply for the Allied Infant Educarer (AIE) training?

To be eligible for AIE training under the current pilot, individuals should: 

• Be hired by participating AOP infant care centres
  
• Be 21 years old or above
  
• Have the right aptitude and competency to care for infants
  
• Applicants will be assessed through modes such as interviews and written tests.
  

3. Who can qualify to be a Senior Infant Educarer?

To be eligible to take on the role of Senior Infant Educarer, nominees must:

• Be nominated by participating AOP infant care centre with the right aptitude and potential to mentor and lead a team
  
• Be an ECDA-registered pre-school teacher or educarer with relevant experience working with infants.

4. How many AIEs is ECDA targeting to train?

ECDA targets to train about 200 AIEs within the next two to three years. This is subject to the response from the operators and the take-up from potential new entrants.

5. Will the AIE training be opened to non-AOP infant care centres?

Currently, the AIE training is only opened to selected AOP infant care centres as it is still in the pilot phase. More information will be provided after ECDA has reviewed this pilot.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (PDP) FOR EDUCARERS (PDP(E))

6. Who is eligible for PDP(E)?

To be eligible for the PDP(E), nominees must:

a. Have at least 3 years of relevant teaching experience in the early childhood sector;

b. Be currently employed in a pre-school registered or licensed with ECDA;

c. Be a Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident;

d. Be nominated by their current operator; and

e. Have met the competencies and skills of Infant/Toddler Educarer or Beginning Educarer as described in the Skills Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).

7. What can educarers look forward to under PDP(E)?

The PDP(E) is a 3-year structured programme in line with the National SkillsFuture movement. It aims to develop educarers who have the potential to perform larger job roles, for example, Senior Educarers. Educarers can look forward to the following professional development activities:

a. Core Training on the Curriculum Resources under ECDA’s Early Years Development Framework: This course is designed to enable Educarers to better understand the 3 Rs – Respectful, Responsive and Reciprocal interactions, apply the 3 Rs in daily interactions and relationships with children and develop strategies for teamwork and centre-family

b. Communities of Practice: This is to encourage active contribution and co-creation of knowledge and learning of skills amongst Educarers.

c. Showcase of Learning: This is to showcase learning and exchange ideas and best practices.
           d. Electives:

• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses
  
• Teacher training programme modules that allow for career progression (CET DECCE-T, ACEY Top-up, ACECCE pre-requisite modules and ACEY pre-requisite  modules1​ )​
  
• Projects (Innovation or Practitioner Inquiry Grant projects or Centre-based projects)

 ​1  ​​​CET DECCE-T: CET Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education - Teaching; ACEY Top-up: 
    Advanced Certificate in Early Years Top-Up; ACECCE: Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Care & Education

8. How many educarers can we expect for the PDP(E)?

     The number of participants will depend on the quality of nominations received and response 
     from the operators and educarers. We expect around 200 candidates to benefit from PDP(E)
     over the next four years.

9. What is the progress of the PDP for Teachers?

     More than 200 pre-school teachers have been appointed to the PDP for Teachers since its
     roll-out last year.

10. How many can we expect to benefit from the PDP?

       As we further develop the PDP and increase the selection of modular courses for future
       batches of PDP participants, we expect more early childhood educators to participate in PDP. 
       In all, we  expect up to 1,000 early childhood educators to benefit from all tracks of the PDP
       over the next four years.

Annex C

SKILLSFUTURE STUDY AWARD FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD (EC) SECTOR

11. Why is the ADECT supported with the SkillsFuture Study Award?

       The ADECT aims to support the upgrading of Senior Pre-School Teachers to Lead Teachers. 
       This is in line with the objective of the SkillsFuture Study Award to support skills deepening, and 
       professional and career development of our early childhood educators.

12. What is the eligibility criteria for SkillsFuture Study Award? How many will be selected or 
       targeted each year?

       The eligibility criteria for SkillsFuture Study Award is as follows:

• Singaporeans with at least 3 years of work experience in the EC Sector
  
• Committed to deepening skills in the sector
  
• Has a track record of contributing to learning and training of self and/or others
  
• Must be accepted into and provide proof of admission to supported course (i.e. ADECL or ADECT) [Full Qualification] before applying for the SkillsFuture Study Award for Early Childhood (EC) Sector
  
• Must not have begun Post-Diploma Certificate 2 of supported course (i.e. ADECL or ADECT) before the end of the application period
  
• Not a previous recipient of any SkillsFuture Study Award

        The number of recipients for the SkillsFuture Study Award depends on the quality of 
        applications received. ECDA aims to support as many deserving candidates as possible.

13. For a certified teacher, between PDP(Teacher), ADECT and ADECL, which should he/she 
       choose?

       These programmes target different groups of teachers, and teachers should consider applying 
       for a programme that best meets their needs and career aspirations. In particular:

• The PDP(Teacher) targets Pre-school Teachers with at least 3 years’ experience to help them  develop the competencies needed take on a senior teacher role at their centre.
  
• ADECT supported by SFSA targets Senior Pre-school Teachers with at least 3 years’ experience to prepare them for the role of teacher leadership (i.e. Lead Teachers).
  
• ADECL supported by SFSA targets Senior Pre-school Teachers with at least 3 years’ experience to prepare them for the role of centre leadership (i.e. Centre Leaders).

       There are also distinctive features of the respective programmes (e.g. nomination by 
       operator, certification) which the individual can factor into his/her decision. Please refer            
       to Annex D for examples of the programmes that an Early Childhood professional may  
       undertake.

14. Will the SkillsFuture Study Award be extended to other EC courses?

       At this point, the supported courses for the EC sector are the ADECL and ADECT programmes. 
       ECDA will continue to review whether the SkillsFuture Study Award can be extended to 
       other EC courses in future, that can help EC educators to deepen their skills.

Annex D

SUMMARY OF KEY OF PROGRAMMES TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS AT EACH STAGE OF THEIR CAREERS

* Acronyms:
ADECT: Advanced Diploma for Early Childhood Teaching & Learning
ADECL: Advanced Diploma for Early Childhood Leadership
DECCE-T: Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education – Teaching
ACECCE: Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Care & Education
ACEY: Advanced Certificate in Early Years
HCIC: Higher Certificate in Infant Care

• In line with the Skills Framework for Early Childhood Care & Education, Early Childhood (EC) professionals have opportunities to develop professionally and progress based on their competencies.

• For trainee teachers:
              o ECDA Training Awards for full-time students at the ITE, Polytechnics and University.
              o Enhanced internships for both full-time EC Polytechnic Diploma and ITE Higher Nitec 
                  Students, with more structured learning outcomes, mentoring and a longer duration to 
                  strengthen applied learning, supported by an Early Childhood Capability Grant.
  

• For in-service professionals:
               o SkillsFuture Study Award to develop EC educators to assume leadership responsibilities. 
                   This award is currently open to EC educators who are Singapore Citizens, have been 
                   successfully accepted into ADECL or ADECT and have at least 3 years of working 
                   experience in the EC sector.
               o Profess ional Development Programme to equip teachers and educarers with skills and 
                   competencies for larger job roles.
               o ECDA Fellows programme to recognise and tap on pinnacle leaders to drive quality 
                   improvements across the sector, and help strengthen the fraternity of EC educators.

• For mid-career entrants:
               o The Professional Conversion Programme (PCP), an accelerated training programme for 
                   career-switchers, with training stipend co-funded by WSG
               o Place-and-Train mode for EC educator training courses at all levels​