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More than 400 Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) leaders will benefit from a first-of-its-kind Early Childhood Education Leadership (ECEL) certificate.
Jointly launched by NTUC First Campus (
NFC) and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (
SUSS), the breakthrough programme places emphasis on both knowledge acquisition as well as on-the-job training.
The one-year certificate course aims to uplift the quality of education leaders and childcare practices in Singapore.
Preschool professionals who are currently in team leader positions are welcome to apply, with the first cohort set to begin on 1 July 2020. They will comprise of nominated NFC staff who are deputy centre leads (vice-principal equivalent) and have fulfilled the admissions requirements by SUSS.
NFC CEO Chan Tee Seng said: “Through our partnership with SUSS, we hope to combine the rigour and high standards that SUSS brings with strong practice-based application at childcare centres.
“NFC will invest more than $3.5 million over five years to design and implement this programme with SUSS. Our goal is to empower preschool professionals to perform their role as pedagogical leaders in their centres.”
The practice-based courses under the ECEL Programme include:
• Introduction to Pedagogical & Curriculum Leadership
• Positive Early Childhood Education
• Supporting Pre-school Children with Diverse Needs
• Quality Assurance for Early Childhood Education Leaders
Initial Thoughts from the First Cohort
Jazlyn Choo, a deputy centre lead at one of NFC’s My First Skool centres, believes that the opportunity to attend this programme will allow her to hone her leadership skills.
“Previously, there was no short-term certificate for leadership, with this new ECEL certificate, I will be able to learn and gain theory and knowledge as well as on-the-job application,” she said.
Nithya Natarajan, an acting deputy centre lead, sees this course as a means to grow her career and be a better leader.
She shared: “Through this ECEL programme, I can have in-depth knowledge of all the theories and strategies that I have learnt to facilitate better teamwork and collaboration at my centre.”
Meanwhile, Hong Weiqian, another deputy centre lead, feels that the programme’s emphasis on learning on-the-ground will be highly beneficial.
“I get to put theory into practice by reflecting on current issues, and by capitalising on our strengths and recognising our weaknesses, I can work collaboratively with my colleagues and lead my team towards uplifting the quality of our centre,” she said.
