Early Childhood Education (ECE) | Part-time Degree

Bachelor's Degree Programme
(Part-time)

The programme is designed for early childhood educators working with children and families.

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Part-Time)

Applications Open: 01 November 2024

Applications Close: 28 February 2025

Next Available Intake: July 2025

Programme Type: Part-time Undergraduate

Fees: View More Details on Fees

Area of Interest: Adult Learning

School/Department: S R Nathan School of Human Development

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Registration may be closed earlier due to overwhelming response.

Register for our programme briefing session at the SUSS Open House on 22 Feb 2025 (Sat) to have your queries answered by our faculty on campus. Meanwhile, do visit our Open House webpage at your own time to read our student and employer testimonials, or watch specially curated videos on our video wall to experience SUSS through our people.

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The early childhood education (ECE) scene in Singapore has rapidly evolved over the last decade. Increasing studies have affirmed and documented the importance of learning and development of children in the first 6 years of life, making early education an increasingly important component of a successful educational, social and family policy agenda in Singapore.

The need to raise the quality of preschool programmes through better teacher training have also been highlighted in recent government initiatives.

Students may pursue Early Childhood Education as a single major or in combination with a Minor.

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Applicants should submit documents to meet two main requirements:

1) General admission criteria for undergraduate programmes.

2) Be currently employed as

L2 (EL) ECDA registered teacher on a full-time basis

In addition to the admission requirements for the programme, applicants will be evaluated on academic merit and/or relevant work experience. Interviews will be conducted for all shortlisted applicants to assess their suitability in terms of their motivation and ability to complete the programme. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo one or more interview(s) and/or take written admission or other evaluation tests.

Priority will be given to preschool educators currently employed full time in the field.

All applications are considered individually and the offer of admission depends on the number of places available. Admission is solely within the discretion of Singapore University of Social Sciences.

There are various types of financial aid (e.g., study grants) available to students. Please click here for more details.

The following study awards/grants are open to the part-time Bachelor of Early Childhood Education students:

Kewalram Chanrai Group Study Grants
Chou Sing Chu Foundation Study Awards
Chan Lai Yee & Chan Ching Yee Study Grants

In addition to the financial aid schemes, there are scholarships which are open to part-time Bachelor of Early Childhood Education students. For example:

Kewalram Chanrai Group Scholarships (open to all part-time female undergrads)
There are also annual scholarships from the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). Applications are made directly to ECDA. Please refer to ECDA their website for more details.

Building on what the teachers already know in relation to the teaching and caring of young children, the programme includes a major subject combination that equips students with advanced knowledge in curriculum design and pedagogy in literacy, arts, mathematics and science for early childhood programmes.

Through the multi-disciplinary courses, learners will be able to critically evaluate their teaching practices and apply their understanding of young children's characteristics and needs to create environments and programmes that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for all children.

The core and elective courses are selected to extend the range of professional knowledge and competencies of the early childhood professional across different disciplines and areas of study and will incorporate latest research-based evidence and practical application to enable students to stay relevant in an ever-changing and evolving ECE industry.

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

For Jul23 intake onwards:
Students are required to complete a total of 130 credit units (cu) to graduate with a basic degree.

The breakdown of the cu to be completed is:

20 cu of SUSS Core courses
50 cu of Major Compulsory courses
30 cu of Major Elective courses
30 cu of Free Electives or Minor

All courses are 5 cu unless stated otherwise.

Please note that minor in management will not lead to ECDA certification for principal/centre leader positions. Those interested in centre leader qualifications should contact ECDA directly for information or look up https://www.ecda.gov.sg/Educators/Pages/Becoming-a-Centre-Leader.aspx.

DOWNLOAD CURRICULUM PLAN

Module Types
SUSS CORE COMPULSORY	NCO101 Living with Community NCO201 Learn to Learn, Learn for Life	10 cu
SUSS CORE ELECTIVES (ENGAGEMENT)	NIE351 Interdisciplinary Global Learning NIE352 Interdisciplinary Problem-Solving	5 cu
SUSS CORE ELECTIVES (PEOPLE)	NCO111 Work and Learning in a Changing World NCO112 Peak Performance NCO113 Teamwork in the Modern Workplace NCO205 User-Centred Design: Human Factors and Design Thinking	5 cu
COMPULSORY	ECE100 Children, Care and Education: Issues and Contexts ECE102 Children as Thinkers and Meaning Makers ECE200 Supporting Sensory and Motor Development ECE208 Assessing and Documenting Learning ECE212 Communication and Emergent Literacy in Play-Based Curricula ECE262 Perspectives on Child Study ECE300 Scientific Enquiry and Social Studies in an Integrated Curriculum ECE304 Supporting Diverse Learners ECE314 Facilitating Children’s Mathematical Thinking ECE316 Practitioner Enquiry and Learning	50 cu
ELECTIVE	ECE210 Advocacy and Collaborations with Families ECE302 Children’s Social and Emotional Learning ECE306 Early Childhood Research Methods ECE310 Birth to Three Responsive Curriculum ECE360 Case-Based Child Study and Intervention ECE362 Teacher Leadership ECE364 Curriculum Planning with Children’s Books ECE366 Comparing Curricular Approaches and Models ECE368 Childhood: Global Perspectives ECE370 Introduction to Edible Education for Children ECE372 Musicking, Moving and Storying with Young Children ECE374 Early Years Technology ECE376 Incorporating Engineering Experiences in Early Childhood Curricula	30 cu
FREE ELECTIVE	GSP100 General/Free Electives	30 cu (Students can use 30 cu to take a minor.)

The programme is designed for early childhood educators who are already ECDA-certified and working in the early childhood sector in Singapore.

Career opportunities in children and education related professions such as early childhood educators, curriculum specialists, enrichment programme specialists, managers, executives and entrepreneurs in children-related industries.

Ang Li Fang

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education with Minor

"The class discussions about the local and international ECE issues and trends had broadened my worldview and encouraged me to reflect critically on my teaching practices to become a better educator."

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Part-Time)

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Part-Time)

Overview

Admission Requirements

Financial Assistance

Programme Structure

Curriculum

Testimonials

Ang Li Fang

Cohort 2021

Master of Early Childhood Education

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Part-Time)

Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Part-Time)

Overview

Admission Requirements

Financial Assistance

Programme Structure

Curriculum

Testimonials

Ang Li Fang

Cohort 2021

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Master of Early Childhood Education

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