18 December 2000

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1.      With effect from Jan 2001, a new Pre-School Education (PSE) Teacher-Training and Accreditation Framework will be jointly introduced by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Community Development and Sports (MCDS). The framework seeks to accredit training courses for supervisors and teachers in child care centres and kindergartens. There will be a clear common training route for those who intend to acquire qualifications at the certificate, and diploma levels. A new Pre-School Qualifications Accreditation Committee will also be formed to accredit all local pre-school training programmes provided by training agencies and to approve other pre-school teacher qualifications. This new framework will support on-going efforts to improve the overall quality of PSE in Singapore.

2.      With the new framework in place, all pre-school supervisors will be required to be trained to diploma level in 4-5 years.

RATIONALE

3.      The objectives for setting up the joint training and accreditation framework are two-fold:

- As there is significant overlap in knowledge and skill requirements between pre-school professionals in child care centres and in kindergartens, the common framework comprises a common training path and core content for courses which meet the needs of both sectors. Thus, there will be expanded career opportunities for pre-school professionals who can now move between the two sectors. This will help to increase the attractiveness of the early childhood care and education sectors.

- Secondly, the new framework will allow for the upgrading of existing training programmes. This will help to enhance the standards and ensure consistency of teacher-training in the pre-school sector.

SUPERVISOR & TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS

4.      Under the new framework, there will be 2 key levels of training for pre-school professionals. The first, called the Certificate in Pre-School Teaching (CPT) is for those intending to be teachers. The second, at Diploma level, is for those who intend to be teachers or supervisors. The Diploma in Pre-School Education -Teaching (DPE-T) is for teachers (DPE-T) and the Diploma in Pre-School Education Leadership (DPE-L) is for supervisors. These Diploma-level training courses will allow pre-school professionals to acquire a broader range of knowledge and skills. Core components such as Safety, Health & Nutrition, Child Development, Personal Growth & Professional Development and Management & Administration, will be expanded. See Annex A for teacher training route.

5.      Pre-school teachers with a minimum of 3 'O'-levels, will be eligible to take the Certificate in Pre-School Teaching (CPT). Teachers with a minimum of 5 'O'-levels can proceed to take the Diploma in Pre-School Education (DPE). The DPE is a 2-tier training that prepares the candidate to be a teacher and leader. The first tier, DPE for Teachers (DPE-T), focuses on the skilful teacher who is knowledgeable in pedagogy and classroom interactions. The second tier, DPE for Leaders (DPE-L), prepares those who aspire to be leaders for supervisory roles in pre-school centres. A 2-tier progression from a teacher to a leader will encourage newly-trained teachers to put to practice and consolidate skills, which they learnt from the DPE-T before progressing to DPE-L.

6.      All pre-school supervisors will be required to be trained to DPE-L level in 4-5 years time. During this period, MOE and MCDS will facilitate as many existing PSE supervisors as possible, who are willing and able to upgrade, to attain the required diploma qualifications. These pre-school professionals will be able to attain a subsidy of up to 80% of their training cost from the Skills Development Fund (SDF).

ACCREDITATION SYSTEM FOR TRAINING AGENCIES

7.      Currently, training for pre-school professionals is provided by several training institutes such as the National Institute of Education, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Kinderland Learning Centre, Regional Training & Resource Centre for Early Childhood Care & Education (Asia) (a subsidiary of NTUC Childcare).

8.      To ensure consistency, all local training programmes provided by the training agencies will have to be accredited. Accreditation will be based on an assessment of the programme's course content, modes of assessment, trainer qualifications, training facilities and resources. The assessment will be made by a new Pre-School Qualifications Accreditation Committee (PQAC). This committee, jointly steered by MOE and MCDS, will draw upon the experience and expertise of service-providers and professionals.

CONTINUAL EDUCATION FOR TEACHERS

9.      As continual training is crucial for raising the quality of PSE over time, MOE and MCDS will also work with training agencies to provide additional teacher training courses, and professional upgrading through workshops, seminars and conferences. These will help pre-school professionals keep abreast of latest developments in PSE research and practice or develop skills in specialised areas, both in teaching and mentorship.

BACKGROUND

10.      In November last year, the MOE set up a Pre-School Education Steering Committee, to study how the quality of pre-school education can be improved. The Steering Committee chaired by Senior Minister of State for Education Dr Aline Wong, includes the Senior Parliamentary Secretary/MCDS, and representatives from MOE, MCDS, NIE, principals, and professionals in early childhood education.

11.      The committee has stated that its intention is not for the Government to take over the provision of PSE, as private sector and community involvement allows for diversity in the ethos and teaching methods of PSE. The committee will instead concentrate on several crucial areas, such as defining outcomes, designing curriculum, training teachers, improving the regulatory framework and conducting research. In line with these objectives, MOE announced a set of desired outcomes for PSE in March. A PSE pilot research study on the benefits of pre-school education was also unveiled last month. This new training and accreditation framework is the latest initiative in the efforts to improve PSE.

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Jointly issued by:
Ministry of Education & Ministry of Community Development & Sports