The MOE Kindergarten Teacher Training Programme offers untrained teaching applicants the opportunity to join the MOE Kindergartens to give a Strong Start to Every Child.
If successful, you will attend a full-time MOE Kindergarten Teacher Training Programme and be deployed as an MOE Kindergarten (MK) teachers on completion of training. The training programme will provide you with an understanding of how children grow and learn in the early years. You will be equipped with the necessary skills to plan and develop activities which are appropriate for the children’s holistic development through an integrated approach to learning. Your learning will be enhanced with close guidance and coaching, especially during the practicum stint, so as to help you better prepare for your role as an MK teacher.
Hear from our MOE Kindergarten Teacher about the MOE Kindergarten Teacher Training Programme!
A Passion to Nurture the Young
Seeing young children grow in confidence day by day gives Ms. Lydia Jiang a great sense of satisfaction. Her passion in nurturing the young has led her to pursue a career as an MOE Kindergarten teacher. She believes that every child deserves a positive environment to learn and develop their potential. “I have always loved interacting with children and being in the pre-school sector gives me the opportunity to nurture these saplings of the future generation,” she says.
Learning on the Job
Lydia started teaching in a pre-school centre without formal training. Hence, when the opportunity came for her to join the MOE Kindergarten Teacher Training Programme (MK TTP), she was thankful as the programme would equip her for a pre-school teaching career at MOE Kindergarten.
Through the MK TTP, Lydia had the opportunity to participate in a practicum at an MOE Kindergarten. “The teaching practicum gave me hands-on experience to translate what I learned into real action in a classroom setting. With guidance and feedback from both my mentor and practicum supervisor, I was able to hone my skills and work on my weaknesses,” she adds.
Lydia also gained a better understanding of how to facilitate children’s learning in the different learning areas to ensure the holistic development of young children. “Modules such as ‘Early Childhood Education and Child Development’ and ‘Creating and Managing the Learning Environment’ allowed me to understand the different milestones of a child’s development, and how the environment can be moulded as the third teacher for the children,” she shares.
In her current role as a teacher at MOE Kindergarten, Lydia actively engages in professional dialogues with MOE pre-school curriculum specialists to sharpen her ability to deliver quality lessons for her children. She believes in keeping an open and teachable mindset when receiving constructive feedback from her colleagues.
Catering to Individualised Needs
Lydia feels that the experience gained during her practicum has prepared her well, for example, about the importance of being flexible when teaching children. “There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all method in teaching. Pre-school educators need to develop and tweak their teaching methods to cater to the needs of different children,” she says.
To those who aspire to be a pre-school educator, Lydia feels that it is important to have a love for children. “Be encouraging; every attempt a child makes is a step forward to understanding himself or herself, and a step closer to him or her developing the skill,” she adds.
SHE SWITCHED FROM MINISTRY JOB TO PRE-SCHOOL TEACHING
The training new pre-school teachers get was part of what attracted Ms Marie Luo, 29, to move from a job at the Ministry of Trade and Industry to be a pre-school teacher. She was trained for eight months under the Ministry of Education's fully sponsored Kindergarten Teacher Training Programme.
Ms Luo, who now works at the MOE Kindergarten @ Punggol View, continues to be trained on the job and has a mentor.
PM Lee cited her in his National Day Rally speech as someone who has switched careers since the Government started upgrading and expanding pre-schools.
To encourage more good people to join the sector, it will raise the standing of the profession and give pre-school teachers better training and careers, he said.
Another perk for Ms Luo is the chance to interact with children. She said: "They not only develop intellectually, but they also start to learn how to share, be independent and care for others. Just being there and watching their growth is a wonderful honour."
Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction.
Who we are looking for
Applicants with the following:
- Effective communication skills and the ability to engage children
- Nurturing and dedicated to the development and well-being of children
- Preferably a tertiary qualification
Remuneration Package
Successful applicants will be offered appointment on contract basis and will receive a monthly salary while undergoing the training programme.
Programme Sponsorship & Grant
Besides receiving a monthly salary, candidates will have their fees for the training programme sponsored by MOE. Candidates will also receive a one-off grant of $1,050 for study-related expenses.
Teaching Bond
Upon completion of the training, candidates are required to serve a 2-year teaching bond at the MOE Kindergartens.
Service Benefits
- School holidays (Teachers can enjoy school holidays if their services are not needed during the holidays)
- Up to 10 days of leave for Urgent Private Affairs (subject to approval)
- Medical leave - 14 days sick leave (if no hospitalisation) and up to 60 days sick leave (with hospitalisation)
- Subsidised medical and dental benefits
- Use of Government Holiday Bungalows
- Group Insurance Scheme at low premium