Recent initiatives to improve the quality and qualification of early childhood staff in Singapore have encouraged many preschool teachers to pursue a degree to enhance their professional career. A quick search online revealed about 9 early childhood related degree courses ( full time and part time) provided by local institutions and local training agencies with overseas partners. As it is not the intention of this post to promote any specific programme, I have listed the names of institutions to help you in your search. The programmes can vary quite widely so please do adequate research on eligibility, course duration, cost, faculty, assessment and module coverage with their partner institutions . Have a look at the following by keyword searching ' early childhood degree singapore'
The degree is a major investment of your time and money. As such, you need to give a great deal of thought to choosing a programme that best suits your needs. Here are 5 questions you may need to think about before you make your choice. (This post is targeted at the majority of preschool teachers who are returning to school as working adults.)
1.What do I need to know about funding it?
The cost of the degree can vary anywhere between between S$14 k to S$52 k for locals. Some of the courses are very heavily subsidised which can help to ease the financial burden . Scholarships are also more readily available now for locally accredited degrees. It is also not uncommon for teachers to be funded by their employers though there will be the associated obligations. Perhaps the issue some overlook is 'What happens if a personal situation arises and I cannot complete it?'. No one ever thinks of this scenario but it is still important to set aside some savings just in case circumstances change. You also need to find out if book costs are covered as these can add substantially to your cost of study.
2.How do I know if it's a 'good' programme?
Most people would rely on the personal reviews from their friends. To be honest, what is good for one person may not necessarily be the same for another. You need to attend the programme briefings and be very clear of the teaching faculty, the class schedule, mode of assessments and modules offered. Some may use the university ranking as an indication of how good the university is. The truth is most of this rankings are based on criteria set by the assessing body so league tables can vary widely ! Some programmes are exam based whereas others may be only assignment based. Ask yourself what works for you. Do note that institutions may also adopt a combination of E learning and intensive study weeks with visiting lecturers. Ask yourself if you prefer a more consistent schedule or how well you can cope with independent learning .In some cases you need an understanding employer who will be willing to give you time off when exams or a load of heavy assignments are due. It can get quite stressful so allow for some flexibility in your life.
3.What skills do I need to be a good student?
Interestingly enough,this would not be a question adult learners would ask themselves.The whole excitement of going back to school seems to override any preparation for being equipped to manage new modes of learning. The difference between a degree and a diploma is a whole lot of reading and writing! If these two skills have never been your favourite activities, you might find you need to learn how to do it better. Start reading journal articles to get a sense of what academic writing entails. Learn to develop critical arguments by reading 'How to write academic essay' books. You will find getting your mind and pen into 'academic mode' saves you a lot of pain when those tight deadlines appear. In addition, learn to use the computer effectively and more importantly how to search databases. Your ability to reference good sources relies on your research skills and your ability to navigate through a plethora of virtual information sources nowadays.
4. What type of a learner am I?
Some of my best students do well because they form their own study groups. You will be surprised that you will learn a lot faster when you have a group of buddies to discuss your course content with. This can also relate to matters related to study skills which most are too shy to ask in class. Never pretend to know. It is better to ask and get and answer before it is too late! Everyone has their own style of learning but having been away from school for a while, you might need to be realistic about how much you are able to absorb now that you are a busy working adult. Learn to note take . Forget memorising, it doesn't work at the degree level! You need to develop the ability to apply your knowledge and analyse issues. Really ask yourself.. do you even know what that means? if not ,start reading samples of academic essays and articles. There really is no short cut to it. And for goodness sake, stop asking for model answers!
5.What will I do with this degree?
It may come as a surprise that not all who start in early childhood education end up taking an early childhood degree. Some realise that they may want to specialise in specific areas such as literacy or special needs.Most importantly ,you need to ask yourself how this degree will add value to your abilities. The degree should build your intellectual competencies to a much higher level. Attaining a degree should enable you to think critically about the issues at work and also create a lifetime learner within you.Perhaps then your investment can be said to have infinite returns! All the best with your application!
“The best university in the world is neither Oxford nor Harvard. The best university is "youniversity". YOU got the lecture halls of thoughts in YOU! You got everything you need to graduate with first class accomplishments put in you! YOU can do it!”
― Israelmore Ayivor, The Great Hand Book of Quotes
- Edith Cowan University
- Deakin University
- James Cook University
- Monash University
- Northumbria University
- SIT-Wheelock
- UNISIM
- Wales Trinity St David University
- Warwick University
The degree is a major investment of your time and money. As such, you need to give a great deal of thought to choosing a programme that best suits your needs. Here are 5 questions you may need to think about before you make your choice. (This post is targeted at the majority of preschool teachers who are returning to school as working adults.)
1.What do I need to know about funding it?
The cost of the degree can vary anywhere between between S$14 k to S$52 k for locals. Some of the courses are very heavily subsidised which can help to ease the financial burden . Scholarships are also more readily available now for locally accredited degrees. It is also not uncommon for teachers to be funded by their employers though there will be the associated obligations. Perhaps the issue some overlook is 'What happens if a personal situation arises and I cannot complete it?'. No one ever thinks of this scenario but it is still important to set aside some savings just in case circumstances change. You also need to find out if book costs are covered as these can add substantially to your cost of study.
2.How do I know if it's a 'good' programme?
Most people would rely on the personal reviews from their friends. To be honest, what is good for one person may not necessarily be the same for another. You need to attend the programme briefings and be very clear of the teaching faculty, the class schedule, mode of assessments and modules offered. Some may use the university ranking as an indication of how good the university is. The truth is most of this rankings are based on criteria set by the assessing body so league tables can vary widely ! Some programmes are exam based whereas others may be only assignment based. Ask yourself what works for you. Do note that institutions may also adopt a combination of E learning and intensive study weeks with visiting lecturers. Ask yourself if you prefer a more consistent schedule or how well you can cope with independent learning .In some cases you need an understanding employer who will be willing to give you time off when exams or a load of heavy assignments are due. It can get quite stressful so allow for some flexibility in your life.
3.What skills do I need to be a good student?
Interestingly enough,this would not be a question adult learners would ask themselves.The whole excitement of going back to school seems to override any preparation for being equipped to manage new modes of learning. The difference between a degree and a diploma is a whole lot of reading and writing! If these two skills have never been your favourite activities, you might find you need to learn how to do it better. Start reading journal articles to get a sense of what academic writing entails. Learn to develop critical arguments by reading 'How to write academic essay' books. You will find getting your mind and pen into 'academic mode' saves you a lot of pain when those tight deadlines appear. In addition, learn to use the computer effectively and more importantly how to search databases. Your ability to reference good sources relies on your research skills and your ability to navigate through a plethora of virtual information sources nowadays.
4. What type of a learner am I?
Some of my best students do well because they form their own study groups. You will be surprised that you will learn a lot faster when you have a group of buddies to discuss your course content with. This can also relate to matters related to study skills which most are too shy to ask in class. Never pretend to know. It is better to ask and get and answer before it is too late! Everyone has their own style of learning but having been away from school for a while, you might need to be realistic about how much you are able to absorb now that you are a busy working adult. Learn to note take . Forget memorising, it doesn't work at the degree level! You need to develop the ability to apply your knowledge and analyse issues. Really ask yourself.. do you even know what that means? if not ,start reading samples of academic essays and articles. There really is no short cut to it. And for goodness sake, stop asking for model answers!
5.What will I do with this degree?
It may come as a surprise that not all who start in early childhood education end up taking an early childhood degree. Some realise that they may want to specialise in specific areas such as literacy or special needs.Most importantly ,you need to ask yourself how this degree will add value to your abilities. The degree should build your intellectual competencies to a much higher level. Attaining a degree should enable you to think critically about the issues at work and also create a lifetime learner within you.Perhaps then your investment can be said to have infinite returns! All the best with your application!
“The best university in the world is neither Oxford nor Harvard. The best university is "youniversity". YOU got the lecture halls of thoughts in YOU! You got everything you need to graduate with first class accomplishments put in you! YOU can do it!”
― Israelmore Ayivor, The Great Hand Book of Quotes