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Updated as of Mar 2020

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FOREWORD

Congratulations on attaining your Certificate/Diploma/Bachelor degree in Early

Childhood Care & Education and welcome to an exciting and fulfilling journey as an Early

Childhood Professional!

Year 2020 has been a tough one so far. COVID-19 has presented many challenges

to countries around the world, and tested our resilience as individuals and as a society.

While COVID-19 is a threat, it is also an opportunity to build our own inner strength, and

teach our children how to stay strong and rise above our challenges.

Early Childhood Educators play an integral role in shaping the lives of children

throughout their early formative years. You hold the key to moulding their curious minds

and building resilience in a safe and healthy environment, and preparing them for lifelong

success. You create a myriad of meaningful learning experiences and opportunities which

support children in their physical, cognitive, language and social-emotional development.

As you embark on this remarkable journey to create a good start for every child,

we want you to start well! We want to walk alongside you and support your career

development through the provision of continuous learning opportunities.

This induction booklet provides information to help you assimilate well into your

new working environment. Designed to complement your employer’s induction

programme and other relevant policies and procedures, we have included a brief

overview of the Early Childhood sector to facilitate your understanding of an Early

Childhood Educator’s role in the broader Early Childhood structure.

We wish you a satisfying and successful professional career in the Early Childhood

sector!

Pauline Mo (Ms)

Director, Partnerships and Programmes

Early Childhood Development Agency

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An Overview of Early Childhood Sector

The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) is an autonomous agency officially launched on 1 April 2013, jointly overseen by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). The agency is hosted under MSF. ECDA integrates the regulation, planning, professional development and public education functions of MOE’s Pre-School Education Branch and MSF’s Child Care Division. It serves as the regulatory and developmental authority for the early childhood sector in Singapore, overseeing all aspects of development of children below the age of 7, across both kindergartens and child care centres.

ECDA’s key responsibilities are to:

1. Oversee measures to raise quality standards of early childhood programmes,

including regulation, quality assurance, and the provision of early childhood

development resources;

2. Facilitate the training and continuing professional development of early

childhood professionals;

3. Master-plan for infrastructure and manpower resources to support the early

childhood sector;

4. Provide subsidies and grants to keep quality pre-school programmes

affordable, especially for low and middle income families;

5. Conduct public education and outreach to raise parents’ awareness and

support for their children’s development; and

6. Uplift the image and professionalism of the early childhood sector through

strategic partnerships and programmes.

More information on ECDA can be found at www.ecda.gov.sg

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The Singapore preschool landscape today comprises both Child Care Centres

and Kindergarten.

Early Childhood Landscape

Age

Group

Operating

Hours

School

Term

Childcare Centre Kindergarten

Typically 2

months to 6

years old

Typically 3

months to 6

years old

7am to 7pm, with

educators taking

shifts

8am to 3pm,

which includes 2

separate sessions

10 weeks per term for

4 terms, with Mar, Jun,

Sep & Dec holidays

Throughout the year

with 6 centre closure

days in a year

More information can

be found at:

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Know the Opportunities for Your Career Growth

Download the detailed career growth chart

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Plan Your Professional and Career Development

As a professional, you are an advocate of lifelong learning. It is essential to learn

new skills and knowledge throughout your career and to constantly keep up-to-

date with issues and developments in the field.

This may take different forms including independent study, professional reading,

participating in projects, sharing sessions and learning journeys. Below is an

overview of the suite of initiatives to support you at every stage of your career.

https://www.ecda.gov.sg/

Educators/Pages/Continui

ng-Professional-

Development.aspx

The CPD Prospectus is updated

quarterly to support you in planning for

your professional development. It

provides information on CPD courses

that are aligned to the Skills Framework

for ECCE.

https://www.ecda.gov.sg/

Educators/Pages/Skills-

Framework-for-Early-

Childhood-Care-and-

Education.aspx

The Skills Framework for ECCE

provides key information such as

career pathways and desired skills set

of each identified job role to guide

you in your decision in progressing as

EC educator in this sector.

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Professional Development

Programme, a 3-year programme to

support your professional

development so that you can take on

larger job roles in your organisations.

https://www.ecda.gov.sg/

Educators/Pages/SkillsFut

ure-Study-Award-for-

Early-Childhood-(EC)-

Sector.aspx

The SkillsFuture Study Award

encourages and support EC educators

to develop and deepen their skills

needed to prepare themselves for

bigger job roles in the sector.

https://www.ecda.gov.sg/Pages/ecda-scholarships-

for-master-and-degree-programmes.aspx

The ECDA Scholarships are offered to

EC professional who wish to pursue a

part-time Bachelor or Master Degree

in Early Childhood Education.

https://www.ecda.gov.sg/

Pages/ECDA-PDP.aspx

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How to Make Work Fun

Transitioning into a new job is not easy, and these challenges can feel amplified

especially for a fresh graduate with little to no work experience. Here are some

tips by ECDA Scholarship recipient Oon Siu Suan to help you transit well as a new

teacher:

4 Tips to Help New Educators with Transition

Building good

relationships

with the

children will

help with class

management

and support

their learning

and

development.

Embrace

challenges

positively as

each one that

you overcome

will make you

a more

insightful

teacher.

Ask whenever

you are in

doubt, be it in

your studies or

at work.

Learning from

peers and

others can help

you grow

professionally.

Keep letters of

encouragement

from parents

and children-

these will

motivate you

whenever you

face

challenging

times.

Relationships

Embrace

Ask

Love notes

1 2

4 3

Click here to read the

full article featured in

the Jan-Mar 2020

issue of Beanstalk

Designed by Freepik

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1. Treat others with respect and dignity

A culture of respect and dignity in the workplace will ensure a healthy

working environment. You can contribute to this environment by:

▪ building a sense of community spirit at work through group lunches,

organising or participating in events like 'Family Day' and workshops

that emphasise team building

▪ abiding by work ethics and maintaining confidentiality

▪ treating your colleagues as you would like them to treat you

▪ supporting your colleagues in times of need

2. Manage your emotions

It is common to experience anger and anxiety at work. When you are

overwhelmed with such emotions, there is a tendency to react explosively

or become withdrawn. By managing your emotions well and being patient,

a sense of calm and stability can be maintained. This allows you to work

better with your colleagues, even in stressful work situations.

You can try to manage your emotions by:

a. Checking your thought patterns

One of the ways to manage your emotions is to check your thought

patterns. Sometimes, we may have negative thoughts that make us

feel that we are not in control of our emotions. Learn how to

identify these negative thoughts and correct them accordingly.

b. Practising relaxation techniques

Another good method to manage your emotions is to practice

relaxation techniques:

▪ deep breathing (i.e. inhaling and exhaling slowly until you

feel calm)

▪ playing relaxing or soothing music

5 Tips to Work Well with Colleagues

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▪ excusing yourself from the situation to take a breather.

However, assure the other party that you will come back to

handle the situation when you have calmed down.

3. Communicate effectively

Effective communication in the workplace will minimise misunderstandings

among colleagues thus maximising work efficiency. When we have

communication breakdowns at work, we spend time and energy trying to

make amends.

a. Be mindful of these components of communication

▪ Choice of words

▪ Tone of voice

▪ Non-verbal cues: body language and emotions expressed

▪ Relationships between communicating parties

b. Be an active listener and speak with discretion

Being an active listener gives people the impression that you are

genuinely interested in their views and also shows respect to the

speaker. Speaking with discretion also helps to avoid unnecessary

misunderstandings with peers. Cultivate the habit to think before

you speak so that you say the right things at the right time.

c. Communicate effectively with your superiors

Learn to accept instructions and feedback from your superiors as it

is important to understand their positions and reasoning. You

should also not hesitate to ask for help when you need it and to

explain problems that you encounter in your work when necessary.

d. Communicate clearly and frequently with your colleagues on the

following

▪ What you are currently doing for the organisation

▪ What are some goals you are striving for at work, and even

some of your personal ones that may affect work

▪ Some of the difficulties you are facing without sounding like

you are whining and complaining

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e. Value of face-to-face interactions

When we communicate with a person face-to-face, we can build

trust and openness with our verbal and non-verbal cues. We can

also sense and understand the other person’s point of view and

what they feel.

f. Use of emails

Use e-mails if you have specific requests or updates for a colleague,

and the message can be read at their convenience. With e-mails,

you can still sound cordial, instead of being distant. Just a few more

seconds of typing some niceties like ‘Have a great day!’ can bring a

feeling of goodwill to the reader.

Consider carefully your choice of words while crafting your email

messages. For example, if you communicate your unhappiness or

anger via email, pause a moment before you hit the Send button!

Cool down, review what you have written, and edit it so that it

sounds more objective. Stick to the facts and avoid character

attacks. Be objective and constructive. If you are criticising

something, offer a solution to improve the situation, if possible.

As you learn to communicate more effectively at work, you will be

able to achieve your goals, garner more support during setbacks,

and feel much happier at work.

Managing healthy relationships at the workplace not only increases

understanding, but also leads to a happier and less stressful

working environment.

4. Learn to work with others in a team

Working as a team means that you are part of a collective body whereby

everyone is working towards a common objective or goal. This also means

that you need patience and understanding to learn and adapt to different

working habits, points of view, and personalities of your team members.

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a. Be responsible for your assigned role for the team

No one likes a lazy member in a team who needs others to cover for

his/her inaction. Responsibility in all matters, regardless of big or

small, will earn you the respect of your peers.

b. Acknowledge what your team members have contributed

The affirmation and validation that you give to your members

demonstrates that you appreciate them for who they are and what

they are doing. Saying a word of thanks or well done is not only

good manners but it helps to brighten up someone‘s day at work.

c. Offer emotional support

Offering support to your colleagues in times of adversity enables

you to be involved in your colleagues’ life. This can range from

encouragement to offering a listening ear when needed. Being

there for one another helps bring the team closer together as a unit,

and also improves your relationship with your peers.

d. Go the extra mile

In a workplace environment, doing something special for your

colleagues or peers may not require a lot of effort. It could be

something small like running an errand, answering the phone or

even pulling out a file from the library for your colleague. A very

simple action will help your colleagues see you positively and

appreciate who you are.

5. Make work fun and rewarding

Work need not be boring and repetitive. On the contrary, work can be fun

and stimulating. The word 'play' often brings out negative connotations of

engaging in frivolous activities or even having a nonchalant attitude. But it

need not be so. To add 'play' into the workplace is to find new and creative

ways to execute tasks at hand and to think out-of-the-box for solutions to

problems.

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When you make work fun, it can be pretty contagious and your colleagues

will catch on to this newfound attitude and enthusiasm that you bring to

the team. Remember to also bring in laughter to your work as it will lighten

your colleagues' mood and help to make work more enjoyable.

This article is extracted from the Health Promotion Board website www.hpb.gov.sg.

Everyone experiences stress as a result of the life demands that we manage from

day to day. Whilst stress can motivate us and help us achieve our goals, when

experienced at high levels or for long periods of time it can have a negative effect

on your health. While it may not be possible to eliminate all the stresses in your

life, you could seek out ways to manage stress in your daily life. Here are 10 easy

ways that could help you in managing stress.

1. Spread out the changes in your life

Give yourself time to adjust from one change to another. For example, try

to space out major events such as getting married, changing jobs, and

moving houses as much as possible to give yourself some time to manage

and adjust to different changes in your life.

2. Plan your time well

Being more organised and planning in advance can help reduce stress. It

gives you an overview of the things you need to do and helps you identify

the tasks you need to complete to achieve them. At work, you could plan

your day and make a to-do list and at home, you could have a calendar to

mark out family weekends and activities.

3. Be realistic about what you can do

Set realistic and achievable goals for yourself so that you do not become

frustrated or discouraged. Goal-setting is also a good way to get yourself

started on organising and planning your time!

10 Easy Ways to Work Well under Stress

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4. Think positive

Think positively, even during stressful situations. Viewing a stressful

situation positively helps you see it in a different way. Instead of an

obstacle, see the situation as an opportunity to challenge yourself!

5. Make some time for yourself

Set aside some time for yourself regularly. It could be a few hours during

the weekend or at night. Spend the time doing activities that you really

enjoy, be it indoor pastimes like reading or watching a movie, or outdoor

activities like cycling or hiking.

6. Spend time with your family and friends

Take the initiative to organise a family outing or a gathering with friends

every once in a while. Spending time with people you enjoy being with

helps take your mind away from stress. More importantly, having a good

relationship with your family and friends also mean that you have support

in times of distress!

7. Stay physically healthy

Engage in regular physical activity. Not only does regular physical activity

keep you physically fit, it also helps to de-stress and improves your mood.

You could begin by taking the stairs instead of the lift, walking to places

nearby instead of taking the bus, or arrange for outdoor gatherings with

your family and friends like cycling or roller-blading!

8. Learn some relaxation techniques

Controlled breathing exercises, mental relaxation exercises like visual

imagery and meditation, and muscle relaxation techniques are helpful in

relieving stress.

9. Have a healthy diet

Maintain a balanced diet. Eating healthy will provide your body with

adequate vitamins and minerals to boost your immune system, keeping

you strong and healthy. A healthy and balanced diet will also ensure that

you have sufficient nourishment to sustain your energy throughout the day!

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10. Get enough sleep

Try to get about 8 hours of sleep every night. Getting enough sleep is a

basic but important way to keep stress away. With enough sleep, you will

be able to concentrate better and be more productive in the day, allowing

you to cope more effectively with stressful situations.

This article is extracted from the Health Promotion Board website www.hpb.gov.sg.

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Checklist- Are You Ready

This checklist serves as guide to help you assimilate well into the new working

environment. Your centre may have different induction programmes for new

staff. We encourage you to communicate with them to find out more.

Before Graduation

Attend 1Job Emplacement Programme (JEP) Briefing conducted by ECDA

Attend 2Mini-Learning Fest organised by ECDA

Receive 3Job Emplacement Guide from ECDA

Prior to

Day of Work

HR has informed me of when, where and whom to report on first day of work

Employer has appointed a senior teacher/ mentor for guidance

I have informed ECDA of the employment details

By End of Week of

Work, Employer or Mentor has

Provided me with an employee handbook Introduced me to colleagues and tour the

work area Shared about company policies, standards,

missions, vision and values Shared about workplace security, safety and

emergency procedures Provided overview of company’s culture and

expectations Discussed my job duties and responsibilities Shared about the performance appraisal and

feedback system

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By End of

Month of

Work

Discuss progress to date with employer Review job assignments and training plans with employer

By End of Month of

Work

Discuss progress to date and review job assignments with employer

Seek feedback from mentor

By End of Month of

Work

Discuss progress to date and review job assignments with employer

Review job duties and performance with employer

By End of Month of

Work

Discuss progress to date and review job assignments with employer

Review job duties and performance with employer

Note:

1. ECDA conducts a Job Emplacement Programme (JEP) briefing with graduating ECDA Training Awards

(TA) recipients to provide details on the job emplacement and address any questions recipients may

have on employment during their bond period.

2. ECDA organises professional learning courses and networking sessions such as the Scholarships and

Training Awards Mini-Learning Festival (Mini-Learning Fest) to support graduating recipients as they

begin their new careers.

3. ECDA sends a Job Emplacement Guide to graduating ECDA TA recipients via email with information

on job emplacement and job vacancies collated from participating preschools.

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Connect with us at ECDA_PP@ecda.gov.sg and follow us on:

Discover the Career

Pathways for the

Early Childhood

Professionals

Nursery

Teacher 1

Nursery

Teacher

2 & 3

Kindergarten

Teacher 1

Kindergarten Teacher 2

Mentor

Principal

Kindergarten Teacher 2