International Institute of Early Childhood Care and Education

Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCEd)

Introduction

The period from birth to six years of a child is primarily known as Early Childhood. The growth of the brain during this period is remarkably high. At this stage, children get influenced tremendously by the environment and the people around them. Therefore, Early Childhood Care and Education through an inspiring environment and trained people are very important for their holistic growth.

In recent decades, studies have shown that early childhood education is critical in preparing children to enter and succeed in the formal classroom, diminishing their risk of socio-emotional mental health problems and increasing their self-sufficiency later in their lives.

Quality early childhood care and education (ECCEd) has the power to transform children’s lives. It can contribute to greater efficiency in education and health systems and a better-skilled workforce. Attention to early childhood education can also help build more equal and inclusive societies. Early childhood is the time when promoting gender equality and a culture of peace makes a true difference, as the pace of brain development is at its peak. When children are exposed to values and attitudes that support gender equality and peace at an early age, they are likely to hold them in later stages in life.

Quality early childhood care and education (ECCEd) has the power to transform children’s lives. It can contribute to greater efficiency in education and health systems and a better-skilled workforce. Attention to early childhood education can also help build more equal and inclusive societies. Early childhood is the time when promoting gender equality and a culture of peace makes a true difference, as the pace of brain development is at its peak. When children are exposed to values and attitudes that support gender equality and peace at an early age, they are likely to hold them in later stages in life.

Although children who benefit from quality early childhood education programs are better prepared for primary school and will reap better education outcomes, however, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCEd) is more than preparation for primary school. It aims at the holistic development of a child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical needs to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing.

Early Childhood Educators

The individuals who constitute the early childhood care and education workforce are known as Early Childhood Educators. They play a very crucial role in imparting quality early childhood education. They form meaningful bonds with the children in their care, and their interactions, behaviors, and teaching practices influence children’s development, as well as their later school readiness. The demand for Early Childhood Educators and ECCEd centers has been substantially growing at a rapid pace.

The factors are as follows:

• The significance of Early Childhood Education has been realised by parents as well as Government.
• The affordability of parents has increased. The number of working mothers has increased considerably.
• Overall improvement of the standard of living across the society especially in tire II and III cities.
• A large number of pre-school children are still out of ECCEd coverage. Worldwide more than 150 million such children need to be brought under ECCEd coverage. India has 160 million children below the age of 6 yrs.
• UNESCO has adopted a policy to ensure all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education by 2030.
• Govt. of India adopted the ECCEd policy in the year 2013 as National Early Childhood Care and Education Policy. Right to Education Act, 2010 has urged the government to provide a framework for the education of children in the age group of 0-6, to prepare them well for their primary education.
• Govt of various countries including India has realised that to promote human resource development, gender equality, and social cohesion, investment in Early Childhood Education is very vital.

Course Summary

It is a proven phenomenon that to ensure the holistic growth of a child, it is essential to have professional early childhood education is indispensable. To provide professional and quality early childhood education, it is important that we provide individual attention and hands-on training apart from a well-designed curriculum. Our early childhood program is delivered by well-known, trained, and experienced experts in the field. The design of the course introduced by us comprises the following essential elements:

• A comprehensive program that covers all aspects of early childhood development such as physical, motor, emotional, social, language, and cognitive development. Teachers/entrepreneurs gain a thorough knowledge of these subjects.
• Learning through hands-on experience, play, and imitation. We have devised an innovative way of learning through play and imitation.
• As part of the curriculum, teaches know-how of set-up to have stimulating, nurturing, and stable relationships with parents and other caregivers apart from how to build a strong bond with the young children.
• The program also covers the importance of a low child-teacher ratio and efficient classroom management.
• The program curriculum dedicates a considerable portion to explaining the necessity of well-trained, well-paid, and stable staff to run a pre-primary center with highquality services.

Who Should Join?

• Existing or aspiring Teachers who wish to have a rewarding career in the pre-primary segment.
• A child mentor/guardian who wishes to impart appropriate education to their child during early years.
• School Principals, Administrators who would like to run their school effectively and professionally.
• Centre Co-ordinator for play-school, day-care, Playgroups, etc.
• Aspiring Trainer, Curriculum planners, Course Co-ordinators in any training establishment.
• Entrepreneur/prospective Entrepreneur who wishes to excel in pre-school sector business.

Scope/ Job Prospect

The job opportunities for a qualified early childhood teacher are huge across the country and abroad. As awareness regarding the importance of pre-primary education has percolated to even the countryside, the demand for good quality early childhood teachers is everywhere. After completing ECCEd successfully, our alumni members have unlimited opportunities; a few of them are as follows:

• Teacher, counsellor, librarian, education developer at any pre-primary school or day-care center
• Teacher / Coordinator in a playschool or play & games library
• Academic Coordinator of educational institutes
• Trainer for other aspiring teachers in any training institute
• Program and activity planner for young children
• Crèche Coordinator
• Center Coordinator in NGOs, Charitable organisations
• Home Tutor in private set up.
• Lastly, Entrepreneurship with unlimited scope in the pre-primary sector.