TP launches Early Childhood Studies course

New lab school to open in 2010 to enhance learning and conduct early childhood research

STUDENTS applying to TP in 2010 have a new full-time course to look forward to – Early Childhood Studies. Offered by the Temasek Humanities & Social Sciences School, this course helps meet the urgent demand for more and better qualified pre-school teachers. With the projected development of 200 new child care centres over the next five years, there is demand for more pre-school teachers to be trained for the industry.

Led by lecturers with rich industry and pre-school teacher training experience, students of the course will gain an understanding of the principles and practices of early childhood education and care, and be equipped to become competent early childhood educators. It will also provide students with exposure to early childhood practices beyond Singapore via overseas study trips and the incorporation of global perspectives in the core curriculum.

To further enhance student learning, the Centre for Child Study (CCS) was set up in July 2009. Its aims are to conduct research in promoting the development and learning of children in their early years, as well as to communicate these research findings to help raise the quality of early education in Singapore.

Another focus of CCS is the learning enterprise (also known as the lab school) slated to open in 2010. Boosted by a grant of around $1.5m provided by the Ministry of Education over a three-year period, the lab school is an operational pre-school set up to support the research and training activities of the Centre. Children at the lab school will undergo quality learning and developmental experiences through approaches and curricula that are well-supported by ongoing research. CCS also trains early childhood professionals who will make a positive impact on the quality of education in the early childhood education sector.