Aim of the Early Years Development Framework
1. The Early Years Development Framework was launched by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) on 30 September 2011. The aim is to enhance the quality of care and development of infants, toddlers and nursery children aged 2 months through 3 years.
2. The EYDF is a tool to help child care centres cultivate appropriate care and development practices, and create nurturing environments, for young children aged three years and below. The Framework was developed over two years through in-depth consultations with early childhood experts, operators, teachers and parents, as well as study of international and local child care landscape for infants and toddlers.
Intent of the 16-hr EYDF Training Programme
3. To support the implementation of the newly launched Early Years Development Framework (EYDF) for centre-based care and education of children from 2 months to 3 years of age, a 16-hour training programme for the early childhood sector was developed. This programme aims to familiarize child care personnel with the EYDF so that they can effectively interpret and translate its principles into good practices at child care centres to support the overall development of young children.
4. This programme which includes supplementary training materials (Learner’s Guide and Trainer’s Manual) was developed by MSF in collaboration with SEED Institute and is aligned to Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) framework.
Details about the 16-hr EYDF Training Programme
5. The EYDF training programme comprises a standardised curriculum and set of resources that have been designed to cover the content of the EYDF and is made up of 5 modules:
(i) Overview of the Early Years Development Framework;
(ii) The Developing Child;
(iii) The Intentional Programme;
(iv) The Involved Family; and
(v) The Engaged Community.
6. The guiding principles, desired outcomes and suggested practices for the 3rd EYDF pillar, The Professional Educarer, are embedded throughout the course of the five modules.
7. The programme is offered to child care centre supervisors and early years educarers who are responsible for the care, development and learning of infants (2 to 17 months old), toddlers (18 to 30 months old) and pre-nursery children (31 to 36 months old). As the training is currently conducted in English language only, participants need to be proficient in the English language.
8. Participants are required to attend and complete all 5 modules, and pass the stipulated assignments, including the development of a portfolio, in order to successfully complete the EYDF training programme. A Statement of Attainment (SOA) will be issued to all participants who are certified competent.
9. Completion of this programme is a prerequisite for attainment of Early Years (EY) teachers’ certification. Existing educarers with Certificate in Infant and Toddler Care (CITC) who successfully complete the EYDF training programme will attain the EY 1 level certification, which will allow them to conduct learning and development programmes for children from 2 months to 17 months (infant care and playgroup).
10. This programme is jointly funded by MSF and Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA). The full course fee for this programme is $350. MSF will be providing a subsidy of 90% of the course fee through the WDA-appointed training providers to participants who have obtained their SOAs. Each participant attending the training will pay a fee of $35 (before GST) after MSF subsidy. Employers who send their employees to this programme will enjoy Absentee Payroll funding from WDA, up to 95% of employees’ hourly salary. Absentee Payroll is to be claimed through SkillsConnect (www.skillsconnect.gov.sg).
