About Our Organization

Background

The Early Childhood Care & Education Council (ECCE Council), an initiative under the Economic Transformation Programme, was established on 30 December 2010 to serve the interest of the ECCE industry. Its main function is for the professionalization of ECCE and quality control as well as to form a link between the industry and relevant government bodies and agencies at all levels.

The Council has three main roles:

Advocacy
• Conduct campaigns to increase awareness of quality ECCE to operators, teachers and parents.
• Lobby decision making bodies.
• Network with local and global relevant bodies.

Professional Certification
• Award professional certification to early childhood educators.
• Develop child development index.
• Set quality standard and certify childcare centres and preschools.
• Provide referrals and consultancy.
• Collaborate with MOE, MOHE, JKM and other relevant government agencies/ministries.

Professional Development
• Provide guidelines for pre-service and in-service training programmes.
• Conduct R&D and publish materials for professional development.
• Conduct need analysis.
• Monitor training institutes.

Objectives of the Council
To promote the well-being and development of children in their early years through the provision of professional and quality early child care & education by:

1. Serving as a link between the government and the ECCE industry.
2. Setting standards and guidelines to raise the professionalism of private ECCE educators, and certifying those who met standards.
3. Promoting professional development and creating career pathways for ECCE educators.
4. Enhancing the quality of private ECCE services through certification of childcare centres and preschools.
5. Assuring that private training programmes meet standards for professional certification.
6. Raising awareness of the importance of quality and professionalism in ECCE.

Targets:
1. All early childhood educators, that is childcare providers and preschool teachers, would have at least a Diploma in Early Childhood Education accredited by MQA or equivalent.
2. At least 80% of Early Childhood Educators are members of the ECCE Council.
3. Rating schemes for childcare centres, preschools and ECCE training institutions.