PG Diploma in Early Childhood Education
A flexible diploma programme designed for working professionals to strengthen their foundational knowledge in the holistic development of children aged 3 to 8 years, Offered in Hybrid Mode
The Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE) responds to the growing need for skilled early childhood educators under NEP 2020.
Designed for working professionals engaging with children aged 3 – 8 years, the programme aims to build the capability of teachers to create a more significant impact in their workplace.
The programme blends theory and practice and offers four certificates that can be stacked towards a one-year PG Diploma, allowing you to learn flexibly, deepen your expertise, and enhance your career prospects.
Who should join us?
This programme is designed for passionate educators and professionals working with young children. You’re a great fit if you are:
- Teacher working with children aged 3 – 8 years (preschool, nursery, or early primary)
- Practicing Early childhood education professionals such as curriculum designers or ECE coordinators
- Entrepreneurs planning to establish or manage your own pre-school
- NGO professionals working in the area of Education development programmes
Prerequisites: A genuine passion for working with young children and at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
What does the programme offer?
The programme offers a comprehensive, holistic and engaging curriculum that addresses all the relevant aspects of early childhood education domain. It endeavours to support the ECE practitioners build perspective, sensitivity, and acquire knowledge, skills and capabilities to work with children in the age group of 3– 8 years. The programme is taught by highly experienced academics and practitioners of ECE.
Some important features of the programme are
- This programme is aligned to the credit structure as defined by the National Credit Framework (NCrF) issued by UGC in April 2023 and aims to fulfil the need for professional development amongst ECE practitioners.
- It endeavours to deepen the understanding of early childhood education and the important concepts and theories relevant to its practice.
- There is a conscious effort to build skill and capability to design and implement suitable learning experiences for children in their early years and interactions with families and the community.
- The importance of developing the capacity to identify young children with different learning needs, and adopting and implementing inclusive practices in early childhood education settings is focussed upon through the whole programme.
- The participants are supported to become self-motivated and reflective practitioners through networking opportunities (for example, the University Alumni network).
- The programme also enables participants with essential skills and knowledge to set up and manage small-scale ECE programmes.
- Participants have the flexibility of joining the PG Diploma Programme or choosing one or more Certificate Programmes. If they choose only one Certificate Programme they could do so based on the calendar.
Programme pedagogy
Online classes
Learn from home or anywhere! You just need an internet connection. Our evening sessions (Tuesdays & Fridays, 4:30 – 6:30 PM) fit around your work schedule.
What to expect: Dynamic live classes with experienced faculty, collaborative projects, interactive workshops, active discussions and continuous assessments.
On-campus sessions
One week per certificate at our beautiful Bengaluru campus — where learning becomes experiential, and connections become lasting.
What to expect: Intensive, focused learning, direct access to leading academics and field experts, hands-on activities, real-world case studies and network building that extends beyond the programme.
Flexibility
Enrolling in one certificate?
Attend 1 week on campus in Bengaluru.
Taking the full diploma?
- Attend any 2 weeks on campus in Bengaluru + submit alternative assignments for the other 2 certificates.
- Pick any three certificates from the ECE programme and customise your learning by choosing a fourth certificate from Inclusive Education or Teaching Children with Learning Disabilities.
Programme Structure
The 40 credits, 12 months PG Diploma Programme is offered in a blended mode, with online and on-campus interaction. It comprises of four Certificate Programmes (12 weeks duration, 10 credits each) covering key aspects of early childhood education.
The PG Diploma is awarded on the completion of the four Certificate Programmes and this can be completed within a maximum period of 2 years.
Course 1: Curriculum for Fostering Physical/Motor, Cognitive Development and Early Math
This course will help participants learn about the aims, objectives, principles and processes related to curriculum and pedagogy for children aged 3 – 8, focusing on physical/motor, cognitive development and early math. Participants will study about the various curriculum models and will have the opportunity to design play and activity-based learning experiences for children.
Course 2: Curriculum for Fostering Social Development, Language, and Early Literacy
This course will help the participants to know about the different concepts in the domains of socio-emotional development, language and early literacy as well as the role of learning environment in supporting these in children. Participants will also design developmentally appropriate activities for children aged 3 – 8.
Course 1: Early Inclusion
This course introduces participants to the concept of inclusion, its importance in early years as well as strategies that support inclusion of children in early childhood education. Participants will learn about frameworks like Universal Design for Learning and how they can be used to plan inclusive classroom experiences.
Course 2: Early Identification and Intervention
This course builds participants’ understanding of early identification and intervention for children with disabilities from birth to eight years. Participants learn to recognise atypical development across domains and their role in supporting children through play- and routine-based strategies. They will reflect on ECE professionals’ role and the importance of collaboration with families and professionals to support children’s development.
Course 1: Programme Planning and Management
This course equips participants with the principles of planning, managing and evaluating quality early childhood education programmes. Through discussions and hands-on experiences, participants will get the opportunity to plan their own small-scale programme. The course also introduces frameworks and tools for assessing and improving ECE programme quality.
Course 2: Professional Development of Early Childhood Educators
The course introduces participants to the idea of teacher professional development, including the required qualifications, skills, and professional growth stages. Participants will reflect on their own teaching practices, understand the key challenges in working in ECE, and learn how to design strong professional development programmes for their settings.
Course 1: Understanding ECE: Themes and Issues
The course will familiarise the participants with the key concepts and policies related to early childhood education in India. Issues of access, equity, quality and their influences on children’s development and learning will be discussed. Participants will learn about the significance of ECE using frameworks from neuroscience, economics, child development, and child rights.
Course 2: Principles and Perspectives of ECE
Participants will develop an understanding of the developmental characteristics of children from 3 – 8 years in different domains of development and examine how these are interconnected. The theoretical ideas of key child development theorists and educational philosophers will be discussed. The course will help participants engage with these ideas in their work with children.
| Certificate Programme | Programme cycle | Face to face interaction* |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum and Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education | 15 Jun, 2026 — 04 Sep 2026 | 13 Jul — 17 Jul, 2026 |
| Early Identification, Intervention, and Inclusion | 15 Sep, 2026 — 04 Dec, 2026 | 26 Oct — 30 Oct, 2026 |
| Programme Management and Professional Development in Early Childhood Education | 14 Dec, 2026 — 05 Mar, 2027 | 18 Jan — 22 Jan, 2027 |
| Early Childhood Education: Development and Learning in the Early Years | 16 Mar, 2026 — 05 Jun, 2026 | 06 Apr — 10 Apr, 2026 |
*Above dates are indicative and may change. Dates will be re-confirmed one month in advance of each Certificate.
Online class schedule — Online classes will be held every Tuesdays and Fridays from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Resources
News Article
- How to build an enabling school culture | Ankur Madan, The Hindu
Webinars
“The PG Diploma in Early Childhood Education’s hybrid structure and supportive faculty made it easy to balance work and study. The field-based learning during in-person sessions was especially valuable, enabling me to assess children’s development more effectively and design responsive, confident early learning experiences.”
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