Postgraduate Diploma in Education — Early Childhood Education
Building a strong foundation for the holistic development of children in the 3 – 8 years age group
Early childhood education plays a critical role in the holistic development of young children and in building a strong foundation for their school education. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has proposed several measures to achieve universal provisioning of quality early childhood development, care, and education.
The need for well-trained preschool teachers and functionaries of early childhood education is paramount considering the very large population of children in the 3 – 8 years age group in the country.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education is a programme that aims to fulfil the need for professional development in this field. The Programme not only aims to build capability of the teachers to create a more significant impact in their workplace but also develop skills and knowledge to help improve job prospects.
Who should join us?
The Postgraduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education is designed for teachers working with children in the age group of 3 – 8 years. Professionals working in early childhood education, looking to make a meaningful contribution in their specialised domain could also benefit from this programme. To join it, a proven interest in working with young children and relevant work experience of 2 years or more, is essential. The University recognises the need for Early Childhood Education programmes that would help teachers develop the required skills to effect change in their workplace.
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 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: Understanding ECE: Themes and Issues
- Course 2: Principles and Perspectives of ECE
- Course 3: Project-based Course
- Course 1: Curriculum for Fostering Physical/Motor, Cognitive Development and Early Math
- Course 2: Curriculum for Fostering Social Development, Language and Early Literacy
- Course 3: Project-based Course
- Course 1: Early Inclusion
- Course 2: Early Identification and Intervention
- Course 3: Project-based Course
- Course 1: Programme Planning and Management
- Course 2: Professional Development of Early Childhood Educators
- Course 3: Project-based Course
Programme Calendar (Tentative)*
Certificate Programme | Programme cycle | Face to face interaction* |
---|---|---|
Early Childhood Education: Development and Learning in the Early Years | 01 Feb — 30 Apr 2024 | 18 Mar — 23 Mar 2024 |
Curriculum and Pedagogy in Early Childhood Education | 01 May — 31 Jul 2024 | 24 Jun — 28 Jun 2024 |
Early Identification, Intervention and Inclusion | 01 Aug — 31 Oct 2024 | 16 Sep — 21 Sep 2024 |
Programme Management and Professional Development in Early Childhood Education | 01 Nov, 2024 — 31 Jan 2025 | 16 Dec — 21 Dec 2024 |
*Above dates are indicative and may change. Dates for the face to face classes will be re-confirmed at the beginning of each Certificate Programme.
Programme Pedagogy
The programme will be offered in blended mode:
Online — This will be conducted through lectures, group work, workshops, presentations, readings, participation in discussion forums on Learning Management Systems, audio/video material and regular assessment.
On-campus/face-to-face interaction — Each Certificate Programme will have one week on-campus engagement, providing opportunities for sharing of learning through intensive group work and interaction with experts and practitioners from the field.
The on-campus components will be held at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru.
Registering for individual Certificate Programmes, would entail mandatory attendance in the face-to-face component for the respective certificate.
Registering for the entire PG Diploma Programme would entail mandatory attendance in the on-campus component in minimum of the two Certificate Programmes. The participant will have the flexibility of choosing to attend the on-campus component or completing an alternate portfolio for the remaining two Certificate Programmes.
Resources
Webinars
- Situating children’s voices in Foundational Learning
- Panel Discussion — Early Childhood Education and NEP 2020
The programme is open for teachers from public and private school systems working with children in the age group of 3 – 8 years and for ECE professionals with minimum 2 years of relevant work experience. The eligibility criteria are:
- Undergraduate in any discipline (preferred)
- Working knowledge of English (reading, writing and speaking)
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