The first five years of a child’s life are the most crucial time for brain development. These first phases of a child’s progress have a significant influence on their entire life. This is why early childhood educators are vital in playing a critical role in nurturing young brains. By introducing them to the joys of learning, and assisting in laying the foundation needed for lifelong success, early childhood educators are fundamental tools needed in a child’s learning journey.
If you love working with children and have the heart and devotion to prepare them with the basic learning skills they’ll need for their future, early childhood education just might be the pathway for you!
What is Early Childhood Education?
Early Childhood Education ECE) is essentially a branch of education that primarily focuses on teaching young children. This does not only involve cognitive lessons to help children with their memory and attention span, or motor skills to help them develop their abilities to balance and grab unto things, but also, their social-emotional growth. This refers to a child’s ability to understand good and bad behavior, how to make friends, and develop an overall awareness of self.
In ECE, you will learn how to aid children in helping them retain knowledge through various teaching methods. It is not mere preparation for a child before they enter primary school, but also a well-rounded experience that will enrich their learning behavior and character building as they grow into the world.
Why You Should Study Early Childhood Education?
In every line of work there is a challenge to overcome, and working with children is no exception. You may find yourself constantly confronting a difficult issue, having to toughen up your tolerance and patience on a daily basis. It is an undeniably tough career, but there are exceptionally unique experiences that only you can get when working with children.
i) You get to be a part of something bigger than yourself
Think about it! You are not only helping to shape young minds, but you are giving them the keys to realizing their true potential. It comes with challenges, but every day you get to be rewarded with the knowledge that you are actively making a difference in these children’s lives.
ii) You get to be creative
As an early childhood educator, you need to come up with creative ways for children to remain inspired and engaged in your class. Unlike in most working environments, you get to keep your classrooms fun and be silly as you go along with the lessons.
iii) Your career options are wide
When working in an educational field, you may find several opportunities open for you. You do not necessarily have to be a preschool teacher. You may also choose to be a consultant, assistant director, or even a programme administrator for early childhood programmes.
iv) You love working with children
It is most important for you to love being around children to consider this course. If you believe that you are someone who will never tire of dealing with children, who understands their needs, and who has the patience to ensure they are nurtured well, ECE may be a good career prospect for you.
What kind of skills do you need to work as an early childhood educator?
- Patience
- Children are filled with energy, and sometimes they need help understanding where to channel that energy. They can be very happy, but they may also have tantrums, crying spells, or simply find it difficult to sit down. Hence why if you are working in this field, knowing how to keep yourself calm and collected is important.
- Creative
- As mentioned, being creative is vital to keep children engaged in your classroom. It takes a lot of imagination and out-of-the-box thinking to get the children interested in your lessons.
- Organizational skills
- Knowing how to manage a classroom and being prepared to handle any accidents or mishaps while you are conducting a class requires strong organizational skills. Children can be a handful, so you need to be prepared for anything that may disrupt your class.
Job Prospects with an Early Childhood Education Qualification
So, what can you do with a diploma/degree in Early Childhood Education? Below is a brief overview of job prospects you can consider as an early childhood educator.
- Daycare teacher/Owner
- Pre-school teacher/ Owner/Principal
- ECE lecturer
- Educational Toy Consultant
- ECE Curriculum Developer
General Entry-level Requirements To Study Early Childhood Education in Malaysia 2022
SPM/O-level or equivalent | Minimum 3 credits for Diploma Minimum 5 credits for Foundation/Pre-U program |
STPM | Minimum CGPA of 2.0 |
A-levels | Minimum 2 Pass |
Diploma | CGPA 2.0 |
*The requirements may vary among universities, for enquiries on other entry requirements, contact us!
How Long is the Duration of the Program and How Much Will it Cost?
The duration of the course varies upon the level you choose to study in, i.e., diploma or degree. Your choice of university may also affect the duration of the course.
You may also be wondering how much studying ECE may cost you, too. In the table below, we have included the estimated fees for each program. Once again, the price may also vary, depending on the choice of university and program.
Diploma in Early Childhood Education | 2.5 – 3 years | RM19,000 – RM38,000 |
Degree in Early Childhood Education | 3 years | RM59,000 – RM63,000 |
Do take note that if you were to take a degree in ECE after completing your diploma, you may enter directly into Year 2 of your degree. This leaves you with a remainder of only 2 years left to complete your degree.
If you should have any further questions about the cost and duration of the course, our team will be more than happy to assist you! Contact us now!
Top Private Universities to Study Early Childhood Education in Malaysia 2022
Now that you have a rough idea of what ECE is, its career prospects, and a quick outline of the course’s entry requirements, you may be wondering which universities can offer you the best quality for a diploma/degree in ECE. Below is a list of the top private universities of Malaysia where you can study ECE:
#1 Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL)
Programme | Diploma in Early Childhood Education |
Intakes | January, May, August |
Indicative fees | Local student: RM20,700 International students: RM28,800 |
For more information on course structure, entry requirement, duration, fees and scholarship availability offered at MCKL, contact us!
#2 University of Wollongong, KDU
Programme | Diploma in Early Childhood Education |
Intakes | January, March, May, July, September, October |
Indicative fees | Local students RM25, 640 International students: RM32,010 |
For more information on course structure, entry requirement, duration, fees and scholarship availability offered at University of Wollongong, contact us!
#3 SEGi University
Programme | Diploma in Early Childhood Education | Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood (Dual Award) |
Intakes | January, March, May, June, September | January, March, May, June, September |
Indicative fees | RM38,300 | RM63,755 |
For more information on course structure, entry requirement, duration, fees and scholarship availability offered at SEGi University, contact us!
#4 HELP University
Programme | Diploma in Early Childhood Education | Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood (Dual Award) |
Intakes | January, May, August | January, May, August |
Indicative fees | RM19,200 | RM59,900 |
For more information on course structure, entry requirement, duration, fees and scholarship availability offered at HELP University, contact us!
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About The Author
Karisse Hannah
Journalism and Advertising major. Passionate about reading and writing, and an advocate for the truth.