The three years of kindergarten (children aged 3 to 6/7) are divided into three levels (one for each year): nursery, kindergarten 1 (K1) and kindergarten 2 (K2). Children are grouped according to age.21
The three years of kindergarten (children aged 3 to 6/7) are divided into three levels: nursery, kindergarten 1 (K1) and kindergarten 2 (K2). Children are grouped according to age and generally progress automatically, with age, from one year to the next.21
See section 4.2.3.
Pre-school teachers are generalists. In December 2000, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced minimum qualifications which pre-school teachers are expected to have. Since 2006, all pre-school principals have been required to have a Diploma in Leadership. In addition, by 2008, all pre-school teachers will be required to obtain a Certificate of Education and one in four teachers will have to obtain a Diploma in Teaching.69
Previously, kindergarten teachers were expected to possess appropriate academic and pre-school teacher training qualifications, such as the Certificate in Pre-School Teaching awarded by the National Institute of Education (NIE). A person deemed to have the appropriate minimum academic qualifications, but without any specific pre-school training, could be considered for approval as a temporary teacher for a two-year period, pending enrolment in a pre-school teacher training programme.21
In January 2001, a new Pre-school Education Teaching-training and Accreditation Framework was introduced to accredit training courses for supervisors and teachers in childcare centres and kindergartens, and to provide a clear, common training route for those who intend to acquire qualifications at the certificate and diploma levels. Courses are accredited by the Pre-school Qualifications Accreditation Committee (PQAC), which is co-steered jointly by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Community Development and Sports (MCDS) and comprises representatives from the kindergarten and childcare sectors.69 Further information on initial teacher training for this phase of education in Singapore is available in section 7.1.