The Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for Early Intervention Educators provides participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to plan and manage individualised educational plan for children with special needs. Through the use of functional assessments, Early Intervention Educators develop and implement appropriate strategies to critically evaluate an optimal outcome for children.

Under the CCP for Early Intervention Educators, newly hired participants will undergo training for the Specialist Diploma in Early Childhood Intervention [Special Needs] (SDESN), offered by National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC). NIEC is the national training institute set up by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to strengthen the foundational training and professional development of Singapore’s early childhood educators at different stages of their career.

The SDESN is a 360-hour programme with classroom and on-the-job training conducted over 15 months. As part of the course requirements, participants will undergo two Post-Diploma Certificate (PDC). Upon completion of the course (comprising of both PDC1 and PDC2) and obtaining the Specialist Diploma, CCP trainees will be qualified Early Intervention Educators and certified by the National Council of Social Services (NCSS). Information on the course is available on https://www.niec.edu.sg/media/sknp2ari/course-module-synopsis-sdesn.pdf

The CCP runs three intakes per year – Apr, Jul and Oct intakes. Interested applicants may submit applications for the CCP during the application period.

General CCP Eligibility Criteria for Individuals

The Programme is open to applicants who meet the following General eligibility criteria:

• Be a Singapore Citizens (SC) or Singapore Permanent Residents (PR) aged 21 years and above;
• Have graduated or completed National Service, whichever is later, for at least two years at the point of course application;
• Must not be in a similar job role prior to joining the CCP;
• Must not be a shareholder of the participating company, or its related companies;
• Must not be related to the owner(s) of the participating company; and
• Must not be immediate ex-staff of participating company or its related companies.
• Individuals can register their interest with NIEC and find out more about participating employers.

Entry Criteria for the SDESN

In order to qualify for the CCP, applicants must meet the entry criteria for the SDESN:

• Academic Pre-requisite: Diploma or Degree from a recognised Tertiary Institution in a related filed, e.g. psychology, social work, human services, early childhood education or special needs.
• Relevant work experience with children (0-6 years) is preferred.
• Offered employment or provisional employment as a Beginning/Early Intervention Educators at ECDA-funded Early Intervention Programmes for Infants and Children (EIPIC) Centres, or other Early Intervention Practices recognised by NIEC, i.e. securing employment under the CCP.

Application Process

Applications received will be routed by the Programme Partner, NIEC, to participating employers for joint review. Suitable candidates will be shortlisted by employers for interviews. Applicants who have secured employment or provisional employment with employers will be notified by NIEC to submit application for the SDESN.

Please refer to the application process and timeline for the April 2025 intake.

Funding support