The CCP for Early Intervention (EI) Educators  equips mid-career individuals with skills to support children with special needs. Participants learn to develop and manage individualised educational plan  and use functional assessments to implement strategies for  optimal developmental outcomes.

Newly hired participants will undergo the Specialist Diploma in Early Childhood Intervention [Special Needs] (SDESN), a 360-hour part-time course over 15 months, offered by the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC).

The course combines classroom and practical training and includes two Post-Diploma Certificate (PDC). Upon completing and obtaining the diploma, trainees will be qualified Early Intervention Educators and certified by the National Council of Social Services (NCSS).

The CCP runs three intakes annually – April, July and October .

The CPP application is now opened for the October 2025 intake. Interested applicants may submit applications to NIEC for the CCP before the application end date.

More on the role of an Early Intervention Educator here: ECDA Shape our Tomorrow.

Course details here: SDESN Module Synopsis

Minimum Qualifying Salary (Monthly*)

CCP for EI Educators: $2,600

*The salary refers to the fixed monthly salary received by CCP trainee(s) from their employer during the CCP training, comprising basic monthly salary and fixed monthly allowance (if any).

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals for the CCP

Applicants must:

• Be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident;
• Minimum 21 years old;
• Graduated or completed National Service, for at least two (2) years. This will be counted from the date of graduation from latest qualification, or date of completion of national service, whichever is later);
• Career conversion is required: new job role trained for under the CCP should be substantially different from previous job role(s);
• Be a new hire (employed for 6 months or less) by a participating EI employer;
• Not be a shareholder, related to the owner(s), or an immediate ex-staff of the participating company, or its related entities.

Interested individuals may register with NIEC to learn more about participating employers.

Entry Criteria for the SDESN

To qualify, the company-sponsored individuals must:

• Hold a Diploma or Degree from a recognised Tertiary Institution.
• Preferably have relevant work experience with children aged 0-6 year. Applicants with no relevant experience may be required to take bridging modules before enrolling onto the SDESN.
• Be employed 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, or other Early Intervention Practices recognised by NIEC.

Employers for CCP

Participating employers must:

• Be registered in Singapore with a valid Unique Entity Number (UEN) with Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA);
• Offer a full-time position related to the Early Intervention job role , with:
  • A minimum fixed monthly salary of $2,600
  • A minimum 12-month employment contract starting from the course start date;
• Ensure the new hire:
  • Meets all the eligibility criteria:
  • Is not a shareholder, related to the owner(s), or an immediate ex-staff of the company or its related entities.
• Commit to CCP training arrangements = and adhere to all CCP terms & conditions.

Application Process for Individuals

Interested individuals may apply for CCP via the following steps:

 Step 1: Submit online application to NIEC

• Submit application to SDESN under CCP by 1 Sep 2025
• Upload qualification documents (certificates and transcripts).
• Upload resume.
• Wait for potential employers’ notification for interview.

Step 2: Employer Review & Interviews

Step 3: Application for the SDESN Programme

Step 4: Confirmation of Admission

Step 5: Programme/Course Commencement

Funding support