Professional Development Programme for Leaders

The PDP Journey

Key Features

• Choose how you want to learn through CPD activities
  
• Receive annual cash awards after completion of programme and service milestones

Eligibility Criteria

• Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident
• Employed under a Non-Anchor Operator Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) registered or licensed with ECDA
• ECDA-certified L2;
• At least 3 years of EC leadership experience (based on date of Principal appointment to date of PDP appointment in May) or
  At least 5 years of EC teaching experience (based on date of DECCE-T attainment to date of PDP appointment in May);
• Meet the relevant skills and competencies required as described in the Skills Framework for Early Childhood for Lead Early Years Educator, Lead Preschool Educator or Deputy Centre Leader
• Nominee should possess one of these Occupational Titles in ONE@ECDA at point of nomination: Lead Early Years Educator, Lead Preschool Educator, Deputy Centre Leader, Centre Leader, Senior Centre Leader, Curriculum/Pedagogy Specialist

Operators are encouraged to prioritise and support good performing leaders (e.g. top 10-20% based on appraised performance) for PDP.

Programme Structure

About the Compulsory Modules

PDP(Leaders) participants need to complete two Skills-Based Modular Courses (SBMCs) from the revised Advanced Diploma in EC Centre Leadership (ADECL). Both SBMCs are conducted after working hours (e.g. 3 evenings per week over 5 weeks):

i. Leading Self (LEDS) (18 hours)

• Equip students to identify individual strengths and areas of development while learning the importance of self-leadership before leading others.

ii. Leading in Curriculum and Pedagogy (LDCP) (45 hours)

• Learn to evaluate early childhood programmes for children aged 2 months to 6 years.
• Demonstrate ability to guide teachers on planning, reviewing and refining curriculum design and pedagogical practices based on assessment of children’s learning needs.

Current revised ADECL participants (Apr 2023 intake onwards) who are taking these two modules as part of their revised ADECL programme can clock in the hours for these two modules to fulfil the compulsory module milestone.

Participants who have graduated from the revised ADECL programme prior to joining PDP are to complete other CPD activities in-lieu (63 hours).

About the Project

PDP(Leaders) participants need to complete one project by end of Year 3.

The project options available are:​

• ECDA Fellows Inquiry-Based Action Plan (IBAP) workshops – Learn from ECDA Fellows by participating in their IBAP projects. Please submit the IBAP Project Summary via ONE@ECDA after project completion.
  
• Practitioner Inquiry (PI) Grant – Provides participants the opportunity to pursue a project using an inquiry-based approach to explore curriculum innovation and improve their teaching practices. Look out for more details in the later part of the year.
• Centre-Initiated Project (CIP) – Provides participants the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills within the centre and classroom. Refer to the CIP factsheet for more information.
  

About the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Activities

PDP(Leaders) participants may complete other CPD activities to fulfill the remaining hours.

1. ECDA CPD Activities

ECDA CPD activities are courses or activities endorsed by ECDA and aimed at raising the quality and professional experience of leaders. Some examples include Leadership Series, Early Childhood Learning Communities (ECLC) Communities of Practice (CoP), Community of EC Leaders events, etc.

Participants are encouraged to prioritise CPD courses tagged to the Stage 1 Technical Skills and Competencies (TSCs) for the respective job role.

Please refer to the CPD Roadmap ​ to identify the Stage 1 TSCs for each Occupational Title.
Please refer to the CPD Prospectus​ for CPD courses which are tagged to the Stage 1 TSCs for each Occupational Title.

2. Non-ECDA CPD Activities

Non-ECDA CPD activities are courses, activities or training programmes conducted by professional institutions (such as NIEC and SUSS) or external providers. Some examples include first aid course, local learning journeys, learning communities, seminars and conferences etc.

Participants may refer to the respective institute’s website for more information.

3. In-house CPD Activities (capped at 20 hours)

In-house CPD activities are training sessions organised by the participant’s centre or organisation that contributes to the professional development of educators in performing their professional role. Participants can clock up to 20 hours of in-house CPD courses per PDP year.

Some examples include peer sharing, learning journeys, learning festivals, mentoring sessions and other staff trainings etc.