Course Code: ECE509
Synopsis
ECE509 Valuing Diversity: Inclusive Early Childhood Care and Education serves to deepen the knowledge of experienced educators on inclusive educational philosophies and approaches that support children of diverse abilities from birth to 8 years old. It covers essential knowledge on diversity with clear applications for engaging in culturally responsive practices with children, families and colleagues. Pedagogical practices, learning cultures and the professional development of practitioners are directed towards developing intercultural intelligence and sensitivities to cater to the needs of children and families with diverse backgrounds. ECE509 also takes the educator on a reflective journey to explore personal attitudes and values related to human diversity and culturally competent teaching and enables them to use the knowledge effectively in their practice.
Level: 5
Credit Units: 5
Presentation Pattern: EVERY JAN
Topics
- The meaning of diversity in early childhood education
- Attitudes and values related to diversity
- Multicultural factors: Race, ethnicity, language and nationality
- Socioeconomic factors: Disadvantaged families
- Intercultural intelligence and sensitivities
- Curriculum and teaching for children with diverse needs
- Pedagogical practices for children with specific disabilities
- Pedagogical practices for children from disadvantaged families
- Developing resiliency in children
- Inclusive environments in early childhood care and education
- Key challenges and issues
- Effective strategies in valuing diversity in care and education
Learning Outcome
- Analyse the diverse needs of families and children in society
- Critique various theoretical models and techniques in their practice with children and families with diverse needs
- Evaluate issues and the provision of services for children with diverse needs
- Appraise curriculum and teaching for children with diverse needs
- Design appropriate strategies for early childhood settings
- Support multiple aspects of human diversity in educational practice
Dates for 2026 January Semester
| Session | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:30am to 3:30pm | SUSS |
| 2 | 8:30am to 11am | Online |
| 3 | 8:30am to 11:30am | Online |
| 4 | 8:30am to 11:30am | Online |
| 5 | 8:30am to 11:30am | SUSS |
Who Should Attend
- Early childhood educators
Relevance of Course to Employment / Upskilling / Reskilling
Upskilling of Early Childhood Educators, Senior Educators, Centre Leaders, and EC operator Headquarters professional staff seeking to deepen their understanding of inclusive philosophies and approaches to support children with diverse abilities and from different social and cultural backgrounds. Admission Prerequisites
- Bachelor's Degree
Please refer to Graduate CET Admission Eligibility Criteria for Graduate CET Modular Courses.
Schedule
| Date | Time | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 28-Feb-26 | 8:30am to 11:30am | Introduction
|
| 11:30am to 12:30pm | Lunch Break | |
| 12:30pm to 3:30pm | Inclusion and Early Intervention (continued)
| |
| Session 2 7-Mar-26 | 8:30am to 11:30am | Inclusion and Early Intervention (continued)
|
| Session 3 14-Mar-26 | 8:30am to 11:30am | Diverse Needs
Supporting learning
|
| Session 4 28-Mar-26 | 8:30am to 11:30am | Panel discussion involving social worker, inclusion support officer, parent… Supporting learning (continued)
|
| Session 5 4-Apr-26 | 8:30am to 11:30am | Applying theory
Hands-on role play activities |
Assessments
- Assignments
- Others
- Discussion Board
- Written Examination
About the Trainer
Ms Esther Goh
Ms Goh is an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Specialist with over 10 years of experience in designing and implementing national early childhood education and teacher professional learning programmes. She has expertise in programme planning, technical writing, stakeholder engagement, policy, and programme analysis to improve outcomes for young children.
She earned a Bachelor of Education from the University of Melbourne, specialising in Early Childhood Education, and a Master of Arts in International Comparative Education, focusing on International Policy and Planning from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Ms Goh began her career as a Kindergarten Teacher in Australia. She spent several years as a Senior Early Childhood Officer at the Early Childhood Development Agency in Singapore, before working as an Education Research Consultant and Early Childhood Development Specialist for BRAC USA, New York, and the Bernard van Leer Foundation, The Netherlands, respectively. She is currently based in Singapore, working as an Advisor and trainer.
Dr Ang Ying Ying
Dr Ang is an Educational Psychologist with expertise in psycho-educational assessment and the implementation of national programmes for diagnosing and remediating dyslexia.
Dr Ang received a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Psychology from the University of York in the United Kingdom, and a Doctor of Educational and Child Psychology from University College London, United Kingdom.
She began her career as a primary school teacher and has over 15 years of experience as a specialist in educational psychology within MOE. She advanced to the position of Lead Educational Psychologist, where she mentored and supervised less experienced psychologists, led service delivery to West Zone schools, and provided consultancy and psycho-educational assessment services. She also contributed to policy development on inclusive educational practices, directed and managed the nationwide dyslexia identification programme, and oversaw school-based dyslexia remediation.
Course Fee
| International Participants | Singapore Citizens (below 40yrs), Permanent Residents | SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy1 (S'poreans aged 40 and above) | Enhanced Training Support for SME2 (Singaporean and PRs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Course fee (A) | $3,168.00 | $2,640.00 | $2,640.00 | $2,640.00 |
| SSG grant (70%) (B) | - | $1,848.00 | $1,848.00 | $1,848.00 |
| Nett course fee (A) - (B) = (C) | $3,168.00 | $792.00 | $792.00 | $792.00 |
| 9% GST on nett course fee (D) | $285.12 | $71.28 | $71.28 | $71.28 |
| Total nett course fee payable, including GST (C) + (D) = (E) | $3,453.12 | $863.28 | $863.28 | $863.28 |
| Less additional funding if eligible under various schemes (F) | - | - | - | $528.00 |
| Total nett course fee payable, including GST, after additional funding from the various funding schemes (E) - (F) = (H) | $3,453.12 | $863.28 | $335.28 | $335.28 |
Note:
Singaporeans aged 40 years and above may apply to offset out-of-pocket course fees from their SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) 60 days before the programme start date, and up to 90 days after the programme start date. More information at /academics/executive-lifelong-learning/courses/grant---schemes/skillsfuture#skillsfuture-credit
For payment, please refer to /payment-modes for the various payment modes.
For Refund Policy, please refer to /admissions/financial-matters/tuition-fee-subsidy/cet-courses#refund-policy.
- A written request for a refund must be submitted and is subject to approval.
- If written notice of withdrawal is given within the cooling off period and before the course start date, a full refund of the fees paid less an administrative charge of $110.00 (exclusive of GST) will be given.
- No refund will be given for withdrawal thereafter.
- The cooling off period is defined as 7 working days after payment of course fee.
Course Completion Requirements
- Participants are required to achieve at least 75% attendance and pass any prescribed examinations/assessments or submit any course/project work (if any) under the course requirement.
- Participants are required to complete all surveys and feedbacks related to the course
- The course fees are reviewed annually and may be revised. The University reserves the right to adjust the course fees without prior notice.
- Singapore University of Social Sciences reserves the right to amend and/or revise the above schedule without prior notice
For clarification, please contact the SUSS Academy via the following:
Telephone: +65 6248 0263
Email: [email protected]