SUSS-Researchers @ Work
Issue 02 | June 2020Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Introduction
For starters, ECCE is to be differentiated from the broader 'early childhood development' (ECD) which includes healthcare and programming in humanitarian response. As such, ECCE is a fairly recent invention in many societies. It has emerged as a professionalised sector in societies where governments are encouraging greater workforce participation from women, and where extended family childcare arrangements are limited. The sector has seen tremendous growth in the last few years as families demand more childcare services, and the government is encouraging child-birth and promoting better use of childcare services. In 2018, it was announced that 40,000 more childcare places would be provided by 2023. This has resulted in a shortage of qualified and experienced teachers and principals to staff newly set-up childcare centres.
In line with national development and our SUSS degree programme's focus, we need more research that can inform ECCE organisational, leadership practices as well as curricular and pedagogical practices to nurture children's positive dispositions, and better-cater to children's diverse cultural backgrounds and naturally wide-ranging developmental and learning needs.
Associate Professor Sirene Lim
Vice Dean and Head, Early Childhood Education with Minor Programme
In line with national development and our SUSS degree programme's focus, we need more research that can inform ECCE organisational, leadership practices as well as curricular and pedagogical practices to nurture children's positive dispositions, and better-cater to children's diverse cultural backgrounds and naturally wide-ranging developmental and learning needs.
Associate Professor Sirene Lim
Vice Dean and Head, Early Childhood Education with Minor Programme
Featured Articles
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Artmaking, Storymaking and Free Play Sessions in Classroom-based Research
Four Year 3 full-time students share about their teacher research projects: integrating Artmaking and Storymaking experiences into the curriculum and the implementation of Sustained Shared Thinking (SST) strategies.
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What is the Fuss over Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)?
In Singapore, the ECCE sector underwent rapid expansion through government’s effort and research that helps to raise the quality of ECCE. Associate Professor Sirene Lim shares some of her thoughts on the sector.
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Children are the Products of their Society and Culture
Educators deliver cultural traditions to learners through teaching style and curriculum content. Dr Yang Weipeng shares his view on the Early Childhood Curriculum and discusses his and his coresearcher’s recent publications (Yang & Li 2018, 2019, 2020) on the role of culture in early childhood curriculum development.
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Leadership — Acts of Influence Leading to the Achievement of Shared Purposes
Teachers and Centre heads take up different forms of leadership responsibilities. Associate Professor Sum Chee Wah suggests two categories of research to further improve the professional development of these Early Childhood Education and Care (ECCE) practitioners in Singapore.
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Children's Attitudes towards the Environment are Hardwired in the Early Years
The early years are critical in equipping young children with relevant knowledge and skills pertaining to environmental sustainability. It is in this context that Dr. G. Kaveri discusses the role of ECE curriculum and the importance of collaborative relationships with families.
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Feeding, Diapering, Bathing and Sleeping — Are Not Just Routines to be Completed
Many opportunities for quality interactions have been missed when carrying out daily routines. Dr Cynthia Lim shares her recent findings (Lim 2019) on how educarers' perceptions of their roles and practices in the education and care of infants and toddler can influence their pedagogical practices and interactions with young children.