Accredited by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA)

COURSE OVERVIEW

The WSQ Higher Certificate Infant Care (WSQ HCIC) is a required professional qualification for an educarer working with children aged 2 to 18 months. The course is designed to prepare early years’ educarers with the knowledge and skills in caregiving, provision of appropriate learning experiences and stimulating environment in the care of infants and toddlers.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Acquire strong understanding of theories and practices in child development
• Implement theories into practice
• Plan and execute intentional as well as developmentally and culturally appropriate programmes and activities for young children (2 to 18 months)
• Facilitate effective development and learning among children of various age groups
• Collaborate with key stakeholders towards the holistic and comprehensive development of young children
• Develop a commitment towards professional development and personal growth

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must be at least 21 years of age.

Academic Requirements:

• For applicants with local Singapore academic qualifications, the applicant must have completed at least Secondary Two (2) education.
• For applicants with non-local Singapore academic qualifications, the applicant must have completed at least eight (8) years of formal education.

Language Requirements:

• Average SOA 4 in the WPL Series

HEALTH CLEARANCE Requirement: Please refer to the following link under childcare link for health clearance requirement: http://www.childcarelink.gov.sg/ccls/uploads/CCC_Guide.pdf

SSG Course Reference Number-TGS-2019502315

Module Synopsis

Overview and Introduction to Early Years Landscape in Singapore (WSQ Adopt the Early Years Development Framework)

Child’s Interactions and Relationships and Development of Child Secure Attachments

The purpose of the Early Years Development Framework (EYDF) is to familiarise educarers with the tool, translating its principles into good practices at child care centres to support the overall development of children aged 3 and below.

• The developing child
• The intentional program
• The involved family
• The engage family.

Principles of Infant and Toddler Development

This area of study describes the theoretical and knowledge bases of development in the early years to help the development of quality care practices. Particular attention will be paid to the role of the infant educarer and the attitude necessary to facilitate all aspects of infant and toddler development. The emphasis will be on how knowledge and theory informs caring, respectful practice.

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN FOR INFANT/TODDLER PROGRAMMES

• Guiding principles for the creation of infant and toddler environments
• Indoor and outdoor environment settings
• Create a learning environment that embraces multicultural cultures
• Health and safety factors

INFANT / TODDLER CURRICULUM

Developing Appropriate Practice in Caregiving

The aim of the module is to assist learners to

• Acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to plan and evaluate infant & toddler curriculum if the needs of the child and the family are met.
• Demonstrate understanding that routines are important opportunities for learning and development.

Observing and Documenting Infant/Toddler Learning

• Be equipped with the necessary skills to facilitate experiences that support a child’s growth and development.
• Be equipped with the observing and documenting skills

Principles of Caregiving (Respectful, Responsive and Reciprocal)

• Understand the importance of setting goals and scaffolding for individual infants and toddlers in a group care setting.
• Understand attachment pertaining to infant and toddler care with the applications of 3R’s and 3A’s principles.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH FAMILIES

Partnership with Families

• Advocating family-centered cultivation
• Building strong partnerships with families
• parental education and support

Professional Value and Code of Ethics of Educarer 1

• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
• A competent nurturing teacher.
• Vision, values, mission

HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELLBEING

This module focuses on the important role of safety, health and nutrition in infant and toddler educare. It combines basic information and theory, as well as practical applications, resources and care giving skills such as:

• mental health of infants and toddlers
• safety and health measures
• nutritional needs of infants and toddlers
• infectious diseases that affect infants and toddlers
• establish a profile on health, safety and hygiene for infants and toddlers
• handling and prevention of accidental injuries

PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT

Practicum for Infant/Toddler Care

This module provides learners with opportunities to apply the knowledge and concepts of child development theory when working with very young children. During the Practicum, the learners play the role of a warm and nurturing caregiver and implement a variety of developmentally appropriate play activities. As the learners engage in observation of the roles played by other experienced caregivers, they take this opportunity to acquire skills in working with infants/toddlers as well as relating and working effectively with their families.