In olden days, pre-school teachers do not possess any formal training in teaching field, they do so because of their love for children and their passion for teaching.

But nowadays, parents are more educated and more demanding. In order to meet their requirements, pre-school and childcare teachers must equip themselves with appropriate professional qualifications and the right skills. Therefore, the demand for academic qualification especially at Diploma level seems to be increasing.

In Malaysia, there are many instituitions offer these kind of courses for those who seek for early childhood education. However, one must consider the following few important criteria before signing up for any related course in early childhood education.

• The educational instituitions must be registered with the Ministry of Higher Education
  
• The Early Childhood Education programmes must be Approved by the National
  Accreditation Board(LAN)-this is crucial because it provides a benchmark in terms of duration of programme, credit hours, contact hours, entry reuirements and lecturers' qualifications.
  
• Mandatory for colleges to apply for Minimum Standard certification from LAN after 4 semesters in conducting early childhood programme. This is a form of quality control over the programmes. To ensure that the courses granted approval previously are conducted accordingly.
  
• The programme must be approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and LAN, in order to eligible for the withdrawal of Employee Provident Fund(EPF-Account II) to settle school fees. Students who are registered in any approved Diploma, are eligible to apply for PTPTN Loans (Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional)
  
• Study Pathway-the future of the early childhood program in terms of continuity after Diploma level to Degree Program if desired.

Apart from those factors listed above, you also have to consider the course fees, curriculum and syllabus, course outcomes, facilities and overall track record of the instituition in providing early childhood education.

Click here for the institutions which offer recognised early childhood education in Malaysia.