The objectives of the Specialist Diploma in Pre-School Education (SDPE) are similar to those stated for DPE-T and DPE-L mode of delivery in specially tailored for mature candidates who hold a degree or polytechnic diploma from other disciplines.
1. To enable candidates to transfer educational/child developmental theories into practice which provide wide-ranging, multi-media and developmentally appropriate learning experiences to young children.
2. To enable candidates to be skilful in observation and to apply their knowledge of child development to designing a learning environment that meets the needs of each individual child.
3. To present to candidates with a variety of pre-school approaches which facilitate a creative and developmentally appropriate curriculum.
4. To enable candidates to collaborate with fellow colleagues, parents and other professionals in supporting children’s cognitive and affective development.
5. To help candidates design, implement and evaluate learning environment and activities based on the curriculum framework and desired outcomes of pre-school education.
6. To raise awareness on issues pertaining to government guidelines and curriculum implementation, and current research in pre-school education.
7. To equip candidates with simple action research skills.
8. To provide candidates with skills to observe, evaluate and appraise teacher effectiveness in providing a creative learning environment and, thereafter, mentor fellow teachers.
9. To provide candidates with management and supervision skills that promote effective learning programmes, encourage teamwork among staff and collaboration with parents.
10. To equip candidates with administrative and management skills necessary for the efficient operation of pre-school centres.
