Objectives
The PECE Programme aims to:
- Develop professionally competent early childhood educators
- Strengthen teachers’ communication and classroom leadership skills
- Introduce internationally aligned early childhood pedagogies
- Promote reflective teaching practices
- Encourage play-based and meaningful learning experience design
- Strengthen collaboration between teachers, parents, and communities
- Embed emotional intelligence and social-awareness skills in daily practice
Core Programme Focus:
- Pedagogical Excellence
- Social-Emotional Skills & Ethical Practices
- Classroom Leadership & Communication
- Practical Application of International Standards
Eligibility & Admissions
Who Should Apply:
- ECE Teachers seeking career progression
- ECE Practitioners
- ECE Leaders and Managers
Eligibility:
- Pre-Service: Minimum 12 years of education
- In-Service: Minimum 3 years of teaching experience
- Must be available for the full programme duration and all assessments
- Selection based on documents, statement of intent, and orientation session
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the PECE Programme, participants will be able to:
- Apply child-centred pedagogical approaches with confidence
- Design developmentally appropriate and inclusive lesson plans
- Demonstrate effective communication with children, parents, and peers
- Implement classroom leadership strategies rooted in research and practice
- Apply social-emotional learning principles in daily classroom practice
- Reflect professionally on teaching practices and continuously improve
- Integrate internationally aligned perspectives into classroom activities
Curriculum
| Code | Course Title | Cr Hrs (Cont Hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| ECE101 | Introduction to Foundational Learning & Development | 2 (2+0) |
| ECE102 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 1 (1+0) |
| ECE103 | Role of Family, School and Community | 2 (1+1) |
| ECE104 | Inclusive and Integrated Curriculum Development | 2 (2+0) |
| ECE105 | Designing and Managing a Preschool | 2 (1+1) |
| ECE199 | Capstone Project | 9 (9+0) |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 (16+2) |
Faculty & International Experts
Rashida Aliakbar
Senior Lecturer & Early Childhood Education Specialist
Dr. Tasneem Lokhandwala
Clinical & School Psychologist
Alison Mazanec
International Communications & Training Consultant
Karen Ryder
Drama Educator, Theatre School Proprietor
Dr. Alefiya Nomanbhoy
Singapore Registered Psychologist
Alison Mazanec
International Communications & Training Consultant | Speech & Drama Specialist
- Joined Helen O’Grady Drama Academy in 1986 as a Speech & Drama teacher; became Head Trainer internationally
- Travelled to USA, New Zealand, Spain, Malta, India, Manila, Bosnia & Dubai for seminars and training
- Wrote and taught a Presentation & Communication Skills programme delivered online to university students, teachers, doctors, physiotherapists and lecturers in Pakistan and India (2024) — directly relevant to SBU!
- Judge for the English Speaking Union; Speech & Drama judge at Thornbury Arts Festival (2018)
- Wrote a confidence-building programme for 6th formers at Bristol Grammar School
- Received Award for Outstanding Contribution to Training internationally (2022)
- Currently runs Maz Training – Be Amazing! specialising in presentation, vocal & performance skills
- Qualifications: ATCL & LTCL in Speech & Drama (95% pass mark — one of the highest in Australia)
Rashida Aliakbar
Senior Lecturer & Early Childhood Education Specialist
- 20+ years as Senior Lecturer at Mother’s Touch International Academy, Colombo
- Specializes in early childhood education, child psychology, child development & mental health
- Trained as a Montessori teacher; worked with special needs children (autism, cerebral palsy)
- Voluntary counsellor for community mental health
- Fluent in English, Hindi & Sinhala
Qualifications to feature:
- Diploma in Montessori Method of Education
- Diplomas in Special Needs & Learning Difficulties
- Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Australia)
- Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy
Karen Ryder
Drama Educator, Theatre School Proprietor & Trinity College London Consultant
- Founder of Karen Ryder Theatre School (2024) — achieved Trinity College London Champion Centre Status within one year
- Specialist drama teacher across multiple UK primary schools (Foundation through Year 6)
- Former Trinity College London Drama Educator Consultant (2019–2022) — co-developed digital exam offerings, delivered international training
- Mental Health First Aider; delivered workshops on Managing Emotions, Mindfulness & Wellbeing
- Lead press interviewer at Manchester Theatres — 200+ interviews with professional creatives
- Ran Helen O’Grady Drama Academy (Bury & Bolton) for 16 years; Trinity College London Coordinator
- Honorary Member, Trinity College Londasdon (2017)
- BA (Hons) in English & Drama, Edge Hill University
Dr. Tasneem Lokhandwala
Clinical & School Psychologist
- 28+ years in school psychology across urban/suburban US school districts
- Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology; post-doctoral specialization in School Psychology (University of Iowa)
- Former Special Education Director & Supervisor of School Psychology
- Presented at ISPA (Switzerland) and multiple NASP national conferences
- Trains graduate students at Cleveland State, Kent State & Notre Dame College
- Founder of IPS LLC — offers psychoeducational assessments, counseling & special education support
Dr. Alefiya Nomanbhoy
Singapore Registered Psychologist | Clinical Psychologist & Learning Specialist
- Over 25 years of experience as a licensed Singapore Registered Psychologist
- Specializes in ADHD, Asperger's, high-functioning autism, depression, anxiety, and academic achievement
- Former Consultant Psychologist at Raffles Hospital Counselling Centre and Ovspring Developmental Clinic
- Former academic at the National Institute of Education Singapore, James Cook University, and University of Nottingham Malaysia
- Held leadership roles as Director of Research and Postgraduate Research Programs, and Director of Postgraduate Taught Programs at the School of Education, University of Nottingham Malaysia
- Former Vice-President and President of the Society for Reading and Literacy (Singapore); active member of SPARK (Society for the Promotion of ADHD Research and Knowledge)
Qualifications to feature:
- PhD – Communications Sciences & Disorders (Learning Disabilities), Northwestern University
- MPsy – Clinical Psychology, James Cook University
- BA – Biochemistry, Mount Holyoke College
- Master NLP, Mindtransformation Singapore
