Diploma in Early Childhood Education

Duration: 1 Year
Avg Fees: ₹10K - 1.3 LPA
Kripal Thapa
Kripal Thapa

Updated on - Jan 4, 2023

Diploma in Early Childhood Education course is a pre-undergraduate diploma course that deals with the educational science and humanities field of studies. Diploma in Early Childhood care and Education offers candidates to start up their career in various areas of the education system. Some of the jobs for graduates include Child Care Education, Pre-Schools and Family Daycare Education.

Diploma in Early Childhood Education Course Details

Degree Diploma
Full Form Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Duration 1 Year
Age No age limit
Subjects Required Not Specified
Minimum Percentage 50% in 10+2 Examination
Average Fees ₹10K - 1.3 LPA
Similar Options of Study Diploma in Child Psychology, Diploma in Child Development
Average Salary INR 3 - 6 LPA [Source: PayScale]
Employment Roles Kindergarten teacher, Elementary Teacher, Organizer, Educational Materials consultant, etc
Top Recruiters Government Schools, Ministry of Child and Women Empowerment, Montessori Playschool, etc

About DECE Course

DECE course full form in India is Diploma in Early Childhood Education. DECE course is a pre-undergraduate course with a duration of 1 year. Through this course, students are given a basic understanding of child care. According to Wikipedia, “Early childhood education (ECE), also known as nursery education, is a branch of education theory that relates to the teaching of children (formally and informally) from birth up to the age of eight. Traditionally, this is up to the equivalent of third grade. ECE is described as an important period in child development.”

Table of Contents

Eligibility Criteria for DECE

DECE course admission is offered to only those students who meet the eligibility requirements. The candidates must have a completed 10th or 10+2 with a minimum 50% aggregate score in the final examination. There is no age limit for the course. The admission process can be either entrance exam based or merit-based.

How To Get Admission in DECE?

Students must ensure that they satisfy the DECE course eligibility criteria. DECE admissions are done through entrance exam scores or on a merit basis. Admission procedures may vary across different DECE course universities in India. Mentioned below are the details of the admission process in general:

How to Apply?

DECE course details and procedures for admission can be found on the college's official websites. To apply for the course, visit the official university admission portal and register for the entrance exam. After that fill the application form by providing the required details.

Selection Process

Admission is strictly offered to only those students who have cleared the 10th or 10+2 along with the entrance exam. The list of shortlisted candidates can be availed through the college’s official website or will be informed via email regarding the result and the further admission process.

Admission to the DECE course in India is mainly through entrance examinations. Entrance exams for Diploma in Early Childhood Education in India are usually conducted on the state or national level. The most common exams that most candidates apply to are as follows:

A Quick Glance at the DECE Entrance Exams

To get admitted, students must ensure whether they satisfy the eligibility for the DECE course. To clear the test, students should study the exam pattern and syllabus well before time. This will assist students in timely preparation for the entrance exams. Listed below is the general pattern for the entrance exams:

  • The entrance exam has multiple sections that test different parts of your knowledge like Communication, Reasoning, Current Affairs, Quantitative Skills etc.
  • The examination will be conducted through offline mode or online mode.
  • The time duration to complete the paper is 2 hours.
  • Paper consists of 120 multiple choice questions carrying 360 marks.

Top 10 DECE Colleges in India

There are various institutes that offer DECE. Students can opt for the best DECE course college in India depending upon their merit and specialization needed. Top colleges offering a Diploma in Early Childhood Education offer this course to ensure that the students have access to all the vital infrastructure they need to study the course. The top 10 colleges for DECE courses in India are:

DECE Colleges

Sl. No.

Name of the Institute

1

Indira Gandhi National Open University

2

Tamil Nadu Open University

3

National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chennai

4

Bombay University

5

Bombay Teachers Training College

6

Indian Institute of Teacher Education, Gandhinagar

7

 Jaipur National University

8

PK Roy Memorial College for Women

9

Amity University, Noida

10

Maharani Teacher Training College

Fee Structure for DECE

DECE course fees range from INR 2,000 - 90,000 PA. The fees may vary according to the college or university based on the type of institute, location, infrastructure, faculties, and facilities available. Below listed are some of the top DECE course colleges in India:

DECE Course Fee

Sl. No.

Name of the Institute

Average Annual fees

1

Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi

INR 3000 PA

2

Tamil Nadu Open University, Chennai

INR 6000 PA

3

Maharishi University of Management and Technology, Bilaspur

INR 51,000 PA

4

Bombay University, Mumbai

INR 89,796 PA

5

Bombay Teachers Training College, Mumbai

INR 23,000 PA

Syllabus and Subjects for DECE

DECE course full form is Diploma in Early Child Education. DECE is a pre-undergraduate course. DECE course duration is 1 year. Through this course, students are given a basic understanding of child care. The subjects related to this course varies according to specializations and the institutes. The compulsory subjects include:

  • Evolution and Progress of Early Childhood Care and Education
  • Development in the First Six Years
  • Communication Skills and Fundamental Computer Knowledge
  • Organization of Preschool and Daycare Centers
  • Corporate Social Responsibility

Read More About DECE Syllabus and Subject

Why Choose DECE?

Students often wonder about DECE details before choosing the course. Before deciding on a career, students come across queries like, "What is a DECE course?" and "Why choose DECE?”. To clearly understand answers to these questions, we have framed the following three pointers:

What is DECE All About?

DECE is a pre-undergraduate course. Through this course, students are given a basic understanding of child care. After completing the course, the graduates are usually hired as Childhood Education Marketing, Primary school teacher, Elementary school teacher, Operations manager, etc.

What Does a DECE Graduate Do?

The DECE graduates can find jobs in areas like Government Schools, Ministry of Child and Women Empowerment, Montessori Playschool, Disney Pre Schools, Tata-McGraw-Hill, Kindercare Education, Ellucian, Cengage Books Publications, Kidzee etc.

Montessori Teacher: A Montessori Teacher's responsibilities include creating lesson plans, curricula focused on developing social, physical, intellectual, and emotional skills, assessing children's individual needs, communicating with parents and so on.

Reasons Why DECE Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?

Career prospects for a DECE greatly vary. It depends on the respective specialization and demand. Candidates also make use of the general education provided in the degree to get a job in Government, University Administration or in the Non-Profit Sector.

Career Scope and Options: The graduates can work in Government Schools, Ministry of Child and Women Empowerment, Montessori Playschool, Tata-McGraw-Hill, Cengage Books Publications, Kidzeeetc. They can work as Early Childhood Education Marketing Head, School Teacher, Child Development Consultant, Lecturer, Home tutors, Educational Trainee etc.

Preparation Tips for DECE

Some of the course preparation tips for the DECE course are listed below:

Know The Syllabus And Exam Pattern: To prepare well for the entrance exams the candidates should be aware of the syllabus, exam pattern, and the books to equip the knowledge required.

Practice Question Papers: Practice solving previous years’ papers to understand the type of questions asked. It also helps to improve and prepare yourself for the actual exam.

Take Mock Tests: Solving as many mock tests can help you gain speed and accuracy.

Prepare Time Table: Finish preparation well in advance, to have enough time for revision of the content.

Scope For Higher Education

After completion of DECE, the candidates can choose to take up jobs or can continue with their higher studies. An additional DECE degree improves job opportunities. The graduates can specialize in specific areas like child care, nutrition etc. Some higher education options are:

Salary of a DECE Graduate

The average salary of a Diploma in Child Education graduate ranges from INR 3.3 - 7.2 LPA (Source: PayScale) for freshers. The salaries and annual earnings depend on the specific kind of communication skills, nutrition expert, attitude and other related aspects.

Read More About DECE Salary

Career Options After DECE

After completion of the course, the graduates can find jobs in areas like Women Empowerment, Montessori Playschool, Disney Pre Schools, Tata-McGraw-Hill, Kindercare Education etc. The graduates can even apply for higher education. Some job roles offered to graduates are:

  • Early Childhood Education Marketing Head
  • Elementary School Teacher
  • Primary School Teacher
  • Child Development Consultant
  • Lecturer

Skills That Make You The Best DECE Graduate

There are people who are passionate about music and who want to take up music professionally in the future. DECE is wide-ranging and deep in the subjects it explores and is sure to catch the fancy of all children lovers. Some required skills are:

  • Analytical Skill
  • Critical Thinking Skill
  • Communication Skill
  • Presentation Skill
  • Multitasking Skill
  • Managing Skill

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