INSTITUTIONS OFFERING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT IS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND WHO IS AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION?
Early Childhood Education is a foundation for future development that provides a child with a strong basis of intelligence, personality, and social behaviour capacity to learn and nurture oneself as an adult. An Early Childhood Education degree can help prepare you for a rewarding career teaching children in the preschool age.
An early childhood educator is someone who studied early childhood education and is responsible for caring for and educating young children. The areas of study within this career focus on social development which includes various activities that engage a student’s abilities to flourish.
WHERE DO EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER WORK?
Pursuing a career in early childhood education in Zambia can lead you to work in various types of workplaces. Commonly, early childhood educators will work within a school setting but can work from care centers or private residences. Listed below are potential workplaces for early childhood education professionals: government schools, private Schools, Special Education schools, Kindergarten Centers and Daycare centers. (Daycare center is a place where people who cannot be fully independent such us small children can be taken care of. In Zambia we have them in form of nursery schools).
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
Every school and daycare center has its own specific rules and regulations, but early childhood educators are expected to perform the following common tasks:
Create Lesson Plans, Early childhood educators design their own lesson and classroom instruction plans based on state-approved and school-approved curriculum. Lead Daily Activities, Early childhood educators lead daily social, learning, and physical activities for all children in their assigned classes. Monitor Children, Early childhood educators are responsible for the overall health and welfare of the children in their classroom, which requires diligent monitoring of all children during learning times, meal times, restroom breaks, and nap times.
Encourage and Engage Children, as an early childhood educator, it is necessary to keep all children active and engaged while they are in the classroom. They are ultimately responsible for keeping the classroom clean, organized, and stimulating for children.
Assess In-Class and Homework Assignments, Early childhood educators must assess all work submitted by students and provide progress reports to parents detailing their child’s success completing classroom work. Attend Staff Meetings, Early childhood educators must attend mandatory workshops, conferences, and staff meetings as directed by school guidelines.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF AN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER?
If one is working for a government or private school they typically follow the normal 08hrs to 16hrs work schedule Monday to Friday. They report for work at 08hrs and have a mid-morning break at 10hrs and break off for lunch at 12hrs. The day ends at 16hrs and 17hrs latest on certain occasions.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
Early childhood education describes the period of learning that takes place from birth to 8 years old. There are many career paths you can take, including teaching, managing a daycare, and providing in-home care for children.
An early childhood educator can find a job as a Preschool Teacher: Preschool teachers introduce young children to education and prepare them for kindergarten. They also look for signs of emotional or developmental issues and bring them to the attention of parents or guardians. The early childhood teacher job description can vary between childcare centers.
They also find jobs as Kindergarten School Teachers: Kindergarten school teachers create lesson plans for math, English, social studies and science, but also to teach pupils the soft skills they need to be successful in school. They communicate with parents about their child’s progress and prepare students to take standardized tests. They also find jobs as Childcare Center Directors or principals: The director/principal of the childcare center oversees all of the preschool teachers and childcare workers. They are responsible for hiring and training staff, planning the budget, developing the educational standards and programming for the center, and meeting with parents to discuss students’ progress.
They also find jobs as School Counselors or Psychologists: Working in schools, counselors and psychologists can diagnose learning disabilities or cognitive, emotional or behavioral problems in young students. Together with parents, the counselors and psychologists can design and implement behavior modification programs for students.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
To enjoy working as an early childhood educator, you must love and work well with young children. In addition to this essential personality, schools and day-care centres who hire early childhood educators look for professionals who have Communication skills, early childhood educators must have a good grasp of the English language and the ability to communicate effectively with both children and adults. They must have the Sensitivity as an early childhood educator, professionals must be sensitive to the current needs of children and highly observant of their potential needs. They must also have Physical stamina, early childhood educators spend many of their working hours standing, bending, and moving, which requires good physical stamina and fitness. They also must have Patience; early childhood educators are patient and understanding individuals who possess good listening skills and do not display fits of temper during working hours. They must also have Leadership skills, early childhood educators are responsible for maintaining discipline and order in their classrooms at all times, so some leadership skills are essential for this career.
INSTITUTIONS OFFERING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
When one enrols into university to study early childhood education you are expected to learn the following subjects: Study and Communication Skills, Sociology of Education, Psychology of the Primary School Child., Development of Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Science, Child Development, Health Nutrition and First Aid, Pre-Mathematics, Educational Research Methods, Language Development, Creative Activities, Music, Child psychology, Literature and Emerging Literacy, Early Childhood Education Management & Administration, Production of Teaching and Learning Aids, Child Guidance and Counselling, Philosophy of Education, Teaching Practice, Curriculum Design and Syllabus Study.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
To qualify for this program, you need to have 5 O’ level credits or better including in Mathematics and English.
WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE AN EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER?
An alternative to early childhood education is the primary education diploma which enables one to teach any grade from preschool to grade 7.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
Once you study early childhood education, you may decide to pursue a master’s degree in early childhood education, or adult education or secondary education. A master’s degree gives you an upper hand when it comes to finding new jobs in competitive environments especially abroad. It’s a sign that apart from general skills, you have taken keen interest to master one area of your job more than other people. With a master’s degree one would become a university lecturer as well. It also provides an opportunity of changing your career from the education sector upon advancing your qualifications.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA
Programme duration: 4 years (Degree)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Education
Intakes: January
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +26 021 125 1381
E-mail: dean-edu@unza.zm
Website: www.unza.zm/schools/education/about
CHALIMBANA UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 3 years (Diploma) / 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Science and Education
Intakes: January and July
Location: Chongwe–Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 977 485 465 / 0977 276293 / 0970 528404
E-mail: admissions@chau.edu.zm
Website: www.chau.ac.zm/content/programmes
ZAMBIA OPEN UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years degree
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Education
Intakes: May/July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 427600 or +260 969 672965 or +260 976 123055
E-mail: admissions@zaou.ac.zm
Website: zaou.ac.zm
RUSANGU UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Education
Intakes: January and August
Location: Monze
Contacts
Tel: +260 213 255471 or +260 976 271138
E-mail: info@ru.edu.zm
Website: ru.edu.zm
FAIRVIEW COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Programme duration: 3 years diploma
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Education
Intakes: January
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 96 6787114
E-mail: fairviewcollegeofeducation@hotmail.com
PAGLORY UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 3 years Diploma
Mode of study: Full-time, open, Distance Learning
Admitting school: Faculty of Social Sciences
Intakes: January and July
Location: Kabwe
Contacts
Tel: + 260966432643/+260 97 7369911/+260 97 9311559
E-mail: info@pagloryuniversity.org
Website: paglory-university.com
EDEN UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 3 years Diploma
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Education
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 977794995 or +260 211843535
E-mail: edenuniversity@edenuniversity.net
Website: www.edenuniversity.edu.zm/course-fee-structure.html
GIDEON ROBERT UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years degree
Mode of study: full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: School of Teacher Education
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260969899875
E-mail: vc@gideonrobertyuniversity.com
Website: www.gideonrobert.education
SUPERSHINE UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years degree only
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: Faculty of Education
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260211234053 or +260966791120 or +260977982447
E-mail: registrar@supershineuniversity.net
Website: www.supershineuniversity.net
CHRESO UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 4 years degree
Mode of study: Full-time, Part-time and Distance
Admitting school: Faculty of Education and Theology
Intakes: January and July
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 967 796 562 or +260 974 791 731
E-mail: info@chresouniversity.edu.zm
Website: chresouniversity.edu.zm