Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Development

Duration:
2 Years

Mode of Study:
Full-Time

Programme Coordinator:
Ms. Yoesel Sangay Choden

Programme Overview

The Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) at Paro College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan, is a two-year, full-time programme comprising four semesters and 240 credits. Introduced in July 2025, it prepares aspiring ECCD facilitators with the knowledge, practical skills and professional attitudes needed to provide quality care and education and support young children’s holistic development.

The programme includes 18 taught modules and a 45-day practicum placement worth 24 credits. Its curriculum covers child development, play-based learning, language and literacy, mathematical and scientific thinking, creative arts, inclusion, assessment, social and emotional learning, and children’s health, safety and nutrition. Academic skills, Dzongkha communication, information technology, Bhutanese heritage, and family and community partnerships further strengthen students’ professional preparation.

The programme combines theoretical learning with practical experiences, including opportunities at the college’s Rinpung ECCD Centre and supervised field placement. It emphasises developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant and inclusive practices aligned with Bhutan’s Early Learning and Development Standards. Graduates are prepared for work in government and private ECCD centres, preschools and daycare settings, with opportunities for further study and entrepreneurship in early childhood services.  

Learning Outcomes & Skills

Upon completion of the Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Development, graduates will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of child development to support young children’s holistic growth and learning.
  2. Design developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant learning environments that integrate play and Bhutanese heritage.
  3. Plan and facilitate learning experiences that develop language, literacy, mathematical and scientific thinking, and creativity.
  4. Observe, document and assess children’s learning using appropriate tools to inform planning and support.
  5. Implement inclusive practices that respect diversity and promote equitable participation for all children.
  6. Promote children’s health, safety, nutrition and social–emotional well-being through daily routines and activities.
  7. Build effective partnerships with families and communities to support children’s development and learning.
  8. Demonstrate professional skills, values and responsible use of technology in early childhood settings.

Who the Programme Is For

The programme is intended for eligible Class XII graduates who wish to pursue a career in early childhood care and education. It primarily serves pre-service learners preparing to become ECCD facilitators in government and private centres, preschools and daycare settings. Participants should have an interest in working with young children and supporting their holistic development. The full-time programme provides foundational knowledge and supervised practical experience for those entering the profession.  

Curriculum Structure

Year I ( Semester I )

Modules
  • ACS101 Academic Skills
  • DZG101 རྫོང་ཁ་བརྡ་དོན་སྤྲོད་ལེན།
  • APC101 Information Technology Literacy
  • EAS101 Child Development
  • EPD101 Learning Environment and Bhutanese Heritage

Year I ( Semester II )

Modules
  • EAS202 Young Children’s Mathematical Thinking
  • EAS203 Young Children’s Language and Literacy Development
  • EPR101 Children, Family and Community
  • EPR202 Programming and Planning in Early Childhood Settings
  • EPD102 Learning Through Play

Year II ( Semester I )

Modules
  • EAS305 Inclusion in Early Childhood Education
  • EPD204 Creative Arts for Young Children
  • EPD203 Assessing Young Children’s Learning
  • PRT206 Practicum Placement

Year II ( Semester II )

Modules
  • EAS204 Young Children’s Scientific Thinking
  • EAS307 Social and Emotional Learning in Early Childhood
  • EAS309 Young Children’s Health, Safety and Nutrition
  • EPD307 Technology in Early Childhood
  • EPD305 Project Approach in Early Childhood Education
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