| 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 |
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
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.
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:
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.
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:
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:
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:
Sl. No. | Name of the Institute |
1 | |
2 | |
3 | National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chennai |
4 | |
5 | |
6 | Indian Institute of Teacher Education, Gandhinagar |
7 | |
8 | |
9 | |
10 |
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:
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 |
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:
Read More About DECE Syllabus and Subject
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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
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:
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:
Diploma in Early Childhood care and Education syllabus covers everything from understanding mindsets of people, Healthcare, Communication Skills and Fundamental Computer Knowledge, Organization of Preschool and Daycare Centers, Corporate Social Responsibility. The DECE course includes both theory and practical papers. Semester-wise DECE course subjects list are given in the table below:
| Semester I | Semester II |
| Introduction to Child Care and Development | Nutrition and Health Care During Infancy and Early Childhood |
The Child: Development in the First Twelve Months | Nutrition Related Disorders in Early Childhood |
The Child: Development During Toddlerhood (13-36 months) | Common Childhood Illnesses, Their Prevention & Management-l |
The Child: Development During Preschool Years (3-6 years) | Common Childhood Illnesses, Their Prevention & Management-2 |
Play Activities for Preschoolers-l | Services for Children |
Play Activities for Preschoolers-2 | Children with Special Needs-l |
Organizing a Child Care Centre | Children with Special Needs-II |
Introduction to Nutrition and Health | Communicating with Parents and the Community |
Basic Concepts in Nutrition | Managing Children’s Programmes: Some Perspectives |
Nutrition and Health Care During Pregnancy and Lactation | Project Work |
The DECE course offers both theoretical and practical aspects of the study. Diploma in Early Childhood Education subjects include Life-Coping Skills, Corporate Social Responsibility, Early Childhood Education, Child Development and Psychology etc. The course curriculum includes core and elective subjects. The compulsory subjects include:
DECE course structure includes both core and elective subjects and is curated for one year. The course structure is made in a way that both classroom training and practicals is included in the course. The course structure is given below:
The course curriculum takes into account different teaching methods. Along with classroom training, this also includes practical sessions for students who are passionate about servicing and want to take up servicing professionally in the future. Listed below are the teaching methodology and strategies in general:
Projects are given to students to understand the concepts and help students in getting hands-on experience. Projects are to be completed by the end of the year. Some popular DECE course projects topics are:
DECE course books are available both online and offline by many authors and publications. Reference books are meant for gaining an in-depth understanding of concepts. Books on DECE courses for academic purposes differ according to specializations. Some of the reference books for the course in DECE are:
Name of the Books | Authors |
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind | Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson |
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk | Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish |
The Exceptional Child: Inclusion in Early Childhood Education | K. Eileen Allen and Glynnis E.Cowdery |
Effective Practices in Early Childhood Education: Building a Foundation (3rd Edition) | Dr Sue Bredekamp |
Anti-Bias Education in the Early Childhood Classroom: Hand in Hand, Step by Step | Katie Kissinger |
