Certificate (Pre-School Education)

This certificate programme is in pre-school education, the field of teaching and caring for children before primary school. It focuses on how young children learn, play, and develop, and what that means for teaching them. Entry is less competitive than many other university programmes.

What pre-school education programmes cover

Programmes of this kind usually cover child development, early learning activities, classroom management for young children, and how to work with families. You learn how children think and develop at this age, and how to design simple lessons and play-based activities that build early literacy and numeracy. Most programmes also include practical teaching experience in a nursery or kindergarten.

How competitive entry is

Entry to this certificate is less competitive than many other programmes. The same programme at the University for Development Studies is also less competitive, and the University of Education, Winneba, lists it as less competitive as well. That means your chances depend on meeting the basic requirements rather than on very high WASSCE aggregates. Check the specific admission requirements to see if your grades qualify.

What you can do after graduation

Graduates of pre-school education programmes usually go into teaching positions in nurseries, kindergartens, and early childhood centres. Some also work as teaching assistants, childcare workers, or run their own pre-school. The skills in this field are also useful for further study in education.