(a) To enable the students to gain knowledge, skills and attitudes related to the total development of the pre-school child.

(b) To enable the students to master the competencies related to the teaching learning process in the pre-school

This programme is of one year’s duration.  The target groups are, 

(a) Teachers who are engaged in teaching in pre-schools without the necessary qualifications
(b) Those who conduct their own pre schools
                      and/or 
(c) Those who intend to become pre school teachers or crèche workers
                      and/or
(d) Young mothers who wish to gain knowledge of the correct ways of bringing up their children.

This certificate is recognized in recruiting staff for institutions run by the Ministries of Social Services and Local Government, other organizations which maintain pre-schools and creches, as well as for foreign employment. 

Applicants should be over 18 years of age and should have passed at least in six subjects including Mathematics and First Language at the General Certificate (Ordinary Level) Examination.  A good knowledge in the language medium selected will be an advantage. 

The programme consists of the following theoretical and practical course units.  All these courses are compulsory. 

Theory Courses                         

Practical Courses                 

Practical Components of the Programme

Apart from theoretical courses there is practical training in Pre-school Education which includes guided teaching practice preparation of teaching aids and observation at the pre-schools in Nawala, Matara and Kandy Regional Centres.  These practical sessions are compulsory. 

Teaching Methodology Mode of Instruction

Printed Materials will be the main medium for imparting knowledge. Fourteen day-schools will be conducted and these will be in the form of discussions of problems arising from the lessons, workshops, guidance for practical sessions and video films.

Assessments includes continuous assessment, written examination and evaluation of practical components (Teaching practice, Teaching aids and the Project)

1. Continuous assessment is conducted through a specified number of compulsory assignments.Students are required to submit these assignments which will be graded and returned together with the tutor’s comments.  Only those students who attain a satisfactory level in the continuous assessment will be eligible to sit for the final examination.

    ii.  Written examination consists of eight question papers.

  iii. Three practical components are assessed separately. 

This programme of study is available in Sinhala, English and Tamil. 

 Study Centres for the Certificate in Pre-school Education Programme are located at:

    C 010 Colombo K 030   Kandy    
    M 050 Matara    K 090   Kurunegala 
    J 060  Jaffna     K 070   Batticaloa
    C 135 Puttalam K 080   Ampara

    Conducting day schools in Study Centers for the programme will depend on student numbers
    (more than 15 students reported) and availability of resource persons. 

The Certificate in Pre-school Education will be awarded in accordance with the provisions of The Open University regulations.

Each year the programme will be advertised in the Daily News, Observer, and Silumina.

Coordinator of the programme – Ms.D.D.I. Deepthini