Who’s Teaching the Little Ones? Why Qualified Educators Matter More than Ever

Peek into any preschool classroom and you’ll find a magical world—finger paints on tiny hands, giggles over storybooks, and songs sung in sing-song voices. But beyond the cuteness, early childhood education (ECE) is serious business. It’s a powerful, transformative phase of human development. And yet, behind the colourful walls and miniature furniture, lies a pressing issue we’re not talking about enough: Who exactly is teaching our little ones?

The Silent Crisis in Our Preschools

It’s easy to assume that anyone who loves children can teach them. But love, while important, is not enough. Early childhood education requires an understanding of child psychology, cognitive development, health and safety protocols, curriculum design, and social-emotional learning strategies. Without this, we risk robbing our children of critical developmental windows. Many teachers are working without a minimum diploma in ECE or even the basic Kursus Asuhan dan Didikan Awal Kanak-Kanak (PERMATA) certification.

In a 2023 report by Malay Mail, it was revealed that only 18% of preschool educators in the private sector have the required diploma qualifications. This statistic is not just a number—it’s a red flag.

This lack of qualification not only undermines classroom quality but also jeopardises the future of thousands of young learners. In their most impressionable years, children deserve more than just supervision—they deserve skilled, trained, and passionate educators.

The First Five Years Are Everything

Science has shown that over 90% of brain development happens before the age of five. Every song sung, story read, and shape drawn contributes to a child’s neurological wiring. These early years are the blueprint of their lifelong behaviour, learning capacity, and even mental health. Additionally, according to Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, more than 1 million new neural connections are formed every second in a baby’s brain during this stage.

Early childhood education isn’t just about ABCs and finger painting. It’s about learning how to express emotions, solve problems, build friendships, and understand oneself. A research from Penn State’s Better Kid Care initiative stated that qualified educators play a crucial role in building emotional security, fostering cognitive development, and guiding social behaviour.

So, when we settle for unqualified teachers — no matter how loving — we’re setting our children up to stumble before they even begin the race.

So, what can we do?

Enter: DIKA College

This has been one of Malaysia’s best-kept educational secret; a specialist institution that has been laser-focused on one mission since 2004: to nurture those who nurture others.

The name DIKA originally stood for “Didikan Kanak-Kanak,” and today it has grown into “Didikan Institut Kanak-Kanak Asia”. At first glance, DIKA might look like any other private college. But take a step inside, and you’ll discover a powerhouse of teacher education — a boutique college that’s shaping the future of Malaysian childhood education one educator at a time.

“What we’re doing here at DIKA is more than teaching. We’re building the nation’s foundation — one qualified educator at a time,” says Ms. Norizan Samausi, Head of College at DIKA.

With full-time diplomas, Open and Distance Learning (ODL) options, and PERMATA (Kursus Asuhan dan Didikan Awal Kanak-Kanak) certification programmes, DIKA has created an accessible, practical and deeply relevant approach to educating the educators.

More Than Just a Diploma

DIKA’s programmes go beyond textbook learning. Students undergo two practicum sessions—one in a TASKA (nursery) and another in a TADIKA (kindergarten). They learn to implement national and international curricula, including PERMATA, KSPK, and Montessori frameworks. And thanks to DIKA’s strategic partnership with Busy Bees Asia Group, students gain hands-on experience in over 30 preschools across Malaysia.

Building Futures Through Powerful Partnerships

One of DIKA College’s greatest strengths lies in its robust collaborative affiliations, which position it as a well-connected and industry-relevant institution. These strategic alliances go far beyond mere name association, they form an integrated ecosystem of learning, mentorship, and career opportunities that set DIKA apart from the rest.

At the heart of these partnerships is Busy Bees Asia, a globally respected name in early childhood education and care. As part of the Busy Bees family, DIKA College students benefit from exclusive access to over 30 high-quality preschools across Malaysia, including renowned brands like The children’s house Montessori, Odyssey The Global Preschool, and Small Wonder Preschool. This relationship enriches the college’s curriculum with practical insights and keeps its training aligned with current industry needs.

“95% of our students secure full-time employment before they graduate,” Ms. Norizan proudly shares. “Some are even offered apprenticeships where tuition is subsidised and salaries are paid during training.” These apprenticeships are more than financial aid, they’re transformative experiences. Students are placed directly into preschools for immersive training, guided by Mentor Teachers and Mentor Specialists. This ensures that upon graduation, they’re not only employable but also confident, competent, and classroom-ready.

Beyond that, DIKA College also maintains valuable affiliations with institutions of global excellence. Through Asian International College (AIC), one of Singapore’s leading institutes in early childhood education, students and early childhood professionals can advance their qualifications and pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Master of Education (MA) in Early Childhood Education from Birmingham City University (BCU) in the United Kingdom. Ranked third in the UK for undergraduate education courses, BCU is celebrated for its practice-oriented learning and commitment to producing top-tier educators.

These powerful affiliations with Busy Bees Asia, AIC, BCU, and over 10 other established preschool brands across Malaysia and Singapore have cemented DIKA’s role as a leader in early childhood teacher education. They have paved an entire pathways—from diploma to employment, and even postgraduate advancement.

Flexible Learning for Real Lives

One of DIKA’s standout features is its strong commitment to Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programme, a model that perfectly suits today’s dynamic learners who seek flexibility without compromising quality. DIKA College leverages cutting-edge digital platforms and blended learning methods, enabling students to study at their own pace, anytime and anywhere.

This approach is designed for working adults, parents, and rural learners. With self-paced modules, recorded lessons, and weekend tutorials, students can pursue qualifications without putting their lives on hold.

“We want to make sure that anyone with the heart for this field has a way in,” says Ms. Norizan.

Together, the ODL model and the Busy Bees umbrella form a powerful combination, making DIKA College a compelling choice for individuals who want to pursue quality education that is flexible, industry-relevant, and backed by one of the most trusted brands in childcare education.

Creating a Campus That Reflects the Future

DIKA’s campus is an ecosystem of learning. With dedicated simulation rooms for TASKA and TADIKA settings, music and art rooms, multipurpose halls, and stringent safety measures like facial recognition access and CCTV monitoring, the environment is designed to mirror the very best early childhood centres.

“We designed it to be immersive, safe, and inspiring—just like the kind of preschools we hope our students will lead one day,” Ms. Norizan explains.

Investing in Educators

DIKA only hires lecturers who have a minimum of five years’ practical experience in both teaching and preschool settings. This blend ensures that students learn not just theory but also how to apply it in messy, joyful, real-world classrooms.

The Bigger Picture: A National Call to Action

As Malaysia edges closer to its 2025 requirement for all preschool teachers to hold a diploma in ECE, DIKA College stands as a ready solution. It’s not just filling a gap; it’s raising the bar.

“The time has come to treat early childhood education as the cornerstone of national development,” Ms. Norizan asserts. “Because the educators we train today will shape the leaders, thinkers, and citizens of tomorrow.”

Conclusion: It Takes a Village, But it Starts with a Teacher

So, the next time you walk your child into their classroom, take a moment to ask: Who is guiding them through these precious years?

If the answer isn’t someone with both heart and training, then it’s time to demand better.

And if you or someone you know has a passion for teaching little ones, perhaps the more powerful question is: Why not you?

At DIKA College, you can be a part of the solution. Visit www.dika.edu.my or email admin@dika.edu.my to learn more about DIKA College and upcoming intakes.

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