Early childhood education is the first phase of education including Play group, Nursery or Montessori school education to grade 3. B.Ed. (4 Years) Early Childhood Care and Education degree program at Virtual University of Pakistan is designed to equip prospective teachers with holistic and multidimensional understanding of the child, teaching strategies and an in-depth knowledge of educational challenges for early childhood education. The core objective of this program is to raise the content knowledge and equip prospective teachers in the area of child growth and development and the best ways to foster children's cognitive, physical, emotional and social development. It will also prepare the students for managing ECCE programs in an effective way and help them establish their own ECCE schools.

If you have any queries, please feel free to contact the program coordinator:

Dr. Nabeela Sulaiman

E.mail:  nabeela.sulaiman@vu.edu.pk

Ph: +92 (42) 99201531 (Ext: 3831)

Disclaimer!

The courses may be revised time to time as a result of continuous review to bring them at par with courses being taught at top-class foreign universities. While reviewing the courses, needs of local industry and job market are also given full consideration.

The University reserves the right to change fee structure from time to time.

Program Objectives

The program will help to prepare teachers who will:

1. Equip students with a comprehensive foundation in early childhood care and education by fostering a deep understanding of child development theories, classroom management strategies, assessment methods, and the psychological and sociological principles underlying early education, preparing them for effective teaching and analysis in early childhood settings. 

2. Develop expertise in subject-specific content and pedagogy across core disciplines such as English, Urdu, Mathematics, General Science, Islamic Studies, Pakistan Studies, and Geography, while staying current with technological advancements, incorporating ICT tools to enhance teaching and learning in Early Childhood Care and Education. 

3. Develop proficient educational leaders and managers with expertise in leadership principles, management practices, professionalism, organizational behaviour, and conflict resolution to foster and maintain positive learning environments. 

4. Foster strong educational research and curriculum development skills in students by encouraging the use of appropriate research methodologies, critical thinking, and reflective practices to address and adapt to modern challenges and innovations in Early Childhood Care and Education. 

5. Foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills through exposure to quantitative reasoning and evidence-based scientific methodologies.  

6. Encourage ethical and responsible citizenship by engaging with Pakistani history, ideology, Islamic principles, and human rights.  

7. Develop essential professional competencies in digital literacy, communication, writing, and entrepreneurship to support career development and lifelong learning.

Intermediate (12 years of education)/ A- Level or equivalent qualification with at-least 45% marks

Note

• Candidates having ‘A’ level or Deeni Asnad or foreign qualification are required to provide equivalence certificate from IBCC or HEC, Islamabad as applicable.
• Candidates having less than 45% marks in Intermediate or equivalent qualification will be eligible for admission after the successful completion of “Zero  Semester”.

BS Lateral Admission (2 Years)

Applicants with a 2-year Associate Degree in the same discipline (from an HEC-recognized institution) will be able to join the 5th semester of a BS program. Those with an Associate Degree in a different discipline or a conventional BA/BSc degree (annual system) must complete a bridging semester/deficiency semester to address academic deficiencies.

The minimum admission eligibility is a 2.00/4.00 CGPA for Associate Degree holders (semester system) or 45% marks for BA/BSc or equivalent (annual system). The University may set higher standards for specific programs.

Duration

It is a four-year full-time study program spread over eight semesters. Each semester has at least 18 weeks duration for teaching and examinations etc.
Degree Completion Duration

The students’ study progress evaluation mechanism is based on continuous assessment throughout the semester by giving assignments, on-line quizzes, Graded Discussion Board (GDB), mid-term and final-term exams including teaching practice for B.Ed. (4 Years). The mid-term and final term exams are conducted at VU’s designated centers and usually count for 80 to 85% of the total marks for a course.

From Fall 2025, 133 credit hours are required to complete the degree with a single major.

From Fall 2021, to be eligible for the award of B. Ed. (4 Years) Early Childhood Care and Education degree, the student is required to complete at least 146 credit hours with minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.00 out of 4.00.
Whereas, for all previously enrolled batches, the students are required to complete at least 141 credit hours with minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.00 out of 4.00.

From Fall 2025 students are required to complete the teaching practice of 06 credit hours and will be offered in semester IV and VIII.

For all previous enrolled batches, the students are required to complete teaching practice as per their study scheme requirements.

Note:  Prospective teachers will complete their Teaching Practice in public and private schools of early years education (Play group, Nursery or Montessori school education to grade 3).

Capstone Project (Research Project)
Students are required to complete the Research project of 3 credit hours and will be offered in VIII semester. Students may select research topics of their choice with the approval of the student advisor/ supervisor. Students have to submit a detailed write-up of the project.