Every child learns uniquely, especially students with special education needs. However, getting the right support can transform their lives forever. This is where Special Education Teachers can play a prominent role, helping students with developmental, learning, and/or behavioral needs thrive in their formative years.
While their annual earnings typically range from SGD 36,000 to SGD 48,000 a year, the impact they have on children’s development is profound and far-reaching. There is a great need for teachers who can combine compassion, evidence-driven strategies, and expertise in these profiles.
This blog will focus on the Special Education Teacher job description in Singapore, and also highlight the skills, qualifications, and competencies that you need to thrive in these positions in the Southeast Asian country.
Source: Glassdoor, as of November 7, 2025
Key Roles and Job Descriptions in Early Childhood Special Education
The domain of early childhood special education offers a meaningful career pathway in Singapore. This is especially true for individuals committed to creating inclusive learning environments that empower children to reach their full potential.
1. Early Childhood Special Educator
Early Childhood Special Educators provide specialized developmental and educational support to young children. They work mostly with children aged between 18 months and 6 years – ones with developmental delays and identified disabilities.
These are their core responsibilities:
- Planning and Assessment
- Intervention and Instruction
- Curriculum Adaptation
- Progress Documentation and Monitoring
- Communication and Collaboration
- Family Engagement
- Behavior Management
2. Lead Early Childhood Special Educator
As per the available Special Education Teacher job description, the Lead Early Childhood Special Educator is a senior position that requires both significant leadership and direct intervention responsibilities. They primarily focus on curriculum development, program coordination, and staff mentorship.
This role is a part of a career progression framework that acknowledges the latest professional development and experience.
These professionals fulfill various complex core responsibilities such as:
- Program Leadership
- Training and Mentorship
- Complex Case Management
- Curriculum Innovation and Adaptation
- Coordination and Collaboration
- Community and Family Engagement
- Compliance and Administration
- Evaluation and Research
Also read: Online Master’s in Education in Singapore: Worth it in 2025?
3. Senior Early Childhood Special Educator
Senior Early Childhood Special Educators have advanced responsibilities beyond direct teaching. They focus on expert intervention, program development, and mentorship. This position usually requires extensive experience and a deep understanding of students’ complex developmental needs.
Their core roles and responsibilities are more strategic and leadership-oriented:
- Case Management and Expert Intervention
- Curriculum Leadership
- Professional and Mentorship Development
- Program Compliance and Evaluation
- Advocacy and Collaboration
- Administrative Contribution
4. Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator
The Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator is a high-level position in which you oversee the overall management, quality, and compliance of early intervention and special education programs across organizations and centers. They serve as bridges between practice and policy, guide staff, and collaborate extensively with external agencies and families.
Their core roles and responsibilities include the following:
- Program Oversight and Management
- Reporting and Compliance
- Curriculum Support and Development
- Staff Professional Development and Mentorship
- Collaboration and Coordination
- Assessment Coordination
- Community and Family Engagement
Also read: Online Teaching Degrees in Singapore That Qualify You for International Jobs
5. Early Childhood Special Education Director
Early Childhood Special Education Directors are senior managers or top-tier executives who provide strategic vision, overall administration, and leadership to special education programs across multiple centers and individual organizations.
Their core roles and responsibilities may be enumerated as follows:
- Strategic Vision and Leadership
- Program Quality Assurance and Oversight
- Compliance and Policy
- Staff Development and Management
- Financial Management
- Stakeholder Advocacy and Engagement
- Operational Management
Skills, Competencies and Qualifications Needed in Early Childhood Special Education
The skills, competencies, and qualifications to work in a Special Education Teacher role in Singapore depend on the specific job role you work in. For example, if you want to work as an Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator, you will need at least a Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in a field such as Early Childhood Intervention (Special Needs), Special Education, or Child Psychology.
For this position, you will also need previous experience working with young children with disabilities and/or learning disorders, along with the following traits:
- Communication
- Patience
- Empathy
- Adaptability
- Problem-Solving
In addition to these, you will need knowledge of specific instructional strategies and assessment tools.
Also read: Top Career Paths After an EdD in Educational Technology & Innovation
Challenges in Early Childhood Special Education
The following are the most prominent challenges that professionals working in special education roles in Singapore face:
- Long Waiting Lists for Intervention
- Staff Retention and Manpower Shortages
- Information Gaps and Parental Stress
- Time and Financial Pressures for Families
- Challenges in Inclusive Settings
- Administrative Burdens
- Lack of Public Recognition
These challenges manifest in different ways. For example, the waiting times for intervention from the government-funded Early Intervention Program for Infants and Children Centers can be as long as half a year.
Also read: Will an Online Degree in Education Open Doors to EdTech Careers in Singapore?
Work Environment of Early Childhood Special Education Roles
The following table reflects the work environments of professionals working in these roles in Singapore:
| Position | Work Environment |
| Early Childhood Special Educator | Private and Public PreschoolsSpecial Education Schools Community-Based Early Intervention Centers Children’s Homes |
| Lead Early Childhood Special Educator | PreschoolsSpecialized Early Intervention Program for Infants and Children Centers |
| Senior Early Childhood Special Educator | Mainstream Preschools Specialized Early Intervention Program for Infants and Children Centers |
| Early Childhood Special Education Coordinator | Inclusive Preschools Specialized Early Intervention Program for Infants and Children Centers |
| Early Childhood Special Education Director | Specialized Early Intervention Program for Infants and Children CentersSocial Service Agencies |
How upGrad Helps You Build a Career in Early Childhood Special Education
Through upGrad in Singapore, you can access the best Master of Education programs that help you flourish in early childhood special education roles. These flexible, online programs come with options for specialization that help you become sought-after experts in this field.
- Dual Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Degree Program, Edgewood University
- Master of Education (M.Ed.), Northeastern University
- Master of Education (M.Ed.), University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Edgewood University
- Master of Education (M.Ed.), Edgewood University
Must read articles:
- M.Ed Jobs in Singapore
- EdD or PhD in Education: What’s Better for Advancing Your Career
- How to Pursue an Online EdD in Singapore
- Top 10 Reasons Online Education in Singapore Is a Smart Choice
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FAQs on Early Childhood Special Education in Singapore
To work in early childhood special education in Singapore, you need at least a Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in a field such as Early Childhood Intervention (Special Needs), Special Education, or Child Psychology.
To work with children with developmental needs in Singapore, you need these skills:
1. Communication
2. Patience
3. Empathy
4. Adaptability
5. Problem-Solving
Yes, you can switch to early childhood special education in Singapore even if you do not have prior teaching experience.
The number of work hours that special education professionals in Singapore have to work in a week depends on their employers. They work mostly in specialized centers and mainstream preschools.
Your special education career in Singapore can progress along two main tracks – the educational leadership or administrative track, and the specialist or expert track. In the first, you will end up in roles such as Cluster Supervisor or Quality Assurance Specialist. In the second, the pinnacle is a role such as Neurodevelopmental Intervention Specialist.
Sources:
- https://www.glassdoor.sg/Salaries/special-education-teacher-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm
- https://himalayas.app/career-guides/early-childhood-special-educator
- https://business.linkedin.com/en-in/talent-solutions/resources/talent-acquisition/job-descriptions/special-educator#:~:text=Assessing%20students’%20individual%20learning%20needs,different%20learning%20styles%20and%20abilities.
- https://himalayas.app/career-guides/early-childhood-special-educator
- https://himalayas.app/job-descriptions/early-childhood-special-educator
