Est. September 2005 · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Elevating
Early ChildhoodEducation
MAPECE is Malaysia's professional association dedicated to recognising, supporting, and advancing the practice of early childhood educators nationwide.
About MAPECE
Championing the Professionals Behind Young Minds
MAPECE, the acronym for the Association Professional of Early Childhood Educators, Malaysia, was established in September 2005. The establishment of this Association was to call upon the society in Malaysia to acknowledge the importance of early childhood education and to accord due recognition of those who perform the crucial task of laying the foundation of the child's development. Neuroscientists have underscored what psychologists have known for a very long time – the importance of the early years of a person's life. "The formative years" was coined by psychologists to describe these early years.
Secondly, the founding of this Association was to urge child care providers and preschool teachers to think of themselves as professionals and, as professionals they have to be knowledgeable, well trained, and effective, and to strive to improve themselves.
There is another need to set up a body to acknowledge the critical role of early childhood educators. Until today, many parents, members in society and even child care providers and preschool teachers consider care providers as child minders and preschool teachers as jobs for secondary school dropouts. Thus, they do require academic training and tertiary education is not for them in spite of repeated call of childhood advocates for diploma in early childhood education as the minimum qualification.
The watershed in the professionalism in early childhood education occurred in 1997 when the University of Malaya took the bold step to offer the Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education – the first of its kind in Malaysia. The climax of the pursuit for recognition of professionalism in early childhood education was reached in 2003 when the Ministry of Education agreed that graduates in early childhood education teaching Ministry of Education's preschools be accorded graduate salary. This recognition spurred a group of early childhood advocates and early childhood education graduates came together to set up MAPECE.
The logo is designed to reflect that the child should be focus in any planning and provision for the young child's development and education, and to depict that this can be achieved if parents, the government, early childhood educators and society are willing to work together for the well-being of the young child. The logo, seen from the top view, comprises four adults holding hands to surround and protect two children in the centre.
Meaning of the Logo: The two children in the centre indicate that children are the focal interest of the Association. The four adults surrounding the children show early childhood educators, parents, society/community and the government working hand-in-hand for children's well-being.
Logo Symbolism
White
Signifies children's innocence and ignorance — a blank canvas ready to learn.
Pink
Denotes the warmth of educators, parents, community, and government toward the child.
Blue
Symbolises harmony and love shared among all who nurture early childhood.
Our Aim
Enable children to attain their full developmental potential through quality early childhood care and education.
Structure & Purpose
Objectives & Committees
The aim of MAPECE is enable children attain development to their full potential by promoting quality early child care and education through advocating for proper education, training and professionalism of childcare providers and preschool teachers.
The following objectives have been formulated to achieve this aim:
- To recognize and upgrade the professionalism of early childhood educators through accepting only qualified and professionally trained early childhood educators as members of the Association.
- To advocate for quality early childhood education and care through publications, workshops, seminars and conferences.
- To advise parents and community on quality childhood education and the role of early childhood educators in child development through publication.
- To act as a catalyst and coordinating body for parents, members of Association, government, non-government agencies and early childhood educators to communicate with each other, discuss issues pertaining to children's development, care and education, and work with each other for the promotion of quality child care and education through hosting public forums.
- To encourage and support research related to the development of early childhood education through publishing research findings and assisting researchers, teachers and students in early childhood education to source for funds.
- To raise funds by way of donation from the public, sponsorship, grant, endowment and any other lawful methods subject to prior approval of Registrar of Society and other relevant authorities.
Committees Formed
To achieve the objectives of MAPECE, the following Committees have been formed:
- Professional Training Committee
- Public Relation Committee
- Publication Committee
- Research Committee
- Membership Committee
Objectives
- To raise quality and professionalism of early childhood educators by organizing forums, courses and training workshops on new frontiers in early child care and education (ECCE), skills and issues pertaining to ECE.
- To raise quality of early childhood educators by conducting courses and workshops in areas relating to their felt needs.
- To promote professionalism among early childhood educators by sourcing and identifying international conferences, seminars or workshops that will benefit them professionally.
- To organize workshops, seminars and conferences to raise awareness of parents and the public on the issues related to quality early childhood education and professionalism of early childhood educators.
Objectives
- To make public statements on matter concerning children and early childhood education.
- To liaise with ministries, government department, governmental agencies, institutes of higher learning and non-government agencies that pertain to children's development, education and general wellbeing.
- To form strategic partnership with parents, educationalists, ministries, government departments, governmental agencies, non-government agencies and institutes of learning for the promotion of professionalism of early child care, development and education.
- To form strategic partnership with parents, educationalists, Ministries, government departments, governmental agencies, non-government agencies and institutes of learning for the promotion of quality early childhood education.
- To work with the corporate sector for the promotion of professionalism of early childhood educators and quality early childhood education.
Others are appointed whenever the need arises and when certain issues need to be addressed.
Objectives
- To establish a database for promoting professionalism of early childhood educators by establishing a database of: professional early childhood educators in Malaysia; professional training institutions of early child care and development; professionals for referrals.
- To carry out research in children's development, early childhood education and professionalism of early childhood educators.
- To encourage research in children's development, early childhood education and professionalism of early childhood educators.
- To sponsor research in children's development, early childhood education and professionalism of early childhood educators.
Objectives
- To produce MAPECE newsletter.
- To publish proceedings of conferences and other activities of MAPECE.
Objective
- To recruit members for MAPECE.
Leadership
EXCO 2025–2027
The Executive Committee of MAPECE for the 2025–2027 term, dedicated to advancing early childhood education across Malaysia.
Committee Members
Featured Initiative
Thrive by Five
MyANAK
Featured Initiative
Thrive by Five – MyANAK is a specialised mobile application tailored for the Malaysian context. A collaborative global initiative, it translates complex neuroscience into everyday parenting — supporting children's brain, socio-emotional, and cognitive development during the most critical window: the first five years of life.
Available on both iOS and Android, the app was co-designed to serve families across Malaysia with cultural relevance, scientific rigour, and unmatched accessibility.
Core Features
100+ Evidence-Based Activities
Quick, easy, and culturally relevant activities covering five developmental domains — connection, talk, and play — backed by neuroscience research.
Localised for Malaysia
Content co-designed to celebrate Malaysian customs, traditions, and family structures. Available in Malay, English, Chinese, and Tamil.
Accessibility First
Completely free and works offline once downloaded — designed for families in rural areas. Includes full audio recordings for parents with low literacy.
Past Events
ICECCE 2021
Conference Objectives
Deliberation of integrating STREAM into ECCE curriculum and programme.
Discussion on methodologies and pedagogies to nurture and equip young children with early STREAM competencies.
Providing input to practitioners on activities relating to STREAM.
Discussion on ECCE research related to STREAM.
Bringing together professional educators in early childhood to discuss on STREAM activities.
Conference Videos
Video 01
Introduction of Conference 2021
ICECCE 2021 · MAPECE
Video 02
Message from the MAPECE President
Datin Dr. Ng Soo Boon · MAPECE
Video 03
Recollection of the First Day
Day 1 Highlights · June 19, 2021
Daily Programme
Day 1
Saturday, 19 June 2021
Opening
Opening Remarks
Datin Dr. Ng Soo Boon, President of MAPECE
Keynote 1
STREAM in ECCE Curriculum and Programme
Prof. Dr. Akita Kiyomi, University of Tokyo, Japan
Keynote 2
Exploring Transdisciplinary Competences for the 21st Century
Datin Dr. Ng Soo Boon, SEGi University Malaysia
Break
Short Break
Special Talk
Early Mathematics in the Integration of STREAM Learning
Ms. Teh Kim Hong & Mr. Gan Teck Hock (RECSAM)
Papers Session 1
Pre-School STEM / Science Process Skills / Folk Culture & STREAM / KEMAS Kindergarten
Break
Lunch Break
Keynote 3
The Educational Intention Behind Non-intervention: The Japanese Mimamoru Approach
Prof. Dr. Fuminori Nakatsubo, University of Hiroshima
Special Talk
Reading and STEAM in the Early Childhood Classroom
Ms. Jill Coombs
Papers Session 2
Pattern Learning with AR / Number Sense / STREAM Communication Skills / STEAM Holistic Development
Day 2
Sunday, 20 June 2021
Keynote 4
Interaction, Play, and Growth: Integrating Early Intervention Services into Parent Child Center in Hualien, Taiwan
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cheng Yali, Tzu Chi University, Taiwan
Best Practice
Sharing of Best Practice
Kaeda Kindergarten, Japan & Tzu Chi Kindergarten, Penang
Break
Short Break
Special Talk
Let's Play Board Game Together: Child Development and Parental Involvements in Play Perspectives
Assoc Prof. Dr. Jang Li Fen, Tzu Chi University, Taiwan
Special Talk
Playing to Learn: Integrating STREAM into the Early Childhood Classroom
Serene Lim, Co-founder of Bright Gems Childcare Centre
Papers Session 3
STEAM for Developmental Delay / STREAM Teacher Preparation / Online Teaching Challenges in Maths & Science
Break
Lunch Break
Forum
Synergies from the Society Towards STREAM Education in Young Children
Chair: Datuk Dr. Chiam Heng Keng · Panelists: Prof. Eme Aminah Ayob (UPSI), Prof. Akita Kiyomi (Tokyo), Dr. Emma Pearson (Sheffield)
Closing
Closing Remarks
Keynote Speakers
Keynote 1
STREAM in ECCE Curriculum and Programme
Prof. Dr. Akita Kiyomi
University of Tokyo, Japan
Keynote 2
Exploring Transdisciplinary Competences for the 21st Century
Datin Dr. Ng Soo Boon
SEGi University, Malaysia
Keynote 3
The Educational Intention Behind Non-intervention: The Japanese Mimamoru Approach
Prof. Dr. Fuminori Nakatsubo
University of Hiroshima, Japan
Keynote 4
Interaction, Play, and Growth: Integrating Early Intervention Services into Parent Child Center
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cheng Yali
Tzu Chi University, Taiwan
ICECCE 2021 — Conference Brochure
Conferences & Events
Knowledge Shared,
Community Built
MAPECE regularly organises conferences, seminars, and workshops that unite early childhood educators, researchers, and advocates to advance the field.
Past Event — 2023
Symposium & Launch of Thrive by Five – MyAnak
The 2023 MAPECE Symposium marked a landmark moment for early childhood development in Malaysia with the official launch of the Thrive by Five – MyAnak digital initiative. The launch moved the focus of developmental support directly into the hands of parents and caregivers.
The app was developed as part of a global initiative funded by Australia's Minderoo Foundation, developed alongside the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre, and localised in Malaysia by MAPECE with academic input from partners including SEGi University.
By integrating this launch into the MAPECE conference, the association bridged the gap between professional educators and home environments — giving administrators and teachers a scientifically-backed tool to recommend to parents so that responsive caregiving continues beyond the classroom.
Event Gallery
Upcoming Events
Stay connected for the latest MAPECE conferences, workshops, and seminars. Visit our Facebook page or contact us for current event announcements and registration details.
→ Follow MAPECE on FacebookPast Conference Gallery — 2014
Join MAPECE
Membership
Categories
Ordinary
RM 100/yr
Annual Membership
Ahli Biasa
Associate
RM 50/yr
Annual Membership
Ahli Bersekutu
Corporate / Institution
RM 300/yr
Annual Membership
Ahli Korporat / Institusi
Life-Time
RM 500
One-time Payment
Ahli Seumur Hidup
Membership Registration Form
Get In Touch
Contact MAPECE
Full Name
Malaysia Association of Professional Early Childhood Educators
Persatuan Pendidik Profesional Awal Kanak-kanak Malaysia
Mailing Address
No: 41, Jalan SS22/22,
Damansara Jaya, 47400 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan, West Malaysia.
Malaysia Association of Professional Early Childhood Educators
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