Purpose

The purpose of this Qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as an Early Childhood Development Practitioner.

An Early Childhood Development Practitioner plans and prepares early childhood activities, facilitates and mediates learning, observes and assesses the progress of children, and reflects on learning in an inclusive, play-based environment to support holistic development of children (from conception – school going) in different centre-based or non-centre based settings.

A qualified learner will be able to:

• Plan and prepare inclusive activities to support the holistic development and well-being of children
• Facilitate and mediate appropriate holistic learning of every child
• Observe, assess and record each child’s progress according to the age and stage
• Develop reports of children’s development and learning
• Promote the well-being, health, safety and protection of children

Rationale

The Occupational Certificate: Early Childhood Development has been designed to meet the needs and interests of the early childhood development sector in a variety of settings and contexts with an inclusive focus on education, health and safety issues, amongst others. There is a vast need for early childhood development services and it is critical that the field must be served by competent practitioners. In order to meet the needs at early childhood development level, it is important to be able to identify and recognize competent early childhood development practitioners who are able to work in centre-based and non-centre- based early childhood development settings.

This Qualification will provide a means to give recognition to practitioners at an entry level, thus making it possible for practitioners to increase their employment prospects within the Department of Basic Education. The Department of Social Development, through the registration of early childhood development centres and/or sites, may also provide business opportunities to successful practitioners who may wish to establish early childhood centres and/or sites. It will also provide access to a recognized career path and at the same time provide the field with suitably qualified professional practitioners. The people functioning within this sector are required to provide high-quality child care and effectively implement early childhood education programmes

Requirements

1. Certified ID or Passport Copy
2. Grade 10 or any NQF Level 3 certificate.

Duration

1 year

Mode of Delivery

Note: only workplace learning is face-to-face.

Curriculum

• This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

Knowledge Modules (KM)

• 234201000-KM-01, Introduction to the early childhood development sector, NQF Level 4, Credits 4
• 234201000-KM-02, Theories and Perspectives of Child Development, NQF Level 5, Credits 6
• 234201000-KM-03, Planning and Programme Development in early childhood settings, NQF Level Credits 8
• 234201000-KM-04, Facilitation and mediation of active learning, NQF Level 5, Credits 12
• 234201000-KM-05, Observation and assessment in early childhood development, NQF Level 4, Credits 4
• 234201000-KM-06, Promotion of health, safety and well-being of children, NQF Level 4, Credits 6
• 234201000-KM-07, Administration for early childhood development services and programmes, NQF Level 3, Credits 3

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 43

Practical Modules (PM)

• 234201000-PM-01, Plan and prepare inclusive educational activities and routines using an approved programme based on the curriculum framework, NQF Level 4, Credits 12
• 234201000-PM-02, Facilitate and mediate active learning in an integrated and holistic learning programme, NQF Level 5, Credits 9
• 234201000-PM-03, Observe, assess, record and report each child’s progress according to the age and stage, NQF Level 4, Credits 4
• 234201000-PM-04, Support and promote the health, nutrition, safety, protection and well-being of children, NQF Level 4, Credits 12
• 234201000-PM-05, Build and maintain collaborative relationships with parents and other service providers, NQF Level 4, Credits 3
• 234201000-PM-06, Prepare and maintain administrative systems, NQF Level 3, Credits 3

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 43.

Workplace Modules (WM)

• 234201000-WM-01, Learning programme and routines planning and preparation process, NQF Level 4, Credits 13
• 234201000-WM-02, Processes of facilitating and mediating the learning programme in a variety of contexts, NQF Level 4, Credits 15
• 234201000-WM-03, Processes of observation, assessment, recording and reporting on children’s learning and development, NQF Level 4, Credits 7
• 234201000-WM-04, Processes and procedures of promoting the health, nutrition, safety, protection and well-being of children in an early childhood development setting, NQF Level 4, Credits 10

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 45

Note: All the above information is taken from the Qualification Document registered on National Qualifications Framework (NQF) by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The qualification document can be accessed from this link: www.saqa.org.za

Fee Structure

Questions & Answers

How do I register

The qualification is offered on a modular system. A candidate will register for a module at a time. Contact the office for information.

How is the curriculum structured

The qualification is made up of the following modules

• Knowledge modules 
• Practical skills modules 
• Work experience modules 

Final EISA examination

What is EISA

EISA is a single, national assessment which leads to competent learners being awarded Occupational Certificates. It is an integral and critical component of QCTO’s quality assurance system, as it ensures that the assessment of occupational qualifications, part-qualifications and trades is standardised, consistent and credible.

What is the duration of the course.

This is a one-year course.

What is Early Childhood Development

• Growth and Development: Early Childhood Development encompasses the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth of young children. It sets the foundation for their future learning, behavior, and well-being, making it a crucial time for providing them with love, care, and stimulating experiences.
• Social and emotional development:  Social and emotional development is another important aspect of early childhood development. Children learn to form relationships with family, friends, and caregivers. They develop empathy and learn to express their emotions. They start to understand the feelings of others and begin to develop a sense of right and wrong.