Purpose of this Qualification?

The Higher Certificate is designed to provide access to higher education for many experienced and skilled ECD practitioners and trainers who do not have recognised qualifications. The purpose of this qualification is to:

• Develop ECD ETD practitioners (e.g. home-based, centre- and school-based practitioners including Grade R, family and community ECD motivators, fieldworkers, facilitators, trainers and managers) to provide appropriate education, training and development services in the ECD sub-field.
• Enable ECD ETD practitioners to use their knowledge of child growth and development from birth to nine years and relevant national policies to guide their professional practice in the ECD sub-field.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

In order to achieve the exit outcomes of this qualification, learners need the following knowledge and skills equivalent to NQF Level 4:

• The ability to read, write and use written resource material for learning and teaching in at least two South African languages;
• The ability to understand fundamental mathematical/numeracy concepts;
• The applied competence outlined in the core unit standards at Level 4:
• Facilitate Active Learning in ECD Programmes,
• Facilitate Healthy Development in ECD Programmes,
• Manage the ECD Learning Programme.

QUALIFICATION RULES

• The Fundamental Component consists of Unit Standards to the value of 15 credits all of which are compulsory.
• The Core Component consists of Unit Standards to the value of 72 credits all of which are compulsory.
• The Elective Component consists of Unit Standards which learners are to choose to the minimum of 33 credits.
• Learners who choose to specialise in Grade R must complete the following Unit Standards totalling a minimum of 36/45 credits. It is preferred that the learners achieve the following replacement Unit Standards which totals 45 credits.
  • ID 244260: Facilitate a Life Skills Learning Programme in the Reception Year.
  • ID 244257: Facilitate a Literacy Learning Programme in the Reception Year.
  • ID 244256: Facilitate a Numeracy Learning Programme in the Reception Year.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 

• Mediate active learning in an integrated and holistic learning programme.
•  Facilitate learning and development of children with barriers to learning and other requirements, including those coping with abuse and violence, within an inclusive anti-bias approach.
• Promote the safety and healthy development of each child.
• Work with colleagues, families and community systems to develop each child`s potential as fully as possible.
• Manage a well-planned and organised learning programme to meet the needs of individual children within the framework of the national school curriculum (where appropriate).
• Select and use appropriate methods and procedures for assessing children`s progress and reporting on this to parents.
• Promote the development of high quality ECD programmes and services.

Who should attend the training?

• Practitioners with a Level 4 certificate or equivalent in ECD to further their professional development in ECD by providing access to higher education and training qualifications and/or to specialise in aspects of ECD practice (e.g. Grade R) or specific roles (e.g. managers, trainers etc.).
  practitioners with a Primary Teachers
• Certificate (PTC), Primary Teachers Diploma (PTD), or an equivalent of 120 credits to obtain an ECD certificate, either in the preschool phase and/or specialising in reception year teaching.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

N/A