Purpose of this Qualification?

The purpose of the qualification is to:

• Provide access to a recognised educator qualification at Level 6 for ECD educators who have a Level 4 or Level 5 certificate in ECD, providing a bridge between non-formal and formal learning programmes.
• To enable educators/ learners to plan and implement a learning programme which is based on their knowledge of child development from birth to nine years and which helps children in a specific phase work towards achieving the learning outcomes of the national school curriculum (where appropriate).
• To improve community-based ECD services for young children by raising the level of ECD teaching competence and/or by providing opportunities for training in support and leadership roles.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

• 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 35 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 133 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.
  • Learners who choose to specialise in Learning Programmes must choose the following Unit Standards for this specialisation totalling a minimum of 47 credits.
  • ID 10288: Organise a programme of learning.
  • ID 10289: Facilitate a programme of learning.
  • ID 7978: Plan and conduct assessment of learning outcomes. It is preferred that learners achieve the replacement Unit Standard titled Conduct outcomes-based assessment (ID 115753).

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 needs, 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.
• Communicate effectively for the purposes of academic study and professional practice.
• Plan and implement appropriate learning activities and materials or management practices based on knowledge of the principles, processes and content of the chosen specialisation.

Who should attend the training?

• Potential learners/educators who have acquired an FETC (Grade 12) or equivalent qualification at Level 4 (120 credits) and who wish to make ECD their full-time career (entry point);
• Learners/educators who have a Level 4 qualification in ECD to further their career and professional development in ECD by providing access to a Level 6 qualification;
• Learners/educators who have a Higher Certificate in ECD to further their career and professional development in ECD by providing access to a Level 6 qualification.