National Diploma:
Early Childhood Development NQF Level 5
OFFERED AT THESE CAMPUSES
ABOUT THIS PROGRAMME
This qualification provides a substantial qualification for students/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. The Diploma is also intended to provide direct access to the Degree at Level 6.
Minimum Admission requirements
Students registering for this qualification should already have achieved the Higher Education and Training Certificate in ECD at NQF Level 5 (120 credits) and should be employed in the ECD field.
CAREER opportunities
People who have achieved the skills and knowledge outlined in this qualification are normally employed in the following positions:
- Early Childhood Development (ECD) Practitioner
- Reception Year Practitioner (as per Government guidelines)
- Trainer at private companies (ECD)
- Au Pair
- Facilitator and assessor of ECD programmes on lower levels
Duration
18 months, Part-Time
Course content
Fundamentals
- Reading skills and strategies which are used effectively for academic course work, research and professional development
- Writing skills and strategies which are used effectively for recording observations in learning programmes and for communication purposes in ECD services as well as for academic course work and assessment (e.g. written assignments, reports, essays and examinations)
Core
- The planning and delivery of a developmentally appropriate learning programme is underpinned by the critical understanding of child development and learning theories, including the importance of play in the early years
- The implications for working with children across the whole range of special needs and barriers to learning are identified and explained within the context of child development theory and research
- Comprehensive written safety and health policies which comply with legal requirements are appropriately adapted to the setting in its community context and to the age of the children, and implemented as planned
- Constructive contributions are made to the development of good practice among those working in the ECD service in ways that are democratic and supportive
- Programme planning is based on an understanding of key issues and trends in early childhood development and their implications for ECD provision and curriculum development (historical, international, South African)
- The implications of different approaches to assessment for ECD practice, including issues and current trends in assessment practice, are critically analysed
Electives
The following Elective Unit Standards are compulsory for this specialisation:
- Organise a programme of learning
- Facilitate a programme of learning
- Plan and conduct assessment of learning outcomes
- Managing ECD services
Education Studies
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