National Diploma: Early Childhood Development

23118 | NQF LEVEL 05 – CREDITS 240

Purpose of the Qualification
This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

• 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.

This qualification provides a substantial qualification for:

• 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.

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, and Manage the ECD Learning Programme.