SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & EDUCATION
OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATE: EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PRACTITIONER
1 YEAR (FULL TIME) I SAQA IDENTITY NUMBER: 97542 I NQF LEVEL: 4 I CREDITS: 131
The Early Childhood Development Practitioner Occupational Certificate balances theory and practical application to support children’s holistic development, from conception to formal school age. Graduates learn to plan and prepare early childhood activities, facilitate appropriate learning, assess progress, and promote inclusive, play-based environments. These skills apply in formal ECD centres and non-centre-based settings such as au pair work. Graduates can pursue roles as teaching assistants and au pairs, equipped to foster children’s well-being, facilitate learning, and contribute to their holistic development.
Who should enrol?
- Are interested in working with young children
- Already work in the industry but lack appropriate training
- Are eager to further their studies but lack admission to higher NQF programmes
Admission requirements
- NCV, any NQF Level 3 qualification or Grade 11
- If the candidate does not have an NSC, a Foundational Language Competency Module must be completed
Skills you will have after completing this programme
- 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
Career opportunities
- Teaching assistant
- Au Pair
Curriculum
Year 1
Knowledge Modules:
- KM-01 – Introduction to the early childhood development sector
- KM-02 – Theories and perspectives of child development
- KM-03 – Planning and programme development in early childhood settings
- KM-04 – Facilitation and mediation of active learning
- KM-05 – Observation and assessment in early childhood development
- KM-06 – Promotion of health, safety, and well-being of children
- KM-07 – Administration for early childhood development services and programmes
Practical Modules:
- PM-01 – Plan and prepare inclusive educational activities and routines using an approved programme based on the curriculum framework
- PM-02 – Facilitate and mediate active learning in an integrated and holistic learning programme
- PM-03 – Observe, assess, record and report each child’s progress according to the age and stage
- PM-04 – Support and promote the health, nutrition, safety, protection and well-being of children
- PM-05 – Build and maintain collaborative relationships with parents and other service providers
- PM-06 – Prepare and maintain administrative systems
Work Integrated Learning modules:
- WM-01 – Learning programme and routines planning and preparation process
- WM-02 – Processes of facilitating and mediating the learning programme in a variety of contexts
- WM-03 – Processes of observation, assessment, recording and reporting on children’s learning and development
- WM-04 – Processes and procedures of promoting
the health, nutrition, safety, protection and well-being of children in an early childhood development setting
NewBridge Graduate Institute reserves the right to make changes to the curriculum and/or admission requirements. Fees, textbooks and any special equipment you will need is detailed by the middle of the year on the “Additional costs schedule” available from your closest campus.