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SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Pre-School Education 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117849  Higher Certificate in Pre-School Education 
ORIGINATOR
Stadio (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 05 - Education, Training and Development  Early Childhood Development 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2020-09-16  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
96675  Higher Certificate in Pre-School Education  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
Training to work effectively with children aged 0 to 5 years and to create awareness of children's needs and development in every area in the early years. The qualification also allows for entrepreneurship as it trains students in the skills of establishing and managing a crèche. This qualification provides students access to further study in the Diploma in Pre-School Education and Foundation Phase Teacher Assistant Training.

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Pre-School Education is to teach you how to:
  • Communicate and work effectively with children aged 0 to 5.
  • Prepare young children for formal schooling.
  • Establish and maintain a crèche.

    Rationale:
    This qualification trains students to prepare young children for formal schooling and caters for employment opportunities in a constant area of need. The qualification was designed specifically to meet the demand for adequately skilled Early Childhood practitioners in an area of education that is experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals.

    Students who enroll on the Higher Certificate in Pre-school Education will spend at least half of their study period in an ECD Centre, which means they will get practical experience while they study. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    If you believe that you should be exempt from certain modules or that you should gain access to this qualification based on your formal qualifications or work experience, you can apply to Embury for a module exemption or for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Please note that RPL and exemption fees may apply.

    Entry Requirement:
    Access to the Higher Certificate is granted to all applicants who meet the minimum entrance requirements or who follow the available alternative route of entry. Applicants who are in a possession of a:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC).
  • National Certificate Vocational (NCV).
  • International applicants who are in passion of a qualification that is equivalent to the NSC as determined by SAQA. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.
  • Early Childhood Development Studies, 12 Credits.
  • Education, 12 Credits.
  • English for Teaching, 22 Credits.
  • Information Technology for ECD Practitioners, 12 Credits.
  • The Reception Year, 12 Credits.
  • Health Education in an ECD Centre, 12 Credits.
  • Institutional Teaching Practice, 10 Credits.
  • Practical Management in an ECD Centre, 12 Credits.
  • Teaching Practice, 2 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate competence in reading, writing and speaking in the classroom.
    2. Design a daily qualification for the effective teaching of the pre-school child.
    3. Demonstrate understanding of how to facilitate the healthy development of a child Recognise and advice on treatment of common childhood disease and social ills from birth to pre-school.
    4. Describe key aspects of personnel management, learner management, management of diversity and management of parental partnerships and management committees in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers.
    5. Clarify the duties and behaviour associated with the effective teaching in the pre-school stage. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of learning and teaching in the early years and the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the developing child.
  • Select suitable themes/topics to develop and facilitate integrated learning experiences.
  • Realise the importance of early intervention in child development in the early years.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of selected learning theories that impact on early childhood practice.
  • Design appropriate learning experiences that cater for different talents and intelligences.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of barriers to learning in young children.
  • Describe the important characteristics of an effective teacher and strive towards attaining these attributes.
  • Identify the key aspects of a developmentally-appropriate pre-school environment.
  • Identify key activities of a daily qualification that provide for the holistic development of young children.
  • Understand the implications of school readiness and school maturity for entry into formal education.
  • Develop effective strategies and design learning experiences to promote school readiness.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Plan and present integrated Grade R activities and lessons for Language, Mathematics and Life Skills in the daily qualification using appropriate topics/themes.
  • Plan and present a balanced daily qualification that incorporates integrated teacher-guided activities and free
  • Play activities using appropriate themes for pre-school and Grade R learners.
  • Design and make appropriate teaching resources for teaching.
  • Demonstrate good handwriting skills using different fonts and surfaces.
  • Communicate confidently and effectively.
  • Conduct yourself professionally in the pre-school.
  • Dress appropriately for teaching.
  • Demonstrate the essential qualities of becoming an effective teacher.
  • Demonstrate effective management strategies and discipline techniques when managing young learners.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Promote the safety and healthy development of each child within the South African context.
  • Apply the knowledge gained to educate and promote sound health and nutrition practices in schools.
  • Reflect on HIV/AIDS issues in the educational system and integrate this knowledge into teaching and learning experiences in the classroom.
  • Gain knowledge and become aware of medical disorders and diseases.
  • Use skills and display attitudes and values that improve the well-being of the family unit and the community.
  • Apply your knowledge of the school's health and safety requirements when planning, facilitating and supervising learning activities for young learners.
  • Describe key aspects of quality child care management of the learning environment and the management of health, safety and equipment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate competence in classroom in an ECD site.
  • Compare and contrast the different management styles of an ECD manager.
  • Describe the different managerial functions of an ECD education manager.
  • Understand the concepts of risk and stress management.
  • Describe the different types of ECD qualifications and institutions in South Africa.
  • Understand key aspects of education law in ECD management.
  • Describe key aspects of education administration in ECD centers.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the procedural processes required in establishing an ECD centre.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the teacher as leader, administrator and manager in an ECD centre.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Demonstrate professional behaviour as a student teacher.
  • Abide by the school's policy and rules at all times.
  • Demonstrate all the necessary characteristics of becoming an effective teacher of young learners.
  • Plan and present developmentally-appropriate and integrated teacher-guided activities.
  • Facilitate developmentally-appropriate indoor and outdoor free play activities.
  • Effectively manage and supervise young learners.
  • Plan and present developmentally-appropriate and integrated teacher-guided activities and lessons for pre-primary learners.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Examinable modules:
    For the first 8 of your 9 modules, your assessments are made up of continuous assessments (also called CASS or formative assessments, which occur during your studies) plus a final exam (also called a summative assessment, which occurs at the end of your studies).

    For the 8 modules listed below, both types of assessments count towards your final mark:
  • Early Childhood Development Studies.
  • Education.
  • English for Teaching.
  • Information Technology for ECD Practitioners.
  • The Reception Year.
  • Health Education in an ECD Centre. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification was compared to similar qualifications offered by the following American institutions:
  • Erie Community College - Western New York.
  • Kaplan University - aligned with National Association for the Education of Young Child and Child Development Association - United State of America.
  • Kendal College - Chicago.

    It compares well with the content of the above-mentioned qualifications. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification provides students with both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • This qualification articulates horizontally with any cognate Higher Certificate at NQF Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • This qualification articulates vertically with any cognate Advanced Certificate or Diploma at NQF Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    This qualification is now offered by Stadio (Pty) Ltd, and no longer by Embury Institute for Higher Education (Pty) Ltd - effective 16 September 2020 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Stadio (Pty) Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.