Higher Certificate: Early Childhood Development (NQF Level 5)

Accredited, industry-aligned qualification for ECD practitioners working with children from birth to 9 years.

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Course Overview The Higher Certificate: Early Childhood Development (ECD) at NQF Level 5 is designed for practitioners, Grade R teachers and ECD educators who want to deepen their professional practice and obtain a recognised higher qualification. You will strengthen your understanding of child development from birth to nine years, learn how to plan and mediate active learning programmes, and apply national ECD policies and curriculum requirements in real classroom and centre settings. Learning is delivered online through our student portal, supported by workplace-based tasks at an ECD site, so that every assignment links directly to your day-to-day practice.

Qualification Details Qualification title: Higher Certificate: Early Childhood Development NQF Level: 5 Total credits: 132 SAQA ID: 64649 Mode of delivery: Online via student portal + workplace learning Recommended duration: ± 13 months

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What you’ll learn

This qualification combines theory, practical skills and workplace experience. Key learning areas include:

• Child growth & development from birth to nine years, including holistic well-being and health.
• Planning and mediating active learning in ECD programmes and Grade R classrooms.
• Designing and managing ECD learning programmes, routines and environments.
• Facilitating Literacy, Numeracy and Life Skills in developmentally appropriate ways.
• Professional communication & teamwork with colleagues, families and other professionals.
• Workplace communication & presentation skills for meetings, reports and community engagement.

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Who should apply?

• Practising ECD practitioners who want an NQF Level 5 qualification.
• Grade R teachers and assistants working in schools or centres.
• Home-based or centre-based educators and community ECD workers.

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Pathway from ECD Level 4

If you still need to complete your ECD Level 4 qualification before progressing to Level 5, you can start there and then
use this Higher Certificate as your next step.

Find out more about our ECD Level 5 programme here:

More Information