Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Development Programme

The aim of the programme is to build capacity that enables the sustainability of communities through Early Childhood Development.
This programme seeks to build a high level of community demand for quality preschools that see early childhood development as a critical foundation for lifelong learning. To achieve this goal, a network of well trained and highly qualified practitioners has been established who are capable of setting up registered ECD hubs for children nationally
Programme History

The ECD Programme has been in operation since 2003, and in 2004 conducted its first pilot for thirteen women from Manenburg, Cape Flats, as well as established a crèche in the Lynedoch valley, which functions as a demonstration centre for participants and partners in ECD.

The programme initiated a network of likeminded Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners; NGO (Non-Government Organisations) service providers offering training in Level 4 and Level 5 and are EDTP SETA accredited, with the aim of sharing knowledge and experiences. The network was a success and spread throughout South Africa, in Kwa Zulu Natal, Limpopo, Gauteng, Swaziland and the Western and Eastern Cape.

ECD offers the following qualifications that are ETDP SETA accredited:

ID 58761:  Further Education and Training Certificate: Early Childhood Development: Level 4 credits 140

ID 23117:  Higher Certificate: Early Childhood Development: Level 5 Credits 120

ID 23118:  National Diploma: Early Childhood Development: Level 5 Credits 240

The Programme design focuses on the practical application of lessons. Learners get the opportunity to apply and integrate the practical work in the classroom with their real worlds. The programme is presented formally through lectures and facilitation through scheduled contact sessions and assignments.
Overview of course content:
• A world view – A look at how we see and determine the world in which we and the children live.
• An Ecological Approach – Living and learning in a sustainable way.
• The Child – Understanding who the child is; her developmental stages; what her needs are and how she learns.
• The Role and Purpose of Early Childhood Development – Seeing ourselves and the children with “new eyes”.
• The Role of Observation – What, when, where, who, how and why.
• The Role of Movement in the young child’s life – How and why we allow for this in the crèche.
• The Development of Independence - Help the child to help herself.
• Making equipment and setting up an appropriate environment and activities e.g. Practical Life Activities, Education of the Senses, Mathematics, Art, Natural and Social Science, Culture
• The Role of violence and abuse in our society – Simple tools for bringing healing to ourselves, our children and our communities.
• Alternative Learning methods.
• Healing.
• Sustainability