Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education

The Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) at STADIO Higher Education is designed to widen access to higher education and address the growing need for qualified early childhood educators in South Africa. Aligned with national education and development priorities, the programme equips students with foundational professional knowledge, practical teaching experience, and 21st-century skills to support the holistic development of children from birth to five years. Offered through a flexible, technology-driven mode of delivery, the qualification prepares both traditional and non-traditional students for meaningful careers in ECCE while promoting values of inclusivity, social justice, care, professionalism, and lifelong learning.

What is Contact Learning?

THE ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR THE HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION ARE:

• a Senior Certificate (SC); OR

• a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum of 40% in three modules, including a Home Language, and a minimum of 30% in three other modules; OR

• a National Senior Certificate – Vocational Level 4 (NC(V)); OR

• a National Senior Certificate for Adults (NASCA); OR

• an appropriate Level 4 Certificate in ECD; 

with 

• a minimum of 40% in English Home Language or First Additional Language.

To find out more about alternate access routes at STADIO, please click HERE

After successful completion of the Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate entry level knowledge and understanding of the  principles of early childhood care and education. 
2. Develop an emerging understanding of Eurocentric and Afrocentric theoretical stances on ECCE and the resulting health, nutritional, well-being and safety needs, and holistic development and learning outcomes of the baby, toddler and young child. 
3. Apply knowledge of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in ECCE to plan, design and facilitate quality and inclusive developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive early learning programmes for the baby, toddler and young child. 
4. Demonstrate effective communication skills to engage with paraprofessionals, parents, families, and the community during early intervention and in all matters regarding the optimal welfare, learning and development of the baby, toddler and young child in diverse early childhood contexts. 
5. Showcase the character traits becoming of a dedicated ECCE professional through demonstrating an ethics of care, moral and reasoned judgement, reflection, adherence to professional standards, and a positive work ethic.