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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Education Honours in Early Childhood Education 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111134  Bachelor of Education Honours in Early Childhood Education 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  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 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-08-16  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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Bachelor of Education Honours in Early Childhood Education (BEd Hons in Early Childhood) is to prepare learners for research based postgraduate study in a particular field in education. It serves to consolidate and deepen a learner's expertise in a specific area in education, and to develop research capacity in the methodology and techniques of the area. This qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence. The Bachelor of Education Honours in Early Childhood will include conducting and reporting research under supervision, worth at least 30 Credits.

The qualification will equip graduates with the required subject content knowledge, educational theories that will enable graduates to demonstrate competence and responsibility as academically, professionally and researchers in the field of Early Childhood Education (ECE) and move forward into various leadership roles.

It offers strong core foundation modules in early childhood education and includes distinct specialist modules that deal with the unique characteristics of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector. Teachers will be supported in their learning and development as professional Early Childhood teachers to go out into the workforce as innovators, researchers and leaders, competent in the skills that are required in the current landscape of the ECE sector and those of the future. The qualification will consolidate and deepen an educator's expertise in Early Childhood Education.

This qualification will therefore:
  • Equip educators with the required subject content knowledge, educational theories and methodologies that will enable teachers to demonstrate competence and responsibility as academic, professional researchers in the field of early childhood education.
  • Prepare aspiring educational researchers, policy makers, leaders and education reformers to confront challenges of public education.
  • Equip teachers with an in-depth understanding of the subject matter (classroom activities), sound professional teaching skills), and with the ability to adapt to the ever-changing early childhood educational needs in South Africa.
  • Provide future early childhood educators with a foundation in classroom, department and school management, curriculum development, and methods of early childhood teaching and learning, as well as skills for working with children age five (5) through nine (9) years, Grade R through Grade 3.
  • Equip teachers with necessary competencies in early childhood classroom teaching and learning and school managerial skills which are presently largely lacking in early childhood education across South Africa. In addition, learners will be able:
  • To be able to organise and to manage themselves and their activities responsible and effectively.
  • Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national, and global communities.
  • Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social context.

    Rationale:
    The rationale for the BEd Hons in Early Childhood education qualification is to train teachers to become self-reliant early childhood professionals equipped with in-depth knowledge, lifelong learning skills, and commitment to their profession, with the ability to facilitate learning in a constantly changing world and to promote high quality and innovate education and care for young children from Grade R to Grade 3.

    South Africa and other countries are in need of highly qualified, skilful and knowledgeable teachers and leaders in early childhood education. The purpose of the qualification is to produce highly qualified teachers, managers, curriculum designers who will be responsive to the developmental needs of young children. These are teachers who are going to teach, to manage, prepare and design curriculum to meet the needs of young children. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution's RPL policy is applicable with regard to this qualification. This refers to a qualification, completed at an accredited higher education institution, which is not identical to the admission requirements of the qualification but which is evaluated to be on the same NQF level, have the same minimum credit weighting and of which the curriculum content is at least comparable with that of the set admission requirement qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Four-year professional teaching Degree.
    Or
  • An appropriate Bachelor's Degree with a professional teaching qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 126 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Credits:
  • Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education, 18 Credits.
  • Early Literacy, 18 Credits.
  • Mathematics and the Young Child, 18 Credits.
  • Child Development and Schooling, 18 Credits.
  • Leadership and Management in Early Childhood Education, 12 Credits.
  • Educational Research, 12 Credits.
  • Research Project, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Conduct independent research and competence in scholarly exposition.
    2. Present information clearly, cohesively and in scholarly style.
    3. Show an understanding of current theories of the discipline.
    4. Contribute to the body of knowledge through research activities. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate the preparation of a topic related to the major subject.
  • Explain convincingly why the research is relevant.
  • Formulate the research problem, aim, questions, hypotheses (where applicable) clearly.
  • Demonstrate how and why paradigms, research designs and methodology are relevant to the study.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Provide well-founded interpretations of literature in the area of study, and succinct and accurate syntheses of written material.
  • Use specialist and applied knowledge appropriately in an area of educational study or practice.
  • Show sensitivity for and understanding of the relative and contextual nature of thought and knowledge.
  • Interpret knowledge as a source of meaning and as a guide to reflection, choice and action.
  • Grasp the dialectical relationship between theoretical and practical knowledge.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the variety of educational contexts in which knowledge might apply.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Locate particular studies in a relevant and coherent theoretical framework.
  • Demonstrate a high level of competence in a particular field in Early Childhood Education.
  • Understand and contribute to the technical and professional literature in the field of field in Early Childhood Education.
  • Criticise learned procedures in the light of historical trends and practices in this and other countries.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate the ability to address a professional or academic problem with originality and independent thought.
  • Discover new facts, principles, and connections to improve educational practice.
  • Suggest improvements in educational contexts and thus make a significant contribution to the knowledge of a research problem and share with colleagues in the field of Early Childhood Education.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment is both formative and summative.

    Formative Assessment:
  • Proposal development workshops and seminars, drafts, submission to the institution, ethical clearance, data collection procedures, data collection, and production of mini-dissertation.

    Summative Assessment:
  • Assessment of mini-dissertation by at least three examiners, two internal and one external. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) Honours in Early Childhood Education qualification is comparable to the qualifications offered in Zimbabwe by the University of Zimbabwe, Great Zimbabwe University whose purpose is to produce teacher researchers sensitive to the dynamic cultural context of child development in the 0-8 year group; enhance the teacher's critical ; analytical and reflective skills so as to be effective decision makers in Early Childhood Development in different cultural contexts; help the teacher to plan, design, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate curricular for Early Childhood Development; to enhance the teachers awareness of the developmental needs of the children and educational trends in Early Childhood Development; to enhance the teachers understanding of Early Childhood Education; culture and heritage from an African perspective.

    Monash University in Australia whose qualification cover four areas namely; Education studies, curriculum studies, discipline studies and professional studies. The aim of the qualification is to provide learners with advanced knowledge in Early Childhood Education and develop outstanding leaders for the delivery of educational and training services. It is suitable for staff working in childcare centres, kindergartens and enrichment centres. It provides a solid foundation to enable them to undertake effectively the duties of an early childhood educator.

    University in Asia, Asia University (AeU) offer similar degree qualification whose purpose is designed for those who want a comprehensive teaching Degree that will assist them in building successful career in the early childhood education sector; and most importantly for those with a passion for teaching. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Education, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Education, Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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. University of Venda 


    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.