Your Goal:
“I want to become a qualified Early Childhood Development (ECD) educator”
Your Goal:
“I want to become a qualified Early Childhood Development (ECD) educator”
SANTS QUALIFICATION
Higher Certificate in
Early Childhood Care and Education
Minimum course duration:
1 Year
132 Credits
NQF Exit Level 5
What this Higher Certificate Programme will do for you:
This early childhood development programme equips you to become a qualified Early Childhood Development (ECD) educator.
Help you become a resourceful, adaptable, pedagogically flexible, knowledgeable, proactive, reflective educator.
Prepare for South African early childhood education contexts.
This Early Childhood Development Programme will enable competence in:
This ECD course will leave you understanding theories of holistic child development and learning in the early years
Applying disciplinary knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge to facilitate learning in ECCE contexts.
Applying basic leadership and managerial skills to manage early learning environments.
Understanding the educational and ecological contexts and issues that shape children’s learning in the early years.
Understanding your profession and professional role.
Accreditation & Registration
Admission Requirements
Tuition Fees
Payment Options
Application Dates
How do I get in?
A. National Senior Certificate (NSC) or aB. Senior Certificate (SC) or a
C. National Senior Certificate for Adults (NASCA) or a
D. Level 4 National Certificate (Vocational) or an appropriate Level 4 Certificate in ECD or
E. Recognition of Prior Learning proving equivalence to any of the above
All registering students must submit a police clearance certificate (SAPS PC) indicating that they have been cleared in terms of the provisions of the Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005, as persons suitable to work with babies, toddlers and young children.
Fees that fit your pocket
Estimated cost (first year enrolment):
R19 620
to a maximum of R22 120
- * Language choice dependent
- * Tuition fees are subject to change without prior notice due to the increase in costs to present the programme.
What does this include?
- All study material
- Assignments
- Tuition
- Examinations
- Student portal access
Afford your ambitions with flexible payment options
TWO equal Tuition fee instalments per semester.
* Due dates 31 March and 31 August.
TEN equal monthly instalments.
* The annual tuition fee will be divided into 10 equal payments and is payable at the end of each month.
Are there any other costs I should know of?
- Registration fee (first enrolment only)
- Annual re-registration fee
* Payable before the commencement of a new academic year. This registration and re-registration fee is deducted from the annual tuition fee payable.
Need to make payment arrangements?
Students who need to make alternative payment arrangements must contact SANTS before the commencement of a semester.
Important to know
Students who need to make alternative payment arrangements must contact SANTS before the commencement of a semester.
- Fees are charged per module. The rate per module will be applicable for students who have to repeat a specific module.
- If a student elects to enrol for fewer modules than the proposed semester structure, as might be the case for part-time students, the total tuition fees due in a given calendar year may vary. Applicants applying for a student loan or bursary should apply for a total amount that includes the tuition and study material fees payable to the institution.
- Tuition fees at SANTS are subject to change to ensure affordable quality education. While efforts are made to limit increases to the minimum, some increases in costs are unavoidable and students should stay informed of price increases.
- Module costs are fixed for the calendar year but may vary in subsequent years.
- Additional fees may apply for special assessments.
When do I apply?
SANTS will have two intakes annually, namely a January and July intake.
October 31 of previous year
June 23, 2025
Can I upgrade to a Bachelor’s qualification if I obtain the Higher Certificate?
- A completed HCert (ECCE) meets the minimum entry requirement for admission and credit recognition to/in a Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education.
- A completed HCert (ECCE) meets the minimum entry requirement for admission and credit recognition to/in a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Care and Education (BEd (ECCE)).
- Students who have successfully completed the SANTS HCert (ECCE) may be granted access to the SANTS Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching programme. “Teachers who are in possession of a recognised certificate or diploma in education or another relevant field, may also present their qualifications for entry into a BEd with a possibility of transfer of credits, for cognate previous studies” (DHET, 2015, -p. 22).