Bachelor of Education Honours in Early Childhood Education

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 contexts.

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.