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Childhood Development Courses
Are you ready to up your game as an au pair or childcare provider? Want to learn the best techniques for taking care of babies and kids? Eager to expand your knowledge about childhood development? Oxbridge Academy has got you covered! We’ve got a variety of courses that fit your needs, from the Skills Certificate in Childcare/Au Pair to the National Certificates in N4, N5, and N6 Educare, to the Occupational Certificate in Early Childhood Development Practitioner (SAQA ID 97542).
We design our courses to help you:
- enhance your skills,
- gain new insights,
- and pursue a rewarding career in Early Childhood Development.
So why wait? Sign up now and start building the profession of your dreams!
Why Choose Our Childhood Development Courses?
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You can complete your course from the comfort of your own home.
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You can ask an industry-expert tutor for help if you get stuck with your coursework.
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You will gain valuable skills in childhood development.
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You will be able to choose whether you want to pay your course fees upfront or in monthly instalments.
Want More Info?
Short Learning Programmes
These non-accredited skills courses equip you with fundamental skills in childcare and introduce you to basic elements of childhood development. These courses are a good choice if you want to learn more about childcare, and if you want to acquire the basic skills you need to work as a nanny, childminder, or babysitter.
National Qualifications (N4-N6) Leading To Diplomas
These formal qualifications are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), and are designed to prepare you for a career in the ECD environment. These courses are a good choice if you want to work in a child day care centre or ECD centre, work as an au pair, or start up your own child day care centre. If you have completed your N6 level and can provide evidence of 18 months of relevant practical experience, you may be eligible to apply for – and receive – a National Diploma.
National Certificate: N4 Educare
- Accredited by: QCTO
- SAQA ID: 66883
- Duration: 12 Months
- Requirements: Matric or Introductory certificate
National Certificate: N5 Educare
- Accredited by: QCTO
- SAQA ID: 66971
- Duration: 12 Months
- Requirements: N4 Educare
National Certificate: N6 Educare
- Accredited by: QCTO
- SAQA ID: 67007
- Duration: 12 Months
- Requirements: N5 Educare
Occupational Certificates
These formal qualifications are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), and are accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). Occupational qualifications are associated with a trade, occupation or profession resulting from work-based learning and consisting of knowledge unit standards, practical unit standards, and work experience unit standards.
What Is Childhood Development?
Childhood development refers to the physical, intellectual, social and emotional changes that take place between birth and adolescence. Development usually takes place in a continuous sequence, with each child moving through the sequence at his or her own pace. Some of the steps in the developmental sequence include:
- Learning to sit without support
- Learning to crawl
- Learning to walk
- Learning to talk
- Learning to draw and paint
- Learning to count
- Forming relationships with peers
Factors Affecting Childhood Development
A child’s development is affected by his or her genes (nature) and environment (nurture). This means that parents and caregivers can influence a child’s development by creating a safe, loving environment, and by making sure that he or she has plenty of positive interaction with the child. A child who receives love, affection, attention, encouragement, and adequate nutrition and health care is more likely to develop to his or her full potential.
Why You Should Study Childhood Development If You Want To Become An Au Pair
Au pairs are hired to look after children and to care for them when their parents are not around. As an au pair, one of your duties will be to facilitate the development of the child (or children) under your care. While each child is unique, and will develop at their own pace, there are certain developmental milestones that you can use to gauge whether a child is developing normally.
STUDYING CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT HELPS YOU TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS
By studying childhood development, you can learn about the various developmental milestones, as well as how to recognise when a child is not meeting the milestones within the normal timeframes. When you notice that a child is not meeting their developmental milestones, you can notify the child’s parents, who can then seek intervention to address the problem. Early intervention often increases the likelihood that the problem will be resolved effectively, and that the child will be able to reach their full potential.
STUDYING CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT HELPS YOU TO COMMUNICATE WITH CHILDREN
A good understanding of childhood development will also help you to learn how to interact with a child on his or her level. If you are aware of the various stages of growth, and how they affect a child’s behaviour, you will be better able to respond appropriately to tricky situations, such as when a child refuses to eat or throws a tantrum in public.
Jobs You Can Do If You Have Studied A Course In Childcare
The childcare courses at Oxbridge Academy are designed to equip you with fundamental skills in various aspects of childcare, including child nutrition, health and safety, and childhood development. Once you have acquired these skills, you may be able to work in the following types of positions:
- Aftercare Assistant
- Au Pair
- Babysitter
- Childminder
- Crèche Assistant
- Day Mother
- Nanny
If you decide to complete your National Certificates in Educare, you will also cover topics such as child psychology and education, and you will develop the skills that you need to work in the following roles:
- Playschool Teacher
- Day Care Centre Administrator
- Day Care Centre Manager
- Assistant Grade R Teacher
Please note that the Oxbridge Academy Short Learning Programmes will not qualify you to work as an ECD Practitioner. If you want to work in the ECD environment, you will need to study an ECD course, such as a National Certificate in Educare.
Skills You Will Need If You Want To Work In Childcare
Childcare is a specialised field requiring plenty of patience and a love of working with children. In addition, childcare workers need the following skills and personality traits:
- A friendly and approachable nature.
- Effective communication skills.
- Dispute resolution skills.
- Observation skills.
- Integrity and reliability.
- Adaptability.