As one of the most prestigious and highly regarded NATED (National Accredited Trade and Education Diploma) qualifications, Educare is offered by FET, TVET and Private Colleges and Institutions.
With an ever-growing demand for skilled Educare professionals, the need for educated caretakers, teachers and childcare professionals has never been higher.
Offered via distance learning, Educare: NATED N4 to N6 can be completed at the following accredited and recognised institutes:
The choice of where to study Educare is the first step to pursuing a successful career in the field. When you choose Bellview Institute of Distance Learning, you are guaranteed only the best in distance learning. Their Educare Qualifications are recognised and accredited both nationally and internationally.
Bellview Institute of Distance Learning is accredited by the QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) to offer Educare: 01-QCTO/SDP290618-2617
Educare: NATED Qualifications are broken down into the following study streams:
- Educare: NATED N4 National Certificate: (NQF Level 5) – SAQA ID number: 66883
- Educare: NATED N5 National Certificate: (NQF Level 5) – SAQA ID number: 66971
- Educare: NATED N6 National Certificate: (NQF Level 5) – SAQA ID number: 67007
- Educare: NATED N6 National Diploma: (NQF Level 6) – SAQA ID number: 67007
What Is Educare?
Educare refers to the qualification that is the combined subject matter of courses which has to do with the care and education of children. Educare focuses on the early childhood developmental years from birth till the age of 5.
Completing a qualification in Educare means that the student who does so successfully is able and capable to provide loving care, support and comprehensive education to a child or children.
With this care, support and education being focused on the first stages of a child’s life it forms a very important part of the growth and development of that child’s future.
Educating students on how to identify and engage with early childhood illnesses and developmental problems forms a large portion of Educare. Students will be taught how to design and implement lessons that help the child/children from an overall developmental perspective.
Having the needed communication skills to engage with both parents and children is considered to be another very important part of Educare.
Above these focal points, Educare will also teach students how to open and manage their own ECD facility, such as a preschool or creche.
Educare As A Career Choice
Upon completion of your Educare: NATED qualification you will be able to pursue a large number of potential careers. Furthermore Educare career options also include many benefits that can be used in your personal life as well.
Career Possibilities With Educare
Your qualification in Educare will allow you to follow a number of career paths. Some of the most chosen career possibilities include:
- Babysitter
Being a babysitter is considered to be one of the most flexible careers to follow with your Educare qualification. As a babysitter you will be tasked with the complete care of a child or children without the supervision of their parents, usually in their own homes. One of the major benefits of this career is that you get to determine your hourly rates, how many hours you intend to work and for how many families you want to work for.
- Au Pair
Similar in many aspects to a babysitter, being an Au Pair however means that you also have the possibility to be a live-in caretaker of a child or children. This will include meeting the educational, nutritional and enjoyment needs of those in your care. With the growing number of international agencies hiring individuals from other countries, your chance at international employment is very good.
- ECD Childcare Assistant
Filling this position means that you are the primary support staff at an ECD facility. This means you are responsible for the general environment that children not just learn in but also grow in. You have to have the skills to create a fun, engaging and positive environment for yourself, other staff and children.
- Daycare Manager
Taking on the role of a daycare manager means that you will step into a leadership position. If you have a strong sense of responsibility, top-quality interpersonal skills, and a love and passion for helping children learn and grow, then being a daycare manager is ideal for you.
- Daycare Centre Administrator
In this role you will need to have excellent communication, organizational and administrative skills. You will be handling the managing of student records and results as well as the general interaction with parents from the side of the facility you work for.
- Infant, Toddler, or Preschool Teacher
Using an Educare qualification to become an infant, toddler, or preschool teacher depends on your prospective employer. They can possibly ask you to further your studies whilst you work for them. This is a great opportunity to develop a career for yourself.
Personal Benefits Of Pursuing A Career In Educare
Following a career in Educare provides a large variety of personal benefits. The personal effects of being involved with early childhood development have the potential to be life changing.
For example:
- Having a career that is both fun and enjoyable
- The increase in employment opportunities
- It is both a reliable and fulfilling career
- Flexibility in work schedule
- The sharing and gaining of knowledge
- Challenging but very rewarding
- It cultivates creativity
The Rewards Of Having A Career In Educare
Having a career in Educare, will reward you as you progress. The personal rewarding elements of a career in Educare is what draws almost all individuals to it. These are the most impactful rewards that you can expect when you choose a career in this field.
- Daily improvement of your communication skills
- Developing your ability to plan and teach
- You will gain excellent organizational skills
- Grow your creative thinking
- Your leadership abilities will improve
- Your ability to make decisions under pressure will increase
- Adding to your physical and mental growth
Improvement Of Your Communication Skills
In an environment where you have to deal with other staff members, children and parents, you have to possess excellent communication skills. With daily practice and focus your communication methods will improve and be more effective in any given situation.
Developing Your Ability To Plan And Teach
Being able to correctly and thoroughly plan and organise educational activities and lessons is a key point of any Educare career. Applying your knowledge to this key point will increase your ability to plan and more importantly it will improve your capability to teach specific things such as reading and writing.
Gaining Excellent Organisational Skills
Any career in Educare requires organisational skills, and will reward you with skills and tools that will help you both inside and outside of the workplace. Maintaining student files and records, result recording and other administrative tasks will increase your employability and concentration.
Growth In Creative Thinking
Needing to think creatively is essential to your career in Educare. Keeping a child or children engaged and entertained plays an important part of how they grow and learn during their developmental years. Your creative thinking will be used daily, and can then be applied to many other areas of your life.
Improvement In Your Leadership Skills
Children between birth and the age of five are very easily influenced by their surroundings and the people around them. Having strong yet adaptable leadership skills will be very important to your job. Being a good leadership figure while being gentle and caring at the same time with regards to interactions with children will help you apply some of these skills in your personal life as well.
Improving Your Decision Making Skills
In any situation where you are placed as the caretaker of a child or children, your ability to make effective and rational decisions will be needed daily and thus will be improved as well. In emergency situations you will need to adapt quickly to resolve any possible problems.
Adding To Your Physical And Mental Growth
Keeping up with the ways children engage in learning and other activities can be a test of your physical stamina and mental abilities, but if applied correctly, this will help your personal physical and mental health. Keeping fit is essential to any Educare career.
Author: Morné van Emmenis