Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education Courses in South Africa

Explore accredited early childhood education courses in South Africa with CGTS. Our early childhood education and development programmes are SAQA-aligned and prepare you to nurture, care for and educate young children.

Early childhood education (also called Early Childhood Development, or ECD) covers the care and learning of children in their earliest years. CGTS offers a full pathway — from an entry-level Early Childhood Caregiver programme, through an NQF Level 4 ECD certificate, up to advanced inclusive early childhood support at NQF Level 6.

Every course is studied fully online across South Africa, with bursary and payment-plan funding available so you can qualify at a pace that suits you.

A full ECD pathway

Study from entry-level caregiver up to NQF Level 6 inclusive early childhood support.

Accredited & recognised

SAQA-aligned early childhood education qualifications recognised across South Africa.

Care and educate young children

Learn child development, play-based learning and early learning support.

Online, with funding

Fully online study with bursary and payment-plan options.

Accredited early childhood education courses

Frequently asked questions

What are early childhood education courses?

Early childhood education courses train you to care for and educate young children in their earliest years. At CGTS they are accredited Early Childhood Development (ECD) qualifications, SAQA-aligned and registered on the NQF.

Is early childhood education the same as ECD?

In South Africa the terms are used interchangeably. Early Childhood Development (ECD) is the official term for the sector, and early childhood education courses lead to accredited ECD qualifications.

What levels of early childhood education courses are available?

CGTS offers a pathway from an entry-level Early Childhood Caregiver programme (NQF Level 1), through an NQF Level 4 ECD certificate (SAQA 97542), up to an advanced inclusive early childhood support programme at NQF Level 6.

Can I study early childhood education online?

Yes. All CGTS early childhood education courses are delivered fully online, so you can study from anywhere in South Africa at your own pace.

Are there bursaries for early childhood education courses?

Yes. CGTS offers bursary and payment-plan options for accredited early childhood education study. See the bursaries page for current opportunities.

Related pages

• ECD courses overview — Accredited ECD courses and how to become a practitioner.
• ECD Certificate (NQF 4) — The accredited ECD Level 4 qualification.
• Free & funded ECD Level 4 — Bursary-funded routes into ECD.
• NQF Level 4 Courses South Africa — Matric-level (NQF 4) qualifications and study without matric.
• SAQA Accredited Courses in South Africa — Nationally recognised, SAQA-aligned qualifications.
• Bursaries for Accredited Courses — Funding options for accredited study.

View ECD courses