Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education Course Requirements at FPD
Foundation for Professional Development
The Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education is a higher Certificate offered by FPD for 2027 learners, taking 2 years, 10 modules of 8 weeks each to complete. This page covers the Grade 12 subjects and admission score you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.
Grade 12 Required Subjects to study Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education at FPD
Grade 12 National Senior Certificate or a relevant NQF 4 qualification.
About this course
An entry level qualification preparing students to work as recognised early childhood development educators, supporting children from birth to age four, with a pathway into further ECCE study.
Possible careers
ECD educator, early learning practitioner
How to apply for 2027 studies
Apply online; a R150 non-refundable application fee applies.
Course intelligence for Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education doesn’t currently appear on the national scarce-skills list. That’s not a red flag on its own, most jobs in South Africa aren’t on that list, it just tracks where employers reported the strongest hiring pressure. Your own results, experience and network will matter more here than national demand trends.
NSFAS funding
NSFAS does not usually fund students at private institutions like FPD. Ask FPD directly about its own bursaries or payment plans, and check whether a sector SETA offers funding for this field.
Admission chances
FPD’s intake and this course’s requirements with its published admission requirements generally leave more room than the most sought-after courses, so you likely have a reasonable window to apply without rushing, though applying early is always the safer bet.
These insights are estimates generated from South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand (DHET, November 2023 draft), NSFAS’s published funding rules, and this university’s general applicant demand. They’re planning guidance, not a guarantee. Always confirm funding and admission specifics directly with FPD and NSFAS.
Related courses
Source: Foundation for Professional Development prospectus. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with Foundation for Professional Development before applying.