Educare Courses

Educare Courses are designed by the DHET to prepare you for the workplace. If you are someone who wants to work with children, this is the course for you.

Our Educare Courses

NATED Educare

Educare: NATED N4 National Certificate

The Educare N4 National Certificate is the foundation level in Educare. Learn the basic skills to start a career in Educare.
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NATED Educare

Educare: NATED N5 National Certificate

The Educare: NATED N5 National Certificate is designed by the DHET to fill a skills gap in the market. Equip yourself with the knowledge and ...
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NATED Educare

Educare: NATED N6 National Certificate

The Educare: NATED N6 National Certificate is designed by the DHET to equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills you need to work in ...
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NATED Educare

Educare: NATED N6 National Diploma

Gain practical skills to jump-start your career in Educare. Our Educare N6 National Diploma consists of 18 months of work experience.
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Educare is a course that teaches you how to educate and care for children. These are children aged 0 to 5 years old. It is a delicate profession as it deals with the development of children’s bodies and minds. This phase is an introduction of education to children for their primary school, high school and further studies. Our Educare Courses at Matric College will help you gain the following:

  • Skills
  • Knowledge
  • Prepare you for work

Matric College provides NATED courses in partnership with Bellview Institute of Distance Learning.

What Are Educare Courses?

Educare courses deal with the development of children. This is where they receive care and are educated on developing skills such as: 

  • Speaking 
  • Listening 
  • Practice hygienic skills, such as washing hands

Educare courses are designed by the Department of Higher Education and Training. These courses were designed to equip students with both theoretical and practical knowledge that prepares them for the Educare field.

Educare NATED N4 National Certificate

SAQA ID: 66883
Course Credits: 60
NQF Level: Level 5
Qualification Title: Educare NATED N4 National Certificate 
Qualification Type: National N Certificate
Course Duration:  6 to 12 months

Entry Requirements

  • Must have a Matric Certificate (Amended Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate)
  • Be 16 years or older
  • Be able to read, write and understand English
  • Be able to study through distance learning

Course Subjects

All subjects are compulsory:

  • Day Care Personnel Development N4
  • Educare Didactics: Theory and Practical N4
  • Education N4
  • Child Health N4

What Will I Learn?

  • You will learn how to manage children, Daycare staff and a Day Care Centre
  • You will be knowledgeable on child care principles and strategies
  • You will learn how to educate young children and be able to know what food is healthy and good for their nutrition

Educare NATED N5 National Certificate

SAQA ID: 66971
Course Credits: 60
NQF Level: Level 5
Qualification Title: Educare NATED N5 National Certificate 
Qualification Type: National N Certificate
Course Duration:   6 to 12 months

Entry Requirements

  • Must have completed the Educare NATED N4 National Certificate
  • Must have a Matric Certificate (Amended Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate)
  • Be 16 years or older
  • Be able to read, write and understand English
  • Be able to study through distance learning

Course Subjects

All subjects are compulsory:

  • Day Care Management N5
  • Day Care Communication N5
  • Educare Didactics: Theory and Practical N5
  • Educational Psychology N5

What Will I Learn?

  • You will learn to manage a Day Care Centre
  • You will learn to communicate with children the staff and parents
  • You will be knowledgeable on the development of a child’s mind and body
  • You will be able to teach children to speak, listen, and express themselves

Educare NATED N6 National Certificate

SAQA ID: 67007
Course Credits: 60
NQF Level: Level 5
Qualification Title: Educare NATED N6 National Certificate 
Qualification Type:  National N Certificate
Course Duration:  6 to 12 months

Entry Requirements

  • Must have completed the Educare NATED N5 National Certificate
  • Must have a Matric Certificate (Amended Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate)
  • Be 16 years or older
  • Be able to read, write and understand English
  • Be able to study through distance learning

Course Subjects

All subjects are compulsory:

  • Day Care Management N6
  • Day Care Communication N6
  • Educare Didactics: Theory and Practical N6
  • Educational Psychology N6

What Will I Learn?

  • You will learn the management of a Day Care Centre
  • You will learn to communicate well with the staff, children and their parents
  • You will gain knowledge on the development of a child’s mind and body
  • You will be able to analyse the behaviour of a child and identify if they are doing well or not

Educare NATED N6 National Diploma

SAQA ID: 90674
Course Credits: 360
NQF Level: Level 6
Qualification Title: Educare NATED N6 National Diploma
Qualification Type: National N Diploma
Course Duration:  18  months

Entry Requirements

  • Must have completed the Educare NATED N6 National Certificate
  • Must have a Matric Certificate (Amended Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate)
  • Must have completed the Educare NATED N4 National Certificate 
  • Must have completed the Educare NATED N5 National Certificate

18 Months Work Experience

There are no subjects for this qualification. You are only required to complete 18 months work experience. Here is how you can complete your work experience:

  • Register on the iWIL website
    • The iWIL website is designed by the Department of Higher Education and Training 
    • The purpose of the website is to help students find volunteer work where they can gain experience
  • The manager of the Day Care Centre overseeing your work experience must sign off a letter/report 
  • Send the letter/report back to us and we will send it to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) for approval 
  • Once the DHET has approved your letter/report, they will send you your Educare NATED N6 National Diploma
Nated Educare N6 National Diploma

You have the option to study the NATED Programme this way: 

  • You can study theory for 18 months and then complete 18 months work experience afterwards
  • Study 18 months of theory while doing your work experience at the company you work for
  • Complete 6 months of theory and 6 months work experience, then obtain the N4 certificate. Complete the same process for the N5 and N6 Certificates.

For Students Who Want To Study The Qualifications Separately:

QualificationRequirements To StudyCourse DurationQualification AwardedReasons For Each Qualification Awarded
Educare NATED N4 Certificate ONLYMust have a Matric Certificate (Amended Senior Certificate or National Senior Certificate) to studyStudy for 6 to 12 monthsGet awarded the Educare NATED N4 CertificateYou do not need to complete 6 months of work experience to get the Educare NATED N4 Certificate
Educare NATED N5 Certificate ONLYMust have the Educare NATED N4 Certificate to studyStudy for 6 to 24 monthsGet awarded the Educare NATED N5 CertificateYou do not need to complete the work experience to get the Educare NATED N5 Certificate
Educare NATED N6 Certificate ONLYMust have the Educare NATED N5 CertificateStudy for 6 to 36 monthsGet awarded the Educare NATED N6 CertificateYou do not need to complete the work experience to get the Educare NATED N6 Certificate
Educare NATED N6 National DiplomaMust have the Educare NATED N4 Certificate, Educare NATED N5 Certificate and the Educare NATED N6 CertificateComplete 18 months of work experienceGet awarded the Educare NATED N6 National DiplomaMust complete 18 months of work experience and have a letter/report approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training to get the Educare NATED N6 National Diploma. You do not need a logbook for this course, you only need a report/letter.

Educare means to teach or to train. Educare also refers to the process of enabling learning in children. This includes learning skills, values, morals and beliefs to develop the body and mind of children.

Educare deals with children and how they are cared for and educated. Educare can be both formal and informal. Children can be formally taken care of through a Day Care Centre or informally, from their homes.

Formal EducareInformal Educare
Children attend a Day Care Centre or CrecheChildren are cared for at home
Children are taken care of by an Educare Professional e.g Daycare TeacherChildren are taken care of by a guardian, Nanny or Au Pair
Opportunity to learn advanced school-based skillsOpportunity to earn advanced daily life-based skills
Spend time learningSpend time playing fun activities
Children can interact with other childrenChildren can interact with a Guardian or Nanny
Children can eat, write, listen, draw and readChildren can play, eat, talk and sleep

An Educare Certificate is a qualification you receive once you have completed an Educare NATED Certificate course. The Certificate courses include:

These Certificates are approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and awarded by Matric College.

Educare N4 to N6 refers to the Educare NATED National Certificates. These Certificate courses build on each other. This means you study from the first certificate course and work your way up. The first Certificate course is the N4, followed by the N5 and lastly is the N6 Certificate course. This is how they build on each other:

How NATED Courses Work

These Certificate courses are designed by the DHET specifically to equip you with theoretical and practical knowledge that prepares you for employment. Once you have completed these, you will be suitable to work with children.

An Educare NATED National N6 Diploma is the last qualification in the Educare NATED Programme. You will complete 18 months of work experience. Once you have completed this, you will be awarded your Educare NATED N6 National Diploma.

Educare NATED National Diploma has the following credits:

In total, the Educare NATED National Diploma has 360 credits.

You can study an Educare NATED Course at Matric College. We are a distance learning college. You can study from anywhere you are. We ensure our students have a convenient learning experience although they study from home. This is how we make learning easy:

TutorsIf you need help with your course assessments, our tutors are available Monday to Friday, 08:00 am to 05:00 pm.
Study MaterialYour course study material will be sent to you within 5 to 7 days after your registration is complete.
Course ExpertsOur Course experts can help you choose the right course for you. If you have questions regarding the course you are studying or applying for, you can contact them to gain more knowledge.
Red Alert FormIf you have any urgent issues regarding your studies, you can fill out the Red Alert form. This will let us know that you need urgent assistance and we will contact you to help.
AccreditationOur courses are accredited to ensure you obtain a quality education. Once you have completed our Educare NATED Programme, you will be a desirable candidate to employers.
RecognitionYou gain recognised qualifications that increase your chances to further your studies or look for employment.

Yes, you need a Matric Certificate to study an Educare NATED Programme at Matric College. However, if you do not have a Matric Certificate, you can study the following course and receive a Matric Certificate. Once you have received the Matric Certificate you can apply for the Educare NATED Programme.  

Adult Matric 

The Requirements For Adult Matric:

  • You must have at least a Grade 9 or equivalent qualification, 
    • ie: Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) Level 4
  • You have an incomplete Matric 
  • You must be able to read, write and understand English or Afrikaans 
  • You must be 21 years or older to write the exams 
  • You may sign up for the Adult Matric course at the age of 19 years old, but you will only be able to write the Adult Matric exam once you are over 21

Once you have completed this course, you will be awarded a Matric Certificate.

You need a Matric Certificate to study an Educare NATED Programme at Matric College. This can be a Matric Certificate of any pass level: 

There is no Admission Point Score needed when you apply for an Educare NATED Programme at Matric College. You can apply with a Matric Certificate of any APS score.

It takes 1 to 3 years to complete the Educare NATED programme at Matric College. This is because it takes about 18 months to complete the Certificates courses and 18 months to complete the work experience which makes a total of 18 to 36 months.

You can pass Educare by doing the following: 

  • A study area 

Find a quiet study area. This will help you study better.

  • Organize yourself 

Study at a place that is organised. Make sure you have everything you need before you study. This will help you not cut the flow of your studies while looking for stationery. 

  • Studying routine

Create a study timetable that you follow frequently. This will help you develop a routine and get used to studying. 

  • Make notes 

Taking notes helps you remember what you have learnt. Make notes of new information you learn from a tutor, the internet or your study material. This will help you when you study or answer your assignments. 

  • Write assessments 

Write all your assessments. This includes tests, assignments and exams. Every assessment creates a mark that is used to determine if you can pass or not. Make sure you aim for high marks when you write your work. 

The Educare NATED course consists of exams and assignments. 

The exams are written in the following period: 

  • May / June 
  • October / November

The exam registration opportunities are open in the following period: 

  • February if you would like to write your exam in May / June
  • August if you would like to write your exam in October / November 

There is one final examination for each subject that is set by the DHET. To pass the exams you must get a mark of 50% and higher. There are also 3 open book assignments for each subject in each Certificate course. You must aim for 50% or higher to pass these assignments. You can use your study material to help you answer the assignments.

Yes, the Educare NATED courses are recognised. These courses are accredited by the DHET and the QCTO. This gives you a chance to further your studies or look for employment anywhere in South Africa.

Yes, the Educare NATED courses are accredited by the QCTO and the DHET. Accreditation means that the qualification is registered with a professional body. This increases your chances to further your studies or find employment. An accredited Qualifications helps employers view you this way: 

  • They know your qualification is quality education 
  • You completed the course because you are committed 
  • You were taught by a professional 
  • You have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge 
  • You are ready to work 
  • You will be able to learn fast

This is what you can do with an Educare NATED Certificate:

  • Find Employment 
  • Study Further 
  • Open A Business 

Find Employment 

You can look for employment with the Educare NATED Certificate. You could find work as an: 

  • Au Pair
  • Nanny 
  • Assistant Preschool Teacher
  • Day Care Administrator 

Day Care Manager Study Further 

You can apply for an Educare NATED N6 National Diploma once you have completed these Certificates:

You must complete 18 months work experience to receive the Educare NATED N6 National Diploma. Once you have completed the Educare NATED N6 National Diploma, you will be a desirable candidate in the work environment. A Diploma Qualification is valid because: 

  • It is theory and skills-based 
  • It is one step towards a Degree Qualification  
  • Students must be committed to completing this course
  • It equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge 
  • It prepares you for work 

OR

 you can further your studies with Matric College and gain a different Qualification. The more qualifications you have, the more employable you become. These are the courses you can study: 

NATED Courses 

These courses are accredited by the QCTO and DHET. They are recognised nationally. You can easily further your studies or find employment anywhere in South Africa.

ICB Courses 

These courses are accredited by the ICB and the QCTO. They are recognised nationally and internationally. This means you will be able to further your studies or look for employment both in and outside South Africa. 

Short Courses  

Short courses are not accredited but they are beneficial because: 

  • They offer specific skills
  • They prepare you for work 
  • They are easier to complete 
  • They can be completed in 2 (two) to 12 (twelve) months 
  • There are no exams which mean less academic pressure 
  • You can study with or without a Matric Certificate 

Open A Business 

You can use an Educare NATED Certificate to open a Day Care Centre that provides learning opportunities for children. Your business will have better credibility to parents and guardians as you have a qualification in Educare. They will be able to trust you with their children.

Why Choose To Study Educare Courses Via Distance Learning

  • Study from home 

Studying from home keeps you safe from contracting viruses such as COVID-19. You keep yourself and your loved ones safe. 

  • Study at your own pace 

You set your study schedule. If you prefer studying during late hours, you can adjust your schedule for that time. The same applies if you prefer studying during the early hours. This helps you study at a pace that you can understand better. 

  • Cut transport costs 

Since there are no contact classes to travel to, you will be able to save a lot of money that could have been spent on transport. 

  • Study while you work 

It is possible to work and study at the same time. Study sessions can be scheduled for late hours if you work during the day, and early hours if you work late.

  • Gain a skills-based qualification

You gain a skills-based qualification. This helps you gain skills that make you stand out when you look for employment. 

  • Gain new qualities  

You will learn qualities such as time management and discipline as you study from home. These are good qualities that will make employers value you.

Educare NATED Certificates last for a lifetime. Once you have been awarded these qualifications by the Department of Higher Education and Training, they are yours and valid forever.

Educare focuses more on the development of basic skills and caring for children. For example, kids spend time doing the following in Educare: 

  • Reading 
  • Writing 
  • Speaking 
  • Playing 
  • Eating 
  • Sleeping 

Early Childhood Development (ECD) focuses on the following: 

  • Mental development
  • Social development
  • Physiological development
  • Emotional development

An Educare Teacher is a Teacher who teaches children in a Day Care Centre or a Creche. An Educare Teacher must have a Bachelor’s Degree Qualification to teach.

An ECD Practitioner is a teacher who equips children with the skills they need to start their educational journey. An ECD Practitioner can work in a Social Work Environment or a Creche. They are more responsible for kids aged 3 to 5.

No, you cannot go to university with an Educare NATED N6 National Certificate. You need a Matric Bachelor’s Degree pass to apply to university. You must also meet the requirements of the course and the university to gain entry.

You cannot teach any Grade with an Educare NATED N6 National Diploma. You need a Degree Qualification to teach.

No, you cannot teach Grade R with an Educare NATED N6 National Diploma. You need a Degree Qualification in Foundation Phase to teach Grade R.

No, you cannot study Teaching without Matric. However, if you do not have Matric, you can apply for the following: 

Child Day Care Courses

This is what you will learn:

  • Taking care of children’s well-being
  • Offering child care to families, care providers, and the community at large
  • Topics concerning health and hygiene
  • Food groups, nutrients, and practices in nutrition that are good for children 

 Child Psychology Courses

This is what you will learn:

  • Support children in dealing with their emotions
  • Learn diversity in early childhood
  • How growth and development work in children 
  • Help a child process their thoughts 

Créche Management Courses

This is what you will learn:

  • Commit to organising committees for managing early childhood development
  • How the law interacts with crèche management
  • Creating programs and institutions to support early childhood development
  • Managing early childhood education
  • How to manage the developmental stages of young children

The requirements for the above courses are: 

  • Be at least 16 years or older 
  • Be able to read, write and understand English 
  • Be able to study through distance learning 

Once you have completed these courses, you will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to work with children. You can work as a:

  • Nanny
  • Au Pair 
  • Day Care Worker 
  • Babysitter

No, you cannot teach Grade 3 with an Educare NATED N6 National Diploma. You need a Degree Qualification in Foundation Phase Teaching to teach Grade R to 3.

These are the qualifications you need to become a Foundation Phase Teacher:

  • A 3 year Bachelor of Education (BEd) Degree in Early Childhood Development, Foundation Phase
  • A 2 year National Diploma in Education: Foundation Phase (NQF Level 6)
  • A Postgraduate Certificate: Education: Foundation Phase. This is for students who have already completed any Degree Qualification and want to become teachers

The best grade to teach depends on what you prefer as a Teacher. Some teachers prefer working with younger learners because they enjoy teaching basic skills such as reading and writing. Other teachers prefer teaching older learners because they can advance their basic skills with more skills such as critical thinking and decision making skills.

The best subject to teach depends on your abilities and interests. If you are someone who enjoys Mathematics and you are good at it, you should teach Mathematics. However, if you have an interest in Mathematics but you find it challenging, you should choose a different subject to teach. You want learners to have the best learning experience. Make sure you choose a subject that you enjoy and are good with, that is the best one.

Studying an Educare course is beneficial in the following ways: 

  • Children are easy to work with 
  • You will enjoy teaching them basic skills 
  • You will feel rewarded when children understand what you are teaching 
  • Learn about the early age developments of children 
  • Make a positive impact on the growing generation
  • Learn skills that can help you to take care of your children or a relative’s children

Here is a career test you can take to see if Teaching is a career for you: 

  1. Do you enjoy working with children? 
  2. Are you a patient person? 
  3. Do you have an enthusiastic character? 
  4. Are you sympathetic?
  5. Can you work with different types of children? 
  6. Do you want to teach to make a positive impact? 
  7. Can you work in a noisy environment? 
  8. Are you able to work all day standing? 
  9. Are you a good storyteller? 
  10. Do you have great listening skills?

If you answered yes to 6 or more of these questions then teaching is a career you should follow. You would work well with children.

Our Accreditation

SAQA

The South African Qualifications Authority is a professional body that oversees and advances the role of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Our Educare NATED courses are registered with the SAQA. This means that they are recognised on the South African NQF system. This secures your qualifications and you can further your studies or look for employment with your qualifications. 

DHET

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is a professional body that accredits training providers and qualifications. Our Educare NATED courses are designed and accredited by the DHET. NATED stands for National Accredited Technical Education Diploma. This gives you a qualification that is recognised nationally. You can look for work or further your studies anywhere in South Africa. 

QCTO

The Quality Council of Trades And Occupations (QCTO) is a professional body that accredits occupational qualifications. The QCTO is a quality council and monitors qualifications to ensure they give quality education at all times. Our Educare NATED courses are accredited by the QCTO. This ensures that you gain a quality education that will make you stand out when you look for employment or further your studies.

Career Opportunities With An Educare Qualification

  • Day Care Manager – R 33 036 per month
  • Day Care Administrator – R 9 288 per month
  • Au Pair – R 8 000 per month
  • Child Health And Nutrition Caretaker – R 7 952 per month
  • Nanny – R 6 691 per month

Day Care Manager 

Responsibilities: 

  • Hires new staff 
  • Manages the staff 
  • Has meetings with parents 
  • Handles the budget of the Day Care Centre

Day Care Administrator 

Responsibilities:

  • Register children in a Day Care Centre
  • Plan daily activities 
  • Create a training programme 
  • Handles academic records

Au Pair 

Responsibilities: 

  • Plans children’s meals 
  • Helps children bath and sleep 
  • Play fun activities with children 
  • Cleans the children’s rooms 

Child Health And Nutrition Caretaker

Responsibilities:

  • Plans healthy meals for children 
  • Ensures they eat healthily 
  • Knows what medication to give if they are ill 
  • Encourages parents to give healthy meals to children 

Nanny

Responsibilities: 

  • Watches over the children 
  • Ensures they are bathed and have eaten 
  • Plays fun activities with children 
  • Helps with homework

Benefits Of Studying At Matric College

  • Study from anywhere you are 
  • Work and study at the same time 
  • Set your study sessions
  • Study at the pace that you understand best 
  • Get course assistance from tutors 
  • Contact a course expert when you need information about your course 
  • Gain an accredited qualification 
  • Gain a recognised qualification

Horace Mann created school. He was born in 1796 and later in his life elected to work as the Secretary of Education In Massachusetts. He introduced education to society in an effective way, ensuring that every child received it. He was known as an American Educational activist.

Horace Mann is known as the Father of Education.

Child protection education refers to the study of children and how they are protected from harm such as: 

  • Violence 
  • Abuse 
  • Neglect

Yes, you can study Educare NATED courses online at Matric College. Online learning forms part of distance learning. You can study using your smartphone from home. You will be able to communicate with tutors through email, WhatsApp and phone calls. If you need assistance with contacting a course expert or other urgent assistance, we have a website with everything you may need when studying. We also provide you with the study material once you have successfully registered.

You qualify for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education(PGCE) if you have a Bachelor’s Degree Qualification or an advanced Diploma Qualification. These qualifications should also include a minimum of two subjects done in school.

PGCE is a qualification for students who want to teach. This qualification can be done if you have a Bachelor’s Degree Qualification or an advanced Diploma in Education.

No, you cannot do the PGCE with an Educare NATED N6 National Certificate or N6 Diploma. You need a Bachelor’s Degree Qualification or an advanced Diploma to study a PGCE.

A PGCE is at NQF Level 7 on the National Qualifications Framework.

The first school for a child is at a Day Care Centre or home. This is where they learn the basics of education such as speaking, listening and thinking.

The word Educare in Latin means to train, mould or to lead out.

Author: Mulisa Nethononda
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: March 11, 2022

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