A job in childcare is always in demand and with such a rewarding career, many people are drawn to working with children. Explore the benefits of day care courses and why people chose to get this qualification.
Understanding Day Care Courses
Understanding what day care courses are and what knowledge and skills you will gain from doing one, is the best way to figure out if it is the right course for you.
What Is The Role Of Daycare?
The main role of a daycare is to keep children safe and healthy, but that is not all they do. Daycares provide a safe place for children while their parents are at work.
A child’s time at daycare is spent with a balance of play, rest, and learning that is structured to promote their social, cognitive, emotional, and physical development.
What Is A Child Day Care Course?
At Skills Academy, our child day care courses aim to provide you with the knowledge and skills to work with children. Here at Skills Academy, our child day care courses are offered at three different qualification levels:
- Child Day Care Short Course
- Child Day Care Certificate Course
- Child Day Care Comprehensive Course
In these courses, you will learn about creating a nurturing and safe environment, effective communication, child developmental stages, and first aid.
How Much Is A Day Care Course?
The cost of our child day care course depends on which one you choose. We offer three different child day care courses to choose from, each of which comes with its own fees.
The good news is that we offer different payment options to accommodate as many people as possible. For more information on our payment options check out our study fees page.
Day Care Courses And Content
Whether you want to go into a career in child day care or a parent wanting to get a better relationship with your child, knowing which course is the right one for you is key.
Day Care Courses Online
There are many places that offer day care courses online and luckily for you, Skills Academy is one of them. Aside from our Child Day Care courses, we also offer Daycare Centre Management Courses. Let’s have a look at what these courses have to offer:
Daycare Centre Management Short Course
| Subject | What You Will Learn |
|---|---|
| Educare Didactics | This subject focuses on the essential teaching methodologies and techniques that are required to manage daycare activities effectively. You will also learn how to engage young children and create a nurturing learning environment |
| Daycare Personnel Development | Explore the principles behind training and developing daycare staff. You will learn how to manage. Motivate and improve your team’s performance in a daycare setting |
Daycare Centre Management Certificate Course
This course covers subjects provided in the short course plus the ones below:
| Subject | What You Will Learn |
|---|---|
| Safety First Aid | Learn critical first-aid skills that are tailored to daycare settings. Handle minor injuries and ensure child safety |
| Daycare Communication | This subject will help in developing strategies for effective interaction with parents, children and staff. Learn how to foster positive relationships in a daycare environment |
Daycare Centre Management Comprehensive Certificate Course
This course covers subjects provided in the certificate course plus the ones below:
| Subject | What You Will Learn |
|---|---|
| Education | Explore the principles of child development and learning processes. Learn how to apply educational strategies that support growth and development of young children |
| Daycare Management | In this subject you will learn the core management skills required to run a daycare effectively. This includes financial management, staff supervision, and compliance with legal regulations |
All of our courses can be done via distance learning for your convenience. Distance learning allows you to study while balancing your other commitments and responsibilities.
Can I Study Child Care Without Matric?
Absolutely! All of our child care courses can be done without a matric certificate. The only entry requirements we have are:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Be able to write, read, and understand English
- Be willing to study via distance learning
Requirements And Funding For A Child Care Facility
Looking into starting your own daycare? Then the first step would be to learn about all the requirements that you have to meet to run a successful child care facility.
What Are The Requirements Of Opening A Daycare?
Knowing all the requirements that go with opening a daycare should be your priority. The good news is that we break down everything you will need to know
- Business Registration
- Compliance with Health And Safety Regulations
- Approval for Location and Zoning
- Staffing Requirements
- Fire Safety
- Compliance with the Children’s Act
Business Registration
Although a daycare is primarily a childcare facility, it is also a business. Therefore, your daycare needs to be registered as a business with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC). This is important to ensure that your business is operating legally.
Compliance With Health And Safety Regulations
Running a daycare comes with health and safety regulations that you need to adhere to. This means ensuring a safe, clean, and sanitary environment for the children. To make sure that you comply with these regulations, you will have regular inspections by the Department of Social Development.
Approval For Location And Zoning
You cannot simply choose a location for your daycare and start operating. The location of your daycare needs to be approved by your local municipality to ensure that the location is fit for running a daycare and that it doesn’t conflict with local zoning laws.
This also needs to be done even if you decide to start a daycare in your home.
Staffing Requirements
Each of your staff, including yourself, should have the proper qualifications and experience in child care, as well as a clear background check.
Adhering to these requirements ensures that you and your staff are well-equipped to provide safe, quality care and education to the children.
Fire Safety
A fire safety certificate is a must to be able to operate a daycare. This certificate shows that your daycare meets all the necessary fire safety regulations. You will only get this certificate after your local fire department has done a thorough inspection of your facility.
Compliance With The Children’s Act
Last but not least, your daycare must always be in compliance with the Children’s Act. This ensures that your daycare provides a safe environment, and proper supervision and adheres to child and protection policies.
How To Register A Day Care In South Africa?
In order to be able to operate a daycare in South Africa, you need to register your daycare with the Department Of Social Development. Here is what you will need to do:
- Prepare and Submit Your Application
- Gather all necessary documents for submission
- Site Inspection
- Approval And Registration
Prepare And Submit Your Application
You will need to complete and submit Form 11 which will require you to provide the details about your daycare facility, the services you will be offering, your staff, etc. You can get this application form from your nearest Department Of Social Development office.
Gather All Necessary Documents For Submission
You will need to submit proof that your daycare is fit to start operating. This includes your health and safety clearance certificate, zoning approval, municipal approval, fire safety clearance, staff clearance, and all relevant qualifications.
Site Inspection
Once you submit your application, a site inspection will be scheduled. Inspectors will be visiting your daycare to make sure that it meets all requirements.
Approval And Registration
Once your application has been approved and you pass your inspection, you will be approved and your daycare will then be officially registered. After the official registration, you will receive a certificate of registration that must be displayed clearly in your daycare facility.
How To Get Funding For Daycare?
Opening a daycare is not easy on your pocket. Exploring funding options is an important step to consider when thinking about starting a daycare. The good news is that there are a few options:
| Source Of Funding | Description |
|---|---|
| Government Grants | There are certain government grants that are open to early childhood development centers and small businesses. |
| Bank Loans | Another option is to look into getting a bank loan. Although they can provide the necessary capital, they do require a solid business plan and collateral. |
| Private Investors | You can look for private investors that are interested in supporting child care facilities. |
| Personal Savings | Your personal savings are always an option, however, it does take some more personal financial risk. |
What Do I Need To Work In Child Care?
A career in childcare requires more than just a few qualifications. Understanding the responsibilities and requirements can help make your decision easier.
Career Opportunities
Completing any of our childcare courses opens up many career opportunities such as:
- Daycare Worker/Childcare Worker– You will be in charge of making sure the children are safe and maintaining a fun, stimulating environment.
- Creche Teacher– While similar to a daycare worker, you will be responsible for young children, usually infants and toddlers, and making sure their needs are met during the short period of time that they are there.
- Au Pair– A childcare course allows you the qualifications to become an au pair. You can do this in the country to take advantage of this qualification to go abroad to become an au pair.
- Daycare Manager– You will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the daycare and managing staff and administrative duties while ensuring a safe, nurturing, and legally compliant environment for the children.
- Nanny– Getting a childcare qualification allows you to become a nanny. As a nanny, you will be responsible for looking after children in their own homes for short periods of time.
- Babysitter– Although a qualification is not needed to be a babysitter, getting one will look good on your CV when applying for jobs.
- Daycare Owner– Some of our courses equip you with the qualifications to own a daycare of your very own.
How Do I Become A Childcare Worker In South Africa?
To be able to become a childcare worker in South Africa, you would need to meet some requirements.
- Getting the proper qualifications
- Gaining experience
- Registering with the relevant bodies
Getting The Proper Qualifications
The first step to becoming a childcare worker is to get all the necessary qualifications. You will need to get a qualification in childcare, such as a Child Day Care Course.
Gaining Experience
Getting some hands-on experience from internships or volunteering will help develop your skills and knowledge so that you will be more prepared for working with children full-time.
Registering With The Relevant Bodies
Depending on the jobs you are looking into, you may have to register with the South African Council for Social Services Professions (SACSSP).
What Do You Expect Of The Day Care Worker?
As a daycare worker, you are expected to deal with a number of responsibilities that come with taking care of children.
| Responsibility | Description |
|---|---|
| Supervising Children | You are taking care of people’s little treasures and ensuring that they are safe and accounted for at all times is one of the most important jobs |
| Education | Being a childcare worker means that you are responsible for fostering children's cognitive and social development |
| Health and Hygiene | Overseeing the daily routines of meals, naps, play, etc. while still teaching hygiene practices is key to maintaining the children’s health and safety |
| Support | Children are still developing, so a big responsibility you have is to be there to provide emotional support when they need it |
| Communication | As a childcare worker, you are responsible for communication between both children and parents. Effective communication is key |
What Do You Gain From Working With Children?
Working with children is a very rewarding career and there are many things that you can gain from the childcare industry.
- It is a very rewarding job
- It allows you to explore your creativity
- Gain lifelong skills
- Improved parenting abilities
A day care course is a great way to get into a rewarding field. Plus, if you are already in the field and have been wanting to get that long-awaited promotion, then our Day Care Center Management courses are the perfect way to get the qualifications you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Things all daycares should have to include: health and safety supplies, cleaning supplies, furniture and proper equipment, play materials such as toys, an outdoor play area, and a childcare management system.
To open a daycare in South Africa, you will the relevant qualifications such as our Child Day Care Comprehensive Certificate Course.
To work with children you will need the following skills: patience, first aid knowledge, problem-solving, organisational, communication, and decision-making.
