HED4808
Assignment 2 2025
Detailed Solutions, References & Explanations
Unique number:
Due Date: 16 July 2025
QUESTION 1
Understanding Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Comparing South Africa
to a European Country
Understanding ECD
Early Childhood Development (ECD) refers to all the support, education, care, and
services given to children from birth to nine years old. These services help children grow
and develop in areas such as thinking, emotions, health, and social life. ECD is
important because it gives children a strong foundation before entering formal schooling.
It also helps families, especially mothers, by allowing them to work while their children
are cared for in safe and learning-friendly environments (HED4808 Study guide, 2023, p.
9).
ECD is not only about teaching; it includes health, food, safety, and love. Good ECD
services must be provided early in life to reduce poverty and help children become ready
Terms of use
for By making use of this
school. In many countries, including South Africa, ECD plays a major role in fixing document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
QUESTION 1
Understanding Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Comparing South
Africa to a European Country
Understanding ECD
Early Childhood Development (ECD) refers to all the support, education, care, and
services given to children from birth to nine years old. These services help children
grow and develop in areas such as thinking, emotions, health, and social life. ECD is
important because it gives children a strong foundation before entering formal
schooling. It also helps families, especially mothers, by allowing them to work while
their children are cared for in safe and learning-friendly environments (HED4808
Study guide, 2023, p. 9).
ECD is not only about teaching; it includes health, food, safety, and love. Good ECD
services must be provided early in life to reduce poverty and help children become
ready for school. In many countries, including South Africa, ECD plays a major role
in fixing past injustices and improving the well-being of children in poor communities.
ECD in South Africa
In South Africa, ECD is guided by many laws and policies. The Education White
Paper 5 of 2001 defines ECD as a full approach that includes families and
communities, aiming to protect children's rights and support their full development. It
includes care, health, learning, and social support for children from birth to nine
years old (HED4808 Study guide, 2023, p. 11).
In the past, during apartheid, black children were left out of proper ECD services.
Most centres were run by NGOs, and the focus was mainly on survival, not
education. After apartheid, the government started to include ECD in its national
plans. It moved ECD services to the Department of Basic Education to give
education more importance. However, funding is still limited and based on grants,
which are mostly given to the poorest communities (HED4808 Study guide, 2023, p.
12).
ECD in South Africa is still influenced by Western views. It encourages institutional
learning in centres rather than traditional caregiving at home. However, some
community-based centres like mobile ECD programmes and playgroups still exist.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
There are also efforts to recognise African ways of raising children, which focus on
the family and daily routines as learning opportunities (HED4808 Study guide, 2023,
p. 12).
Even though policies like the Children’s Act and the National Integrated ECD Policy
of 2015 aim to protect and support children, many poor centres still struggle. The
poorest children are often cared for by unqualified staff in poor facilities. Although
there are training programmes now, access to quality training and funding remains
unequal (HED4808 Study guide, 2023, p. 14).
ECD in Finland – A European Example
In comparison, Finland is a good example of a European country with strong ECD
services. Finland treats ECD as part of its education system and not just social
welfare. ECD services are available to all children, and there is full government
funding. Parents have the right to take their children to early learning centres, and
most centres are run by local municipalities. These centres follow a national
curriculum and are staffed by well-trained teachers.
Unlike South Africa, where ECD services often depend on the community or private
funding, Finland makes sure that every child has a place in a centre, regardless of
their parents' income. The government believes that investing in ECD improves the
country’s future. It supports mothers in returning to work, and it prepares children
equally for school (HED4808 Study guide, 2023, p. 9).
Similarities and Differences
Both South Africa and Finland agree that ECD is important for children's growth and
success in school. Both countries also see ECD as a way to support working
mothers and fight poverty. However, the way they do this is very different.
South Africa's ECD system is still developing and faces problems with funding,
quality, and equal access. Only the very poor get government support, and many
centres are not in good condition. On the other hand, Finland offers free and equal
access for all children. Teachers in Finnish ECD centres are trained, and the
curriculum is carefully designed to support each child's learning and development
(HED4808 Study guide, 2023, p. 11).
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 2 2025
Detailed Solutions, References & Explanations
Unique number:
Due Date: 16 July 2025
QUESTION 1
Understanding Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Comparing South Africa
to a European Country
Understanding ECD
Early Childhood Development (ECD) refers to all the support, education, care, and
services given to children from birth to nine years old. These services help children grow
and develop in areas such as thinking, emotions, health, and social life. ECD is
important because it gives children a strong foundation before entering formal schooling.
It also helps families, especially mothers, by allowing them to work while their children
are cared for in safe and learning-friendly environments (HED4808 Study guide, 2023, p.
9).
ECD is not only about teaching; it includes health, food, safety, and love. Good ECD
services must be provided early in life to reduce poverty and help children become ready
Terms of use
for By making use of this
school. In many countries, including South Africa, ECD plays a major role in fixing document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
QUESTION 1
Understanding Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Comparing South
Africa to a European Country
Understanding ECD
Early Childhood Development (ECD) refers to all the support, education, care, and
services given to children from birth to nine years old. These services help children
grow and develop in areas such as thinking, emotions, health, and social life. ECD is
important because it gives children a strong foundation before entering formal
schooling. It also helps families, especially mothers, by allowing them to work while
their children are cared for in safe and learning-friendly environments (HED4808
Study guide, 2023, p. 9).
ECD is not only about teaching; it includes health, food, safety, and love. Good ECD
services must be provided early in life to reduce poverty and help children become
ready for school. In many countries, including South Africa, ECD plays a major role
in fixing past injustices and improving the well-being of children in poor communities.
ECD in South Africa
In South Africa, ECD is guided by many laws and policies. The Education White
Paper 5 of 2001 defines ECD as a full approach that includes families and
communities, aiming to protect children's rights and support their full development. It
includes care, health, learning, and social support for children from birth to nine
years old (HED4808 Study guide, 2023, p. 11).
In the past, during apartheid, black children were left out of proper ECD services.
Most centres were run by NGOs, and the focus was mainly on survival, not
education. After apartheid, the government started to include ECD in its national
plans. It moved ECD services to the Department of Basic Education to give
education more importance. However, funding is still limited and based on grants,
which are mostly given to the poorest communities (HED4808 Study guide, 2023, p.
12).
ECD in South Africa is still influenced by Western views. It encourages institutional
learning in centres rather than traditional caregiving at home. However, some
community-based centres like mobile ECD programmes and playgroups still exist.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
There are also efforts to recognise African ways of raising children, which focus on
the family and daily routines as learning opportunities (HED4808 Study guide, 2023,
p. 12).
Even though policies like the Children’s Act and the National Integrated ECD Policy
of 2015 aim to protect and support children, many poor centres still struggle. The
poorest children are often cared for by unqualified staff in poor facilities. Although
there are training programmes now, access to quality training and funding remains
unequal (HED4808 Study guide, 2023, p. 14).
ECD in Finland – A European Example
In comparison, Finland is a good example of a European country with strong ECD
services. Finland treats ECD as part of its education system and not just social
welfare. ECD services are available to all children, and there is full government
funding. Parents have the right to take their children to early learning centres, and
most centres are run by local municipalities. These centres follow a national
curriculum and are staffed by well-trained teachers.
Unlike South Africa, where ECD services often depend on the community or private
funding, Finland makes sure that every child has a place in a centre, regardless of
their parents' income. The government believes that investing in ECD improves the
country’s future. It supports mothers in returning to work, and it prepares children
equally for school (HED4808 Study guide, 2023, p. 9).
Similarities and Differences
Both South Africa and Finland agree that ECD is important for children's growth and
success in school. Both countries also see ECD as a way to support working
mothers and fight poverty. However, the way they do this is very different.
South Africa's ECD system is still developing and faces problems with funding,
quality, and equal access. Only the very poor get government support, and many
centres are not in good condition. On the other hand, Finland offers free and equal
access for all children. Teachers in Finnish ECD centres are trained, and the
curriculum is carefully designed to support each child's learning and development
(HED4808 Study guide, 2023, p. 11).
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
