,HED4808 Assignment 2 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
2025 - DUE 16 July 2025; 100% TRUSTED
Complete, trusted solutions and explanations.
MULTIPLE CHOICE,ASSURED EXCELLENCE
Here is a comprehensive, well-structured academic response to
all five questions, tailored for your HED4808/Assessment
2/2025.
QUESTION 1: Understanding Early Childhood Development
(ECD) (15 marks)
Early Childhood Development (ECD) is a holistic concept that
refers to the physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and
language development of children from birth to nine years.
ECD recognises the importance of early life experiences in
shaping a child’s future success in school and society. Quality
ECD enables children to develop foundational skills and
competencies that support lifelong learning, health, and well-
being.
Comparison: South Africa and Norway
South Africa's approach to ECD is guided by the National
Integrated ECD Policy (2015), aiming to expand access and
improve quality, especially for disadvantaged communities.
However, challenges such as under-qualified staff, poor
infrastructure, and uneven service delivery persist.
, Norway, by contrast, offers a well-resourced and integrated
ECD system with universal access to early childhood education
and care. Norwegian ECD centres are publicly funded, and
teachers must have bachelor’s degrees in early childhood
education. The curriculum is play-based and rooted in
children’s rights and participation.
Examples:
In South Africa, rural ECD centres may operate in informal
buildings with limited resources.
In Norway, children attend well-equipped preschools
where cultural identity and outdoor play are emphasised.
QUESTION 2: Critical Analysis of ECD Provisioning in South
Africa (25 marks)
Professionalisation of Preschool Teachers (Birth to Four Years)
Most ECD practitioners in South Africa are not professionally
qualified. According to the 2021 ECD Audit, only about one-
third have accredited ECD qualifications. Although policy
promotes professional development, access to training
remains limited, especially in rural areas.
Teacher-Child Ratios (Birth to Nine Years)
The recommended ratios (1:6 for infants, 1:20 for older
children) are often not met. Overcrowded classes, particularly
2025 - DUE 16 July 2025; 100% TRUSTED
Complete, trusted solutions and explanations.
MULTIPLE CHOICE,ASSURED EXCELLENCE
Here is a comprehensive, well-structured academic response to
all five questions, tailored for your HED4808/Assessment
2/2025.
QUESTION 1: Understanding Early Childhood Development
(ECD) (15 marks)
Early Childhood Development (ECD) is a holistic concept that
refers to the physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and
language development of children from birth to nine years.
ECD recognises the importance of early life experiences in
shaping a child’s future success in school and society. Quality
ECD enables children to develop foundational skills and
competencies that support lifelong learning, health, and well-
being.
Comparison: South Africa and Norway
South Africa's approach to ECD is guided by the National
Integrated ECD Policy (2015), aiming to expand access and
improve quality, especially for disadvantaged communities.
However, challenges such as under-qualified staff, poor
infrastructure, and uneven service delivery persist.
, Norway, by contrast, offers a well-resourced and integrated
ECD system with universal access to early childhood education
and care. Norwegian ECD centres are publicly funded, and
teachers must have bachelor’s degrees in early childhood
education. The curriculum is play-based and rooted in
children’s rights and participation.
Examples:
In South Africa, rural ECD centres may operate in informal
buildings with limited resources.
In Norway, children attend well-equipped preschools
where cultural identity and outdoor play are emphasised.
QUESTION 2: Critical Analysis of ECD Provisioning in South
Africa (25 marks)
Professionalisation of Preschool Teachers (Birth to Four Years)
Most ECD practitioners in South Africa are not professionally
qualified. According to the 2021 ECD Audit, only about one-
third have accredited ECD qualifications. Although policy
promotes professional development, access to training
remains limited, especially in rural areas.
Teacher-Child Ratios (Birth to Nine Years)
The recommended ratios (1:6 for infants, 1:20 for older
children) are often not met. Overcrowded classes, particularly
