Head of Discipline: Prof Angela James Jamesa1@ukzn.ac.za
Sub Discipline Coordinator: Prof Roy Venketsamy VenketsamyT@ukzn.ac.za
Dr Ashnie Mahadew; mahadewa@ukzn.ac.za
Dr Zanele Zama; zamaz@ukzn.ac.za
Dr Jabulile Mzimela; mzimelaj@ukzn.ac.za
Dr Makie Kortjass; KortjassM@ukzn.ac.za
Dr Sinenhlanhla Mbambo-Mkhwanazi; MbamboMkhwanaziS@ukzn.ac.za
Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndinisa; NdinisaS@ukzn.ac.za
The Discipline of Early Childhood Education (ECE) has the primary purpose of providing a holistic, contextually relevant education that challenges, inspires, and engages graduates with the required disciplinary knowledge, educational theory, and methodology. This knowledge will enable pre-service teachers to demonstrate competence and responsibility, as academically and professionally qualified Early Childhood Care and Education and Foundation Phase teachers.
The two integrated subdisciplines are:
1. Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
The Early Childhood Care and Education (Birth to Four) subdiscipline aims to offer modules that promote excellent teaching and learning through quality teacher development and preparation for teaching children from birth to four years. It aims to enhance pre-service teachers’ experience by producing a cadre of reflective, skilled teachers and to strengthen community engagement by addressing early childhood education needs in local contexts.
NB: The programme will be offered in 2027/2028.
(Dr Ashnie Mahadew mahadewa@ukzn.ac.za; Dr Zanele Zama zamaz@ukzn.ac.za)
2. Foundation Phase (FP)
The Foundation Phase (Grades R-3) subdiscipline is a specialised, high-stakes stage of education that aims to transform pre-service teachers into confident, knowledgeable, and ethical Foundation Phase specialists. The programme aims to produce graduates who are responsive leaders, capable of navigating the complexities of South African classrooms with confidence and precision. By prioritising evidence-based teaching and professional integrity, the FP sub-discipline ensures that teachers can effectively bridge the transition from early childhood to formal primary schooling, securing the vital foundations of literacy, numeracy, and life skills.
(Dr Jabulile Mzimela mzimelaj@ukzn.ac.za; Dr Makie Kortjass KortjassM@ukzn.ac.za; Dr Sinenhlanhla Mbambo-Mkhwanazi MbamboMkhwanaziS@ukzn.ac.za; Mrs Sibusisiwe Ndinisa NdinisaS@ukzn.ac.za)
For more information visit our Early Childhood Education discipline page.