ECD PRACTITIONERS RECEIVE SUPPORT

March 2023.

Responding to the need to improve the quality of early childhood care and education in the Frances Baard area, a training programme has been implemented to help provide 14 local Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners to further their education and earn an accredited qualification. The impetus is on enhancing early childhood care and education and increasing access to quality early learning programmes, in the Northern Cape.

Funded by Matla A Bokone Solar, in collaboration with the Department of Education, this ECD Practitioner Capacity Building Programme is designed to assist practitioners in obtaining their ECD NQF Level 4 qualification, issued by ETDP Seta.

“In the formative years of a child’s life, early experiences play an important role in shaping the development of young brains. This support will have a positive effect as it will ensure that young children are prepared for formal schooling, promote life-long learning, as well as encourage children to study further,” explained Lesego Moisane, Community Liaison Officer for Matla A Bokone Solar.

This programme, which consists of 16 weeks of contact training over an 18-month period, will not only help improve the standard of services for the benefit of children, but will also allow practitioners to carry out their work more efficiently as they will have more confidence in their teaching abilities.

One of the programme participants, Heinrich Bartlett, a practitioner at the Haasbekkie ECD Centre in Barkly West, had this to say, “I had a wonderful time participating in this programme and have met some wonderful friends and facilitators. The programme has helped me become a better practitioner and it has really changed how I approach my work. Among the many skills I’ve learned is how to resolve conflict and communicate with colleagues and parents effectively.”