About us
Early childhood has been shown to be the most effective period for educating children. Our job is to ensure that the people teaching them are sufficiently skilled to create rich and stimulating preschool environments
WHY IS ECD IMPORTANT?
Healthy development in the early years (particularly birth to three) provides the building blocks for educational achievement, economic productivity, responsible citizenship, lifelong health, strong communities, and successful parenting of the next generation.
Participation in quality preschool education (also known as pre-primary/kindergarten/nursery education) brings significant and long lasting benefits to children. Investing in early childhood development is a cost-effective way to boost shared prosperity, promote inclusive economic growth, expand equal opportunity, and end extreme poverty. Longitudinal studies have found that those who participated in early childhood educational programs are more likely to start school on time, less likely to drop out of school, more likely to graduate from secondary school and obtain a job as an adult, and less likely to commit crimes and end up imprisoned.
ECD Provides essential services during a unique period of development of the brain in children
Provides health and nutrition services
Provides early education opportunities that provide that support better learning an improved life chances in adulthood
ECD is cost effective and better for societ
A Message from our Patron
Dr Tshepo Motsepe
Early Childhood Development Matters
The World Health Organisation (WHO) positions early childhood as the critical years because this is the period in life when the brain develops most rapidly and has a high capacity for change, and the foundation is laid for health and wellbeing throughout life.
A good foundation in the early years of development is crucial in providing the right building blocks that are necessary for adulthood and providing the next generation with the necessary start in life. Educated and healthy people participate in, and contribute to, the financial and social welfare of their societies.
As a long-term advocate for early childhood development, I am honoured to be involved with organisations such as Early Foundation, whose initiatives and programmes make a difference in the development of our children and empower women who are involved in pre-schools with skills and knowledge. These pre-schools are also important resources in communities as they vehicles of local employment and create safe spaces for children within close proximity of their homes.
I am also encouraged by dedication and commitment put towards the early childhood development by other stakeholders within the sector. Let us continue working together for the success of all our children.
