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It’s the end of August and here in Johannesburg we’re seeing the first signs of spring. The creches are preparing for graduation days for their 6 year olds. These are great community events to mark the passage of the little learners to “big school”. We’ll make sure to post some photos in our next newsletter.
The The Early Care Foundation staff is excited by the progress now apparent at the centres with which they work. A combination of classroom training followed by extensive follow-up support for practitioners is resulting in visible improvements in the layout and activities offered at the crèches.
1. Department of Basic Education registering The Early Care Foundation project schools
We have been working closely with the Johannesburg South District directorate of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to prepare five of our project creches for registration as approved Grade R centres. They have already been registered as places of care with the Department of Social Development. Once registered with DBE, the centres will receive funding to support the Grade R programme.
2. Mandela Day
CQS Technology Holdings’ staff chose to spend their Mandela Day with the children of Bubbly’s Day Care Centre in Soweto. The company adopted the centre two years ago as part of their enterprise development programme.
To mark Mandela Day CQS organised an office toy-drive and erected a shade cloth covering for the children’s play area at the crèche.
Thanks to the patronage of CQS, Bubbly’s Day Care has managed to equip their staff with the C.A.R.E Skills Programme offered by The Early Care Foundation. The principal is a pro-active manager and ensures that her staff members are kept updated with on-going changes in the ECD sector.
3. Day Mothers Programme Certification Ceremony
On the 31 July 2013 The Early Care Foundation, in partnership with Hollard Foundation and Engaging Parents Organisation, celebrated the successful completion of the Day Mothers Skills Development Programme at a certification ceremony at Meyerton Town Hall.
 The day mothers, who have had little formal education, care for pre-school children in Sicelo, Boitumelo and Kliprivier townships in Mid-vaal. Each day mother cares for up to 6 children between the ages of 0 – 6 years – a time when appropriate nutrition and stimulation are vital for healthy development.
The Early Care Foundation congratulates the 20 young women who successfully passed their evaluation and received certificates of competence on the day.
4. Early Childhood Practitioners Certification Ceremony
On the 14 August 2013 The Early Care Foundation celebrated the successful completion of the C.A.R.E Programme at a certification ceremony at Bram Fischerville Multi-Purpose Centre with practitioners from the East and West Rand.
Through the C.A.R.E skills programme, the practitioners have gained the basic knowledge of what the requirements are from various government departments, the importance of an effective administration system, the stimulation and care of children, etc. They have demonstrated this through assignments, assessments and implementation at their sites.
Some of the 41 practitioners who received their certificates of competence proudly pose with our donors and Chairman, Dr Motsepe.
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