22 Februray 2013 – BramFischerville Multi Purpose Centre

Dr Tshepo Motsepe, chairman of The Early Care Foundation, presented certificates of competence to 118 early childhood practitioners at a function held at the Bram Fischerville Multi-purpose Centre on the 22 February 2013.

These women have successfully completed the The Early Care Foundation C.A.R.E. skills-development programme and are applying the learning in their home-based pre-schools in Soweto and Kagiso.  They work with children between the ages of 2 – 6 years.

Speaking at the ceremony Dr Motsepe said, “South Africa has a desperate shortage of facilities for pre-school children. Less than 10% of children in this age group have access to programmes which provide appropriate stimulation and nutrition – yet this is a period of optimal brain development.  The National Development Plan has identified early childhood development (ECD) as one of its priority areas but it will take input from all sectors to overcome the current backlog. The women receiving certificates today are playing a significant role in this national effort.”

The Early Care Foundation is a non-profit organisation that receives funding from the private sector to work in both formal and informal places of care for children. They are currently working with over 500 women to improve their knowledge and skills in ECD and have over 200 informal creches to which they provide a support service. The Early Care Foundation works closely with local offices of the Department of Social Development to promote the requirements of the Child Care Act of 2005.