| Other Services |
|
|
|
ECD Support ProgrammeAs there are few places where early childhood development (ECD) centres can obtain high quality support required to run effective ECD facilities, we established an ECD Support Programme. This programme is a resource to providing development support, information and advice to individuals and community groups wanting to start or improve an ECD centre or programme. The ECD Support Programme:
Our staff on this programme assist individuals and groups with specific ECD needs through a process of training, mentorship, coaching and capacity building. It is planned that the ECD Support Programme will be rolled out to rural communities. Service partners in this project include Provincial Government departments, donors, labour and civil society. Local government is especially identified as a key service partner in this programme. During 2006 we worked directly with 767 ECD centres and some 46,000 children in the Western Cape Province were supported. Organisation Development WorkThis programme enhances the capacity and effectiveness of ECD organisations. It develops and sustains effective structures, systems and procedures for high quality management and develops organisational competencies - the understanding, knowledge, skills and attitudes - appropriate to the day-to-day leadership and management of ECD organisations. This programme has 5 key components: Strategic Direction; Developing Organisational Structures and Systems; Human Resource Development; Resources & Networking; and Promoting Partnerships & Communication. IBM KidSmart Early Learning Programme
The centrepiece of the KidSmart programme is the Young Explorer computer unit. A colourful furniture unit with a built-in computer, keyboard and speakers. It includes comfortable seating for two and a well-ventilated lockable cabinet to keep the computer and wires out of the way. The KidSmart unit is loaded with award winning educational software that inspires creativity, helps develop problem-solving skills and actively engages children in the learning process. ECD Infrastructure Upgrade ProgrammeThe programme started in 2004 following an extensive provincial needs assessment at schools and ECD centres in the Cape Metro, Vredendaal, Beaufort West, Oudtshoorn, George, Theewaterskloof, Overstrand and Helderberg districts. Where specific needs were identified, ECD infrastructure upgrades took place. We work with Early Childhood Development Centres assisting them to meet the minimum requirements for early childhood development centres as set out by the Department of Social Development, helping them to register as a partial care facility for young children. Upgrades also take the form of repair work and classrooms added at the various centres. ECD Equipment ProjectThe Centre assisted 429 ECD sites in the Western Cape Province through educational equipment provision and is currently providing equipment to another 400 centres in the Western Cape. ECD CampaignsFunded by the Foundation for Human Rights, we held a series of workshops and open days between 25 November and 10 December 2005 to mark the "16 Days of No Violence towards Women and Children" campaign. The campaign highlights the high incidence of women abuse, child rape, abduction and murder in South Africa. Five communities (Crossroads, Delft, Elsies River, Lavender Hill and Manenberg) were targeted. Activities in each area included human rights workshops and women's safety workshops which reached 156 women. Children's rights workshops made use of a puppet show to create awareness of child safety and were attended by 248 children aged between 3 and 12 years. Open days were attended by over 565 people where human rights materials, information on Child Line, and Soul City materials were distributed to create awareness and show commitment to non-violence. The events were lively, entertaining and very informative for those who participated. ECD HelplineTo meet the need for information, materials, data, facts, resources and statistics on early childhood development the Centre for Early Childhood Development established an ECD helpline. The ECD helpline provides information and disseminates materials and resources to and from ECD organisations. This service is provided free of charge. In our resource and information unit we have some 2,500 articles on 128 topics including:
Community DevelopmentThe Centre partners with community leaders, parents, families, ECD practitioners and other community members to establish early childhood development centres and programmes, to strengthen and support these programmes and services and to ensure the sustainability of the centres where these programmes and services take place. By collaborating with various community members we empower the community in creating safe and educationally stimulating environments for their children, thus improving the quality of early childhood development. ResearchThe Centre undertakes research on aspects of early childhood development. A major research programme involved managing the South African Nationwide Early Childhood Development Audit for the National Department of Education. EvaluationThe Centre conducts early childhood development project evaluations and impact studies on behalf of donors and grant makers. Curriculum DevelopmentThe Centre for Early Childhood Development develops curricula for teacher training at levels 4 and 5, for Governing Body training and for other Unit Standards. These curricula are shared with organisations around the country. Advice and InformationWe provide advice and information to local, regional and national authorities and non-government organisations (NGOs) on all aspects of early childhood development (ECD) and community development. For a list of topics we can provide advice and information on please see the section titled Helpline on this page. Advocacy & LobbyingThe Centre for Early Childhood Development is committed to advocacy and lobbying in support of Early Childhood Development provision. We have provided inputs to government commissions, studies and parliamentary hearings on the South African Constitution, and the National Education Department Early Childhood Development policy document amongst others. Strategic PlanningThe Centre offers strategic planning for early childhood development NGOs which assists organisations to plan their services and programmes in the light of a changing education environment. |
The CECD - IBM KidSmart Early Learning Programme provides specially designed computer centres and teacher training to selected community-based ECD sites and Grade R classes in South African Public Primary Schools.
