Eighteen Early Childhood Development (ECD) practitioners in the Saldanha Bay municipal area are being privately funded to receive accredited training, designed to upskill and improve formative education for young children, in preparation for formal schooling.
The 18-month qualification training programme, funded by Umoya Wind Farm and implemented in partnership with Grassroots Educare Trust, commenced last year and will run until September.
The aim of the programme is not only to improve the development of children and the quality of early childhood development and education in parts of the province, but also to stimulate job creation.
“This Practitioner Qualification Training is one of the development initiatives to help children and ECD practitioners grasp the foundations and improve opportunities for education and job creation in our West Coast communities. This qualification adds so much value to the advancement of the careers of ECD practitioners and an effective pathway for the future of our children,” said Amber Zeeman, community liaison officer for Umoya Energy Wind Farm.
On completion of the programme, which focuses on Planning and Preparing for Early Childhood Development, participants will obtain an NQF Level 4 Certificate in Early Childhood Development.
As a result of the upcoming merging of the Department of Social Development and of Basic Education, all practitioners will require a formal qualification.
“I am honoured and privileged to be a part of this programme,” said Winnifred de Koker, a participant.
“This training has opened my eyes to the world of Early Childhood Development and the importance of this foundation phase. The programme has given me the knowledge, confidence, and inspiration I need to open my own ECD centre.”
