Early Childhood Development practitioner training

VISION

LETCEE strives to be the provider of choice for Early Childhood Development activities in the KwaZulu-Natal interior, so that every community LETCEE works in becomes a nurturing environment for children.

OVERVIEW

The Little Elephant Training Centre for Early Education (LETCEE) is a well-established social-profit organisation with more than 15 years of experience in delivering training and support to Early Childhood Development practitioners in remote, under-resourced areas of the KwaZulu-Natal interior. LETCEE works closely with the provincial Department of Education, Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP Seta) and the KwaZulu-Natal Early Childhood Development Consortium. LETCEE provides a unique in-residence, accredited training programme for Early Childhood Development practitioners, helping them to improve the management, services and resources of their remote centres.

Over a 12-month period, the trainees, all of whom have requested to participate, will attend 8 five-day modules that will result in a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4 qualification. The training will take place at the LETCEE facilities in Greytown, allowing the trainees to focus on learning, network with other Early Childhood Development practitioners, share knowledge and work together to produce quality resources for their centres. The training includes the core, elective and fundamental credits required by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and during each module the trainee will make or receive the teaching materials necessary for the implementation of the National Curriculum in her classroom. This will ensure that she is able to deliver a high quality programme. Each trainee will receive a minimum of three follow-up support visits to their Early Childhood Development centre to ensure that the learning is being applied.

WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

• LETCEE’s training is both theoretical and practical, and addresses the urgent need to upgrade the quality of Early Childhood Development centres in impoverished and remote communities.
• The project reflects good practice in Early Childhood Development by providing quality training for those working in community-based Early Childhood Development sites, as well as providing skills so that the practitioners can make the toys, equipment and resources that they need.
• The 40-day in-residence training provides participants with a unique and intense ‘learning journey’ experience, where they are able to meet other practitioners and form a network of support.
• LETCEE’s training enables practitioners to develop and manage a day-to-day programme at their centre so that young children can benefit from a safe, stimulating and caring environment. LETCEE is aware of the vulnerability of young children due to their poverty-stricken circumstances and their training includes sensitising practitioners and providing them with psycho-social counselling skills.
• The project includes follow-up site site visits to supplement the trainees' learning, problem solve and ensure that the training is put into practice.
• The project builds the capacity of the teachers, improves the circumstances of the children and provides communities with quality Early Childhood Development sites that are long-term beacons of community development.

EXPECTED LIFE CHANGE

An investment of R141 400 will enable LETCEE to deliver its accredited in-residence training to 12 Early Childhood Development practitioners from under-resourced preschools in remote, rural areas.

Expected life change:

• 12 Early Childhood Development practitioners will receive NQF Level 4 training that should significantly improve the quality of education and care at their centres. This qualification may also lead to improved earnings for the practitioners.
• Approximately 24 female community members who assist at the Early Childhood Development centres will benefit from the improved management of the centres, as well as new childcare knowledge and basic education skills.
• Approximately 350 children will benefit from improved conditions, education and care at the Early Childhood Development sites.
• Direct life change at R367.00 per person. Many more children will benefit from the enhanced capacity at these Early Childhood Development centres in future years.

This project has breadth, depth, intensity and permanence in its positive impact on the educational, vocational, psycho-social, economic and social aspects of the beneficiaries’ lives.

NEED

KwaZulu-Natal is under-resourced when it comes to number and quality of Early Childhood Development centres. The remote, rural communities of the interior where LETCEE operates are extremely poor, with overwhelming unemployment levels. There is a lack of food security, adequate housing, clean water and sanitation. In addition, HIV/AIDS prevalence is amongst the highest in the country. The majority of children are vulnerable and there is a lack of knowledge about the benefits and aims of Early Childhood Development. Despite the national mandate to introduce Grade R in primary schools, the majority of children under six years of age do not have access any preschool education. In these under-resourced communities, Early Childhood Development practitioners have little access to quality training and resources.

STRATEGY

To implement an intensive ECD training course: LETCEE’s accredited 40 day in-residence training transfers knowledge and practical skills that will enable 12 Early Childhood Development practitioners to design and implement effective day-to-day programmes at their centres.

The training focuses on meeting the multiple needs of vulnerable children and building capacity so that the practitioners can maintain safe, caring and stimulating Early Childhood Development sites that encourage the full development of children.

To produce much-needed educational and infrastructural resources: LETCEE’s training programme includes making the educational equipment required to improve their Early Childhood Development centres.

To provide ongoing support through site visits: Follow-up site visits by LETCEE trainers ensure that the learning is applied and provide further opportunity for improvement and quality checks.

ACTION PLAN

Preparation

The 12 beneficiaries have been selected and LETCEE is ready to implement the training. As soon as funding has been received, dates will be set.

Implementation

The 12 beneficiaries will travel to LETCEE’s premises, where they will be accommodated and trained. They will attend 8 five-day modules over a 12-month period. Each trainee will receive three follow-up site visits.

Monitoring

LETCEE has a continuous monitoring and evaluation protocol which includes registers, reports, discussions and questionnaires that include community caregivers and parents.

RISK PROFILE

Key Strengths

• Concept: LETCEE’s training course is accredited with SAQA at NQF Levels 1 and 4. The idea of an in-residence training course has proved over the years to have benefits such as focused concentration on the learning, valuable networking and sharing of knowledge and ideas. The learning of skills such as making educational equipment and the time and materials to create resources, results in the trainees returning to their Early Childhood Development sites with a toolkit to enhance their work. The learning of bereavement play and psycho-social counselling skills increases the trainees' capacity to care for vulnerable children.
• Design: LETCEE’s training methodology has been independently evaluated and recommended by educationalists. More than 3 000 female educators have been trained using LETCEE's methodology and there have been notable improvements at many of their Early Childhood Development sites.
• Capability: LETCEE has more than 15 years of experience and they have made significant contributions to good Early Childhood Development practice in the country. LETCEE has expert individual leaders, who are supported by an involved board.
• Control: LETCEE is a well-established social-profit organisation with sound systems in place for administration and financial control.
• Sustainability: The impact of the training is lasting and sustainable as it directly builds and develops human capital and resources.

Key Risks

• Design: LETCEE provides ongoing refresher courses for those who have received the training and these play a role in the further upgrading of skills. If funding is not available, the trainees may not benefit from an ongoing connection with the organisation.
• Sustainability: There is an inherent risk that trained Early Childhood Development practitioners may not stay at their centres in the long term, creating a new need for successors to be trained.
• External: There is a risk that attendance of the course may be adversely affected by illness and even death.