Early childhood development is supported by Cookhouse Wind Farm and mentors

Cookhouse Wind Farm’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Project is helping to improve the current level of ECD centres in the surrounding local area, with the objective of providing quality childcare and education for children up to age 6.  This flagship project enables Practitioners to achieve a formal qualification and address the challenge of poor performing ECD Centres due to ineffective governance structures and financial management systems. Furthermore, Practitioners are supported by a dedicated mentor to bridge the gap between study models and classroom assimilation.

The role of the ECD Mentor is to provide support for the Practitioners. Mentors visit participating ECD Centres to observe lessons and ensure that content from study modules is being effectively implemented.  Assistance on how to improve lessons or manage challenging issues is also provided.

Marcia Douglas, ECD Practitioner at Wonderland Educare, said about the support of a local mentor, “The local mentor has helped me to understand how important it is to develop a child holistically and taught me how to stimulate children and interact with children in a meaningful way.”

There are currently 48 Practitioners across 26 ECD Centres in Somerset East, Cookhouse, Bedford and Adelaide, training for their NQF Level 2 qualification.  Training of the first intake began in September 2016 and will be completed in September 2017, with sessions held in Bedford and Somerset East.  Each Practitioner receives study manuals and a portfolio to assist with effective record keeping. Marcia added, “I now know and understand the five key aspects of childhood development and how it affects learning.”

A thorough baseline assessment was conducted on the ECD centres participating in the project, which highlighted the vast need for improved Early Childhood Development facilities and competent practitioners to meet the needs of developing children.  “Early Childhood Development is a priority for our county, which is why it is supported by legislation and national policies and why our funding aims to help develop toddlers and young children during these critical foundation years,” concluded Sizile Mabaso, Chief Community Operations Officer for Cookhouse Wind Farm.