SAEP's Early Childhood Development Programme aims to increase access to and quality of early childhood care and education. Through mentorship, training and infrastructural upgrades, we empower principals and staff to develop under-resourced educare centres into sustainable education providers. The programme currently partners with 10 centres.

The need

While some township educare centres operate as functional schools, many are overcrowded, unsanitary structures where 60 children and two adults share a room the size of a shipping crate.  Women who start ECD centres-sometimes in their own living rooms-often lack the education, skills and confidence to successfully run a centre.  Many under-resourced centres function as little more than "holding pens" for children.

Without government support, centres struggle to fund daily operations.  However, in order to be eligible for subsidies, they have to meet minimum requirements in infrastructure, financial management, curriculum and teacher training.  External assistance gives educare centres resources they might never obtain on their own to make these upgrades and build a foundation for self-sufficiency.

Activities

The ECD Programme helps centres with:

• Government registration: SAEP helps centres qualify and register for state subsidies.
• Mentorship: SAEP stands alongside centre staff throughout the journey to sustainability.
• Capacity building: SAEP provides training to principals, teachers and care givers in a first aid, hygiene, nutrition, parenting skills, HIV/Aids, grief and trauma counselling, fundraising, financial management, computer skills, inclusive education, and arts and crafts.
• Teacher development: SAEP helps centre staff to enrol in and access bursaries for SAQA-accredited modules in early childhood education.
• Structural upgrades: SAEP renovates existing structures and build new centres to provide adequate space, proper sanitation and protection from the elements.
• Nutritional support: SAEP provides a nutritious meal for every child, every day.
• Activities and outings: SAEP staff and volunteers run regular interactive workshops with children.
• Donations: SAEP collects and delivers material donations, including educational toys, blankets, books and clothing.
• Access to resources: SAEP helps centres raise money, access resources and equipment, and develop partnerships with resource and training organisations.