We believe that young children must be put first in society.  Our focus is to increase the capacity of individuals, organisations and communities to deliver early childhood development services.  This is pursued through a range of programmes, projects and services.

 

The Centre is a national resource providing, training, support and advice in the field of early childhood development by offering courses and training programmes aimed at enhancing individual and organizational capacity; by disseminating resources; and by carrying out research specifically related to the African context. In 2000, the Centre carried out a national audit of 24,000 Eearly Childhood Development sites and 85 Early Childhood Development training providers on behalf of the Department of Education (SA).

 

The findings revealed that only16% of children have access to Early Childhood Development programmes and services.  During the past ten years, the Centre has played a major role in strengthening the Early Children Development Non Government Organisation sector to increase the capacity of Early Childhoo Development services to reach the 84% of children who do not have access to Early Childhood Development programmes and services.  

 

We train teachers to work with children; provide equipment to Early Childhood Development Centres; we combat HIV/Aids through community education programmes; we develop the capacity of Early Childhood Development Non Profit Organisations through organisational development, mentoring and coaching; and we provide computers and educational software to Grade R classes throughout South Africa. All programmes and services implemented by the Centre are underpinned by our belief that ‘young children must be put first in society’.