As key contributors to a child’s early development, ECD practitioners play a vital role in fostering essential learning, social, and emotional skills that lay the foundation for long-term success. With this in mind, six ECD practitioners, from within the Frances Baard area, were upskilled through an 18-month ECD Practioner Capacity Building initiative, which recently culminated in a graduation ceremony.
Forming part of the programme’s first cohort, the practitioners have earned an NQF level 4 qualification, having successfully completed their Further Education and Training Certificate in Early Childhood Development. This milestone marks a significant achievement in enhancing the quality of early childhood education within the Dikgatlong Local Municipality.
“The significance of having properly qualified and competent practitioners to teach young children cannot be overstated. This initiative ensures that children receive quality early education, laying a strong foundation for their future learning. We are proud to witness the tangible impact of our support, as these practitioners contribute to improved teaching, learning, and the functionality of ECD centres,” said Lesego Mosiane, Community Liaison Officer for Matla A Bokone Solar, which funds this programme as part of its Early Childhood Development Programme aimed at professionalising the ECD sector by providing practitioners with essential training.
In addition, Matla A Bokone Solar plans to further develop these practitioners by funding their NQF Level 5 Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Development. This qualification, aligned with the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), will enable them to teach Grade R learners and apply for Department of Basic Education positions, further strengthening the professionalisation of the sector.
“I am very grateful for what Matla A Bokone Solar is doing for us as ECD practitioners. Today, I am a qualified ECD practitioner and was even awarded top student. I look forward to furthering my studies with their support,” expressed Heinrich Bartlett, a newly qualified practitioner from Little Flower Playgroup ECD Centre in Barkley West.
The programme aligns with national ECD objectives, ensuring that children aged 0 to 6 receive quality foundational education. In total, 25 practitioners are supported through the programme, including six from Barkley West (Cohort 1), seven from Kimberley (Cohort 2), and 12 from Riverton under the Riverton
