73 early childhood development (ECD) centres in Nelson Mandela Bay’s developing communities that received intervention from Early Inspiration across 2016/17 reflected an average of 15% improvement in terms of centre compliance at post-assessment. “124 passionate, dedicated practitioners from Nelson Mandela Bay, that work or volunteer in ECD centres and grade R classrooms took part in our level two skills programme," remarks Early Inspiration MD, Dr Lauren Stretch. "Each underwent a stringent … [Read more...] about Significant impact on the Bay’s early childhood development centres
Early Inspiration
March 21st: World Down Syndrome day
In Nelson Mandela Bay, the Pathcare Cytogenetics Unit diagnoses three children a month with Down Syndrome, and the annual incidence of diagnosed children have ranged from 25 to 35 children in the past five years. “The biggest challenge for the children in Nelson Mandela Bay with Down Syndrome isn't their medical care, but the support for early childhood development, and special needs schooling," comments Carol Massyn, Port Elizabeth Down Syndrome Association (PEDSA) Chairperson and the Head … [Read more...] about March 21st: World Down Syndrome day
Unregistered credit providers crippling early childhood development centres
Supply and demand drives the informal lending market, and there’s an estimated 50,000 unregistered credit providers who charge on average four or five times the legal interest on loans. And it’s these lenders that many crèche or early childhood development centre (ECD) owners are turning to, to keep their businesses afloat because they are not financially literate. According to the 2011 Gender Statistics Report, the community and social services sector employs the most women in South Africa. … [Read more...] about Unregistered credit providers crippling early childhood development centres
Sand Babies Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy Programme launches
One in three girls in South Africa fall pregnant before their 20th birthday, and it’s with this statistic in mind that Early Inspiration’s first Sand Babies Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy Programme launches this week with grade eight and nine pupils from all five high schools in Graaff Reinet: Union High School, Hoer Volkskool, Nqweba Secondary School, Asherville Secondary School and Spandau Secondary School. This programme may also be implemented throughout rural communities in the Eastern … [Read more...] about Sand Babies Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy Programme launches
New wave of Early Childhood Development practitioner’s begin their Level 4 training
Today 17 Early Childhood Development practitioner’s from across Port Elizabeth’s developing communities who went through a screening and selection process, began their Level 4 qualification in Early Childhood Development (Qualification ID: 58761 and accredited by the ETDP SETA and recognised across South Africa) at Early Inspiration. The practitioners will be challenged, and will develope with new skills and knowledge. The curriculum focuses on literacy, numeracy and Early Childhood … [Read more...] about New wave of Early Childhood Development practitioner’s begin their Level 4 training
International Day of Families – 15 May
May 15th is the International Day of Families. Created by the United Nations, it’s an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and increase knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families. Families play a critical role in early childhood development (ECD), and there is an opportunity to better engage parents in understanding early childhood development, to facilitate positive child development. “The role of family on a child is … [Read more...] about International Day of Families – 15 May
SMSPORTAL partners with two worthy causes in Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth-based Early Inspiration and Siyaya Skills Institute are now proud Corporate Social Investment (CSI) partners of leading software development house SMSPortal. Early Inspiration's guiding vision is to change children’s lives in South Africa. The organisation directly and indirectly positively impacts almost 10 000 children that it is working to develop into ambitious, confident, knowledgeable and dynamic leaders through teacher training, home visits and parent programmes in … [Read more...] about SMSPORTAL partners with two worthy causes in Port Elizabeth
Early Inspiration wins at the South African Early Childhood Development Awards
The South African Early Childhood Development Awards, has today announced that Early Inspiration has won the national award for Best Early Childhood Development Programme. Championed by the National Development Agency in partnership with UNICEF, the South African Congress for Early Childhood Development, the Department of Basic Education and Social Development, it recognises and celebrates best practice and outstanding participation in early childhood development (ECD). Early Inspiration, … [Read more...] about Early Inspiration wins at the South African Early Childhood Development Awards
Investing in early education for economic growth
Economists have long believed that investment in education, or "human capital," is an important source of economic growth. And only recently has this message been explored. An essential aspect of the economic development argument supporting early childhood development (ECD) is that these programs can significantly improve the cognitive and social/behavioural capacities of young children so that later in life they will be more productive citizens than they would otherwise have … [Read more...] about Investing in early education for economic growth
The Impact of Effective, Practical, Supportive Practitioner-Training in Early Childhood
Recent research by Port Elizabeth's Dr. Lauren Stretch into the effectiveness of practitioner training in underprivileged early childhood development, has uncovered that a deep practitioner understanding of childhood growth and development results in effective stimulation and development which in-turn sets them up for a successful progression in their education. Considering the Government’s National Development Plan and vision for 2030, and its emphasis on education, we need to set our … [Read more...] about The Impact of Effective, Practical, Supportive Practitioner-Training in Early Childhood
Early Inspiration training to encourage school career success
A stream of 24 new students are taking part in Early Inspiration Training (EITP), a teacher training programme designed for current or prospective practitioners in underprivileged areas who deal directly with children aged between birth and six years. Early childhood education in the Eastern Cape has been targeted as a priority sector. There are 4.4 million babies and young children in South Africa and according to the Education White Paper 5 on Early Childhood Development (2001:2), 40% of … [Read more...] about Early Inspiration training to encourage school career success
