Support Early Childhood Development Caregivers

The past three months have been an exciting period of hands-on creativity, collaboration, and impactful learning for our ECD team. From resource-making initiatives to training sessions, our team has embraced opportunities to grow and enhance early childhood education.

LEGO Training at Care for Education

A key highlight was the LEGO training at Care for Education, where 12 dedicated ECD participants - comprising four Mentorship students, one current ECD Level 4 student, and seven ECD team members - took part in an intensive four-day workshop. Through the use of Six Bricks and Duplo-based activities, participants explored engaging ways to encourage problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork in young learners.

By integrating LEGO-based learning, we aim to inspire a dynamic classroom environment where play becomes a powerful tool for education.

Building Bonds Through Play: Games Day!

The Mentorship team injected energy and enthusiasm into Education Africa with an exciting Games Day on the 24th of January. This team-building event brought together colleagues in a spirit of fun and friendly competition. The company was split into two competing teams: Team Education and Team Africa, who battled it out in challenges such as stacking cups with an elastic band, Jenga, and a general knowledge quiz.

The atmosphere was filled with laughter, strategy, and just the right amount of competitive spirit. In the end, Team Education narrowly claimed victory, but the real success of the day was the strengthened relationships and enhanced teamwork that emerged from this engaging experience.

Uniting for Progress: Celebrating Collaboration in Train the Teacher

A significant milestone was reached as our Orange Farm 1 and Orange Farm 2 cohorts came together for a joint training session in October and November. With 50 students gathered in one space, this marked a first for our ECD Train the Teacher programme. What initially seemed like a logistical challenge quickly transformed into a remarkable experience of shared learning and collaboration.

By working together towards a common goal, our students exemplified the power of teamwork and mutual support. This event set a precedent for future training sessions, reinforcing the benefits of collective engagement in professional development.

Turning Waste into Wonder: Creativity in ECD Resource Making

We are thrilled to highlight the incredible work of our ECD team in Orange Farm, who have demonstrated creativity and sustainability as part of the ECD Level 4 Resource Making Initiative. The team worked collaboratively to repurpose waste materials into beautiful, functional educational toys, showcasing their innovative thinking and dedication to early childhood development.

Well done to the entire team!

As we reflect on the past three months, it is clear that our ECD team continues to make meaningful strides in education, mentorship, and resource development. The creativity, teamwork, and dedication demonstrated by our educators and students set the foundation for a brighter future for early childhood education in our communities.

We look forward to building on these successes in the months ahead!

Our ECD Teacher Mentorship program is designed to provide ongoing learning and support for early childhood educators, equipping them with the skills and confidence to create impactful learning experiences for young children. Every second Saturday, we bring our community of trainee teachers together through a livestream workshop led by our in-house expert, Bolao. These sessions follow the curriculum developed by Ntataise Trust, ensuring our trainees receive high-quality, relevant guidance that can be directly applied in their classrooms.

In our most recent workshop, we focused on introducing the theme of changing seasons. Trainees explored interactive activities, creative storytelling techniques, and hands-on demonstrations to make this natural cycle engaging and educational for young learners. We’re excited to see how our trainees will bring this lesson to life, encouraging curiosity and understanding in their students.

On October 4th, our team visited Kananelo Early Learning Centre in Orange Farm, where we were warmly welcomed by Audrey, one of our recent graduates and a participant in the ECD Teacher Mentorship program. Through this initiative, NQF Level 4 graduates like Audrey benefit from support, guidance, and professional development that help them refine their teaching skills, establish their professional identity, and create enriching learning environments.

During our visit, our mentorship intern, Mpumi, organised a reading session featuring the book Spot Goes to the Shop to introduce children to the concept of money and its exchange for goods. The lesson was brought to life with a homemade tuck shop where each child received ‘spending money’ to buy groceries, filling the room with excitement and laughter. The day wrapped up on a joyful note with treats, cake, and plenty of smiles from Education Africa, leaving both the children and educators inspired and connected through the shared experience.