Evidence from across the world demonstrates that access to early learning stimulation in the preschool years significantly enhances the ability of children from impoverished backgrounds to benefit from schooling. In South Africa, there are roughly five million children under five years of age. Unless things change, half of these children will never be exposed to any form of out-of-home learning experience. Therein lies a massive opportunity, if we give every child the benefit of quality early childhood development, especially in underprivileged communities.
UVIWE’s ECD centres are working towards meeting the requirements of the Essential Package (Ilifalabantwana) and we also advocate that with Love, Food, Safety and Stimulation all children can flourish.
Our ECD centres are committed to secure an equal start for children living in the underprivileged areas in Schauderville and Gelvandale. Our programme focusses on:
- holistic development of the child to ensure strong a foundation for future learning (basic literacy, numeracy & social skills)
- School readiness - Grade R (preparing for school) and
- Circle of courage (Belonging, Mastery, Independence, Generosity)
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTRES (ECD)
WHAT IS EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT?
Evidence from across the world demonstrates that access to early learning stimulation in the preschool years significantly enhances the ability of children from impoverished backgrounds to benefit from schooling. In South Africa, there are roughly five million children under five years of age. Unless things change, half of these children will never be exposed to any form of out-of-home learning experience. Therein lies a massive opportunity, if we give every child the benefit of quality early childhood development, especially in underprivileged communities.
UVIWE’s ECD centres are working towards meeting the requirements of the Essential Package (Ilifalabantwana) and we also advocate that with Love, Food, Safety and Stimulation all children can flourish.
Our ECD centres are committed to secure an equal start for children living in the underprivileged areas in Schauderville and Gelvandale. Our programme focusses on:
- holistic development of the child to ensure strong a foundation for future learning (basic literacy, numeracy & social skills)
- School readiness - Grade R (preparing for school) and
- Circle of courage (Belonging, Mastery, Independence, Generosity)
PROGRAMMES INCLUDED AT UVIWE’S ECD CENTRES
PROGRAMMES INCLUDED AT UVIWE’S ECD CENTRES
NUTRITION
UVIWE’s nutrition programme has been improved to address the malnutrition and underweight challenges some of the children have been identified with. The ECD Menu meets the dietary requirements as per the guidelines of the Essential Package. Nutritional meals are prepared to ensure healthy brain development, improvement of the little ones’ learning capacity and physical development. We remain thankful to partners such as KFC ADDHOPE who are helping us to sustain a healthy meal plan for the children
EARLY STIMULATION
Evidence from across the world demonstrates that access to early learning programmes in the preschool years significantly improves the ability of children to benefit from schooling. It reduces the risk that they will drop out of school and increases the probability that they will be employed as adults. UVIWE’s ECD’s offer quality early stimulation programmes that meets the requirements of the National ECD Curriculum Framework. Our stimulation programme focuses on the child’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical development. Activities are age appropriate and carefully selected according to the child’s developmental stage & ability. We make use of structured theme books, educational posters, activity corners, outdoor play equipment and educational outings to enhance their developmental growth.
HEALTH SUPPORT
UVIWE’s ECD centres are committed to annual health checks for the children. LFE HEALTH COLLEGE assists with a basic health assessment to identify children with health risks and to assist with referrals to medical specialists. Screening children for developmental delay and disabilities is an essential service. If left unattended, they constitute barriers to learning and result in preventable poor educational performance. Road to Health booklets must be up to date, children must be fully immunised and their growth monitored. HIV-exposed children must receive PMTCT treatment.
NUTRITION
UVIWE’s nutrition programme has been improved to address the malnutrition and underweight challenges some of the children have been identified with. The ECD Menu meets the dietary requirements as per the guidelines of the Essential Package. Nutritional meals are prepared to ensure healthy brain development, improvement of the little ones’ learning capacity and physical development. We remain thankful to partners such as KFC ADDHOPE who are helping us to sustain a healthy meal plan for the children
EARLY STIMULATION
Evidence from across the world demonstrates that access to early learning programmes in the preschool years significantly improves the ability of children to benefit from schooling. It reduces the risk that they will drop out of school and increases the probability that they will be employed as adults. UVIWE’s ECD’s offer quality early stimulation programmes that meets the requirements of the National ECD Curriculum Framework. Our stimulation programme focuses on the child’s cognitive, emotional, social and physical development. Activities are age appropriate and carefully selected according to the child’s developmental stage & ability. We make use of structured theme books, educational posters, activity corners, outdoor play equipment and educational outings to enhance their developmental growth.
HEALTH SUPPORT
UVIWE’s ECD centres are committed to annual health checks for the children. LFE HEALTH COLLEGE assists with a basic health assessment to identify children with health risks and to assist with referrals to medical specialists. Screening children for developmental delay and disabilities is an essential service. If left unattended, they constitute barriers to learning and result in preventable poor educational performance. Road to Health booklets must be up to date, children must be fully immunised and their growth monitored. HIV-exposed children must receive PMTCT treatment.
SOCIAL SERVICES SUPPORT
Essential social services defined in The Essential Package include birth registration, social protection (e.g. Child Support Grant), and protection from maltreatment. Birth registration is a constitutional right that should be secured as early as possible, as it is required to access services. These must be complemented by preventive services, such as parenting programmes and caregiver support. UVIWE involves the parents of children in parenting workshops and offer support for children without birth registration or medical cards.
CAREGIVER / PARENT SUPPORT
Nurturing parenting during the first years of a child’s life has positive effects on all aspects of child development. Effective parenting is often compromised when poverty and other stressful environments are present, therefore increasing the risk of child neglect and under-nutrition. UVIWE offers positive parenting programmes and workshops to ECD children’s’ parents to help them create a loving and nurturing environment in which their children can flourish.
SOCIAL SERVICES SUPPORT
Essential social services defined in The Essential Package include birth registration, social protection (e.g. Child Support Grant), and protection from maltreatment. Birth registration is a constitutional right that should be secured as early as possible, as it is required to access services. These must be complemented by preventive services, such as parenting programmes and caregiver support. UVIWE involves the parents of children in parenting workshops and offer support for children without birth registration or medical cards.
CAREGIVER / PARENT SUPPORT
Nurturing parenting during the first years of a child’s life has positive effects on all aspects of child development. Effective parenting is often compromised when poverty and other stressful environments are present, therefore increasing the risk of child neglect and under-nutrition. UVIWE offers positive parenting programmes and workshops to ECD children’s’ parents to help them create a loving and nurturing environment in which their children can flourish.
INNOVATION - Uviwe Child & Youth Services support innovative solutions and approaches to ECD and Youth Development challenges. Uviwe is a progressive community based organization.We are often on the forefront of innovative social change programmes.
INNOVATION - Uviwe Child & Youth Services support innovative solutions and approaches to ECD and Youth Development challenges. Uviwe is a progressive community based organization.We are often on the forefront of innovative social change programmes.
