From Ivory Park to ECD professionalisation: Nomvula's next chapter

Nomvula Catherine Kgoete, a 57-year-old principal at Child First Day Care Centre in Ivory Park, Midrand, shares the personal rewards of her work with young children. Passionate about nurturing their growth, Kgoete sought to enhance her skills in curriculum planning and teaching to provide more stimulating learning experiences. This led her to Rhiza Babuyile's ECD Practitioner Training Programme, aimed at supporting practitioners and centre owners through practical training and formal qualification pathways.

The programme, designed as a three-tiered pathway, begins with a six-month accelerator course, which offers practical entry for those working with young children and aspiring practitioners. It equips participants with fundamental knowledge and skills in child development, play-based learning, and classroom management. For practitioners like Kgoete, this training bridges years of community-based care with formal early learning approaches.

Rhiza Babuyile, the programme lead, notes that participants come from diverse backgrounds – some are experienced ECD owners, others are practicing practitioners, and others are unemployed women seeking to enter the sector. About 60% of participants already work in the ECD sector or own a centre, while the remaining 40% enter the programme to create a route into the local economy. Graduates have a high success rate in securing employment or starting their own centres.

Kgoete's experience in the programme was transformative. It introduced her to effective teaching methods, such as storytelling, sensory exploration, and interactive games, which she now implements at Child First Day Care Centre. She observed increased engagement and confidence among the children, as well as improved communication and curiosity about their surroundings. Kgoete emphasizes the importance of a community partnership between educators, parents, and the community for quality education.

For Kgoete, the training has empowered her to become a more capable and confident leader, motivated to continue learning and making a lasting impact on the lives of the children she teaches. The national focus on formalizing the ECD sector is reflected in her personal journey, as she finds better ways to support children's growth through play and meaningful learning experiences.