Ilifa’s early learning playgroup programme in the North West demonstrate the value of non-centre based early learning environments – especially for children who, for whatever reason, cannot access creches and day-care centres.
The playgroup facilitators are sourced from government’s Community Works Programme (CWP), which pays job seekers a stipend to do useful work on a part time basis, and are coached for the task of running playgroups by our facilitators employed by our partner Cotlands, who come equipped with considerable ECD expertise.
We recently met with the North West Department of Social Development to plan a way forward for the integration of the playgroups into the department’s budgets, human resource plans and other structures. In order to celebrate this exciting milestone, we are sharing the personal experience of a Cotlands early learning playgroup facilitator trainer with the programme, as well some photos we love from the project. Enjoy and please leave any comments or questions in the comment section below!
My name is Julia Shoke and I live in Boikhutso village, outside Venterdorp in North West province. I have been working as an ECD facilitator for eight years. There is nothing I enjoy more than working with children. I teach children but you will be surprised at how much you learn from them if you just give them the opportunity to show you.
Currently, I am a mentor trainer for the Cotlands’ early learning playgroup facilitators from government’s Community Works Programme (CWP). When I first entered the programme back in April, I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. We were training CWP workers, some of who did not have much experience working with children.
The transformation of the CWP early learning playgroup facilitators has been very encouraging to watch, though. They are more professional now and they carry themselves better and express themselves better. I think it’s the ongoing training and mentoring that is actually making the difference – the facilitators feel supported throughout the process and they have a place to share ideas and teach each other.
We still have some challenges – some of the venues are temporary and the facilities for preparing the snacks are not always ideas, but we are working on sorting those out.
What makes this all worthwhile is hearing the appreciation from the parents. Most of these moms and dads don’t have money to send their kids to a day care or they just live too far from one. The playgroups give their kids an opportunity to interact with other children and learn. They are not falling behind in their development and that is the most important thing.
