Community-Based Early Childhood Development in North West Province, RSA

Our Vision: A good start in life for every child Our Mission: Building tomorrow, today by facilitating better child outcomes for children's invulnerable communities through effective early intervention programmes. Our Approach to ECD: To support, train and capacitate the adults responsible for the direct care and wellbeing of the child during each age and stage of their development, from conception to age six. •Pregnant women •Primary caregivers/Households •Parents •ECD Principals and Practitioners Our Programmes: Family and Community Motivator (FCM) Programme Home visiting Programme for pregnant women and children from birth to two years (first1000days), focused on the provision of the essential package of services and caregivers/households. The home visiting programme (FCM Programme) employs 80 previously unemployed community members who work within the communities and villages around them, assisting 20 households/ caregivers. The FCM Programme is aimed at reaching children between 0 - 6 years old who are not receiving any Early Childhood Development (ECD) provision and ensure the essential package of services is provided or facilitated over the course of the intervention. The model also aims to reach and support women during pregnancy and assist them with clinic services and pre-emptive medical assistance (from prenatal check-ups to the avoidance of behaviors and substances which are harmful to the unborn baby). Once the baby has been born, the Essential Package of Services (ESP) such as immunization importance, breastfeeding or accessing nutrition, receiving the Child Support Grant and other governmental social services are then provided to assist the caregiver. The FCM programme includes the caregiver in the activities with children so that they will continue the play and stimulation when the FCM is not present, which is fundamental to the projects success. Through education and the provision of training, materials and resources – caregivers are empower to make these positive changes. The focus of the home visit is also to spend time with the caregiver in a psychological support capacity, as well as to share information around services, and facilitate access for all children and caregivers within the household.