Central SA
Free State Education Department hosts information sessions for ECD founders─── ZENANDE MPAME 15:44 Thu, 22 Feb 2024
“Topics that were discussed ranged from resources for ECDs, funding, and registration of ECDs and compliance.”
Many founders and practitioners in the field of early childhood development attended the information session at the Heide Primary School Hall on Thursday (22/2) to learn about the latest advancements in the field.
The Free State Education Department hosted two information sessions for ECD founders and practitioners over two days. The first session was in Bethlehem on Wednesday (21/2) in the Tiisetsang High School Hall.
“The main purpose is we must come and inform ECDs on our attainments, also what difference have they seen since they were moved from the Social Development to the Department of Education,” said Free State Director for ECD, Primary Schools and Support Selebogo Dithebe.
Free State Director for ECD, Primary Schools and Support Selebogo Dithebe and Department of Education spokesperson Howard Ndaba. Picture: Zenande Mpame
“Lastly we are here to inform them about the new developments that are upcoming in terms of what the department is shaping for the ECD sector which is called the News Service Delivery Model.”
The information session hosted on Wednesday (21/2) was for the Thabo Mofuntsanyane and Fezile Dabi Districts ECD practitioners and Thursday’s was for Motheo, Xhariep, and Lejweleputswa Districts ECD practitioners.
Practitioners and founders at the information session in Bethlehem. Picture: Free State Dept of Education/Facebook
ECD practitioners and founders filled the two halls to hear about the new developments and expectations in the ECD space, funding for 2023/2024, distribution of learning and teaching material, and training on classroom management.
The packed hall at Heide Primary School. Picture: Zenande Mpame
“Today I have learned all the requirements from the department and what they are expecting from us, things like child readiness, classroom management, and the education structure of our practitioners. Everything that we need to ensure the children are ready for Grade R,” said Heidedal’s Angel’s Ark Day Care Founder Vivian van Zyl.
“I am excited to get to my ECD and to relay this information to my practitioners and what to do to get the children ready for the next phase.”
Heidedal’s Angel’s Ark Day Care Founder Vivian van Zyl. Picture: Zenande Mpame
Virginia’s Chabelo Pele Early Learning Center Thato Setenane. Picture: Zenande Mpame
OFM News also spoke to a practitioner from Virginia who attended the information session in Bloemfontein. “I think this session is going to help us a lot because some of us didn’t understand things, so today I learned a lot about how ECDs work,” said Virginia’s Chabelo Pele Early Learning Center Thato Setenane.
