Rhodes' Child Project is a Constant Winner

The Centre for Social Development at Rhodes University in Eastern Cape is early childhood development’s unassuming trailblazer.

As winner of the yearly Absa and Sowetan Early Childhood Development (ECD) Awards, it was placed first in 2007 and third last year in the ECD resources and training organisations category.

In line with the rallying call in the sector for the education and training of practitioners who are highly skilled and industrious, as well as passionate, the centre (CSD) has created a career path for ECD practitioners who have completed the diploma in education.

Practitioners are accommodated at the university’s education faculty to study towards an advanced certificate in education, with options to upgrade to a Bachelor of Education degree.

Aside from the regular education and training provided for the practitioners, the CSD also provided further support for ECD in the following ways:
• Training in planting and the use of herbs as well as seedlings and equipment for vegetable gardens at pre-schools;
• Bursary support for orphans and other vulnerable children;
• Training in HIV-Aids policies for ECD centres and also providing training for school governing bodies; and
• The donation of book boxes from Biblionef to ECD centres.

One of the latest novel community outreach innovations is the BingBee.
This is an information kiosk designed to improve literacy and numeracy skills in children through fun and entertainment.

Source: The Sowetan