To date, we have worked with close to 1000 parents and caregivers in 30 communities.
And while the programme has been greatly appreciated by our beneficiaries, there has been a need for continuous engagement and an addition of new content and information, this was echoed by the parents and caregivers who want to gain formal qualifications and skills to enable them to start their own ECD centres. The Caregiver Network closes this gap, this programme aims widen our programme reach, deepen our footprint, and strengthen our partnerships with our beneficiaries and partner organisations.
The Caregiver Network-ERs trainings, which include attending the Caregiver-Network event and attending a dedicated training and mentorship programme, enables parents and caregivers to be fully-fledged members of the Caregiver Network who can run ALWs within their community and become a strong localised centre of ECD support.
Caregiver-Networkers who want to become professional Early Childhood Development Practitioners(ECDPs), may have an opportunity to do so through the Educations, Training, Development and Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) ETDP SETA and once the Caregiver-Networker has completed their 18-month practical experience along with their NQF Level 4&5 ECD course, the Caregiver-Networker would become professional ECDPs. This Qualification provides a means for formal recognition in the ECD sector, moreover, the participants will be able to provide high quality ECD services within their communities and be able to further their studies in the field of education.
Through the Caregiver Networker programme, more beneficiaries will be reached in a shorter period, the quality of ECD support in vulnerable communities will be deepened, the real demand of more qualified Caregivers in the ECD space will be met and this will increase the Caregiver’s employability prospects.
