In South Africa, nearly two-thirds of children aged 0-5 years old live in the poorest 40% of homes, with 1.3 million children in the 3-5 age group missing out on structured early learning opportunities. There are 5 key areas of ECD development: gross motor skills, for example crawling, jumping or running, fine motor skills, such as writing and drawing, speech and language, cognitive and intellectual, such as counting or identifying shapes, social and emotional skills, such as playing with other children. Quality ECD interventions can lead to better health, improved cognitive skills, enhanced social-emotional well-being, and increased educational achievement, ultimately setting children up for future success.
PILOT ECD PROGRAMME THROUGH ROGZ ACADEMY
We have successfully launched our new YearBeyond ECD programme with twelve YeBoneers. This provides an opportunity for 12 more youth in addition to our 42 YeBoneers who are placed in our under-resourced primary schools. The youth will experience an incredible journey of personal and professional development.
The ECD programme is called The Little Explorers programme for 3-5 year olds.
The YeBoneers will get work experience in the community of Dunoon supporting ECDs with children age 3-5 years old in the morning, and working with parents and caregivers by visiting children in their homes in the afternoon, who do not attend an ECD. They will be reading stories, doing fun games especially focused on numbers as well as doing art and movement exercises with lots of song and dance.
Orientation week was very successful with the 12 YeBoneers getting to know one another as a team, and learning about what their work will entail. Great excitement and anticipation as they embark on this pilot ECD programme!
GREAT IMPACT ON SO MANY LEVELS
The first few months have already shown great impact with YeBoneers receiving further training on the Little Explorers programme they will be doing with the children. The programme will provide much needed support to approximately 370 children, 8 ECD’s, parents and the community of Dunoon. In 2024 we supported Anele Kwaza as a Mentor in training with the YeBo Academy and we are proud that this year she will be mentoring our 12 new ECD YeBoneers through a year of growth and transformation.
GOOD LUCK!
This is the first time ROGZ Academy will be joining this ECD YearBeyond programme! We wish Anele and the 12 YeBoneers a wonderful year!
