On February 12th, General Electric launched an Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) in Kromdraai, in the Cradle of Mankind.
This ECDC will cater for 50 children, and is much needed, as there are no ECDCs in the area. It is an excellent example of the partnership between corporations, government departments, NPOs and the community which is required to launch and sustain a successful ECDC.
Every Sustainable Early Childhood Development Centre requires six pillars of support
- First is community and parental support. The Kromdraai school has a board of committed parents and teachers who will run the school, ensure that the subsidies are properly spent, and that teachers teach and care for the children in their charge. They also provide three nutritious meals daily, according to menus prescribed by the Department of Health
- Second, is the Donor, General Electric willing to donate to make it possible to build and deliver the Early Childhood Development Centre and to drive the process forward to completion
- Third, the local Municipality, under Mogale City has allocated and leveled the land and will provide ablution, water and electricity
- Fourth, the Department of Social Development will monitor the school, help with the registration process leading to the vital sustainable subsidy, monitor the use of the subsidies received, and help to train the teachers. The Department of Social Development plays a vital role in ensuring the success of the school
- Fifth, once the school is running, the Department of Education will plan and fund the ABET courses appropriate to the community needs, and, if a Grade R classroom is added to the ECDC, it will monitor the Grade R courses offered
Finally, Bright Kid Foundation plans and co-ordinates the process of establishing the ECDC, and produces and delivers the MANTAG certified Edutainers® and the funded infrastructure.
