It was and still is one of the plans of RMI to start in ECD training in order to help and empower more former disadvantaged and poor women of this country. In 2019 this dream came even more closer to us. Reach Make Itwas approached by Judea Hope, an NGO from Pretoria to help and partner with them to roll out a one year Early Childhood Development program called Elevate.
This is a program that has been developed by the University of Pretoria. As a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) accredited program it gives students twenty (20) Continuous Professional Development Points (CPD).
Due to my background as an educator and as overseer of the program,I was trained
as themaster trainer for the program. In turn I recruited, Esther Steyn a professional ECD Assessor and Facilitator, and trained her as a trainer to present the program.
Esther was for eleven (11) years the ECD Training Manager for the Catholic Welfare Society. Part of her job was to oversee twenty-eight (28) Early Childhood Centres in the Delft area in Cape Town for the Western Cape Government Department of Social Services.
Esther Steyn the facilitator/teacher
During the year students were trained in the following disciplines:
- The fundamentals of the Elevate Education Program
- How children learn and develop (holistic developments & multiple intelligence)
- Obstacles/special needs experienced by children & how they overcome those
- Special goals for the “Elevate Education” Program
- Understanding the structure of the lesson plans & other activities
- Understanding the parts of the elevate daily program
- Understanding the curriculum themes that will be covered during the year
- Other important aspects to deal with
- The classroom, administration, cooking and logistics
- Health and safety
This exercise has helped RMI gain the experience to get ready to present their own accredited Early Childhood Development training soon.