1. The ECD Forum Model: Background and Context

2. An astonishing journey. Opportunities Amazing people Its outcome more than foreseen

4. Didn’t invent ECD Forums Recognise them as an invaluable tool for addressing Access to Early Childhood Care and Development is limited The needs of young children that allow for their holistic development are not being met One on one intervention with primary care givers and ECD service providers from the public and private sectors is not currently achievable the need is too great CHALLENGES

5. Save the Children in KwaZulu-Natal for 54 years. 1961 – 2012 as Save the Children KwaZulu-Natal and 2013 -2015 as Save the Children South Africa. From 1961 - 1997 SCKZN volunteer donor organisation largely benefitting the young child. Mid 1990’s recognised the existence of ECD Forums and the need/opportunity for providing guidance and training on the Management of ECD services. Also recognised that the need was too great for one on one intervention What started as meetings with groups of ECD services in a particular area in order to determine where support would be most beneficial and needed has grown in to what is now the ECD Forum Model.

6. Nokuthula Zulu Example and inspiration Long association with SC President of the SAECD Congress Chairman of the Mpumalanga Pre School Ass. Champion of ECD Runs an ECD service of a very high standard Willing to share her knowledge, expertise and resources with other ECD service providers in the community and wider This has resulted in a large number of ECD services, in the Mpumalanga community that are also of a very high standard.

7. SC saw an opportunity for: Further developing what was happening in Mpumalanga; To continue learning from Nokuthula; and To grow our initiative alongside hers as we together implemented and shared our work with and learnings from ECD Forums.

8. Many ECD forums throughout the country and are generally: Area based Open to ECD Supervisors and Practitioners Voluntary membership However they are also largely characterized by being activity or crisis driven. The opportunity lies in: The needs of the ECD sector being known Available resources identified and accessed Activities becoming outcomes driven.

9. THE ECD FORUM MODEL Through providing a Specific Systematic Approach Tools to assist with implementation SC has been able to empower ECD forums to contribute to Increased access to and an improve quality of ECD services = The ECD Forum Model

10. The ECD Forum Model has been informed by a Pilot Project with ECD services in the Wentworth Community as well as working with the Lamontville, Umzinto, Tongaat and Chesterville ECD Forums. Each community has a different context and while the elements of Model remaine constant SC’s involvement in implementing the Model has been different in each area. Through the SC KZN Association of ECD Forums 64 ECD Forums from throughout KZN have been exposed to and benefitted through the ECD Forum Model. Reaching indirectly conservatively estimated:  1 920 ECD services (30 services per forum);  5 760 ECD Practioners (3 Practioners per site) ; and  57 600 young children (30 children per service)

11. THE ECCD FORUM MODEL The Model is: Multi-faceted, and multi-dimensional. Geared to the holistic care, protection, nurturing and the physical, emotional, social and intellectual developmental needs of the young child. Founded on the rights of the child and on the imperative to provide ongoing support and guidance to those who provide ECD services.

12. The model involves working through ECD Forums to include all sectors of the community who have a responsibility for the young child.

13. The Model combines: Information and knowledge dissemination Capacity development Sharing best practices Networking Partnerships Collective action

14. AN ECD FORUM  A network of ECD practioners from a specific geographical area in which all ECD services are known and invited to participate.  Forum members are aware of and strive to meet the legal requirements that govern them as well as the need to implement quality ECD Programmes.  Forum members identify challenges and opportunities and develop a plan to address these.  Regular meetings are held which always include a capacity building element, the opportunity to share best practices and a focus on issues that require a position or action to be taken by the group as a whole.  Additional skills trainings by specialist facilitators and trainers are arranged.  Members have access to an ECD Centre of Excellence, a Resource Hub and a Mentor.  Cross visits and peer mentoring are encouraged.  Members are capacitated and empowered to engage with duty bearers regarding rights and services and to hold them accountable.  Individual members may be mandated by the Forum to serve as a representative on various stakeholder groups.  Using the collective power of the group much needed resources in terms of services, expertise, time and cash/in- kind donations are leveraged.  Opportunities are identified/created/ utilised to create an awareness in the community about the importance of ECD.

15. Tools and Resources Detailed guidelines for the establishment, management and sustaining of a Community driven ECCD Forum ECD Resource Hubs: a ‘meeting’ point; toy library; access to printing, laminating; sample lessons; etc ECD Administration Resource Kit containing templates of required documentation. ETDP SETA Accredited training on ‘How to Manage an ECD service’. Connection to an acknowledged ECD Programme Skills training on areas such as: Role and Responsibility of an ECD Service Management Committee; Positive Discipline in ECD Centres; Water, sanitation, health and hygiene (WASH); Advocacy Information on relevant legislation, mandated responsibilities, contact details of government and non-government ECCD service providers, potential supporters, links to the local media ECD Centres of Excellence Mentoring of ECD services The SCSA model incorporates two critical tools that are new to South Africa: The International Development and Learning Assessment (IDELA)Tool An Early Literacy and Maths (ELM) Programme for pre-school children Facilitation of the Provincial Association of ECD Forums

17. A Community An Effective ECD Forum Stakeholders Parents/Care Givers Access and Quality ECD

18. SUPPORT FOR AND SUSTAINABILITY There is an ongoing need to support and sustain ECD Forum this can be achieved through Ensuring that ECD is owned by the community Having a Forum Mentor Mentoring of new Forums by well established forums Cross visits Keeping the Forum Model dynamic and

19. Regional/Provincial Associations of ECD Forums – capacity building, sharing of best practice and collective action

20. The Wentworth ECD Forum: Insights from the field Gail Richards