President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasized the crucial role of ECD in shaping the future of South Africa. He added that it plays a critical role in developing early literacy, early numeracy, and social-emotional skills during an important time in a child’s cognitive development.

In order to turn the lack of development at ECD level around, Elru needs donors and funders to partner with them, Ms Fortune said.

“These critical issues all boil down to a lack of funding. To turn this situation around, we need donors and funders to partner with us to change the status quo. Elru’s holistic approach, combined with a commitment to promoting access, quality, and innovation, ensures that we remain a leader in shaping the future of early childhood education,” she added.

Programmes offered to ECD centres include Elru’s Centre Support Programme (CSP).

“Effective centre management practices are critical in creating high-quality learning environments at ECD centres. Our (CSP) provides ECD centre principals and practitioners with the training and tools necessary for sound governance, leadership, and operational best practices. Within the CSP the key trainings are finance; leadership; governance; and the Site Learning Programme (SLP). Together, this training equips ECD centre principals and practitioners with the skills needed to manage centres effectively and provide quality early learning experiences,” Ms Fortune said.

The CSP is a one-year initiative currently funded by Coronation Fund Managers and is operational in Crossroads, Gugulethu and Nyanga.

Nwabisa Manana, principal at Nosiseko Educare Centre in Gugulethu, said: “I am very proud to say today I am a competent practitioner through Elru’s training. As soon as I started to understand all the ELDAs (Early Learning and Development Areas) and aims that underpin the NCF (National Curriculum Framework) and implement all the learning, it helped me a lot. The method that our facilitator is doing, to share what we have learnt after every session and also to recap before a new session, it worked very well for me because I was telling myself I have to grab everything from the discussions and put it into practice."

She added: "That really helped me. I have grown a lot. My classroom is no longer chaotic as it used to be, because planning is what I love and enjoy doing, after I have learnt how to plan. I did all these things at the college but I didn’t understand it fully as we were just reading the books at our training. With Elru, everything is practical so it is much easier to understand. I am no longer struggling to plan play-based activities. I appreciate the work that Elru is doing in our communities. Keep up the good work."

Elru calls on stakeholders, philanthropists, corporate partners, and government bodies to support ECD initiatives, ensuring that every child has a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.

Elru is hosting one of its biggest fundraising events, by selling tickets for the Jive Funny Festival on Saturday June 7, at 8pm at the Baxter theatre.

“By supporting us and purchasing a ticket, you are helping Elru provide a good start for children in the most vulnerable communities,” Ms Fortune said.

For more information on Elru’s programmes and how to get involved, visit www.elru.co.za or email reception@elru.co.za or contact 021 762 7500.