Early Child Development and Care 181(3):387-396 Practices of early childhood development practitioners for poor and vulnerable children from birth to four years in South Africa
Type
E-Journal
Authors
ISSN
1476-8275
Category
ECCE
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Publication Year
2011
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Online, London, United Kingdom
URL
[ private ]
Pages
10 p.
Subject
Early childhood development, ECD practitioners, Preschool learners, Family-based programmes, Community-based programmes, Poor children, Vulnerable children, Practice, Challenges, Policy, South Africa
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Series Name
Abstract
This article explores the practices undertaken by early childhood development practitioners (ECDPs) to support poor and vulnerable children from birth to four years outside centre‐based provision. The article draws on part of a UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Fund) commissioned evaluation on family and community‐based ECD (Early Childhood Development) programme in the Free State Province of South Africa. The respondents in the study were ECDPs, managers and participants in community projects. The data were produced through interviews, focus group interviews, site visits and document analysis. The findings suggest that ECDPs play an enabling and facilitating role through multiple practices to reach young children and their families both in their immediate and broader environments. Challenges emerge from a lack of recognition of ECDPs as public service workers and contextual factors in poor and vulnerable circumstances. The article concludes with policy implications.
Description
Article
Number of Copies
1
