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ECD Programmes / Projects

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WHERE GROWTH BEGINS AND POSSIBILITIES UNFOLD

Early Childhood Development Centers

Early Childhood Development (ECD) activities at centres create vibrant spaces where children aged 3 to 5 immerse themselves in "play to learn" sessions that are essential to their growth and development.

Operating five days a week, these programs are thoughtfully designed and led by skilled practitioners, often trained to level 4 by LETCEE, ensuring each child experiences a nurturing and stimulating environment that fosters curiosity and creativity.

Centre Nutrition

Warm bowls of porridge—stirred gently by a caregiver's hand—quiet tummies so little minds can roar with curiosity.

LETCEE's nutrition program ensures that children receive essential meals to support their healthy development and combat malnutrition.

In playgroups, children are served a bowl of fortified porridge each morning before participating in the "play to learn" sessions. At the centres, breakfast options include either cooked meals or cereals, followed by a nutritious, cooked lunch later in the day. A standardized menu is used across all centres to maintain consistency and quality in the meals provided.

Food Gardens

Food gardens have been established within the communities where ECD programs are active as a supportive initiative to enhance access to fresh and nutritious produce. These gardens empower local farmers to grow vegetables for both personal consumption and income generation.

Community gardens are often managed collectively by groups of men and women, fostering collaboration and self-sufficiency. Additionally, families are encouraged to set up home gardens, enabling them to cultivate their own food. To ensure the success of these efforts, supportive resources such as fencing, farming tools, irrigation systems, and access to markets are provided.

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Communal Gardens

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ECD Center Gardens

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Household Gardens

Let's cultivate hope and harvest opportunity—together.

Toy Libraries

Toy libraries are part of an Early Childhood Development (ECD) initiative, that provides access to educational materials like toys and books. There are fixed and mobile toy libraries.

Fixed libraries are permanent community setups where ECD practitioners and families can borrow materials. Mobile libraries visit playgroups, ECD centres, and schools, bringing "play to learn" sessions to children far from fixed locations and allowing borrowing and exchanging of resources.

When I saw my daughter share a toy for the first time, I cried. It meant she felt safe enough to trust.
– Lindiwe, mom of a 3-year-old

Home Visit (Abahambi) Programme

The Home Visit Programme focuses on supporting children aged 0 to 3 years and their families through holistic, play-based learning activities. It incorporates essential aspects such as health and hygiene, nutrition, social welfare, safety, and protection.

Home visitors (Abahambi—people that move) collaborate closely with community health workers to provide essential health check-ups, guidance, and resources to caregivers. This partnership empowers families to create stimulating and nurturing environments for young children within their homes.

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Beneficiaries

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Families Supported

Every home visit plants seeds of hope that blossom into brighter futures.

SPECIALISED PROGRAMMES

Play Able (Inclusive Disability) Project

The Play Able Project, managed by LETCEE, is an initiative dedicated to improving the lives and opportunities of children with special needs within the Umvoti district. Its core mission is to ensure that these children develop into confident, empowered adults who can achieve their full potential and actively contribute to their communities. The project emphasizes nurturing self-esteem and resilience among children and their families through comprehensive support and inclusive activities tailored to their needs.

Play Able operates a specialised day care centre equipped with essential therapy rooms and recreational facilities to address the diverse requirements of children with special needs. Additionally, the project implements home visits to provide personalised support to families, facilitating effective care and development at home.

Smart Start is a social franchise network, in partnership with LETCEE, aiming to expand access to quality early childhood development (ECD), particularly in underserved communities within our districts. The program is delivered through diverse settings, including playgroups, day mothers, and ECD centres, offering flexibility to adapt to the varying needs of local communities.

To ensure sustainable impact, franchisees (practitioners) are equipped with comprehensive training, ongoing mentorship provided by dedicated coaches, and continuous support to maintain high-quality standards. The ultimate objective is to provide every child within reach with a strong foundation for success in both school and life.

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