In May, residents of Meloding, near Virginia, will witness the commencement of the Meloding Early Childhood Development (ECD) Teacher Training Centre.
This transformative initiative is being spearheaded by Dr Marianne Felix, wife of Dr Jean-Patrick Leger, chief executive officer (CEO) of Vesconite Bearings, and marks a significant step towards enhancing the quality of early childhood education in the region.
This development owes much to the collaboration of various stakeholders.
The Teachers’ Learning Centre, represented by Marietjie Gericke, managing director, assumes a pivotal role as the curriculum provider, facilitator trainer, and assessor of prospective teacher’s portfolios of evidence.
A not-for-profit organisation known as Love Trust, with ten different affiliated ECD teacher training centres, is represented by Silas Pillay, director of academics; Felicity Wyche, contracts administration manager; and Michelle Peters, head of facilitation and training. The organisation will be offering support to training facilitators and assisting with administrative tasks to ensure teachers meet NQF level 4 ECD training standards.
Integral to the project are Molyn Moshane, principal of the Meloding Day Care Centre, and Masiu Majoro, a Gr. R teacher, who will serve as training facilitators.
With extensive teaching experience, Moshane and Majoro are poised to impart their expertise, having undergone initial training and possessing commendable classroom management skills, as well as a wealth of knowledge about early childhood education.
The endeavour also enjoys generous support from organisations such as the Real Great Stuff (RGS) Group, Vesconite Bearings and the Alain Leger Personal Trust.
Their contributions, including educational materials and financial assistance, underscore a collective commitment to advancing early childhood education.
The initiative holds personal significance for the Leger family, honouring the legacy of Elizabeth Maire Leger, the wife of Vesconite Bearings’ founder, Alain Leger.
Maire Leger’s three-decade dedication to the Meloding Day Care Centre epitomises a lifelong commitment to early childhood education.
“The ECD Teacher Training Centre is a testament to the enduring influence and steadfast friendship of Elizabeth Maire Leger with the Meloding Day Care Centre founder, Elizabeth Radebe,” says Deborah Spicer, spokesperson for the initiative.
As the May orientation approaches, 11 teachers have been selected to undergo NQF level 4 ECD training over the next two years. Saturday sessions will enable them to enhance their skills, fostering their roles as invaluable assets within their respective institutions.
The programme’s success hinges on both the meeting and exceeding of yearly development goals by children and the completion rate of trained teachers.
“The project aspires to redefine early childhood education in the broader Virginia area, challenging conventional notions of rote learning. Emphasising play-centred teaching, the curriculum aims to cultivate a holistic range of skills, fostering creativity and critical developmental skills among students,” says Spicer.
She says the Meloding Day Care Centre is a beacon of innovative ECD practices, boasting resources conducive to effective learning.
“Teachers embarking on NQF level 4 training express optimism, viewing the centre as a catalyst for professional growth and career advancement in the field of ECD.
“By nurturing a cadre of skilled educators and promoting progressive teaching methodologies, the initiative endeavours to leave a lasting imprint on the landscape of early childhood education in South Africa.”
